David Stone

He didn’t sing or play guitar, but no one did more to promote country music in the Upper Midwest than popular radio and television personality David Stone.

Born in Savannah, Georgia, he worked in machine shops and later in theater management before beginning his radio career at WLAC Nashville, Tennessee. He later joined the announcing staff at WSM Nashville, and in 1928 became co-producer and announcer of The Grand Ole Opry. In 1940 he met with Stanley E. Hubbard of KSTP Minneapolis/Saint Paul, who hired him to create, produce, and host a new country music and comedy show for KSTP. The Sunset Valley Barn Dance was a huge success, playing to packed houses at auditoriums and county fairs throughout the region, and reaching millions of radio listeners. The show launched the careers of many of the area’s greatest country music performers, and a number of successful spin-off shows, including Sunrise Roundup, Main Street, and Hymn Time.  In 1948, he brought the Barn Dance to KSTP TV, and also hosted the noontime program, County Road 5. He stayed on as Farm  Director for KSTP until he retired in 1986.

David Stone passed away August 31, 1995 at the age of 93.