The Bandwagon Old-Time Music Show

(photo by Kimberly Musser)

Introduction...

When Mankato Minnesota’s CBS affiliate aired its old-time music show for the first time, Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House and Gunsmoke stood atop the Nielson ratings.  The year was 1960.  Nearly half a century later, viewers in Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa can still find a little Oompapa music every week on Channel 12.

Independent producer and relatively new Mankato resident Dave Engen explores an intensely local television program with a present every bit as interesting as its past.

**Note: This story contains one important historical error.  Mr. Earl Lamont hosted the program from 1960 until approximately 1967, not 1961 as indicated in this piece.  Local history has long held that Mr. Chuck Pasek became host in 1961 but this does not appear to be the case.  Pointing this out is not meant to in any way diminish Check Pasek's remarkable contributions to the Bandwagon, but it should be made clear that Earl Lamont had a far more significant impact on the Bandwagon than the above story and local history suggest.