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  • Oral History

Pete Stamper

December 7, 1985 OHC234 119 min.
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Biography


Country comedian. Born 1930. Veteran radio and television performer. Appeared on the Ozark Jubilee radio show and the Jubilee USA television show during the mid-1950s. Joined the Renfro Valley Barn Dance as a cast member in 1958. Author of It All Happened In Renfro Valley (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1999).

Interview Summary

1985 December 7
(1 hour, 59 minutes)
Country comedian Pete Stamper talks about his work for John Lair and the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. Discussion includes his childhood and early musical influences; his first radio program as the Pine Valley Boys; his early stage performances; his introduction to comedy work; a description of the comedy of Goober Buchanan, Rod Brasfield, and Uncle Cyp; his first Renfro Valley appearances and memories of the show during the early 1950s; a description of John Lair’s broadcast style; working with Betty Foley; his changing comedy style; his work with Red Foley; working on the Ozark Jubilee; comments on the popularity of the Ozark Jubilee television show; working with Porter Wagoner; comedy and the country music business; working on the Grand Ole Opry; his return to Renfro Valley; working as a disc jockey; changes in Renfro Valley ownership; working for Dolly Parton; changes in country comedy; and comments on his experiences as a Renfro Valley entertainer.