This week, SWING ON THIS features some especially nice material from three of the four famous bandleading sons of Uncle John and Emma Wills. (No. 3 son Luther J. didn’t make the playlist this time around, but he’ll certainly be back soon.) I’ll start things off with a blues from Bob’s MGM years, featuring Tommy Duncan on the vocals — with a particularly verbose Bob egging him on — and the incredibile Tulsa Playboys trio of Eldon Shamblin (guitar), Herb Remington (steel), and Tiny Moore (mandolin) doing some great tandem playing. Then it’s Johnnie Lee, with longtime musical cohort Curly Lewis on the vocals and a dandy Clarence Cagle piano ride, doing one recorded at Tulsa’s KVOO studios. We complete the Wills hat trick with a radio transcription offering from Billy Jack Wills and His Western Swing Band, with BIlly Jack himself on the vocals.
And wait — there’s more! I’ve also got Lyle Lovett’s greatest hit, the flip side of Michael Nesmith’s greatest solo hit, and a glass-lifting tune recorded by Hank Thompson in 1983 but unissued until recently. Plus lots more, including one from Vic Bias and His Panhandle Playboys (courtesy of Michael H. Price) that’s going to remind you a whole lot of a song you hear every week on the show.
So c’m’on along. That’s SWING ON THIS, broadcasting at 7 p.m. Saturday over Tulsa’s NPR affiliate KWGS, 89.5 FM, and live-streaming throughout the known universe at publicradiotulsa.org
1. “Dog House Blues,” Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys (for DANA BAKLEY)
2. “Cowboy Man,” Lyle Lovett
(for CAROLE & JACK BENDER and JANIS)
3. “Rainy Days and Whiskey Nights,” Hank Thompson
(for MARK WOOLEY and the GLASS LIFTERS)
4. “I’m That Way About You,” Johnnie Lee Wills w/Curly Lewis
(for CYNTHIA HACKATHORN and STEVE LEWIS)
5. “The One Rose (That’s Left in My Heart), Michael Nesmith
6. “There’s A Right Way, A Wrong Way,” Leon McAuliffe and His Western Swing Band
(for SHELLACKED)
7. “San Antonio Rose,” the Nighthawks
(for AP MCQUIDDY)
8. “Rose of the Alamo,” Vic Bias and His Panhandle Playboys
(for MICHAEL H. PRICE)
9. “I’m An Old Cowhand,” Asleep at the Wheel
(for JOHN HAMILL)
10. “Out in the Rain Again,” Bill Boyd
11. “Maiden’s Prayer,” Billy Parker
(for CINDY CLARK)
12. “Rock-A-Bye Baby Blues,” Billy Jack Wills and His Western Swing Band
13. “Juke Joint Jumpin’,” Wayne Hancock
(for ROSE SINCLAIR)
14, “Nobody Cares,” Ocie Stockard and His Wanderers
15. “It’s All Your Fault,” High, Wide & Handsome
(for MARMIE APSLEY)
16. “Truck Drivin’ Man,” Red Steagall
(for RAY BINGHAM)