A Road Scholar Program by Dennis Stroughmatt

Born in 1916, this child prodigy fiddler and singer developed into one of the most endearing entertainers in country and western swing music. Through the medium of radio on shows such as "The Pappy Cheshire Show" in St. Louis and the "National Barn Dance" in Chicago, Wade Ray gained national prestige along side performers such as Patsy Montana and Rex Allen. 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 and share how music brought America through The Great Depression, WWII, and beyond.

This event is Free and Open to the public. For more information, please contact Janna Overstreet, 217.581.5114.