Play That Hot Fiddle: Old Time Radio, Rural Music, and the Life of Southern Illinois Swing Fiddler "Pappy" Wade Ray

Presenting the fast-swing fiddling and humorous stories of his mentor Wade Ray, Dennis Stroughmatt will lead audiences through the early years of Old Time Radio, its growth because of farming families, and share how music brought America through The Great Depression, WWII, and beyond. This presentation will also be accompanied by rare video of Wade Ray and personal memorabilia from the Wade Ray collection. Stroughmatt will explore the history of Old Time Radio in Illinois, the effect of hillbilly stereotypes on country music, and the influence that Jazz and Dixieland music had on the country music scene of Illinois via the journeys of Wade Ray.

This event is Free and Open to the public. For more information, please contact Daniel Droge at ddroge@stinsonlibrary.org.

STINSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY COVID-19 POLICY

Masks are recommended but not required for the event.

Learn more about Dennis Stroughmatt, this program, and how to book it.