Hometown Jamboree
The legendary Hometown Jamboree was broadcast over radio station KXLA
out of Pasadena, California, five days a week. On Saturdays, it was broadcast
over KCOP, Channel 13 in the Los Angeles area at 7:30pm.
For about five years, the show was broadcast from the American Legion
Stadium in El Monte, California. Then, in a move that was an attempt
to 'get closer to its audience', it moved to the Harmony Park Ballroom
in Anaheim.
One its stars was Country Music Hall of Famer, Tennessee Ernie Ford. He
also had his own radio show that aired over the CBS radio network five
days a week. He also had a show that aired over stations in the midwest
during the week, too.
The legendary Cliffie Stone was the producer, promoter and emcee as well as
all around entertainer on the Hometown Jamboree.
Like the Town Hall Party, the cast of the Hometown Jamboree also read
like a who's who of country music on the west coast. Some of the stars
included:
- Cliffie Stone
- Molly Bee
- Harry Rodcay
- Buckie Tibbs
- Gene O'Quin
- Billy Strange
- Joanie O'Brien
- Herman the Hermit
The band for the Hometown Jamboree consisted of many fine musicians also,
such as:
- Billy Liebert
- Speedy West
- Jimmy Bryant
- Billy Strange
- Harold Hensley
- Larry Tice
- Les Taylor
- Roy Harte
- Al Williams
- Ray Merrill
The Hometown Jamboree
- Back row, Left to right: Roy Harte, Billy Liebert, Ray Merrill,
Herman the Hermit, Billy Strange, Speedy West, Al Williams
- Second row, left to right: Jimmy Bryant, Bucky Tibbs, Jonell McQuaig,
Cliffie Stone, Glenell McQuaig, Joan O'Brien, Harold Hensley
- First row, left to right: Tennessee Ernie Ford, Molly Bee, Gene O'Quinn
Credits & Sources
- Country Song Roundup, Issue No. 33, August 1954, Published by American Folk Publications, Derby, CT
