PO Box 14003 Mill Creek, WA 98082 Celebrating Founded Our 34th Year In 1983 Visit us on the web at: www.nwwsms.com Volume 34 Issue 11 A News Letter For and About Our Members November 2017 Preserving the music that is too country for Jazz and too jazz for Country (Our thanks to Jean A. Boyd for her extensive, published research into the America’s Western Swing Music music known as Western Swing, the Jazz of the Southwest. Dr. Boyd has The Journey from String Bands approved of the following compilation) to Swing Bands Editor’s Note: This year, Fred and I had the opportunity to take part in western swing events of the three western swing sister societies, the NWWSMS, the WSS, and the WSMSS. The similarities as well as the differences were striking - but a feeling of community and sense of belonging tied them all together. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to view String Bands to Swing Bands, from the NWWSMS’ 2016 festival, the script to the video segment is printed below. Dr. Boyd maps this connection out in her books (pictured to the left). The following compilation hopes to give an overview, explaining the regional differences in the music called Western Swing. Prefer to watch? Click on the photo to the left. Western Swing is like a musical quilt whose pieces fit together and formed something new – a musical genre composed of a blend of American musical styles. What better place to collect the pieces than Texas, a cultural crossroads. In Texas, four major cultural influences set the stage for the development of Western Swing but in the beginning it all centered around the development of the Texas fiddle style. (Continued on Page 5 . ) In Every Issue Included In This Issue 2 NWWSMS Mission Statement/Contact Information 1 String Bands to Swing Bands, compiled by Jeanne Current Officers & Board Members Yearian Meeting Minutes of the Board 4 Cherishing the Memories - Billy Mize 3 Upcoming Showcase Information President’s Corner 9 NWWSMS October Showcase Highlights Renew, join or donate on-lineline oror byby mailmail 11 Call for Nominations, Cowtown Society of Around the Northwest-bring live music to your event Western Music 4 Sharing the Journey Update on the 2nd Texas Dancehall Tour 7 Showcase Photo Highlights 13 Wendall Sollis and the Sidekicks All Star Band 3rd Annual Country Christmas Ball 8 Swingin’ West’s Top Tens & Review by Mike Gross NWWSMS Membership Application 14 Book Review: Never Look at the Empty Seats Birthday wishes to Leon Rausch 11 DJ Graham Lees’ Top Tens from the UK 12 Top Ten from DJ Wyn Machon, New Zealand Top 10 from DJ Skeebo Norris, Texas Page 2 Northwest Western Swing Music Society News November 2017 MINUTES FROM THE BOARD (Minutes from October 8, 2017 continued . ) OCTOBER 8, 2017 Unfinished Business: Celebrating Founded President Jeanne Update on the Society’s Equipment Our 34th Year In 1983 Trailer : Yearian called the meeting to order at Butch Gibson picked up the trailer from 10:45 am. Jeanne and Fred Yearian and will bring it to the Lynnwood Eagles today. Dave DuChane, Present by Verbal Role Dave Wheeler and other interested Board NorthWest Western Call: Lou Bischoff, Nan members will go through the contents to Swing Music Society Butler, Sharon Capps, decide what should be done with the contents. Dave DuChane, Shelley McNaughton, Jerry Update on Newsletter Adoption List: Alice A 501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION Alice Striegel Seitz, Sharon Smith, Striegel received names on the “Adopt List” so FORMED IN NOVEMBER 1983 BY A Secretary Alice Striegel, Dave that those members who do not have a GROUP OF MUSICIANS AND Wheeler computer will continue to receive the monthly ENTHUSIASTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF NWWSMS Newsletter. PRESERVING, PROMOTING & Guests: Ed Bischoff, Steve Carter, Al Troupe, PERFORMING WESTERN SWING MUSIC. Fred Yearian Update on expanding showcases to the Tacoma area: No update at this time. 2017 Officers and Board Members President’s Report: Jeanne Yearian reported on the Sacramento Western Swing Hall of President: Jeanne Yearian New Business: No new business. 21221-174th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Fame Music Festival of September 29-October Phone: 425-432-7888 (h); 206-271-2295 (c) 1, 2017, which Jeanne and Fred Yearian had Good of the Order: (an omission not Email: [email protected] attended. Jeanne also mentioned plans to mentioned during the meeting) Chet and attend the Western Swing Music Society of the Vice-Pres: Jerry Seitz Betty Hasting will be moving back into their 1090 SW Harper Road, Port Orchard WA 98367 Southwest November Showcase Dance and home (destroyed by fire last Christmas) by the Phone: 206-795-7028 Jam at Hulbert, Oklahoma, this year. end of October. Email: [email protected] Treasurer’s Report: Dave Wheeler presented Secretary: Alice Striegel financial reports. The meeting’s minutes were read and 2708 Mission