Ozark Jubilee
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The Ozark Jubilee was the first national country music show on television. It is responsible for popularizing the term "Country Music" which was originally called hillbilly music. It was broadcast live originally on the ABC Television Network, beginning in 1955, and was produced by country music pioneer Si Siman (who discovered Chet Atkins and Porter Wagoner). The show originated in Springfield, Missouri, but the first shows were staged in Columbia, Missouri because there was a line capable of carrying the show to the network that had been installed for the university football games. The show was hosted by Country Music Hall of Fame member Red Foley. The show drew weekly audiences in excess of 20,000,000, and was credited with launching or expanding many careers, including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee.
The show was renamed Country Music Jubliee in 1957 and changed its name again in 1958, this time to Jubilee USA. The show's ABC run ended in 1960.
Siman went on to publish such worldwide hits as "The Letter" (Boxtops), "Always On My Mind" (Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson) and "Soul Deep" (Boxtops).
