Free Republic

GRUENE,TX (AP) - Vandals toppled a wooden statue of the King of Western Swing. Now he has to wear a sling. "We came in (Wednesday) morning, and he was laying on his back with his arm broken off," said Clair Devers of the Lone Star Music store in Gruene, home of the 8-foot-tall carving of Bob Wills by local musician Doug Moreland. The music store and a radio station offered a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest. The vandalism apparently happened early Wednesday and could not have been accomplished easily.

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...