Townsman, 1991-07, Page 28together for live TV. "It became well-
known that if you had talent and
wanted a chance in the field of coun-
try music, you came to Wingham,"
said Mr. Currie. "If you had talent,
you got exposure."
Due to the evolution of televi-
sion, with the types of programs being
watched by the public changing and
rising production costs ending live
programming, the Saturday Night
Barn Dance eventually ceased to
exist, and the people who had for so
long been part of this exciting idea,
moved on to other ventures.
Thcn 38 years ago, when Wing -
ham celebrated its 75th anniversary of
incorporation, Barn Dance was
brought back as one of the planned
events. "The dance filled the arena to
capacity," said Mr. Currie, adding that
discussion then took place to maybe
bring it back permanently in some
form. However, as so often docs hap-
pen with the best laid plans, the intent
was lost and it wasn't until the centen-
nial celebration of Wingham, 25 years
later, that Barn Dance was revitalized.
"Again it filled the arena and many
wondered whether it would work to
bring it back, but no one picked up the
ball until the fall of 1989," said Mr.
Currie. At that time a group of inter-
ested individuals finally presented the
idea to council, made a recommenda-
tion and a committee was formed.
Approval was granted for the use of
the town hall and the group moved
ahead.
"It took two and a half years of
planning, because we realized we
were re -inventing the wheel," said Mr.
Currie. Confidence was strong, how-
ever, as it was quickly established that
no where else was there such a venue
for country performers in the commu-
nity.
With the groundwork underway,
the non-profit group made as many
improvements as they could afford to
the town hall facility, in order to
accommodate an environment suitable
to musical as opposed to dramatic per-
formances.
Then the main critcria for
selecting talent was developed, or
actually reformed—taking untried
artists and giving them a chance to be
recognized for theii artistic talent.
26 TOWNSMAN/JULY-AUGUST 1991
"That has been made as part of the
policy of Primetime," said Mr. Currie.
"To give up-and-comers, with talent, a
place and opportunity to develop and
be seen."
So how do they expect these
"up-and-comers" to consistently
attract capacity audiences to two
shows every other Sunday in Wing -
ham, audiences willing to pay to see
untested, unproven performers on-
stage? By linking them with headlin-
ers like Ronnie Prophet, Mac
Wiseman, Marie Bottrell, Larry Mer-
ccy, George Hamilton IV, and Jett
Williams and the Original Drifting
Cowboys. Through this association,
Mr. Currie says, the novices will be
able to rise to the challenge, in addi-
tion to developing a solid repertoire of
material.
The format established for the
pilot year has been one comprised of
nine performances, that began June 9
and will conclude September 22. A
variety of talent will be part of the
shows, Mr. Currie says, to test the mix
of country music performers and get
audience response. "Therefore, in [the
upcoming years], should we be
1st Paper
2nd Cotton
3rd Leather
4th Flowers
5th Wood
6th Iron
7th Wool
8th Bronze
9th Pottery
10th gin
Or show a bit more imagination.
x
THE DIAMOND
ANNIVERSARY BAND
'This year, tea' her you'd marry her at! over again.
Bakelaar
Jewellers
Llml tod
LISTOWEL WINGHAM EXETER
291-3280 357-1911 235-2720
A diamond is forever.