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. When referring to a specific polity, the term "country" may refer to a sovereign state, state with limited recognition, constituent country, or d ...

television program A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via Terrestrial television, over-the-air, Satellite television, satellite, and cable te ...

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 ...

'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 performances, sketch comedy, magic, acrobatics, juggling, and ventriloquism. It is normally introduced by a comp� ...

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''. ''Th ...

, Al Cherney, Gordie Tapp,

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). ...

Gordon Lightfoot Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. (November 17, 1938 – May 1, 2023) was a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved worldwide success and helped define the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s. Widely considered one of Canada's greatest songwriters, ...

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