As western-swing fans know, Bob Wills and Milton Brown performed together in a band out of Fort Worth called the Light Crust Doughboys, whose main purpose was to advertise the Burrus Mill’s Light Crust Flour. Brown left first to start his own band, followed shortly… Read More »27 March 2021
Because Tulsa is — as I’m fond of saying on the show — the place where western swing grew up, each episode of SWING ON THIS is likely to feature a good number of artists from T-town and its environs. This Saturday,… Read More »20 March 2021
Over the past week or so, I’ve received brand-new CDs from two top contemporary western-swing acts: the Brazos Valley Boys and the Hot Texas Swing Band. Both of these terrific aggregations continue to help keep western swing alive, compelling, and viable, and you’ll be hearing a cut… Read More »13 March 2021
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
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
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
1. “She’s Killin’ Me,” Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys2. “Wabash Cannonball,” Leon Russell(for ROBERT BLANCK and the COLORADO-BASED LEON LIFERS)3. “Beer Drinkin’ Honky Tonkin’ Blues,” Billy Mize(for WES & JEANNIE BENGE and the GLASS LIFTERS and WAYNE MCCOMBS)4. “Give the World A Smile,” Hank… Read More »23 JANUARY 2021
1. “Bob Wills Boogie,” Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys(for LEE HAMRICK)2. “Sioux City Sue,” Eric Diamond3. “Bottle by Bottle,” Lattie Moore(for WAYNE MCCOMBS and JIM & JACKIE KARSTEN and the GLASS LIFTERS)4. “Whose Heart Are You Breaking Now,” Johnnie Lee Wills w/Curly Lewis(FOR BILLY… Read More »16 January 2020
1. “Don’t Be Ashamed of Your Age,” Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys 2. “Prairie Lullaby,” Michael Nesmith 3. “That Little Old Wine Drinker Me,” Robert Mitchum (for DALE CLARK and the GLASS LIFTERS) 4. “Noah’s Wife,” Hoosier Hot Shots (for WAYNE MCCOMBS) 5. “In… Read More »9 JANUARY 2021