The Hoosier Hot Shots held court on the WLS National Barn Dance in Chicago beginning in 1933. It’s easy to forget that one of the biggest shows in the history of Country music came out of Chicago. It helped launch the careers of people such as the aforementioned Hot Shots, Bradley Kincaid, Gene Autry, Patsy Montana, Homer and Jethro, and the Prairie Ramblers. The Hot Shots went on to become a staple in Hollywood films, from which this little clip was taken. Their work has been collected on a few CDs, Rural Rhythm probably being the best of the lot.

There’s a nice site dedicated to WLS history: wlshistory.com. They have a secrion dedicated to the Barn Dance, where you can hear some samples of featured performers such as the Hoosier Hot Shots, Homer and Jethro, and Louise Massey.