In celebration of WBCM Radio Bristol’s 10th anniversary, the station announced a new partnership with News5 WCYB-TV to promote Farm and Fun Time, a musical variety show that got its start on WCYB Radio in the 1940s. During the press conference, held at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Historic Downtown Bristol, a “lost” artifact was also unveiled–a working 1954 RCA 77-DX microphone used for live broadcasts on WCYB Radio.
“The microphone symbolizes our shared history in bluegrass and early country music, in particular the Farm and Fun Time show,” said WCYB General Manager Jim Doty. “This is the first time the microphone has been seen by the public in decades, and we couldn’t think of a better place for it to be displayed. We are thrilled to partner with Radio Bristol and with the work they have done to reimagine Farm and Fun Time for new audiences.”
The vintage microphone, embossed with the WCYB call letters, will be exhibited at the museum for the remainder of the year.
“Early on in the development of Radio Bristol, resurrecting WCYB Radio’s classic Farm and Fun Time radio show was a central goal for us,” said Radio Bristol Program Director and host Kris Truelsen. “It has become the signature program for our station, much like it was for WCYB Radio back in the day.”
WCYB Radio and Farm and Fun Time went live on the air in December 1946. It was among many post-World War II radio stations of the era and was known for its clear broadcasting channel that reached portions of a five-state region: Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia and Kentucky. Back then, WCYB Radio broadcast from the lobby of the Hotel General Shelby, built in 1925-26 on the northwest corner of Cumberland and Front Streets near the Bristol Train Station. The hotel was demolished in the 1970s during a period of urban renewal, according to an article written by the late Bristol historian Bud Phillips for the Bristol Herald Courier.
WCYB Radio's Farm and Fun Time was appointment programming for area farmers who listened to the show for important weather reports and information that may affect their crops. In addition to the news of the day, the show featured live musical performances. It was a career boost for legendary bluegrass acts The Stanley Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs, Jim & Jesse McReynolds, Mac Wiseman, Curly King & the Tennessee Hilltoppers, and many others. WCYB made the switch to television on August 13, 1956 and sold WCYB Radio due to FCC regulations forbidding common ownership of television and radio stations. After the sale, the station's call letters changed to WZAP. Farm and Fun Time continued to air weekly on WZAP, with tickets to the live show selling for $1.
Radio Bristol debuted its revival of Farm and Fun Time in August 2014 for the grand opening of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, hosted by legendary WCYB news anchor Johnny Wood. Wood’s broadcasting career in the Tri-Cities began at WOPI radio in 1963 before he transitioned to television, becoming a trusted and beloved figure in local news for over four decades. The featured musical guest on that pilot episode was none other than Jesse McReynolds, one half of the famed bluegrass duo Jim & Jesse, and his band The Virginia Boys. During the show, Jesse referenced the death of his brother Jim, who had passed away in 2002, and their first appearance on WCYB Radio’s Farm and Fun Time in 1954. Jesse honored Jim’s memory, as well as that of their grandfather Charles McReynolds, by playing the fiddle Charles had used with the Bull Mountain Moonshiners during the 1927 Bristol Sessions. Sadly, Jesse passed away in June 2023 at the age of 93, followed by Johnny who left us in October of 2024. He was 82.
“Radio Bristol is a natural extension of our work here at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum,” said Museum Director Dr. Rene Rodgers. “We are so grateful to have the opportunity to preserve the memory, music, and stories of these legendary figures in our region’s history through the station's programming and Farm and Fun Time performances.”
Though recordings of WCYB Radio’s Farm and Fun Time are rare, the public is invited to attend a listening party for a restored transcription disc of The Stanley Brothers & the Clinch Mountain Boys’ appearance on the program. The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. ET, May 1 at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Attendees will also get to see the artifact in-person and learn about the high-tech preservation that made its music accessible again. There is no cost to attend, but attendees are asked to RSVP via the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
“WCYB Radio was a great influence on the music culture of our region all those years ago,” said Truelsen. “It only makes sense to remind audiences of our shared history with Farm and Fun Time and how we got here. We’re happy to report, it has been a big success for Radio Bristol.”
