RENFRO VALLEY
John Lair
Homer horsing around at Renfro Valley
"Liz"
The Renfro Valley Barn Dance, first opened in Cincinnati on October 9, 1937. For two years, on WLW radio while the big show barn and the Log Lodge and Tourist Court were being built down home in Renfro Valley Kentucky.
On November 4th, 1939, John Lair's "Renfro Valley Barn Dance" started broadcasting from its new home in Renfro Valley, Kentucky. After the first year, WHAS in Louisville Kentucky took over the broadcasts and went from Saturday night only to as many as twenty radio programs a week out of the Valley.
​
Homer and Jethro joined the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in 1940. The story of how they joined is told in a newspaper article this way...
One day the boys wandered in the big barn at Renfro Valley. The cast would always have a jam session before the broadcast. They sat for a while and listen, then decided they wanted to join in. What a lot of people didn't know was that Homer and Jethro were highly skilled musicians.
John Lair has been listening and after the broadcast he talked to them and heard some more of their music. He asked them where they were working and Homer answered "Nowhurs." He told them they were working for him from now on. He told them to go out and find a place to live and come back ready to work.
​
Later they recounted that after their meeting they thought about going back to Tennessee because they thought it was a joke. No had never given them a job without asking how much money they wanted. They decided to stay and the rest is radio history.
​
Homer met his future wife at Renfro Valley. Elizabeth Coleman was a stand up bass player and yodeler. She was also a member
of Angelina's (Original) Yodeling Cowgirls.
​
Homer and Liz will marry in 1942.
​
The boys in front of Renfro Lodge
Angelinas Yodeling Cowgirls
Angelina Jeanne Doris "Rube" Anna Elizabeth
