I’m happy and proud to say that from the very beginning — almost 20 years ago now — a good number of musicians have been regular SWING ON THIS listeners. Among them was my good friend Jim Karstein, the great Tulsa rock ’n’ roll drummer, who passed away from COPD complications in March of this year.
His favorite Western-swing tune was also one that I love: “There’s A Man That Comes to Our House,” a 1937 release from the Prairie Ramblers, best known for their work with vocalist Patsy Montana. They recorded it under the name of the Sweet Violet Boys, which they used when they cut material that was, shall we say, a bit too racy or scatological for radio at the time. (This would include, for instance, the likes of “Jim’s Windy Mule,” “I Love My Fruit,” and “She Came Rolling Down the Mountain.”)
“There’s A Man That Comes to Our House” is so associated in my mind with Jim that I haven’t wanted to play it since he left us. But this week, I’m sending it out to his wife, Jackie, and playing it in memory of Karstein himself. In addition to being one of the most important rock ’n’ roll figures to come out of T-town, Jim Karstein was a very funny guy who loved weird and offbeat entertainment. I’ll probably never be able to hear “There’s A Man Who Comes to Our House” again without thinking of him.
Also on the big show this week, another of my favorite tunes from another Tulsa-area great, Rodney Lay; a fine Doug Sahm number brought to my attention from that purveyor of “San Antonio Rose” covers, AP McQuiddy: a beautiful instrumental featuring the former Bob Wills steel-guitarist Bobby Koefer; and, of course, lots more.
Tune in SWING ON THIS at 7 p.m., Tulsa time, on radio station KWGS, 89.5 FM, or live-streaming via computer at publicradiotulsa.org. Always glad to have you along.
1. “Texas Drummer Boy,” Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
2. “Misery,” Asleep at the Wheel w/Marty Stuart
3. “Hollywood & Wine,” Rodney Lay & the Wild West
(for HAMILL TIME and RODNEY LAY and the GLASS LIFTERS)
4. “Is Anybody Going to San Antone,” Doug Sahm & Band
(for AP MCQUIDDY)
5. “Careless Hands,” Leon McAuliffe
6. “Hopeless Love,” Lefty Frizzell
(for SHELLACKED)
7. “Blue Mist,” Tom Morrell and the Time-Warp Tophands
(for BOBBY & JUDY KOEFER)
8. “Sounds Like A Winner,” Billy Parker
(for JACK & CAROLE BENDER)
9. “There’s A Man That Comes to Our House,” Sweet Violet Boys
(for JACKIE KARSTEIN, in memory of JIM KARSTEIN)
10. “Sunbonnet Sue,” Fort Worth Doughboys
11. “Easy Ridin’ Papa,” Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies
(for MARK HUMPHREY)
12. “I’ve Just Seen A Face,” Leon Russell and the New Grass Revival
(for the LEON LIFERS)
13. “San Antonio Rose,” Nils Fredland
(for WAYNE MCCOMBS)
14. “Jive and Smile,” Bob Skyles and His Skyrockets
15. “I Want the Whole World to Know,” Bob Dunn’s Vagabonds