The Carolina Theatre was built in 1937 to host movies
and live entertainment on its main stage. From 1937 to 1936, the facility hosted the Carolina Talent Show, a local country music talent
performance that showcased local musicians. Because the talent show was such a success, and locals wanted another venue, when the talent show ended its run at the Carolina Theatre, O.D. Calhoun and Myron Houston started the Carolina Barn Dance.
 From 1946 to 1954, the Carolina Barn Dance was broadcast by Liberty Broadcasting Company out of Dallas Texas to over 545 radio stations across the nation.
Each Friday night, thousands of listeners tuned
into the program, putting a national spotlight
on the tiny town of Spruce Pine. Musicians and
acts such as Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells, Sonny
James, Chet Atkins, Bill Monroe, and String Bean
thrilled large groups that gathered around
radios countrywide. In fact, during this time,
the Carolina Barn Dance show was heard every
Friday night in 47 states with the exception of
Washington State.
The good times and country music continued on the radio show until the mid 1950’s when
the television was invented and live radio shows were replaced by television shows and specials like the Grand Ole Opry. Today, the Carolina Theatre is housed in the historic venue that
achieved such glory. The inside has been
refurbished and efforts to preserve the venue
have largely been decided by the Carolina
Theatre Preservation Association. After many
years of sitting vacant and abandoned, the
group, with advice and help from contractors
Bill Hudson and Davis Godwin, purchased the legendary theatre and began restoring it to its former state.
Hosting many movies and special events each year, the Spruce Pine Carolina Theatre is a
popular attraction. Sit in old-timey theatre chairs and enjoy a show in one of the grandest historic halls in the state. Visiting
Spruce Pine NC
for a great NC Mountain Vacation in the Blue
Ridge? Spruce Pine is nearby to all of your
favorite attractions and is full of gorgeous
mountain beauty you simply cannot find anywhere
else. Browse the site to find out more about
this quaint town and many attractions, shopping,
and places to stay!
| PO Box 1056 // 91 Locust Street
// Spruce Pine, NC 28777 // 828-766-5525
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I hope that you will take a few moments to tour this site to discover all that we have to offer in the wonderful Spruce Pine, NC area. You'll be glad that you did!
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