By Chuck Miller
Before Brad Paisley became one of country music's rising superstars, he played his first professional shows at the Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling, W.V., warming up the Saturday night crowd as part of the 70-year-old live Saturday night variety/radio show, Jamboree USA.
"I opened for George Jones, Steve Wariner, Charley Pride, Jimmy Dickens, and so on," said Paisley of his days on the Wheeling stage. "I can't imagine who I'd be without having that experience to lean on."
Top Tourist Attraction
Jamboree USA has been a live Saturday night staple over radio station WWVA since 1933, making it the second-oldest country music broadcast series, behind the Grand Ole Opry.
Listeners loved the program from its first broadcast, when WWVA employees gathered several local musicians and broadcast the show as a "late night Saturday Jamboree." Over the next seven decades, Jamboree USA survived a world war, a major flood, and the changing tastes of country music fans. Today, it's Wheeling's top tourist attraction.
In fact, Jamboree USA's audience far exceeds the Wheeling-Pittsburgh-Ohio Valley general population. On a clear Saturday night, WWVA's signal can be heard throughout the Northeast, drawing a listening audience of eighteen states and six Canadian provinces to Wheeling for a Saturday night country concert.
"One of my first hits was a song called 'Hello Operator,'" said Jamboree USA veteran Dusty Owens, a country star from the 1950's. "We did a special promotion where the disc jockey at WWVA would play that song, and the telephone caller who would call from the farthest point out would get a record and an autographed photo of me. The farthest one that won it was living in St. John's, Newfoundland."
Hawkshaw Hawkins got his start with the Jamboree, as did Hee Haw's Grandpa Jones. But no other Jamboree performer is as beloved, or has had as long a career with the Wheeling Saturday night program, as Doc Williams. Beginning in 1937 with his group, the Border Riders, and later performing in duets with his wife Chickie and his three daughters, Doc Williams has entertained Jamboree attendees and listeners for over sixty years.
During Jamboree USA's 70th anniversary celebration in April, Doc Williams and his band took the stage one more time, to play his songs "Grandma's Rocking Chair" and "My Old Brown Coat and Me" for a new generation.
"Doc Williams is a legendary music figure," said Brad Paisley. "His contribution to music is greater than anyone realizes. He was like the Roy Acuff of the Jamboree."
Still Drawing Crowds and Stars
Stationed near the banks of the Ohio River is Jamboree USA's home theater, the Capitol Music Hall. With crystal-clear acoustics and an unobstructed view from any seat in the house, the Capitol Music Hall still draws country music fans from far and wide to its Jamboree shows.
As the seats fill on Saturday night, Jamboree USA's house band "11/70" warms up the crowd for legendary performances from Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Terri Clark, Rickey Van Shelton, Ray Price and Darryl Worley.
Other Jamboree USA broadcasts include bluegrass competitions from local high school bands, special gospel and Christmas shows, and a "Starquest" competition for up-and-coming bands.
"Saturday Night Jamboree USA's broadcasts and live shows are Wheeling culture and tourism," says Ron Retzer, the leader of "11/70."
"You cannot speak of Wheeling culture and tourism without Jamboree USA in the very same sentence. I have done many shows throughout the Eastern U.S. and Canada. When I talk to people before a show and they find out I'm from Wheeling, the first question is, 'Have you heard of the Jamboree?' When they find out I'm with Jamboree USA, they treat me like a star."
And who knows? You might see the next future superstar on the Jamboree USA stage, warming up the crowd for a country music legend.
GETTING THERE
What: Capitol Music Hall
Where: 1015 Main Street, Wheeling, W.Va.
Directions: From I-70 take Exit 1A Downtown Wheeling, South on Main Street. The Capitol Music Hall is located on the right, just past 10th Street.
More information: (800) 624-5456, or www.jamboreeusa.com
How to listen: Jamboree USA broadcasts can be heard every Saturday night throughout the Northeast on WWVAA, 1170 AM.
Closest TravelCenters of American location: Wheeling, TA, I-70 at Dallas Pike, Exit 11
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