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Weger, Harry

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BREAKING: Country music pioneer Harry Weger dies

The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — Terre Haute resident Harry Weger, a pioneer in the world of modern country music, died Monday afternoon following a brief illness.

Weger, who turned 80 just last month, performed and promoted the music which became known as "the Nashville sound."

According to information suppied by his daughter, Vicki, Harry Weger and his wife Docie toured with country legend Roy Acuff in 1949 and he signed on to Terre Haute radio station WBOW later that year with a show called "Harry Weger – The Hoosier Folk Singer." He eventually put together a band and toured the country as "Harry Weger and the Hoosierland Hoedown."

In 1954, Weger signed the station on the air with his show, "Harry Weger, The Bronco Buddy – and the Big Ten Western Feature." The show became a runaway hit with thousands of children signing up for membership in the Bronco Buddy Club. Weger and his champion trick horse, Cherokee, drew massive crowds whenever they appeared live.

In 1961, Weger's original recording of "The Ballad of Jimmy Bryan" topped the national charts and moved his popularity into a new generation of fans. In 1962, Weger was honored by the Grand Ole Opry as Mr. DJ USA.

The Wegers operated a record store in downtown Terre Haute for 16 years and he recently became a member of the Wabash Valley Country Music Hall of Fame.

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