Bandwagon (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Bandwagon


caption =
format = Dance music
camera =
picture_format =
audio_format =
runtime = 30 min.
rating = TV-G
creator =
developer =
executive_producer =
starring = Dick Ginn
Tom Goetzinger
narrated =
opentheme =
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country = USA
language =
network = KEYC
first_aired = November 21 1960
last_aired = Present
num_episodes =
list_episodes =
website = http://www.keyc.tv/bandwagon
imdb_id =
tv_com_id =

"Bandwagon" is a half-hour music program featuring traditional dance music, most notably polka, performed with in front of a studio audience dancing along. The program is produced and broadcasted by KEYC-TV in Mankato, Minnesota. The show is currently in its 48th year, making it possibly the longest-running televised music program in the world. ["Top of The Pops", often referenced as holding this title, premiered on January 1 1964; "Bandwagon" is more than three years older, and, unlike "Top of The Pops", is still in production.] The first music show on KEYC aired on November 21 1960; the title "Bandwagon" was added on March 30 1961.

In the past, the show was sponsored by John Deere, and aired as the "John Deere Bandwagon"; later it was sponsored Randall's, a defunct Midwestern supermarket chain, and similarly titled as "Randall's Bandwagon". The show does not currently have a title sponsor.

Earl Lamont was the original host of the program. Chuck Pasek, began hosting the program in 1961. Dick Ginn, who worked for Randall's and was involved in their sponsorship of the show since the 1970s, joined Pasek in hosting in the early 1990s. Following Chuck Pasek's retirement in 1995, Tom Goetzinger began co-hosting the program.

The format of the show is simple: the hosts introduce the band for the week, who typically perform a number of music selections throughout the show, interspersed with breaks for hosts to announce upcoming events in the area and for advertisements. At one point, the hosts typically interviews the band leader, who names all the members of the band, and tells viewers where to purchase their recordings. During one performance, sometimes referenced as the "roll-up selection", features submitted birthday and anniversary announcements of viewers rolling-up over the screen.

The show, formerly originating from KEYC's studio in North Mankato, Minnesota, now is recorded at the Kato Entertainment Center in Mankato. In addition, in the past some episodes have been recorded on location, such as at Heritagefest, a former German heritage festival in New Ulm, Minnesota.

Notes

External links

* [http://blindingflashes.blogs.com/indiefeed_bigshed/2006/09/bandwagon.html Audio documentary about the program]