My Music Education: Bob Wills

"So who is Bob Wills?" Mike asked me when we went to Cain's in Tulsa, Oklahoma a few weeks ago.

I was pretty dang embarrassed that the only thing I know is what Waylon Jennings had to say about him.

I'm a huge country fan. (You have probably figured that out by now!) But I'm realizing I need to educate myself about the legends...the artists who laid the foundation for country music. Not just Cash, Waylon, Willie, Hank, and Merle. I already know about those guys...and Brantley Gilbert name checks them, so I need to go deeper.

Speaking of Brantley Gilbert and his ilk, I am even more motivated to make sure I am knowledgeable in all things country. 

As mainstream "pop country" junk continues to descend into the depths of corny, over-marketed, shallow crapola that makes the listener's IQ drop a few points...I realize I need to get all up in the history of the music I love.

A steel guitar dies every time Luke Bryan asks some country girl to "shake it for the squirrels." Holy God.

Rant over.

This look at Roger Miller from the Moonrunners Country blog is a good example of how I'd like to learn more about some country legends. And you get to go on the journey with me!

Lucky you.

We start with Bob Wills. BobWills.com has a pretty extensive history/timeline of his life.  The dude sure got married quite a few times!

Basically, Wills is known as the King of western Swing. (1) He got an early start. As a third generation fiddler, he first hit the stage in 1915. At only 10 years old, Wills was called on to fill in for his dad, who was too drunk to jam. (2) He founded the Texas Playboys in 1934, rocking the fiddle in the band.  (1)

Gaining popularity in '40, some of his hits with the Playboys include:

"Steel Guitar Rag" You can hear the jazz influence...and the country playing.

"Rose of San Antone" Surely you recognize this. It has words too. (Please enjoy the Patsy Cline) That's a melody that grabs you and makes you feel something...lyrics or not.

"Faded Love"  Wills' father came up with the tune. It didn't have lyrics until 1950. Now "Faded Love" has been recorded by more than 300 artists. (2) Check out Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn's version of "Faded Love."

So what's the Cain's connection? Wills played there for the first time on New Year's Eve 1935. He and the Playboys made Cain's their home until 1942. (3) 

From the Cain's Ballroom History page:

"the ballroom was especially significant for popularizing a new sound of western music called western swing, a form of country and western that combined jazz, hillbilly, boogie, blues, big band swing, rhumba, mariachi and jitterbug music. Weekly dances, a midnight radio show and a daily noon-hour program were played by Bob Wills during what are remembered as his 'glory years.'"

Bob Wills influenced artists like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Asleep at the Wheel. (3)

Wills is in both the County music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (1) He died in 1975...in the middle of recording an album with Merle Haggard, who was a fan. (1)

Sources:
(1) Wikipedia  
(2) Famous Texans
(3) Cain's Ballroom History

Hey! Country music hipsters, dipsters, and experts: did I miss anything? My shady internet sources gave me wrong info? Please let me know! (Nicely..I'm trying to do some good here!)

Tulsa Time: Concert Review

If you get a chance to see a show at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma, do it! 

Mike and I made the 3 hour drive (worth it!) to see 2 of my favorite acts: Shooter Jennings and Cody Canada and the Departed this past weekend. (Friday, 3/23/2012)

 BUT Cain's hosts a huge variety of shows...everything from traditional country to pop to rock to...Gwar. (That link is only for those with a strong constitution, by the way.) 

Cain's is probably the best venue I've been in--it's got a long history that the people of Oklahoma obviously hold in pretty high regard. The sound and acoustics there are amazing, and I really dig the atmosphere:

"The highlight of the ballroom is a historic maple, spring loaded dance floor designed in a “log cabin” or concentric square pattern. Lighting the dance floor is a four-foot neon star and a silver disco ball. The walls are decorated with oversized photographs of various musicians who played Cain’s, including Bob Wills, Johnnie Lee Wills, Ernest Tubb, Ted Williams, Tex Ritter, Kay Starr and Tennessee Ernie Ford. Between the portraits are black fiddle-shaped fixtures illuminated by a single red bulb."

 My trip to Cain's definitely motivated me to do some research on Texas and Oklahoma music.

On to the Show:

Uncle Lucius was up first. They are from Austin, Texas. Uncle Lucius describes their music as, "R & B, Blues, and Country." I'd throw funk and jam in there too.

This was my first time seeing them. I definitely recommend checking them out if you are into any of the aforementioned genres. Their music is unique, catchy, intelligent, and groovy. They put on a great stage show.

I now follow these guys (who apparently refer to their loyal fans as "nieces and nephews." Adorable) on twitter. They just signed a record deal and I'm pumped to be able to follow their career. 

Each member is hella talented, but the lead singer, Kevin Galloway, can SING. Excuse me. SANG! This became evident when, near the end of the concert, the band covered "War Pigs" by Black Sabbath. Really. It changed my life.

Uncle Lucius sounds like what I imagine the best of the Austin music scene would be. 

Shooter Jennings, son of Waylon and super bad ass played second.

I have to digress a bit. It's not easy to see, but his steel guitar player (far left) seriously looks like Andy Dick.

I have been a Shooter fan for about 7 years. I think that what he does best is grungy southern rock, or melodic rock-country. THANK GOD his new album, Family Man is going in that direction.

Shooter opened with a song from that collection, "The Real Me." Great fist pumping opener. He continued with my absolute favorite song from Family Man, "The Long Road Ahead." 

Jennings played a good mix of new stuff, including 2 songs that will be on an album released later this year--both sound good, and older stuff from what is still my favorite album from him, Electric Rodeo. 

As a super fan, I could have listened to Shooter play for much longer than he did. He is not the greatest vocalist, and he has had some hits and misses as he tries to find his voice, but he makes you FEEL...when he shoots for the heart, he hits it. I am so glad that he seems to be putting his own spin on rockin' country music these days. 

The first goose bump-inducing moment of the evening: Shooter leading us in an acoustic version of what is probably is biggest hit, "Fourth of July."

"Fourth of July" music video

Cody Canada and the Departed closed out the show. Cody would be the "Canadian" in Cross Canadian Ragweed. CCR (which means something entirely different to my parents) is probably tied with Hellbound Glory for my favorite band.

When Cross Canadian Ragweed broke up, I was a sad bear. But Cody got this new crew together pretty quickly. Their first album, This is Indian Land is a collection of covers/tributes of music from Oklahoma musicians...done in a new way.

Their set was so killer.

They sang, mostly, songs from This is Indian Land, including my fave, "Skyline Radio." (Not the best version of this song linked, but you get it.) 

They might have been kicked out of Cain's if the didn't do a Cross Canadian song or 2, and they did: "Dimebag" and "Alabama." I was happy with those choices.

The band is going into the studio in May to start working on an original album. They sang 3 songs I didn't recognize, one I know is new...they are different. Straight up, no question, ROCK. I loved it and can't wait to see where this project goes.

I could go on...and on about the amazing time I had sharing my Friday night with such talented musicians in a great venue. The whole show had such a great vibe. Beginning to end, it was magical. (Possibly why the little caravan is called the Magical Misdemeanor Tour!) 

One of those nights I wish I could just bottle up and relive when I need a pick me up.

I am thankful beyond words for people who make amazing music.

I am also thankful beyond words that the good Lord gave me someone to enjoy it with: