Now on YouTube
Ken Linker’s Variety Showcase was a public access entertainment program from Charlotte, North Carolina that aired for 30 years. Hosted by musician Kenneth Allen Linker, the show which ran from 1972 until his death in 2002, featured a variety of local acts performing country and bluegrass music. The show was filmed at 613 Calvert St. Charlotte and broadcast on TV Access 21.
The four episodes now on the Gaston County Public Library's YouTube channel display Ken's use of humor and casual banter to successfully move the show forward to each talented guest performer.
Ken Linker’s Variety Showcase described itself as “featuring…local, regional, and national talent!”
Local talent from Gastonia included The Sonshyne Boyz featuring Darrell Bumgardner, Bob Bigger, Marvin “Smoky” Coe, and Bill Rippy, Frequent live performers on the show included B. B. Jasper Davis and George Perry. Tommy Faile returned with the rebroadcasting of his previous performances in segments titled " Remembering Tommy...."
Other musical acts included Tabitha Hampton, Brian Blake, Jim Brown, The Jones Brothers, Ned Mullis and The Dixie Troubadours, and Bubba Lee Dalton.
In one episode, Gastonians Darrell Bumgardner and Bob Bigger performed with Jim Brown of Concord, the song I'll Take Any Willing Woman. The song was written by Bob Bigger and Marvin Coe and then recorded by country and gospel music singer Randy Travis for release in 1978.
Watch episodes on the
Gaston County Public Library YouTube Channel
Brian Brown, Librarian, Local History & Genealogy
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