Winners of the mule derbyrenfro valley, ky kentucky historical. Renfro valley entertainment center 2380 richmond st, mount vernon, kentucky 40456 rated 4. It all happened in renfro valley by pete stamper, paperback. Norma mullins passed away on april 8, 2020 in renfro valley, kentucky. The first definitive history of the renfro valley music and entertainment scene. Pete stamper, a fortyseven year veteran of renfro valley, traces the shows history from its early radio days in cincinnati and chicago, through the glory years in the 1940s, the lean times in the 1960s when rock and roll seemed to take over the music scene, to its renewed popularity in the 1990s. Kentucky ancestors online a free publication of the kentucky historical society features a wide range of article topics and is designed to appeal to family historians of all levels. A profile of morgan county native paul gilley, who wrote im so lonesome i could cry for hank williams, sr a historical marker in rockcastle co. The show, the renfro valley barn dance, first opened in cincinnati on october 9, 1937.
You can park behind the entertainment barn or there is a small parking area nearer the road, between the barn and the craft store which also acts as an entrance to a cluster of log cabins you can walk. Renfro valley first began in the mind and heart of john lair, in the big city of chicago in the early 30s. For more than fifty years, renfro valley has showcased some of the biggest and most influential names in country and folk music. The renfro valley barn dance was first heard on wlw from the cincinnati. It all happened in renfro valley was written by pete stampfer, and on the air with john lair by ann henderson also includes sheet music to many of his songs. Renfro valley entertainment center celebrates its 80th season of. Kentucky living an affectionate yet candid look at the 60year history of the rockcastle county music institution. In 1999, he released a book, it all happened in renfro valley. For sixty years, renfro valley has highlighted some of th. Renfro valley legacy reaches its 80th season kentucky country. For two years, on wlw radio, in the city of cincinnati and dayton ohio, the saturday night show continued while the big show barn and the log lodge and tourist court was being built down home in renfro valley kentucky. Kentucky life renfro valley radiobreweriescountry girl. The show began in the 1930s as a combination radio broadcast and stage performance, and today it has grown into an array of shows and headliner concerts featuring oldtime country music, country gospel, modern country, bluegrass, and comedy acts.
The renfro valley gatherin as of 2016 is now exclusively aired on rfdtvs siriusxm radio channel 147 rural radio, sunday nights at 9. Pete describes the beginnings, the changes in ownership, the background of performers, and many fascinating stories about the valley. Within the borders of this lush valley, you will discover the nationally recognized tradition that began back in 1939 by founder, john lair. He created the renfro valley barn dance to give radio listeners the. Ohio and later in renfro valley, kentucky, 1937 through much of the 1950s. Based on extensive archival research and oral history, staging tradition traces the parallel careers of the creators of the renfro valley barn dance and the national folk festival.
Proudly accepting the title of kentuckys country music capital the complex is situated across 90 acres and includes two unique show theaters and the renfro valley shopping village. The gatherin is the third oldest continually broadcast radio program in america, and the secondlongest continuallyrunning such program featuring country music. Apparently, they were the winners at a mule derby held at renfro valley in rockcastle county. Our complex is situated across 90 acres and includes two unique show theaters, two rv parks, and the renfro valley shopping village. John lair collections collections used by berea sound archives. Renfro valley currently has a massive list of concert tours visiting the city in the near future. O editor david rachels unites these selections in mark twainos civil war, offering twain fans and civil war.
Vernon kentucky area attractions renfro valley koa. Stamper describes the role of the valley in the commercial history of country. For sixty years, renfro valley has highlighted some of the biggest and most influential names in country and folk music. It all began back in 1939, when the radio program renfro valley barn dance hit the radio airwaves, first on wlw in cincinnati.
The community of renfro valley which has its own united states post office, zip code 40473 includes the renfro valley entertainment center. The above list contains all mineral locality references listed on. Books on cultural history, the university press of. It all happened in renfro valley by pete stamper at. The renfro valley gatherin always opened with two stanzas of an old hymn, sung by members of the audience who came up on stage. Staging tradition john lair and sarah gertrude knott. Renfro valley is a neighborhood located just off interstate 75 in mount vernon, a city in. Local history books on kentucky arcadia publishing. On this, the last day of may in kentucky, we are closing out derby month with these two talented ladies on mules.
Unlike its early competitors, including the grand ol opry, renfro valley emphasized itself as an entire package of entertainment and avoided highlighting individual stars. Renfro valley gatherin also formerly known as renfro valley sunday morning gathering is a united states radio program based in renfro valley, kentucky. For two years, on wlw radio, in the city of cincinnati and dayton ohio, the saturday night show continued while the big show barn and the log lodge and tourist court was. Renfro valley was the dream of rockcastle county native john lair. Welcome to renfro valley entertainment center, located in beautiful renfro valley just off interstate 75. From sharing practical resources like job, health, and financial workshops, to holding fun activities and events, aarp is providing opportunities to connect and help build an even stronger renfro valley. John lair, the ambitious and deeply committed founder of renfro valley, fought to resist the.
