Once upon a time, this country was a simple, evolving place, with farmers and pioneers spread out all across a rapidly expanding frontier. Without television, movies or radio, entertainment was exclusively live, and often rare, according to the the geographical location of one's home. So enterprising promoters began to organize tours to bring entertainment of various forms to remote locations. Shakespearean actors brought the bard's great works to tent-theatres during California's gold rush. Vaudeville was born, with musicians, dancers, comedians and dog acts sharing stages, some grand, some primitive, in venues all across the country.