Donald "Red" Blanchard

American radio showman, comedian and country musician.
Born: July 24, 1914 in Pittsville, Wisconsin Died: February 24, 1980 in USA. Briefly married to [a659311] (1934-1935).

Don't confuse with radio showman active in California [a2433298]

He played the guitar, fiddle, and banjo. Member of the WLS National Barn Dance. In the 1960s and 1970s, he purchased several radio stations in Illinois and Iowa, with his business partners, [a1637156] and Harry Campbell.
Known to be a comic extraordinaire. Heard on the Murphy Jamboree that was on from 8:30-9:00, on the Pequot Barn Dance Show from 10:30-11:00 and was the emcee on the 10:00-10:30 portion of the National Barn Dance. He was also heard each weekday at 5:00am on the WLS show, "Smile-A-While". On top of that, he was also featured on the Monday program called "Bob Atcher Presents". Can hear Red's emcee talents on the Kapp LP entitled "Saturday Night At The Old Barn Dance" (Kapp KS-3442). This captures the Barn Dance along about the time it had moved to WGN in Chicago, so that would place it in the 1960s.