Jim lairs history of renfro valley provides a colorful narrative of the settlement of that area by james renfro. An experience for the whole family surrounding you in fascinating local history. It all happened in renfro valley was written by pete stampfer, and on the air with john lair by ann henderson. Renfro valley entertainment center, mount vernon, kentucky.
Kentucky artists artisans of kentucky kentucky artisan. Understanding the cost of caregiving 7p et or 7p pt. The center has a wide array of books, music and specialty foods just right to enhance your grilling at home or to snack on in the car as you continue your travels throughout kentucky. Bill monroe, the father of bluegrass music, was born in the ohio county community of rosine, and he named his band, the blue grass boys, after the bluegrass state, i. Jul 29, 20 renfro valley was the dream of rockcastle county native john lair. Aarp in renfro valley is here to help you take on today and every day. See more ideas about film music books, country music and country music stars. Due to covid19, online access to this book has temporarily been made available to all users. In fact, renfro valley claims that it is the country music capital of kentucky. Medley of old hymns from the renfro valley gatherin. Tickets for all renfro valley concerts are purchased with a 100% money back guarantee. Our mystery not only lies with the identity of these two derby winners, but also in the event itself. Use the search tools below to research our listed kentucky artists by name or medium and view their artist profile you might discover someone new. Mule derby mystery, but a library in your state has a book with the answer.
It all happened in renfro valley by pete stamper uknowledge. Having been to renfro valley several times, i was looking for a good summary of its long history. History of kentucky explored in books by arcadia publishing. John lair also wrote four books on rural kentucky life and its history. The colorful biography of the pioneering producers of folk music festivals. Renfro valley koa 184 koa campground road mount vernon, kentucky 40456 18005622475 history of the renfro valley barn dance a peek at this famous scene in tratitional country history.
Content is accepted for various categories, including. Our complex is situated across 90 acres and includes two unique show theaters, two rv. Taylor has written numerous books, including sue mundy. He couldnt help but notice a singer by the name of bradley kincaid who specialized in the kind of music he, himself, grew up with back in rockcastle co. It all began back in 1939, when the radio program renfro valley barn dance hit. First broadcast at cincinnati music hall, october 9, 1937 held at dayton memorial auditorium for a year or so moved to rock county, ky to renfro valley on november 4, 1939.
Within the borders of this lush valley, you will discover the nationally recognized tradition that began back in. Bittersweet cabin village renfro valley tripadvisor. Shop arcadia publishing to find the interesting history books about kentucky and its traditions. Feature articles, howto, case studies, book notes, stories and commentary. Pete stamper, a longtime performer there who i have enjoyed for years, has provided such a book. Mar 14, 2017 the renfro valley gatherin always opened with two stanzas of an old hymn, sung by members of the audience who came up on stage. The best things to do in renfro valley 2020 with photos. He also wrote four books on kentucky life and history and the wellreceived volume songs lincoln loved. The renfro valley barn dance was where renfro valleys musical heritage began, in 1939, and influential country. Age, twain directly addresses it in shorter pieces such as othe private history of a.
No refunds or exchanges after tickets are purchased. One of the legends, hank cochran, really played a history in the operation of renfro valley. Renfro valley, kentucky near richmond is home to renfro valley entertainment center and the kentucky music hall of fame and is known as kentuckys country music capital, a designation given it by the kentucky state legislature in the late 1980s. He was there working with an insurance company and began to listen to this new thing called radio. Rockcastle county, kentucky genealogy genealogy familysearch. For you can still attend country music shows in renfro valley, kentucky. We proudly accept the title of kentuckys country music capital. Pete stamper, a fortyseven year veteran of renfro valley, traces the shows history from its early radio days in cincinnati and chicago, through the glory years in the 1940s, the. Record of the service of a james renfro, the claim being made by descendants of james 2.
On this, the last day of may in kentucky, we are closing out derby month with. In addition to broaching the issue in longer works, such as life on the mississippi and the gilded age, twain directly addresses it in shorter pieces such as othe private history of a campaign that failedo and oa curious experience. Mount vernon, ky rockcastle county historical society, 1990. Proudly accepting the title of kentucky s country music capital the complex is situated across 90 acres and includes two unique show theaters and the renfro valley shopping village. This group of log cabins sits next to the renfro valley entertainment center.
Renfro valley gatherin is a united states radio program based in renfro valley, kentucky. It all happened in renfro valley by peter stamper 1999. Renfro valley continues to be one of the top places for concert tours in america. Bluegrass music is of particular regional importance. The music of kentucky is heavily centered on appalachian folk music and its descendants, especially in eastern kentucky. Things to do around renfro valley renfro valley, ky aarp in your city. We proudly accept the title of kentucky s country music capital. Renfro valley entertainment center events facebook. The gatherin is the third oldest continually broadcast radio program in america, and since the 2007 cancellation of the wwva jamboree the secondlongest continuallyrunning such program featuring country music. After two weeks of service, clemens abandoned his post and fled westward to begin a writing careerna turn of events that precipitated the rise to fame of the man who would become known as mark twain. The john lair renfro valley barn dance oral history collection.
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