This week we conclude our two-part feature “It Don’t Mean a Thing…” with a focus on Western swing. Western swing was developed in the dance halls of Texas and in sharp contrast to old-time string bands, Western swing bands employed many more members, including horn sections and multiple fiddlers. These were needed to fill these massive halls with music for dancing. We’ll hear classics from The Light Crust Doughboys, Milton Brown and his Musical Brownies and Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. We’ll also hear new classics from Deborah Silver, Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel. “Take Me Back to Tulsa” … this week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine.

LISTEN:

Artist/”Song”/CD/Label

Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer” (excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian
              Folkways
David Grisman Quintet / “Minor Swing” / The David Grisman Quintet / Kaleidoscope
Deborah Silver / “That Old Black Magic” / Glitter & Grits / NTL
The Light Crust Doughboys / “Knocky, Knocky” / Okeh Western Swing / CBS
Milton Brown and his Musical Brownies / “Sweet Jennie Lee” / Western Swing Kings / Pazzazz
Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys / “Right or Wrong” / Collection 1935-50 / Acrobat

Merle Travis / “The Sheik of Araby” / The Merle Travis Guitar / Raven
Lefty Frizzell / “If You Got the Money, I’ve Got the Time” / Columbia Country Classics Vol 2 / Columbia
Texas Troubadours / “Steel Guitar Rag” / Almost to Tulsa / Bear Family
Willie Nelson / “Cherokee Maiden” / You Don’t Know Me / Lost Highway
David Grisman Quintet / “Minor Swing” / The David Grisman Quintet / Kaleidoscope

Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers / “Goin’ Steady” / Shades of the Past / Sugar Hill
Al Goll / “Farewell Blues” / New Reso Gathering / Pinecastle
Susie Bogguss / “Straighten Up and Fly Right” / Swing / Compadre
Vi Wickham & Paul Anastasio / “Weiser Stomp” / Swinging at the Savoy / Zero Carbon Footprint

Asleep at the Wheel / “Take Me Back to Tulsa” / Comin’ Right At Ya / United Artists
Asleep at the Wheel / “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie” / Swing Time / Sony
Merle Travis / “Cannonball Stomp” / The Merle Travis Guitar / Raven
Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer” (excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian
              Folkways