Like many other western-swing numbers — especially those of the double-entendre variety — “What’s the Matter with the Mill” has its origins in blues music. In fact, six years before Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys recorded their version (in 1936), Vocalion brought out the very first… Read More »6 March 2021
It’s the birthday of my No. 1 writing hero John Steinbeck, who’ll be forever known as the author of one of America’s all-time greatest novels, THE GRAPES OF WRATH. (My personal favorite of his, however, is CANNERY ROW.) Thanks to a couple of good friends, my collection… Read More »John Steinbeck, born February 27, 1902
Regular listeners to SWING ON THIS will be able to tell that it’s a new show this Saturday night, as I apparently forgot pretty much everything about which CDs are in which players during my two weeks away from the studio. This will be painfully… Read More »27 February 2021
Today is the birthday of one of the pioneers of western-swing music, Clifton “Sleepy” Johnson, a very early member of the Fort Worth-based Light Crust Doughboys, the pioneering band that spawned both Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys and Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies. Adept… Read More »Sleepy Johnson, born February 25, 1909
Born on February 22, 1915 , Jesse Ashlock was a fiddler, songwriter (“My Life’s Been A Pleasure,” “The Kind of Love I Can’t Forget”), and occasional vocalist, best known for his longtime work with Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. In addition to being an integral part… Read More »Jesse Ashlock, born February 22, 1915
On this date in 1932, a feature film from the prestigious MGM Studios called FREAKS hit America’s theaters — to MGM’s almost immediate regret. This tale of life and love in a touring circus, directed by DRACULA’s Tod Browning, was a horror picture like no other, its… Read More »Freaks, premiered February 12, 1932
Happy birthday today to Garth Brooks, the top musical act of the 1990s and one of the most successful entertainers of all time. I was privileged to be the TULSA WORLD’s country-music writer during his ascendency, and I have to say that he has handled superstardom… Read More »Garth Brooks, born February 7, 1962
I’ve often told people that our birthday boy today, John Carradine, is the only celebrity I ever encountered in my 23 years on the TULSA WORLD’s entertainment beat who actually intimidated me. And I’ve written many times before about his coming to Tulsa to shoot a… Read More »John Carradine, born February 5, 1906
This week, SWING ON THIS is privileged to be able to debut some tunes from the upcoming Brazos Valley Boys disc, SWINGIN’ OUR WAY.As western-swing fans know, the Brazos Valley Boys began as Hank Thompson’s band back around 1950 and continued with him until his 2007… Read More »6 February 2021
1. “By An Old Water Mill by A Waterfall,” Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys(for STAN & JANE JOHNSON)2. “Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music,” Caravan Swing Band3. “Don’t Call Me from A Honky-Tonk,” Johnny & Judy Mosby(for BOB & VICKI FJELDSTED and the… Read More »30 JANUARY 2021
