Vol. 36 , Issue 11 NorthWest Western Swing Music Society November 2019 PO Box 14003, Mill Creek, WA 98082 Preserving the music that is too country for Jazz Included In This Issue and too jazz for Country 1 The Fort Worth Origins of Western Swing Milton Brown, Bob Wills, and the Fort Worth Origins of 4 Western Swing Forum - update on One of Texas’ Most Beloved Musical Styles Matthew McCravey The story of how some small-town guys from Texas invented western swing 5 Rick Norcross & the Ramblers update on the sale of their tour bus, The Mighty Written by: Michael Corcoran Pickle Published in Texas Highways: August 21, 2019 9 New Release: Graham Lees’ Editor’s Note: Our thanks to Paula autobiography Jungmann (HOF 2016) for sharing this New CD: Mike Faast Sings the article from Texas Highways magazine. Standards Western swing was born about 11 Bob Wills Fiddle Festival Results 4 miles southwest of downtown Greenville, TX Fort Worth at the Crystal Springs Dance Pavilion, although you 12 Ameripolitan Music Awards: Voting wouldn’t know it when driving Has Begun! Has Begun! past the now-empty lot near the Western Swing Time Radio Show West Fork of the Trinity River. In Information the early 1930s, the cavernous Alvin Crow and the Pleasant Valley Boys are among pavilion drew hundreds for the bands keeping Western swing music alive “hillbilly jazz” of Milton Brown In Every Issue at venues like the Broken Spoke in Austin. and His Musical Brownies. While the venue burned down in 1966, 2 Photo: Will van Overbeek NWWSMS Mission Statement/Contact Western swing is still going Information strong—a style that’s among the most recognizable roots of Texas music. Current Officers & Board Members Bob Wills famously earned the “King of Western Swing” tag over four decades Meeting Minutes of the Board of dance hall-filling dominance with his band, the Texas Playboys. But the true 3 Upcoming Showcase Information innovator was Brown and his band, the Musical Brownies, who developed the President’s Corner prototype sound of Western swing in 1932. Four years later, the singer/bandleader Renew, join or donate - Here’s how! would be dead, and Wills would carry the torch with his trademark “Ah-ha!” holler. Around the Northwest-bring live music “Western swing was invented for its danceability,” says Jason Roberts, who to your event leads the modern-day Texas Playboys. “But I think it’s also the classic songs that endure. The big three are probably ‘San Antonio Rose,’ ‘Faded Love,’ and 4 Sharing the Journey ‘Maiden’s Prayer,’ plus you’ve got all those great songs Cindy Walker [of Mexia] 7 Event Photo Highlights wrote like ‘Bubbles in My Beer.’ You’ll hear some blues, jazz, country, polka, and 8 Swingin’ West’s Top Tens & Review by pop music when you go to a Western swing show.” Mike Gross NWWSMS Membership Application Fort Worth Origins Born in 1903, Brown grew up in Stephenville with a fiddle whiz as his pop. But 10 Showcase/Festival Highlights the younger Brown was a singer, not a fiddle player. Back then, house party bands 12 Top 10 from DJ Skeebo Norris, Texas typically featured a fiddler and a guitarist mostly playing instrumental tunes. If there were vocals in fiddle music, they were country-raw, from the backwoods. Brown’s 13 Top 10 from DJ Wyn Machon, NZ vocals were smooth, from the ballroom, with a sense of swing. Wills grew up in Turkey and made his name playing fiddle. (The Origins of Western Swing,, continued on Page 5 . .) Page 2 NorthWest Western Swing Music Society News November 2019 MINUTES FROM THE BOARD Once the IRS has accepted the return, Linda will send the invoice for her services. OCTOBER 13, 2019 The tax returns for 2017 and 2018 will be posted President Jeanne Yearian called the meeting to on the NWWSMS website as required by law. order at 10:35 am. Committee Reports: Present by Verbal Role Call: Tony Bachler, Sharon Capps, Dave Enslow, Butch Gibson, Sunshine: Jeanne Yearian reported. Sharon Smith Newsletter/Website/Facebook: As a 501c3, the Society is required to post its tax returns in a Absent: Lori Hanson, Dorothy Pallas location accessible to the public. By the next Guests: Judy Hayes meeting, Jeanne will post the returns for 2017 and 2018 on the NWWSMS website, on the page President’s Report: Jeanne Yearian reported on that has the by-laws.. the Sacramento Society’s Western Swing Festival. Showcase: Paul Cooper & The Pickin’ Business Address Although they did not hold a board meeting the Coop will be the host band for October. PO BOX 14003, MILL CREEK, WA 98082 Sunday of the festival, Jeanne discussed pressing November’s Showcase Band will be JC issues for the NWWSMS with individual members McCormick & Cherokee. A 501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION of the WSS Board during the