Posted on 04/25/2004 1:01:15 PM PDT by Theodore R.
Sunday, April 25, 2004 Thousands invade Turkey to celebrate Bob Wills' music BY P. CHRISTINE SMITH AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
TURKEY — The fans came swingin' across Texas to honor Bob Wills and enjoy the legendary musician's unique style.
"They had (country) music back in those days, and Bob Wills came along and put western swing to it," said Al Paschall of Lubbock. "A lot of people tried to copy it, but they just ain't got it."
Paschall, who retired from a job with the Santa Fe Rail road, grew up not far from Turkey. He has attended the annual Bob Wills Day celebration 10 to 12 times, he said.
"I knew of him when I was just a kid," Paschall said.
Right or wrong, people two-stepped from as far away as Minnesota for the 33rd annual festival, which consists mostly of performances of many of Wills' big hits.
Wills created a new musical style by combining Texas fiddle music with blues, big-band jazz, Dixieland, Tin Pan Alley pop and mariachi.
The late western swing band leader hailed from this tiny town — population 496 — and became famous with his winning style. His Texas Playboys band thrived for 31 years.
Wills' hometown remains proud.
Other die-hard Wills fans arrived Saturday in Turkey to see what has been billed as one of the largest ever gatherings of former Texas Playboys. The main event put those former band members center stage to a very attentive audience.
Pat Cook of Amarillo sat patiently in a lawn chair on the sunny, warm afternoon, waiting for the show to begin. She has been missed only four Bob Wills Days.
Cook remembers attending a dance Wills' band played in Mineral Wells.
"We thought that was big stuff when I was growing up," she said.
Describing herself as a "big fan," Cook said she still listens to Wills' music "all the time."
"We dance to his music every Friday night at the senior citizens center," chi med in Cook's companion, Bill Powell.
Doug Erickson drove about 1,000 miles from Mankato, Minn. He became a Bob Wills fan when he was a college student in the 1960s, he said.
"To me the attraction is the live music," he said. "There's not many places you can find western swing anymore."
The former Texas Playboys seemed just as excited to be there as their fans were to have them.
Without missing a beat, the lead guitarist, bass player, steel guitarist, saxophonist, pianist, drummer and three fiddlers broke into Wills' hits to hootin' and hollerin' from the audience.
It brought back memories for the musicians.
"It was great. I wouldn't trade it for anything," said former Texas Playboy Truitt Cunningham of his six-month stint with Wills' band in 1954.
Truitt acted as band leader for the Saturday performance, which included nine Playboys. He plays bass guitar and sings.
Charles Townsend, a retired West Texas A&M University professor of American history and author of the 1976 book "San Antonio Rose: The Life and Music of Bob Wills," served as master of ceremonies.
He interviewed Wills 87 times for the biography.
"We became more than bio grapher and biographee," Townsend said. "We were friends."
Thousands of people converge on Turkey for the three-day festival.
"It's a lot of work," Mayor Pat Carson said with a smile.
p.christine.smith@lubbockonline.com 766-8754
I'm glad to know this is an annual celebration for one of the all time greats of country music!
Thanks, Theodore!
Bob Wills Is Still The King
(Waylon Jennings)Well the Honky Tonks in Texas were my natural second home
the way you tip your hat to the ladies in the rose of San Antone
I grew up on music that we call western swing
it don't matter who's in Austin, Bob Wills is still the KingLawd, I can still remember the way things were back then
in spite of all the hard times i'd live it all again
to hear the Texas Playboys and Tommy Duncan sing
makes me proud to be from Texas where Bob Wills is still the KingYou can hear the Grand Ol Opry in Nashville Tennessee
its the home of country music on that we all agree
but when you cross that ol Red River hoss,
that just don't mean a thing
once you're down in Texas, Bob Wills is still the KingIf you aint never been there, then I guess you aint been told
that you just can't live in Texas unless you got alot of soul
its the home of Willie Nelson, the home of western swing
he'll be the first to tell you, Bob Wills is still the King.
Well the honky-tonks in Texas were my natural second home
Where you tip your hats to the ladies and the rose of San Antone
I grew up on music that we called western swing
It don't matter who's in Austin,Bob Wills is still the king
Lord i can still remember,the way things were back then
In spite of all the hard times,i'd live it all again
To hear the Texas playboys and Tommy Duncan sing
Makes me proud to be from Texas where Bob Wills is still the king
You can hear the Grand Ol' Opry in Nashville Tennessee
It's the home of country music,on that we all agree
But when you cross that ol' Red River hoss that just don't mean a thing
Cause' once you're down in Texas,Bob Wills is still the king
Well if you ain't never been there then i guess you ain't been told
That you just can't live in Texas unless you got a lot of soul
It's the home of Willie Nelson,the home of western swing
He'll be the first to tell you,Bob Wills is still the king
~~Waylon Jennings
We oughta make that a Texas FReeper event!
On second thought, we oughta make that a nation wide FReeper event!
Bob Wills Is Still The King
(Waylon Jennings)Well the Honky Tonks in Texas were my natural second home
the way you tip your hat to the ladies in the rose of San Antone
I grew up on music that we call western swing
it don't matter who's in Austin, Bob Wills is still the KingLawd, I can still remember the way things were back then
in spite of all the hard times i'd live it all again
to hear the Texas Playboys and Tommy Duncan sing
makes me proud to be from Texas where Bob Wills is still the KingYou can hear the Grand Ol Opry in Nashville Tennessee
its the home of country music on that we all agree
but when you cross that ol Red River hoss,
that just don't mean a thing
once you're down in Texas, Bob Wills is still the KingIf you aint never been there, then I guess you aint been told
that you just can't live in Texas unless you got alot of soul
its the home of Willie Nelson, the home of western swing
he'll be the first to tell you, Bob Wills is still the King.
(Thanks Willie Green for finding the lyrics!)
Click the hyperlinks!!
Cherokee Maiden
Roly Poly
Deep In The Heart Of Texas
Nobody like Bob Wills.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.