Press Release
Contact: D. Heath – Exec. Director / Producer
Wheeling Jamboree, Inc.
304.907.0306

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Wheeling Jamboree takes famous country radio stage show to neighboring Moundsville and newly renovated Strand Theatre for extended run.

 

For nearly 8 decades a Jamboree country music radio stage show has been presented by the various broadcast and entertainment corporations from downtown Wheeling. These Jamboree shows have taken place at many theaters and venues within the City of Wheeling. Those include short runs at The Victoria Theater in 1934 and 2009, The Market Auditorium from 1937-1945, The Virginia Theatre 1946-1962, The Rex Theater 1963-1966, The Wheeling Island Exposition Hall 1966 -1969 and the Capitol Theatre formerly known as Capitol Music Hall. Other short runs have taken place at The Liberty Theater, The State Theater and the Colonial Theater each in Wheeling at various benchmarks in the Jamboree’s history. Now for the first time, neighboring Moundsville will share the heritage of Wheeling’s Country Music Institution, when the current management unit of Wheeling Jamboree, Inc., partners with the Strand Theatre Preservation Society to present the Wheeling Jamboree from the stage of Marshall County’s newly renovated Strand Theatre. The Strand is located about 10 miles south of Wheeling’s downtown and nearby several Marshall County attractions. Coincidently, not unlike Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, that is nearly 10 miles from the historic Ryman Auditorium.

 

Jamboree Executive Director Mr. David Heath, who is also a board member of the Strand Theatre along with Strand President and Marshall County Chamber of Commerce Executive Mr. David Knuth, stated the joint organizational efforts will not only bring instant programming to the newly renovated Strand but provide a vehicle for revenue sharing to both of the Non-Profit organizations with each Saturday’s presentation of the Jamboree. The Strand seats approximately 700 and a variety of other Arts related events are in the theatres programming approach. Theatre patrons will have the opportunity to experience Classic Broadway productions, Variety Musicals and Concerts with a host of entertainment opportunities for the regions public to enjoy, in addition to the Country Music that the Jamboree provides. The Strand facilitates the Jamboree to host headline entertainers by having a 2 show per night or multi-day schedule, allowing the attendance of several thousand to enjoy the Jamboree in an intimate setting. Various city business and shop owners can enjoy the additional foot traffic, with the creation of support and tourism opportunities that add entrepreneurial situations along Moundsville's Jefferson Ave., also in Glen Dale and around the County.


Broadcast distribution of the Jamboree is through Heath’s Jamboree Radio Network to a growing number of AM & FM stations in association with Jamboree Director and head of programming for West Virginia Radio Corp, Charlie Cook.The weekly Jamboree broadcast moved from AM 1170 WWVA to AM 1600 WKKX in January 2009. The Jamboree is now available world-wide via its streaming internet feed, live on Saturdays, video on demand and a free iPhone player.


- The first Wheeling Jamboree show and radio broadcast from the Strand is scheduled August 20th. Doors open at 5:30PM. The Jamboree now starts at 6PM featuring new Jamboree family entertainers recently added to its prestigious roster of Country Stars.
- Tickets are Adults $12 / Students $10 ages 10 and up (High school & College with I.D.) / Children 9 and under $5.



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