At Town Hall Party - Rock and Roll DVD-Series by Bear Family

Town Hall Party DVD

'Town Hall Party' was among the first of the country music shows to be seen on U.S. television, making its debut in early 1952 and running until early 1961. Staged every Saturday in a theatre in Compton, a suburb of Los Angeles.

The stage was made up to look like an old barn, thus continuing the traditions of the various live shows that were first heard on the radio airwaves three decades earlier. Although Nashville was fast establishing itself as the commercial home of country music.

The West Coast had a vast, ready audience for such a show. The area had first become the new home for the Dust Bowl migrants of the 1930s and, a few years later during the war years, a further influx was made up of workers seeking jobs in the munitions and defence plants. These were all people who loved country music and, consequently, a brand new country scene was born. With its own sound, artists, clubs, record labels, radio shows and, in due course, television programmes.

The West Coast

'Town Hall Party' was created with its own cast of regular performers and musicians. Boasting a house that was virtually a 'who's who' of the West Coast scene comprising such as Joe Maphis, Merle Travis, Skeets McDonald, Johnny Bond and Tommy Duncan. Jay Stewart (who later hosted the TV quiz show 'Let's Make A Deal'), and Tex Ritter were the MCs. The weekly show presented an equally impressive guest list, attracted both by the show's tremendous popularity.

But also by the fact that fledgling television was becoming a vitally important media for exposing their talents to brand new audiences. The many guests to appear included Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Eddie Cochran, The Collins Kids, Freddie Hart, Wanda Jackson, George Jones, Merle Lindsay, Bob Luman, Carl Perkins, Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Hank Snow and Gene Vincent. With an audience numbering up to 2000, 'Town Hall Party' was first broadcasted live over local radio station KFI.

But reached a greater audience when NBC syndicated the show on radio. The broadcast was extended to three hours when KTTV-TV televised the show. The show was so popular that, in 1958, Columbia Records issued the 'Town Hall Party' album featuring various cast members.

Now 'Town Hall Party' is reborn on DVD.

Launched in 2002, this continuing DVD series presents both individual artists' performances. Compiled from different appearances on 'Town Hall Party', and complete cast shows selected from specific dates.

Completely remastered, and presented with full colour booklets. These releases fully captured the atmosphere, artistry and sounds of a bygone country music age.