| Lesson Two: Different Types of Country | |
The Birth of Western Swing
Bob Wills was born on March 6, 1905 in Hall County, Texas. His father, John Wills, was an excellent fiddler, and provided musical inspiration for his child. Bob grew up poor. His father earned what he could from his fiddle playing, and worked as a migrant worker wherever he could find work, and they moved around a lot. Before Bob was ten, he was learning the mandolin, encouraged by his father who wanted Bob to play backup for John's own fiddle playing. Eventually, Bob also learned the fiddle when his cousin had problems learning a tune. Bob said he could learn it faster and proved his point.
Bob put together several bands over the years while in Texas, and played on radio shows sponsored by various products. Moving on to Tulsa, with his "Texas Playboys" in 1934, they went on station KVOO. It was at this time that Bob came up with the idea of changing the band's sound, adding drums and horns.
The mid 30s to early 40s amounted to a golden era for the Playboys. At this time they were recording with Columbia Records and they began to gain a national reputation. By the early 1940s they were becoming one of the best-selling record artists, and were being heard all over the United States on network radio. Bob's cries of "Ah, ha! San Antone" and "Take it away, Leon" became national catchwords.
As World War II began, Bob joined up, and after the war he again went back to music, however was never as successful as he had been in his heyday with the Texas Playboys. Bob Wills died in May 1975 after a series of strokes.
Western Swing Music Suggestions:
Bob Wills:
Asleep at the Wheel:
Part 1 Part 2.