{"id":466,"date":"2021-08-10T16:39:08","date_gmt":"2021-08-10T20:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/?p=466"},"modified":"2021-08-10T16:39:09","modified_gmt":"2021-08-10T20:39:09","slug":"country-gold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/2021\/08\/10\/country-gold\/","title":{"rendered":"Country Gold"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Fort Worth radio station WBAP 820 was established in 1922 as an AM news and talk show. The station expanded to include the television program WBAP-TV in 1948, and an FM radio station the following year. WBAP shared frequencies on AM radio with the station WFAA until 1970, when they paid WFAA for sole occupancy of 820 kHz. Upon receiving sole occupancy, WBAP 820 became a full-time country music station named \u201cCountry Gold.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_468\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1602623\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-468\" class=\"img-fluid img-thumbnail wp-image-468 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1602623_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-1630.med_res.jpg\" alt=\"Black and white photo of a long van with a bullhorn and antenna on top. On the side is an illustration of a person holding a pick and a gold mining pan, with the words Country Gold.\" width=\"700\" height=\"461\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1602623_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-1630.med_res.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1602623_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-1630.med_res-300x198.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-468\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Country Gold van parked at the Fort Worth Zoo, 1974.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>WBAP\u2019s Country Gold anniversary event was an annual music festival held at Arlington Stadium in Arlington, Texas that commemorated WBAP\u2019s switch to country programming.<\/p>\n<p>The following footage is from a WBAP-TV news clip of WBAP\u2019s Country Gold third anniversary event in August, 1973. The video has no sound.<\/p>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; margin-bottom: 36px; padding-bottom: 50%; position: relative; height: 0;\"><iframe style=\"left: 0; top: 0; height: 100%; width: 100%; position: absolute;\" src=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1707596\/m1\/embed\/\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>The most notable performance was that of Dolly Parton at WBAP\u2019s Country Gold fourth anniversary event on August 26, 1974.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_469\" style=\"width: 590px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1603330\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-469\" class=\"img-fluid img-thumbnail wp-image-469 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1603330_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-1959.med_res-666x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Photograph of Dolly Parton on stage holding an acoustic guitar and wearing a green bedazzled jumpsuit.\" width=\"580\" height=\"892\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1603330_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-1959.med_res-666x1024.jpg 666w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1603330_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-1959.med_res-195x300.jpg 195w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1603330_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-1959.med_res.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-469\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dolly Parton performing a Country Gold, 1974.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Below, Parton can be seen posing next to WBAP 820 DJ Don Thomson.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_470\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1607813\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-470\" class=\"img-fluid img-thumbnail wp-image-470 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1607813_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-1955.med_res.jpg\" alt=\"Photograph of Don Thomson with his arm around Dolly Parton's shoulders. He wears a light blue leisure suit, and she wears a green and bedazzled jumpsuit. Other people surround them.\" width=\"700\" height=\"463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1607813_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-1955.med_res.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1607813_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-1955.med_res-300x198.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-470\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Don Thomson and Dolly Parton at Country Gold, 1974.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Hank Williams Jr. played at both the third and fourth anniversary events. The following photograph shows him performing at WBAP\u2019s Country Gold third anniversary event in 1973.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_471\" style=\"width: 590px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1604892\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-471\" class=\"img-fluid img-thumbnail wp-image-471 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1604892_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-04-291.med_res-640x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Black and white photo of Hank Williams Jr. performing on stage. He holds a guitar and wears a cowboy hat. Other musicians are behind him.\" width=\"580\" height=\"928\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1604892_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-04-291.med_res-640x1024.jpg 640w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1604892_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-04-291.med_res-188x300.jpg 188w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1604892_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-04-291.med_res.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-471\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hank Williams Jr. performing at Country Gold, 1973.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Other notable performances include Bill Monroe, Leona Williams, Charlie Walker, Joe Stampley, George Lindsey, Johnny Duncan, Wynn Stewart, Red Steagall, Ronnie Milsap, Jeanne Pruett, and Chubby Wise.<\/p>\n<p>Below, Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys can be seen standing with Leona Williams at the third anniversary event.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_472\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1607312\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-472\" class=\"img-fluid img-thumbnail wp-image-472 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1607312_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-04-120.med_res.jpg\" alt=\"Black and white photo of Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys standing on a field in a stadium. Two men stand with guitars.\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1607312_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-04-120.med_res.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1607312_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-04-120.med_res-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-472\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys at Country Gold, 1973.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>WBAP also released a compilation album called <em>WBAP\u2019s Country Gold Hits<\/em> in May of 1973, along with a record book by the same name containing lyrics, chords, and sheet music for various country songs. The cover page of the record book can be viewed below.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_473\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1602407\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-473\" class=\"img-fluid img-thumbnail wp-image-473\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1602407_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-539.med_res.jpg\" alt=\"Black and white photograph of Country Gold Hits record book, with list of songs and artists. An illustration of a man with guitar and cowboy hat is in the lower right corner.\" width=\"400\" height=\"504\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1602407_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-539.med_res.jpg 700w, https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/metadc1602407_m_UNTA_AR0847-005-02-539.med_res-238x300.jpg 238w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-473\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Country Gold record book, 1973.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>WBAP-FM became KCSC in 1973 when it switched over to all-country programming; at the time, it was the only country station on FM radio. WBAP 820 is still broadcasting on AM radio.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/texashistory.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc1602407\/\">More photographs of WBAP\u2019s Country Gold third and fourth anniversary events<\/a> can be found in the KXAS-NBC 5 News Collection on The Portal to Texas History.<\/p>\n<p>Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dfwretroplex.com\/amlist.html\">Mike Shannon&#8217;s Dallas-Fort Worth AM Station History site<\/a> to learn more about local radio history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Fort Worth radio station WBAP 820 was established in 1922 as an AM news and talk show. The station expanded to include the television program WBAP-TV in 1948, and an FM radio station the following year. WBAP shared frequencies on AM radio with the station WFAA until 1970, when they paid WFAA for sole occupancy&#8230;  <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/2021\/08\/10\/country-gold\/\" class=\"more-link\" title=\"Read Country Gold\">Read more &raquo;<\/a>","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15],"tags":[193,190,162,189,192,7,191,163,150,188,20],"class_list":["post-466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-1970s","tag-bill-monroe","tag-country-gold","tag-country-music","tag-dolly-parton","tag-don-thomson","tag-fort-worth","tag-hank-williams-jr","tag-music","tag-photography","tag-radio","tag-wbap"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8gxVN-7w","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/466","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=466"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/466\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":474,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/466\/revisions\/474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=466"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=466"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/yesterdays-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}