The Historic Earle Theatre & Old-Time Music Heritage Hall

The Earle Theatre was built by Earl Q. Benbow and Percy A. Boone who also owned the Grand Theater across the street. The theatre gained considerable national attention when it was selected to present the premiere of Shirley Temple’s film “Just Around the Corner” in 1938. On March 22, 1940, the EARLE hosted one of the southern premieres of “Gone With the Wind”. In 1958, the premiere of “A Face in the Crowd,” Andy Griffith’s first movie, was featured at the EARLE. Movies are shown Fridays at 7:00pm, Saturdays at 3:00pm & 7:00pm, and Sundays at 3:00pm, in addition to live performances, The Tommy Jarrell Festival, monthly old-time dances, and more. The EARLE is the home of the Old-Time Music Heritage Hall that is open 7 days/week. The Hall exists to preserve, promote, and protect Surry County Old-Time Music. This is accomplished with exhibits, audio guided tours, lessons, workshops, and a UNC-TV Documentary hosted by David Holt “Music of Surry County” that is played continuously each day. The weekly Merry-Go-Round, the second longest running live radio broadcast in the nation, was created by Ralph Epperson on WPAQ 740 AM as a spotlight to promote area musicians. Many of those who performed on the Merry-Go-Round have become traditional music icons – Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, and Mac Wiseman to name a few. The Merry-Go Round returned to its roots in Downtown Mount Airy on its 50th Anniversary, February 2, 1998. It continues to be broadcast weekly from the Historic EARLE Theatre, 142 North Main Street, from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm each Saturday.