Episode 2

Synopsis

In the 1930s, when the urban dance halls of America were ringing to the swing sounds of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Count Basie, a unique form of dance music was taking hold in the rural South West. Exposed to big band influences through the radio, rural string bands took jazz and big band music and adapted it for their traditional instruments. Country fiddles, banjos and steel guitars played alongside horns, drums and pianos. Also feeding into this music were the diverse cultural influences prevalent in 1930s Texas and Oklahoma. This was an area filled with the sounds of different communities. Czech and German polka, Mexican mariachi, Cajun and blues were all part of the soundtrack of the Southwest and bled into this new style of music, which would later become known as 'Western Swing'. It was a sound which was to become the lifeblood of the Texan dancehall for the next twenty years, and provide America with a musician regarded by many as 'the best band leader of all time' - Bob Wills.

In this five part series Ray Benson, the founder and lead singer of Grammy winning Western Swing band 'Asleep at the Wheel' charts the history and development of this music. He celebrates the people who created, developed and refined the Western Swing sound, and joins some of the players, enthusiasts and fans who are keeping this unique part of America's musical history alive for the next generation.

The series features contributions from Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett and The Hot Club of Cowtown plus former members of 'Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys' Johnny Gimble, Herb Remington, Bobby Koefer, Louise Rowe and Leon Rausch.

In the second part of the series Ray Benson charts the early careers of Western Swing bandleaders Bob Wills and Milton Brown. After meeting at a house party in 1930 the two men went on to perform together in a series of bands , culminating in 'The Light Crust Doughboys' , named after their radio sponsors Light Crust Flour. The programme explores how this band provided the launch pad for the two biggest Western swing bands of the 1930s - 'Bob Wills and his Texas playboys', and 'Milton Brown and his Musical Brownies'. We also hear about the importance of instrumentation and improvisation to the Western swing sound, and how the role of the singer became key to the popularity of the music.

Tracklist

1. The Light Crust Doughboys — Light Crust Doughboys Theme

   Light Crust Doughboys, BMI

2. The Light Crust Doughboys — Nancy Jane

   Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, Columbia

3. W. Lee O'Daniel — There'Ll Be Some Changes Made

   40 Bootstompers From The Golden Age, Primo

4. Milton Brown — Washington And Lee Swing

   Taking Off!, Topic Records

5. Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies — The Yellow Rose Of Texas

   Doughboys, Playboys And Cowboys The Go Proper

6. Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys — Oklahoma Rag

   Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys, Columbia

7. Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys — Basin Street Blues

   Bob Wills Ad His Texas Playboys, Columbia

8. Django Reinhardt — After You've Gone

   Stephane Grappelli;, The Quintet of the Hot

9. Joe Venuti — Stringin' The Blues

   Stringin' The Blues, Topaz Jazz

10. Johnny Gimble — Goodnight Waltz

    The Texas Fiddle Collection, CMH

11. Johnny Gimble — Fiddlin' Around

    Still Fiddlin' Around, MCA

12. Hot Club of Cowtown — Diga Diga Doo

    Continental Stomp, HIGHTONE

13. Milton Brown — Takin' Off

    Taking Off!, Topic

14. Milton Brown — Washington And Lee Swing

    Taking Off!, Topic Records

15. Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys — Steel Guitar Rag

    Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys, Columbia

16. Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys — Maiden's Prayer

    Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys, Columbia

17. Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys — Deep Water

    Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, Columbia

18. Bob Wills — Cherokee Maiden

    Bob Wills, CBS

19. Milton Brown — Who's Sorry Now?

    Western Swing, Primo

20. Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys — Texas Playboy Theme

    Selections From The Tiffany Transcriptio Edsel

Broadcast

1. Tue 17 Nov 2009
   23:30
   BBC Radio 2