The Barn

I recently piloted my pickup along the smooth black ribbon of pavement surrounding beautiful Lake Guntersville. Eventually, I took a road that led slightly off the beaten path and guided me to my destination.

Not far from the largemouth bass, sandy shores and glistening water was the time machine I have been searching for all my life … a unique pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It is officially called “The Barn at Conners Island,” but most refer to it simply as “The Barn.” My hungry eyes salivated at the antique cars, vintage toys, old license plates, metal lunch boxes, television memorabilia and advertising signs that once hung in country stores.

There was only one problem upon my arrival – I didn’t want to leave...

The Barn at Connors Island

Story by Steve A. Maze Photos by David Moore

Randy Yates and his wife, Dee, acquired the Guntersville property on Conners Island where The Barn sits 15 years ago, even though it had been in her family for many years prior.

Randy planned to use the building to store vintage memorabilia and antique cars he had acquired over the past 15 years. Among the vehicles are replicas of those used on “The Dukes of Hazzard” television show.

Randy grew up watching the Dukes, which aired from 1979-85. It was one of the top-rated shows of its day and, as with many viewers, he got hooked.

“The Dukes first aired when I had just turned 4 years old,” he says. “Friday nights were always special at my house. My father and I would watch the Dukes together, and afterward Mom would watch ‘Dallas’ to see who shot J.R. Those memories have always been precious to me.”

Among his Dukes automobile collection is the orange 1969 Dodge Charger that was famously known as the “General Lee,” over 300 of which were crashed during the making of the television series.

Others include a 1977 Plymouth Fury that served as the patrol car for the sheriff in the Dukes, Rosco P. Coltrane, played by actor James Best; a 1973 Plymouth Daisy Roadrunner, only seen during the first year of the show and named after character Daisy Duke played by Catherine Bach; and the 1979 CJ7 Jeep known as the “Dixie.”

Randy is a full-blown collector. Three years ago, Randy put together a Dukes of Hazzard traveling museum containing tons of memorabilia from the show. Dukes toys, all in their original packaging, lunch boxes, autographed photos and many other items draw thousands to the museum at the various venues he visits throughout the Southeast.

The Barn is located on Bakers Chapel Lane, just off Conners Island Parkway north of Guntersville and the river.

The doorway frame sports not only signatures from the Dukes cast, but other television stars and well known entertainers who have toured the museum,

“I’m glad that both young and old enjoy the museum,” says Randy. “Youngsters really like seeing the toy cars from the show. The older crowd does as well, but they also enjoy the variety of 50s- and 60s-era lunchboxes I have on display.

“I collect my memories,” he adds, “and I think the vintage items help people recapture their childhood memories as well.”

Randy has journeyed to numerous venues over the past three years. It was at a cancer fundraiser in Winchester, Tenn., that he met someone who would take his already popular traveling museum and The Barn to another level – John Schneider, who portrayed Bo Duke in Randy’s favorite television show.

“John looked through the museum and really liked it,” he says. “I later attended a World of Wheels event in Chattanooga and Continued on page 60

Randy stands behind the barn with his General Lee replica and cutouts he had made of Bo and Luke Duke (played in the TV show by Tom Wopat and John Schneider). He also has a cutout of Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane (James Best). Clockwise from upper right are: Wile E. Coyote giving a lift to Roadrunner in, well, a vintage Roadrunner; upstairs in the barn Randy created the ultimate “man attic;” a vintage figurine in the concession stand wields a jug of Mountain Dew, but no alcohol is served at The Barn; author Steve Maze talks to Randy inside his 42-foot mobile Dukes museum; inside its front door, Luke and Bo penned their autographs and seals of approval.

Jacob Yates, top center, performs at The Barn with John Schneider and Cody McCarver, right. Below, John mingles with fans, including Candace Stevens, who apparently does an admirable job of lighting him up. Top photo by Randy Yates; above by Steve Maze.

Continued from page 57 Birmingham, which John also happened to be attending.”

John, now an independent film maker, and Randy formed a working partnership and often appeared together at events. Their friendship grew so strong that John agreed to headline “Christmas in Dixie,” a show Randy staged at The Barn this past year.

The former TV star had a blast.

At the show, John takes a few minutes to reminisce about meeting Randy and seeing his traveling Dukes museum.

“I loved it, and we’ve been working together ever since,” John says. “Every time I see the museum, there is something new in it.”

It was obvious from the sold-out event that Dukes’ fans still love the show, but they have a special fondness for John and Bo Duke.

A touch of magic is in the air when the still boyish-looking actor with a toothy smile walked out to meet excited VIP ticket holders. Schneider mingles with his admirers and spends quality time with them … shaking hands, signing autographs and posing for selfies with adoring fans.

He recognizes some who have attended his events at other venues, and calls them by name. A few women, with a twinkle in their eyes, grab him around the neck – or plant a kiss on his cheek while taking a photo, as if showing him off like a blue-ribbon bull.

John is a good sport and takes it all in stride. And he offers a quick answer when asked how much he enjoys being around his fans.

“On a scale of one to ten … a hundred,” he laughs, “And it has continued to be so for some 43 years. I am thankful to the fans for allowing me to continue pursuing my dreams.”

The Barn, however, is not just a Dukes of Hazzard destination.

Along with Dukes memorabilia, there are plenty of other collectibles that can ignite pleasant memories for visitors. The Barn is full of vintage advertising signs and thermometers, as well as many other displays for those who enjoy reminiscing about the past.

“I just love old stuff going back to the 50s,” Randy grins. “I actually started collecting the signs and other things about 25 years ago. I enjoy them because they were

The Barn is the home stage of Randy’s son, Jacob Yates. Below, a life-size figurine of a gas station attendant welcomes John Schneider.

something I recalled seeing around during my childhood.”

He never planned The Barn as a venue, but with its delightful atmosphere that’s what has happened.

“My 20-year-old son, Jacob, came up with the idea of having an event there,” Randy says. “Jacob started singing and playing drums in church at the age of 14, and asked if he could have a solo concert there a couple of years ago for a Fourth of July event.”

It went well. After the concert, Randy began to think The Barn might be a good place to have live concerts. It wasn’t long before sounds of bluegrass, gospel and country music began echoing from the stage.

And as the old saying goes, the rest is history.

Several well-known music stars have performed here, entertainers such as Cody McCarver, the former vocalist and keyboard player for Confederate Railroad, well-known music artist Mike Farris, country artist Andy Griggs and country music legend Bobby G. Rice.

Nashville recording star Buddy Jewell Jr. performed at The Barn in October, and Randy donated the proceeds to The Foundation for Marshall Medical Center’s cancer support programs. In the future he plans to donate the proceeds from at least one concert per year to local charities.

The small, quaint environment of The Barn offers advantages that larger venues cannot.

“I am glad our audience members are actually close enough to the performers on stage to see them,” Randy says. “In addition, the audience members often get to meet the entertainers after the show. It was important to me that it be a family-friendly venue, so no alcohol is served.”

It is obvious that Randy enjoys sharing his passion for nostalgia with those who visit The Barn. And visitors can share in that passion whether it be reminiscing about the Dukes television show, looking at decades-old vintage pieces or watching headline performers on his stage.

More high-profile musicians, singers and television personalities are expected to perform at The Barn in 2022.

Based on the level of excitement from December’s packed Christmas event, one can’t help but feel the future is very bright for The Barn at Conners Island.

To learn more about The Barn or the Dukes traveling museum, visit Facebook pages: The Barn At Conners Island and Dukes of Hazzard Mobile Museum.

You can find out more about John Schneider and his movies at: johnschneiderstudioes.com.