Generations of Radio listeners going back as far as the late 1920’s recollect hundreds of
“Barn Dance Themed Radio Shows” that blanketed the Nations Crackling Radio Airwaves.
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Emanating from its Northeast home in Wheeling, WV since 1933, it's rich History and Long list of Pioneering
Country Music Artists is unprecedented. “The World’s Original Wheeling Radio Jamboree” is one of the last remaining shows of its type, being second only to “Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry” in longevity.
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Some of the prestigious past producers of the Jamboree include: Wheeling based Fidelity Insurance and Investments, Storer Broadcasting, Coca-Cola corporation, West Virginia Broadcasting Corporation, media companies Screen Gems- a division of Columbia Pictures, “Broadcast Giant” Emil Mogul owner of Basic Communications, Price Communications, Osborn Communications, Atlantic Star Communications, AM/FM Inc, Belkin Entertainment, Clear Channel Entertainment and Live Nation.
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The broadcast and stage presentation of The Wheeling Jamboree (then known as Jamboree USA) was nearly lost forever when in December 2005 (Belkin Entertainment - Clear Channel) ”Live Nation” (former owners of Wheeling’s Landmark Capitol Theatre) were in corporate transition when the weekly production of the Jamboree live show fell victim to the events surrounding these changes. Immediately the current operators of the Wheeling Jamboree formed the present Non-Profit Organization to rescue and preserve the original format and integrity of the weekly Saturday Jamboree show.
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Staff of the originating radio station WWVA AM 1170 (Talk-Format since 1997) continued to air 120 weeks of archived recordings and several live studio Jamboree shows through March 2008. In mid April 2008 WWVA resumed live broadcast arrangements with the Jamboree’s current operating group, finally then ending the historic ties between 1170 WWVA radio and the Wheeling Jamboree in early December 2008.
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Wheeling area station WKKX AM 1600 immediately picked up the weekly Saturday program along with a growing number of Country Format and Community Radio stations. The show also has a substantial online audience each Satur.day, streaming the syndicated live audio feed and also simulcasts its live internet video. Long time fans of the show are only now rediscovering they can still experience the Jamboree.
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In late 2013 an application was filed with the Federal Communications Commission to operate a local radio station
owned and operated by the Wheeling Jamboree. In October 2014 with private donations, and facility support from regional business supporters Lauttamus Communications and Stratus Wave Communications, WWOV 101.1 FM went on the air to return the Jamboree to the air-waves in the Greater Wheeling Region. A variety of programming in addition to the Live Jamboree Broadcasts and can be discovered online at www.WWOVFM.com.
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Wheeling's Capitol Theatre had historically been the most widely recognized home to the Jamboree and recognized as one of Country Music's significant Venues. The Jamboree production was not entirely exclusive to the Capitol Theatre from the shows start, as it has been held at various other auditoriums and theaters in town since 1933. The building has since been purchased by the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau and currently operated by the City Sports and Entertainment authority with its name reverted to its original "Capitol Theatre". In 2005 it had been deemed unsafe by City code authorities at the same time the corporate restructure of Live Nation and Clear Channel Radio were in transition themselves. The Capitol Theatre has since been brought up to code and reopened in the Fall of 2009 without the Jamboree as its core means of programming as it had been for decades.
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A who’s who in Country Music have been regular members of the Jamboree and made frequent appearances over the past 8 decades with many, commonly residing in Western PA, Eastern OH and the greater Wheeling area. In the mid 80’s Glen Dale, WV, native Brad Paisley tenured a number of years in the Jamboree staff band and has gone on to be
one of Country’s brightest stars.
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Without a permanent Venue in downtown Wheeling  the Jamboree has been forced to move to no less than 15 sites since the exit from the Capitol Music Hall. On October 3rd 2015 the former Downtown Eagles Facilty at 944 Main Street just steps from the Capitol Stage had become a short lived home to the Jamboree. The Jamboree has however returned to the Capitol Theatre for quarterly shows since 2016.