weekend. Enumclaw 3rd Sunday Jam Update: The FORMED IN NOVEMBER 1983 BY A The two main topics of discussion: Third Sunday Western Swing Jam was LOTS of GROUP OF MUSICIANS AND Staying true to the Founders’ vision for the fun. The owner of Enumclaw Music said there ENTHUSIASTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF Western Swing Societies. has been a lot of interest from his customers as PRESERVING, PROMOTING & Preserving the legacy and history of the to whether they could participate. YES!!! The PERFORMING WESTERN SWING MUSIC. organizations. next jam will take place on Sunday, November 17, from 2 to 5 pm, at Enumclaw Music on Cole 2019 Officers and Board Members The annual meeting of the NWWSMS will be held St. at the October showcase, when nominations for President/Secretary: Jeanne Yearian 2020 Western Swing Festival - August 4 the 2020 officers and members of the Board will (set up) through August 10 (tear down). 21221-174th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 be accepted. The Board reviewed the general Phone: 425-432-7888 (h); 206-271-2295 (c) Nominations for Inductees into the 30th Hall of procedures used for the meeting. Fame will open in January 2020. Completed Email: [email protected] Before the September meeting of the Board, nominations need to be received by March 15, Vice-Pres: Sharon Capps 2020. 16625 41st Dr. NE “A”, Arlington, WA 98223 Dorothy Pallas asked to be relieved of her While in Sacramento, several bands Phone: 425-218-6515 obligations as a member of the Board. She looks expressed an interest in coming up to perform at Email: [email protected] forward to being an active member of the Society and serving in other capacities. We appreciate the Festival this year! More to come . Treasurer: Sharon Smith the time and effort she has given during the past Scholarship/Workshop: Jeanne Yearian PO Box 4216, Everett, WA 98204 year. reported on this year’s music camp. The Phone: 425-348-9880 meeting with Suze Spencer and Tim Dawdy was Email: [email protected] Treasurer’s Report: Sharon Smith reported on cancelled due to Suze’s work schedule. the current bank balances in both accounts. Board Members: Tony Bachler, Dave Enslow, Submission of Bills to Pay: Jeanne Yearian Unfinished Business: Butch Gibson, Lori Hanson Jeanne Yearian is holding the invoices for the Opportunity for a 4th Sunday Western Swing Annual Membership: monthly printing cost of the newsletter until the Jam at the Everett Eagles: Due to flood Full membership (one couple at one address): cost for the 2018 tax preparation is known. damage, this has been put on hold. $25.00 IRS 2018 Tax Update: Jeanne Yearian Single membership: $20.00 reporting. Linda Teachout will be reviewing the Winter White Fundraiser: Lori Hanson tax return once she has finished the 1040 filings postponed her report until November. Visit us on the web at: www.nwwsms.com to read the newsletter in full color, JOIN for clients with an October 15 deadline. New Business: No new business to report. As a 501c3, the Society must give 5% of its the NWWSMS, RENEW your membership For the Good of the Order: Sharon Capps assets to either other non-profits or to promote or DONATE. presented the Society with a handmade Dancers’ activities which further the Society’s goals. We Quilt, to be raffled off at the Winter White Like us on FACEBOOK at believe the Summer Music Camp meets that Fundraiser. Tickets ($5.00 each) will go on sale NorthWest Western Swing Music Society requirement. In 2018, we donated over the beginning in November. Contact the editor, required 5%. That extra amount will be carried over to the next tax year. The meeting’s minutes were read and approved [email protected], to receive our A total of $622.00 was raised for the Warrior by the Board members present. Motion passed newsletter in your in-box. Cry Music Project in 2017/18. The new Program to adjourn at 12:10 PM. Director has been contacted. They are beginning a newsletter this month and asked if they could Respectfully submitted, write an article about our organization. Jeanne Jeanne Yearian, Secretary PHOTO CREDITS: sent them the newsletters and summarized our October Showcase photos by Jeanne Yearian. fundraising activity. November 2019 NorthWest Western Swing Music Society News Page 3 Around the NorthWest President’s Support Live, Local Music Corner For regular appearances at a particular venue to What an outstanding be included in the newsletter, contact the editor. October showcase! Paul Contact information for a member band is Cooper & the Pickin’ always welcome. Coop brought the Jeanne Yearian 3rd Sunday Western Swing Jam, couples to the dance Enumclaw Music, 1515 Cole St, from 2 to 5! floor and kept them there! And, The Old Strokers Jeanne Yearian & Toby Hanson hosting.