Like its predecessor, Radio Bristol’s Farm and Fun Time highlights some of the region’s finest musicians and well-known touring acts. Sierra Ferrell, Amythyst Kiah, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, The Black Opry, The Mavericks, and many more, have made appearances on the show. Radio Bristol partners with the Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development Council (ARCD) on a renewed vision of the classic farm report, highlighting regional farmers who are making a difference in their Appalachian communities. Truelsen hosts the show with the Farm and Fun Time House Band, writing and performing jingles for program underwriters, just like they did back in the Golden Era of radio.
“In March 2020, Radio Bristol announced its partnership with Blue Ridge Public Television to air Farm and Fun Time on its station,” Truelsen announced. “As of today, we’re proud to announce Farm and Fun Time airs on more than 140 PBS channels across the country.”
Though the station’s low-watt FM signal is only available in the Bristol area, tens of thousands of music lovers from all over the world listen online at listenradiobristol.org, log on to watch the Farm and Fun Time livestream on Radio Bristol’s Facebook page and view archived episodes on YouTube, expanding the program’s reach far beyond the imagination of its predecessor.
There’s nothing quite like being part of the live audience for a taping of Farm and Fun Time, whether its held in the intimate performance theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum or the historic stage at Paramount Bristol. The next three shows will tape live at the Paramount. Musical guests include The Del McCoury Band with Seth Mulder and Midnight Run on April 10. The Dead South and Sunny War will perform May 8, and The War & Treaty and Madeline Edwards will be on the program June 19. Tickets are on sale now at ParamountBristol.org.
In a world where the music industry dictates playlists and only artists on big labels get commercial radio airplay, Radio Bristol is a community station where indie artists shine and rare, low-fi recordings emerge from their dusty bins and given a spin. The station hosts a plethora of weekly, original programming, showcasing local artists and a myriad of roots music across many genres and eras. Its on-air talent, composed of local musicians and music industry professionals and aficionados from the region, add their personalities and expertise on an array of niche musical subjects.
On April 19 Radio Bristol debuts “Righteous Fuzz” with Cary Allen, an edgy new gospel program that connects garage rock, punk and gospel traditions. Other programs include "Folk Yeah!" with musician Ella Patrick (a.k.a. Momma Molasses), who explores the outer realms of folk music both past and present, “Pressing Matters” with Clint Holley, co-owner of Well Made Music, an audio mastering service, and The Ernest Tube, a direct-to-lacquer-disc recording studio, both located in Bristol. On his weekly show, Clint explores current vinyl releases and re-issues. Local music journalist Tom Netherland’s “Country Song Round Up” honors the authenticity of classic country, while Lonnie Salyer’s “Diggin’ with Big Lon” is an exploration of lost 45 rpm and 78 rpm records made locally in Northeast Tenn. and Southwest Va. “Lightnin’ and Mango Tango” features celebrated regional musician Lightnin’ Charlie and A&R man Mike DeUrso and centers around the duo’s personal stories and experiences in the music industry. Roxanne McDaniel's "Outside the Box" is a melting pot of iconic hits and obscure treasures from the world stage, interspersed with live performances and interviews.
“In an age where content is available in an instant on nearly every subject and on every platform, Radio Bristol prides itself on reflecting our region’s unique music culture in our programming,” adds Truelsen. “We are so grateful to WCYB, our listeners, and to all of our community partners for their continued support.”
Radio Bristol’s Farm and Fun Time is supported by Blue Ridge PBS, the City of Bristol, Tennessee, Eastman Credit Union, Toyota of Bristol, and News5 WCYB, with captioning provided by Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards.
To listen live to Radio Bristol’s programming, tune into 100.1 FM in the Bristol area or visit ListenRadioBristol.org, where you’ll also find archives of your favorite shows. Radio Bristol is also available via the station’s free mobile app.
