American Masters
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
The first feature film about Maya Angelou, an iconic writer who contributed to the 20th century's most pivotal social movements.
The Hayloft Gang: The Story of the National Barn Dance
The National Barn Dance has unified rural Americans with traditional folk music and country humor throughout decades.
- Series
- PBS Plus Presentation
- Premiere Date
- September 1, 2011
- Length
- 60 minutes
- Funding Initiative
- Open Call
Producer/Director
Stephen Parry
Stephen Parry's passion for early country and bluegrass music led him to create The Hayloft Gang: The Story of the National Barn Dance. Stephen has a background with over 25 years of experience in broadcast and corporate media production. His documentary Down on the Farm followed two farm families in Indiana over a period of a year. Old Friends examined… Show more
Producer
Bob Hercules
Bob Hercules’ work includes Bill T. Jones: A Good Man and Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance, both of which aired on PBS’s American Masters series. A Good Man was an official selection at Full Frame, IDFA, Silverdocs, DOXA, and many other festivals. Joffrey was the opening night film at the Dance on Camera Film Festival at Lincoln Center in 2012 and the… Show more
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The Film
Narrated by Garrison Keillor, The Hayloft Gang: The Story of the National Barn Dance tells the story of a changing America through the lens of one of the nation's most popular country music radio shows during the 1930s and 40s: the National Barn Dance.
Broadcast every Saturday night on WLS-AM out of Chicago, the variety show unified rural Americans with its nostalgic brand of traditional folk music and country humor, and helped define an identity for a struggling generation. From its first broadcast in 1924 to its last in 1960, the National Barn Dance served as a touchstone for rural citizens unsure of the future, or homesick transplants confronting the city.
In finding and serving this newfound audience, the National Barn Dance was a marketing pioneer, making millions for sponsors like Alka Seltzer. Moreover, it launched national superstars such as Gene Autry, Patsy Montana, Bradley Kincaid, Andy Williams, George Gobel, Pat Buttram, and Lulu Belle & Scotty.The Hayloft Gang weaves rare performance footage, home movies, and candid photographs with first-hand accounts from fans and performers. In addition, interviews with historians, folklorists, and media experts reveal historical and cultural perspectives on the story.
