Legendary country music singer/songwriter Al Shade, of Myerstown, PA, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at the age of 98. He was the husband of the late Jean R. (Gesford) Shade. Al was born on Oct. 21, 1927, in Gratz, PA, to the late Marlin and Erma (Huntsinger) Shade.
Allen is survived by his son, Faron L. Shade; daughter, Debra A. (Shade) Glassmoyer, wife of William R. Jr.; grandchildren, Jennifer Hernandez, and husband, Eduardo, Stephanie Burke, Carly Glassmoyer, and Billie Jo Glassmoyer; great-grandchildren, Joseph Hernandez and Shawn Burke; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his brothers, Marlin Jr. Shade, Jack Shade, and Robert Huntzinger.
Al Shade was a graduate of Gratz High School and began his working life at a local shirt factory. Outside of work, Al followed his true passion, playing and singing country music. His first gig, a square dance at De Eck in Klingerstown, became a turning point in his life when he realized he could make more money sharing his music than he ever could at the shirt factory. Later, he formed the Short Mountain Boys, named after the mountain in his hometown of Gratz.
Al was best known for his songs of Potter County, PA, and his longtime running radio show on 1510 WWSM, Lebanon, PA. Al’s first big success was in 1952 at radio station WLBR in Lebanon, PA. There, he and his band brought live country music to the radios of country music fans across Pennsylvania. At first, the show started out at 10 minutes per month but quickly turned into a weekly three-hour music program.
In 1953, Al Shade met his wife, Jean, at a talent show at Santa Fe Ranch in Reading, PA. Jean and her sister, JoAnn, asked Al for an audition to be on his radio program. He hired them both, and they became a feature on the Al Shade Show and at live shows. Al and Jean married in 1955 and had two children, Faron and Debbie Ann, who quickly became part of the family act.
In 1963, Al Shade moved his radio operations to his new house in Myerstown, PA, and changed his radio show format to recorded music. Country music acts from all over the country sent their records to Al Shade in the hopes of getting some airplay. At this time, he also started recording with his wife, Jean. Their first singles, “Everyday” and “This Land is Your Land,” were recorded in 1964, and in 1965, Al and Jean Shade recorded their very first album, “Pennsylvania Mountain People.” Al and Jean became known for their tight harmonies and their own mix of traditional country and bluegrass music. On earlier albums and performances, Jean played the snare drum and later transitioned to the rhythm guitar.
In 1966, Al Shade wrote and recorded one of his most memorable songs, “I’m A Star On WLBR,” backed with “Forever and a Day” written by his wife, Jean. In 1967, they recorded their most memorable and highest-selling album, “The Little Dogwood Tree.”
Al Shade was an avid hunter and traveled to Potter County, PA, for the first time on recommendations from friends. He was so struck by the vastness and beauty of the land that he was inspired to write a song about it called “Potter County Was Made by The Hand of God.” That started a decades-long fascination with Potter County and inspired albums, “Potter County Was Made by the Hand of God,” “My Potter County Mountain Home,” “Germania, Potter County,” featuring Debbie Ann and Faron Shade, “Three Mile Island,” featuring Faron Shade, and the song “Potter County, You’re A Lady.”
Other albums included “The Night They Dove Ole Dixie Down,” featuring Debbie Ann, “Dolly Parton, You’re A Lady,” featuring Faron Shade, “2nd Week of Deer Camp,” “Jesus Means All the World to Me,” “Branson Missouri,” and others. They recorded in some of the biggest studios in Nashville and feature many famous studio musicians on their albums. In the late 1960s, Al Shade was hired to bring in country music acts to Williams Grove Park in Mechanicsburg, PA. He brought in the hottest stars in country music, including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Bill Anderson, Loretta Lynn, and Faron Young, just to name a few.
For many shows, Al Shade and his band became the house band for many country music giants who came to Williams Grove Park.
In the 1980s and 90s, Al and Jean operated a yearly bus tour to Branson, MO, and other destinations, offering fans a unique country music experience. For their entire career, Al and Jean were always side by side.
Al lost Jean in 2017 at the age of 86. Faron and Debbie Ann became more prominent in Al’s live shows.
Over their careers, Al and Jean played thousands of shows across the Northeast and Midwest states. They produced thousands of radio programs together and on their own on various radio stations across central Pennsylvania.
Al Shade and his family recorded six singles and 17 studio albums. The Al Shade Show is one of the longest-running radio shows in the history of radio, celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2022. Al Shade performed at fairs and other local venues along with his kids, Faron and Debbie Ann, right up until a week before his passing.
“You have to have a love for this business,” said Al. “It’s something that has to be in your heart and soul. Once you’ve got this kind of love, you go to great lengths to go out there and perform and put on a show for the people. You put in many more hours than you get paid for in money, but the pay is when you get out in front of people, and you see those smiles and hear that applause. That’s the real pay in this business of country music entertainment.” He was country and proud of it.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Funeral services are pending. Visit www.thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com for updates.
