The National Barn Dance was a country music radio program first heard on WLS (AM) in Chicago, Illinois and later on NBC.
It was a precursor to many similar programs, in part because the clear channel signal of WLS was audible throughout most of the Midwest and even beyond in the late evening and nighttime hours, making much of the United States (and Canada) a potential audience and the program was well-received; thus it was very widely imitated. The show was founded by broadcaster George D. Hay, aired from 1924 to 1968 and was once sponsored by Alka-Seltzer.
Regularly featured were Gene Autry, Lulu Belle and Scotty, Pat Buttram, George Gobel, Andy Williams (in a quartet with his three brothers), The DeZurik Sisters and the Hoosier Hot Shots. Other guests included Eddie Peabody and Joe Kelly, best remembered today as the host and moderator of NBC's Quiz Kids. The announcer was Jack Holden.
