What is western swing music?
Western swing is a subgenre of country music that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s in the southwestern United States. It combines elements of jazz, blues, swing, and traditional country music to create a unique and lively sound that’s perfect for dancing.
Western swing is characterized by the use of amplified stringed instruments, including electric guitar, steel guitar, and fiddle, as well as horns such as trumpet and saxophone. It also features a prominent rhythm section, with drums and upright bass providing a solid foundation for the melodies and solos to soar.
The music is often played by larger ensembles, featuring anywhere from five to fifteen musicians, and is known for its upbeat tempos, catchy melodies, and lively improvisations. It’s a musical genre that’s all about having fun and letting loose on the dance floor!
How did western swing country music start?
One of the key figures in the development of western swing was Bob Wills, a fiddler and bandleader from Texas. Wills began playing traditional country music in the 1920s, but as he and his band started playing in dance halls and honky-tonks, they began incorporating elements of swing and jazz into their music. They added horns, drums, and amplified guitars to create a more upbeat and danceable sound that quickly caught on with audiences.
Other musicians in the region began experimenting with similar styles, and soon western swing became a popular genre across the Southwest. It continued to evolve over the years, incorporating new influences and trends, but it always retained its signature blend of jazz, blues, and country music.
Today, western swing is still alive and well, with musicians around the world carrying on the tradition and introducing new audiences to this lively and distinctive style of music.
The big western swing artists
Here are a few of the most notable bands in the history of western swing:
- The Light Crust Doughboys: Sponsored by Burris Mill Flour and featuring Bob Wills & Milton Brown, this was one of the first groups to succesfully combine fiddle music with ragtime and jazz. Reorganized with different personnel, the group scored country & gospel hits into the 40’s.
- Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys: After leaving the Light Crust Doughboys, Bob Wills moved to Tulsa, OK to start his own group, the Texas Playboys. The “King of Western Swing,” kept his band together for nearly 30 years. They originated most of the genre’s standards, including “San Antonio Rose,” “Take Me Back to Tulsa,” “Faded Love” and “Stay All Night.”
- Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies This former LCD singer got off to a faster start than the Texas Playboys, but Brown was tragically killed in a 1936 car accident. This group pioneered electrified steel guitar, and other stylistic innovations.
- Spade Cooley and His Orchestra: Spade Cooley was a prominent figure in the late 40’s and early 50’s. Based in California, Cooley recorded hits like “Shame on You” and “Detour,” and became known for his energetic stage shows and showmanship.
- Hank Thompson and the Brazos Valley Boys combined honky tonk hits “Wild Side of Life” and swinging instrumentalists. Thompson’s deep voice and more structured musical approach made this the most popular WS band through most of the 50’s.
- Asleep at the Wheel: Asleep at the Wheel is a contemporary western swing band that was formed in the 1970s. They have won multiple Grammy awards and continue to tour and record today, keeping the tradition of western swing alive for new generations.
Each band has added its own unique sound and style to the mix, helping to keep western swing fresh and exciting for generations to come.
John England and the Western Swingers playing the Grand Ole Opry
The influence of western swing
Western swing has had a significant influence on a number of other genres of music. Its unique blend of jazz, blues, and traditional country has inspired countless musicians over the years, and its impact can be heard in everything from rock and roll to modern country music. Here are a few examples of genres and artists that have been influenced by western swing:
- Western music: Western music, which celebrates the history and culture of the American West, developed side by side with Western Swing. Most of the Singing Cowboys, such as Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, incorporated western swing elements into their music.
- Honky-tonk: Honky-tonk music became popular in the 1940s and 1950s. Artists like Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Hank Thompson and Merle Haggard were known for incorporating western swing into their honky-tonk sound.
- Rockabilly: Rockabilly music, which emerged in the 1950s, is a fusion of rock and roll and traditional country music. Many early rockabilly artists, such as Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins, were heavily influenced by the sound of western swing.
- Modern country: Artists like Willie Nelson, George Strait, Brad Paisley and Joe Diffie have all incorporated elements of western swing into their music, helping to keep the genre alive and well for new generations.
In short, the influence of western swing can be heard in a wide variety of musical styles, from rock and roll to modern country, and its legacy continues to inspire musicians around the world to this day.
The Western Swingers
There aren’t many contemporary bands specializing in this vibrant style of music, but John England and the Western Swingers have played (since July 2001) every Monday night at Robert’s on Broadway in Nashville. You can keep up with our other gigs on our Facebook page.
Better yet, get the sound that has us hooked…
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