Bob Wills’ feature film debut including performances with Leon McAuliffe and Tex Ritter. Bob Wills is one of the most important musicians in the history of 20th century country music. The King of Western Swing, Wills’ songs have become an influential part of the repertoire of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Waylon Jennings, […]
MORE ...Gordon Terry performs his hit song ‘It Ain’t Right’ live, backed by the great Billy Mize and the equally talented Cliff Crofford. Another clip documenting the birth of authentic rockabilly.
MORE ...In this vintage performance, the yodeling is entirely live and more contemporaneous, with a decidedly rockabilly slant.
MORE ...Who doesn’t love a great yodeler? It’s Rosalie Allen, who taught herself to play music as a child in Pennsylvania on her brother’s guitar. Involving herself with radio, she scored her first hit covering Patsy Montana’s “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart.” In this piece, Rosalie sees her beau off to war, a scenario […]
MORE ...Billy Mize and Cliff Crofford’s harmonies for “Tell Him No” typify the Bakersfield Sound. From a local television broadcast out of Compton, California in the late 1950’s.
MORE ...In this clip multi-instrumentalists and all-around talents Cliff Crofford & Billy Mize perform rollicking, stomping rendition of Waterloo. From 1959, this number is another prime example of the world famous Bakersfield Sound.
MORE ...Johnny Bond: Diggin’ for Gold – 1959
MORE ...In this clip, from the B Western “Take Me Back to Oklahoma,” Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys croon in perfect harmony ‘Oklahoma we love you’ in an upbeat version of “Good Old Oklahoma” with Wills’ signature backup calls. Riding with Tex Ritter, they sing together ‘Calamity Kate.’ But, clearly, the King of Western Swing […]
MORE ...Bob Wills: Fiddlin’ Man – 1950’s Bob Wills exhibits his master showmanship as both bandleader and musician in this short known as Fiddlin’ Man. Backing the king of western swing, the gum-chewing pianist, the expressionless guitarist, and the giddy drummer make playing with Wills look easy.
MORE ...In this clip, from a 1940’s B Western, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, on stage to entertain the locals, are introduced by Tex Ritter. The King of Western Swing then launches into a rendition of his classic ‘Lone Star Rag.’ “They’re good, aren’t they?” Tex Ritter responds, “Best in the West.” Too right, too […]
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