From 1955 until 1978, ''Circle 8 Ranch'' was a weekly

country and western A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the ...

television program Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, e ...

broadcast each Tuesday night on

Wingham, Ontario Wingham (2016 census population 2,934) is a community located in the municipality of North Huron, Ontario, Canada, which is located in Huron County. Wingham became part of North Huron in 2001 when the Ontario government imposed amalgamation on th ...

's CKNX, Channel 8. It began as a radio program called the ''CKNX Barn Dance'' on CKNX's AM sister station. The half-hour

variety show Variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is entertainment made up of a variety of acts including musical theatre, musical performances, sketch comedy, magic (illusion), magic, acrobatics, juggling, and ventriloquism. It is ...

was first hosted by broadcaster Johnny Brent, then later by musician Ernie King. The program featured popular country acts of the local, provincial and national stage. Each program ended with the words "Let's say goodbye like we said hello, in a friendly kind of way..." Don Robertson's Ranch Boys hosted many CKNX Barn Dances in the south-central and southwestern Ontario areas. The travelling show was an offshoot of the program. Regular cast members who developed into regional celebrities were Ernie King, Hugh Elder, Ross Mann, Don Robertson, Cora Robertson, Wayne Riehl and Ron Coulthard. Over the years, the program helped launch the careers of such Canadian musicians as

Tommy Hunter Thomas James Hunter, CM, O.Ont (born March 20, 1937) is a Canadian country music performer, known as "Canada's Country Gentleman". Career In 1956, he began performing as a rhythm guitarist on the CBC Television show, '' Country Hoedown''. ''T ...

, Al Cherney,

Gordie Tapp Gordon Robert Tapp, (June 4, 1922 – December 18, 2016) was a Canadian entertainer, best known as a radio and television presenter, comedian and a CBS broadcaster. He was introduced to U.S. President Gerald Ford as the world's funniest storyte ...

The Good Brothers The Good Brothers are a Canadian country, bluegrass and folk music group originating from Richmond Hill, Ontario. The band's core members are Brian Good (guitar), his twin brother Bruce Good (autoharp) and younger brother Larry Good (banjo). B ...

Gordon Lightfoot Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. (born November 17, 1938) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music. He is credited with helping to define the folk-pop sound of the 1960 ...

and The Mercey Brothers.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Canadian Broadcasting Timeline - Canadian Communications Foundation , Fondation des Communications Canadiennes
1955 Canadian television series debuts 1978 Canadian television series endings Black-and-white Canadian television shows Country music television series 1950s Canadian music television series 1960s Canadian music television series 1970s Canadian music television series 1950s Canadian variety television series 1960s Canadian variety television series 1970s Canadian variety television series