PrintThe Music and Heritage of Bob Wills
EnlargePlay Like the King...
Bob Wills brought joy to millions through dance halls and jukeboxes, all the while pushing musical boundaries and preserving the heritage of the American West. So there's no better way to preserve the heritage of the King than to teach young students the driving force behind Western swing - improvisation and innovation.
From July 27 through July 31, 12- to 17-year-old students are invited to the North Central Texas College in Gainesville, Texas, to train and play with some of the greatest Western swing musicians living today, including some of the Texas Playboys that accompanied Wills during his reign. At the conclusion of the course, band members are chosen to fill each spot formerly held by Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, together comprising the Bob Wills All Star Band. These talented students will hold the distinction for one year until another batch of Playboys is announced at the conclusion of next year's music camp.
For more information on the Bob Wills Swing School or to register your Western swing king (or queen) in the making, call 214.564.7528 or visit www.bobwillsswingschool.com.
...Or Just Listen to Him
Bob Wills Playlist
When we asked Carolyn Wills for a playlist of some Bob Wills favorites, her first response was "This is tough!" Not just because she had to choose from among so many of her father's great tunes, but because "his music reaches so many moods and memories." After some thought, Carolyn came up with several songs that the King of Western Swing particularly loved and some favorites of her own.
For my father, I think the playlist would include:"Faded Love," "Big Beaver," (He loved the big band sound.)"That's What I Like 'Bout the South" (He liked to start dances with this one.)
For me, the playlist would have to include:"Faded Love," "San Antonio Rose"
And then especially ones he personally sang:"No Disappointments in Heaven," "St. Louis Blues," "Sittin' on Top of the World"
And the fun ones:"Take Me Back to Tulsa," "Stay All Night," "Roly Poly"
And of course:"Milk Cow Blues," "Steel Guitar Rag," "Ida Red"
And the list goes on!
Read the feature Carolyn Wills wrote about her father in the July 2010 issue of C&I.
