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I am honored for to offer many treasured mementos in my E-Bay store from the estate of “Buddy’ Arnold the late beloved co-owner of the legendary Arco Theatre in Bardstown, Kentucky. Please use my store search tab by typing in (Buddy Arnold) to see a complete list. This particular item is a rare signed 8 x 10 original photograph of Renfro Valley Barn Dance musican Claude Sweet personally inscribed to "Buddy” Arnold .
Brief Bio: Claude Sweet ( 1923-1990) was a musician comedian and actor best known for his days on Renfro Valley Barn Dance. Renfro Valley Barn Dance was an American country music stage and radio show originally carried by WLW-AM in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday nights. It debuted on October 9, 1937 from the Cincinnati Music Hall and moved to the Memorial Auditorium in Dayton, Ohio. It was hosted by John Lair, Red Foley, Cotton Foley, and Whitey Ford and featured popular performers like Claude Sweet.
The show later moved to larger quarters near Mt. Vernon, Kentucky in November 1939 and was carried by WHAS-AM in Louisville, the NBC Radio Network and WCKY-AM in Cincinnati.
The program is no longer broadcast, but a live show bearing its name takes place on Saturday nights at the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center in Renfro Valley, Kentucky. A sister program, the Renfro Valley Gatherin' (established in 1943), continues to air.
PBS did a documentary series on American Roots Music called "In the Valley Where Time Stands Still", which is a film about the history of the Renfro Valley Barn Dance.
Historical reference: The 750 seat Arco Theater opened January 16, 1942 with the movie "Tarzan’s Secret Adventure". It was built by C.D. Arnold and Pope Sisco at a cost of $60,000.00. The name comes from the first two letters of their last name. Seating was staggered for excellent site lines. The Melody Theater was located next door at 218 N. 3rd Street. The Arco Theater had a balcony which was designated for African Americans. By 1950 it was operated by Affiliated Theaters Inc. of Indianapolis, IN.
The Arco Theater closed December 31, 1965 with the last feature shown being "Mary Poppins". In 2002 the Arco Theater and the Melody Theater next door were bought by Dzevad Kresco and a two year remodel and restoration took place. In 2004 the former theaters were reopened as the Kresco Restaurant. Many of the theater's features were preserved and are in use in the restaurant.
*This is an excellent article online in Kentucky living magazine concerning Buddy’s widow named Si Arnold who at age 97 in 2017 is a legend in her own right as a theatrical costume designer.