Beach Hts, Tulalip, WA 98271 Committee Reports: approved by the Board members Phone: 360-659-9713 present. Motion passed to adjourn at 11:15 Email: [email protected] Nominating: Sharon Smith reported that 3 am. Treasurer: Dave Wheeler new Board members will be needed due to Respectfully submitted, 11725 - 47th Dr. NE, Marysville, WA 98271 resignations of 3 current Board members. One Alice Striegel, Secretary Phone: 425-238-7696 person has volunteered; therefore, 2 more Email: [email protected] volunteers will be needed. Board Members: Lou Bischoff, Sharon Capps, Membership: Dave Wheeler reports there are Dave DuChane, Shelley McNaughton, Sharon now 238 paid-up members with 1 new in Smith. Alternate: Nan Butler September. So far this year, 20 new members Annual Membership: have signed up. Full membership (one couple at one address): Showcase: : Sharon Smith reports Southern $25.00 Comfort is the host band today. November Single membership: $20.00 host will be JC McCormick & the Cherokee Business Address Band; December host is yet to be determined; PO Box 14003, Mill Creek, WA 98082 January will be The Grand Jam; February will be Sharyn Lee & the Sundowners; March will Visit us on the web at: www.nwwsms.com be Butch Gibson & Pardners. to read the newsletter in full color, JOIN Sunshine: Lou Bischoff updated “Sharing The the NWWSMS, RENEW your membership Journey.” or DONATE. Scholarship/Work Shop: Jerry Seitz reports Like us on FACEBOOK at that, as he is one of the Board members who NorthWest Western Swing Music Society will be resigning, a new coordinator will be needed to lead this Committee. We have not Contact the editor, heard from Paul Elliott regarding the [email protected], to receive our Washington Middle School offer to teach newsletter in your in-box. western swing this year. PHOTO CREDITS: 2018 Festival and Hall of Fame: Dates for the 2018 event have been booked at the Enumclaw NWWSMS showcase photos by Event Center. A contract will be signed in the Jeanne and Fred Yearian. 2017 Inductee, Graham Lees, is celebrated in near future. his hometown paper in England. November 2017 Northwest Western Swing Music Society News Page 3 President’s Around the NorthWest Support Live, Local Music Corner Another great For regular appearances at a particular venue to October showcase! be included in the newsletter, contact the editor. The Southern Contact information for a member band is Comfort Band kept always welcome. Jeanne Yearian their harmonies The Go Outside and Playboys. For booking flowing as the beat of information and more on Seattle’s newest the music called the dancers to the floor. western swing band, visit their website at: Thank you all for sharing your talents www.gooutsideandplayboys.com. with us! Celebrate our Southern Comfort. For bookings or Fred and I have been busy visiting our schedule updates call Shelley at (206) 235-0530. Veterans sister societies in Sacramento and Check out The Southern Comfort Band’s current Oklahoma. As soon as we walked activities on Facebook.. November 12 through the doors, we felt as though we had never left home. (There will be more on Steel Country. For bookings or schedule Join your western swing updates call Duane at (425) 870-7311 or Pat at family our travels in the coming months.) (425) 745-3798. For those of you who travel South for From 1 to 5 pm at the the winter, check out the events planned The Barn Door Slammers. For information Lynnwood Eagles by the Western Swing Society of on upcoming play dates, check their website at: Sacramento and the Western Swing Music www.barndoorslammers.com. 19223 Hwy 99 (Three Blocks North of 196th Street) Society of the Southwest. Drop by and The Oregon Valley Boys. For information see for yourself! on upcoming play dates, check their website at: There have been so many great western www.oregonvalleyboys.com. Featuring swing videos posted this Fall, it’s hard to Mike Faast and Jangles. For information on JC McCormick decide which to share. But, since I finally upcoming play dates, check their website at: met jazz guitarist Joe Settlemires this www.janglesband.com month, I’m very excited to share with you & the Sharyn Lee and the Sundowners. Visit a video recently posted by Robert Huston. their website for information on upcoming play Cherokee Band It was filmed at the Sequoyah Lodge, site dates: www.thesundownersband.com of the WSMSS November Showcase. To see the video, just click on Joe’s photo: JC McCormick & the Cherokee Band. For with guest musician booking information or a schedule of upcoming Pat Rowe play dates, call JC at: 253-268-2314 Speaking of holidays, Thanksgiving will be here in just a few weeks. In closing, let me share the words that will be spoken before the meal at our table: For food in a world where many walk in hunger For faith in a world where many walk in fear For friends in a world where many walk alone Joe Settlemires at the 2017 WSMSS Showcase We give thanks.