Today in Wheeling History: October 15--Jamboree USA dedicates the Walkway of Stars at the Capitol Music Hall to honor 50 country music legends (1983).
On October 15, 1983, Jamboree USA—the live country music radio program broadcast on WWVA—celebrated its 50th anniversary by unveiling the Walkway of Stars outside the Capitol Music Hall in downtown Wheeling, West Virginia. Fifty bronze stars were embedded in the sidewalk to honor performers who helped shape the legacy of the show, which began in 1933. The dedication ceremony featured tributes to both national icons and beloved local acts, including Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette, Doc & Chickie Williams, and Crazy Elmer.
The Capitol Music Hall, home to Jamboree USA since 1969, was a central venue for live broadcasts and concerts, making Wheeling a key stop on the country music circuit. The Walkway of Stars became a cherished landmark for fans and performers alike, symbolizing the city’s deep connection to American roots music. In 2025, the stars were carefully removed during a streetscape renovation and reinstalled inside the Capitol’s lobby to preserve their legacy.
The Walkway remains a lasting tribute to the artists who helped make Wheeling a musical destination.
To learn more: Wheeling Jamboree History Timeline (https://tinyurl.com/hctx5zbc), Walkway of Stars Refurbishment – The Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/5ytvdsc5), Jamboree USA Facebook Video Tribute (https://tinyurl.com/2mpm7bmu), YouTube - Wheeling Jamboree Turns 50 (1983) (https://tinyurl.com/vc6z9bbf)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons, YouTube, Discogs
On October 15, 1983, Jamboree USA—the live country music radio program broadcast on WWVA—celebrated its 50th anniversary by unveiling the Walkway of Stars outside the Capitol Music Hall in downtown Wheeling, West Virginia. Fifty bronze stars were embedded in the sidewalk to honor performers who helped shape the legacy of the show, which began in 1933. The dedication ceremony featured tributes to both national icons and beloved local acts, including Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette, Doc & Chickie Williams, and Crazy Elmer.
The Capitol Music Hall, home to Jamboree USA since 1969, was a central venue for live broadcasts and concerts, making Wheeling a key stop on the country music circuit. The Walkway of Stars became a cherished landmark for fans and performers alike, symbolizing the city’s deep connection to American roots music. In 2025, the stars were carefully removed during a streetscape renovation and reinstalled inside the Capitol’s lobby to preserve their legacy.
The Walkway remains a lasting tribute to the artists who helped make Wheeling a musical destination.
To learn more: Wheeling Jamboree History Timeline (https://tinyurl.com/hctx5zbc), Walkway of Stars Refurbishment – The Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/5ytvdsc5), Jamboree USA Facebook Video Tribute (https://tinyurl.com/2mpm7bmu), YouTube - Wheeling Jamboree Turns 50 (1983) (https://tinyurl.com/vc6z9bbf)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons, YouTube, Discogs
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