Heartlands Hayride, WDVR FM’s live Traditional Country Music show, was created in the late summer of 2000 by Frank “Napp” Napurano and Fred Boenig. The idea was hatched in little more than an hour, at a casual meeting when Frank and Fred were reminiscing about an earlier on-air production, “Americana On The Air”. Originally, Frank wanted to make his Friday night country show, “The Country Store”, a live, audience show. But the mythical “Country
Store” didn’t lend itself very well for a live audience production because of its reliance on several “Off-stage” characters, audio props and the active imagination of the listener. So the discussion quickly turned to the creation of a new show, ala the old barn dance-hayride shows circa 1940s.
The amazing part is, the idea and determination to do it, including the name of the show, was completed in little more than an hour. It was agreed that Heartlands Hayride would be created to foster, encourage and actively promote the musical arts. The show would invite participation of new and up-coming local talent who would not ordinarily have access to performing on the radio.
Heartlands Hayride is the only regularly scheduled Country Music Show performed before a live audience in the Northeast every Saturday night 6 to 8 pm. Heartlands Hayride was created to foster, encourage, and actively promote the musical arts. The show invites participation to new and upcoming local talent who would not ordinarily have access to performing on the radio.
Heartlands Hayride debuted on September 30, 2000 in the Loft @ Studio D, a large studio on the second floor at WDVR studios. It then moved to The Brethren Church when the audience grew beyond capacity and is now located at The Kingwood Township Fire Company Banquet Hall, Route 519, Baptistown, NJ live every Saturday from 6 to 8 pm.
Hayride regulars include Ann Brown, Chuck Pierman, Joe Adda, Tish Zimmerman, Len Rambo, Jeff Randall, Bill Turner, Jeff Wilson, Dave Bond, William Burk, Don Cogan, Steve Garcia, Roy Hollabaugh, Nancy Supko, Holly Loux, Judy Perry, Bill Ponnett, Dave Martin and many other artists.
The troupe has also performed on the road at many venues around New Jersey and Pennsylvania to an audience of thousands. There are also many fans around the world who listen regularly on WDVR’s full time live internet programming stream at wdvrfm.org.
Heartlands Hayride has hosted talents such as BR549, Tracey Graemmer, Moot Davis, Peter Finger, Summersdream Orchestra, Rosie Flores, James King, Big Al Downing and Wayne Hancock, just to name a few. Also, many bluegrass bands have appeared such as, PastTimes Bluegrass Band, Dixie Highway, Bobby Hamm’s Male Pouch Express, Dick Saylor & Friends, Sugar Sand Ramblers, The Forgotten Mountain Boys, Louis Setzer & The Appalachian Bluegrass Boys, Mark Miklos & The Raritan Valley Ramblers and the Still River Band, just to name a few.
The Hayride has become a” happening” every Saturday for many regulars who not only enjoy the great country music but also enjoy looking forward to their Saturday Night dinner prepared by Debbie and Dan who have become an inseparable part of the Hayride experience.
Anyone interested in auditioning to appear on the Heartlands Hayride may contact Ginny Lee Here.