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Whether you know the Jamboree as the Original WWVA Jamboree, Jamboree USA or The Wheeling Jamboree it remains the 2nd oldest Country Music Radio Broadcast Stage Show in History.

A group of dedicated individuals is established to preserve the historic broadcast program, stage show and to
assist young music students with education.

Wheeling Jamboree, Inc. -  501(c)-3 Non-profit corporation Continuing succession in a long line of leadership of an American Music Landmark. 2024 - 2025 Board of Directors
Leaders from various segments of music, broadcasting, education, business community and entertainment industry. who volunteer their time and work tirelessly serving on the Jamboree Board.
	Dave Heath - Pres. / Treas.  Wheeling Jamboree, Inc.  WWOV Radio - Wheeling  Jamboree Executive Producer    Press & Relations Contact  email  Office Ph: 304.907.0306  PO Box 470  Wheeling, WV 26003		Bill Orkoskey - Secretary  Wheeling Area Businessman  US Army 'ret'    Retail Marketing  "Up With People"  Education & Music
	John Shook - Director  Promotions Public Relations  Community Outreach		Terri Cunningham - Director  Wheeling area Realtor  On Air Radio Personality  Property Specialist
	Robbie Kettlewell - Director  Local Musician  Live Event Production Specialist		John Angius- Director Founding Member Short Creek Flatt Pickers Wheeling Area Businessman
	Melissa Rebholz - Director Events Hospitality - Creative		Debbie Jones  - Director West Virginia Indepenence Hall Museum
Associate Directors & Advisory
	Don Hoard  - Associate Director  Jamboree Entertainer  Performer Staff Since 1967  IN MEMORIUM		Keith Bilbrey - Industry Advisor  TV & Radio Personality  Host of Numerous Country  Music Productions  Veteran Announcer of the  Grand Ole Opry  650 WSM - Nashville  *Gabriel Communications  *Host of Larry's Country Diner  *RFD-TV Network  Member TN Boardcasting HOF
	Cathy Gurley - Advisor  PR Executive Nashville  Co- Founder CMA Fest &  Jamboree in the Hills		Buddy Griffin - Jamboree Entertainer Staff Performer Member WV Music Hall of Fame
	Carol Lee Cooper - Advisor  Retired - Nashville, TN  Founder of the Carol Lee Singers  Daughter of Legacy Jamboree  Entertainers & Cast Members -  Stoney & Wilma Lee Cooper		Anthony Humphrey - Associate Director In Memorium  Audio Engineering Event Sound Production IN MEMORIUM
Past Board Members
	Matt Spicher  Active Dir. 2010 - 2012  Artist Management  Record Producer  Son of famed Jamboree fiddler  Buddy Spicher		Pam Tillis  Active Dir. 2010 - 2012  Pictured with her Father Mel Tillis
	Jett Williams - Director  Active Dir. 2013  Country Music Entertainer  Daughter of Country Music  icon Hank Williams, Sr.		Keith Adkinson - Director  IN MEMORIUM  Active Dir. 2013  Entertainment Legal Council  Webster & Assoc. PR, Nashville, TN  Pictured with wife Jett Williams
	Charlie Cook - Director   Active Dir. 2010 - 2013   Radio - Entertainment Exec.   President - McVay-Cook Media   West Virginia Radio Corp.   Board of Dirs.   *Country Music Association   *Academy of Country Music   *Former Program Director   WWVA 1170 - Wheeling		Tom Miller - Director  IN MEMORIUM   Active Dir. 2012 - 2013  *WESBANCO - Banking Center.  *PD WWVA 1170 - 26yrs  *CO-MC Jamboree USA  -20yrs  *CO-MC Jamboree in the Hills - 20yrs  *KQV Radio Pittsburgh - 6yrs  *The Voice of Oglebay Resort
	Roger Hoard Active Dir. 2007 - 2012 Jamboree Entertainer Performer Staff Since 1967		Doug Paisley   "Director Emeritus"   Active Dir. 2007-2009   Pictured with Son Brad
Past Board President
	Jeff McCamic  Board President  2007 - 2012		BACK TO TOP