Bob Wills is driving me nuts....

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 12 Nov 2008 3:12 pm

In regard to the Western Swingers, all I meant was that their recordings reflect the Western Swing style of the old Texas and West Coast bands. I have a good friend who years ago played with "Pappy" and he was the one who brought my attention to this group. I am aware they are all top Nashville mucicians and Tommy Hammun just knocks me out.

Mark Durante · Post by **Mark Durante** » 13 Nov 2008 5:02 am

Some of you need to lighten up, music is supposed to be fun and no one was more fun than Bob Wills

Dale Bessant · Post by **Dale Bessant** » 13 Nov 2008 9:16 am

Sorry, but I could not have worked with someone like that,with that constant vocal "BS" I think that once is cute after that it is rude and I probably would have eventually "poked" the guy....

the music however is great!

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 13 Nov 2008 9:43 am

I have always love the comments. Here are a few of my favorites:

Aaah, Tiny...260 pounds and a little bitty mandolin...of course amplified...

Tear it down, Billy, tear it down, but don't you ruin it...

Here's my boy...brother Junior...on standard guitar

Great comments - and you could always tell who's playing.

Kind Regards, Walter

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 13 Nov 2008 10:55 am

I just happened to have been listening to some BW during the last few day's and paying attention to the Bob-isms to re-examine the worthiness or annoyances, and hands down, it's all the former. Without them, there would be a casmic hole.

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 13 Nov 2008 1:16 pm

Dale B....If you were fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to observe Bob during a live performance, you would recall that he did not "constantly" talk over the players. It is of course more prevalent on recordings, because that is after all, one of the things which was his trademark and set him apart.

While playing an engagement at normal stage volume and playing a solo, the instrument was much louder, therefore overpowered his mike. When mixing the recordings his trademark was made louder by the producer/engineer.

I have to believe that had you been performing with Bob and he made a positive gesture concerning your playing in front of a thousand people, taking a poke at him would have been the furthest thing from your mind. I have to believe you meant that lightheartedly, but I can assure you, once you experienced playing with him, you would never forget it.

Kevin Greenberg · Post by **Kevin Greenberg** » 13 Nov 2008 10:32 pm

Now all you Bob Wills haters read what Reese said again, and soak it into your little minds.

Ric Epperle · Post by **Ric Epperle** » 13 Nov 2008 11:11 pm

Now all you Bob Wills haters read what Reese said again, and soak it into your little minds.

Don't look at me.. As a kid, I cut my teeth on Will's music.

Ric Epperle · Post by **Ric Epperle** » 13 Nov 2008 11:41 pm

Anybody know how Bud Duncan (steel) is doing?

Ron,

The last I heard, he was doing fine. That was a year ago last August. We went out to North Idaho for a music reunion with Truitt and Bud was supposed to come up from California. At the last minute, he had to cancel. That's the last I've heard but I'll be talking with Chuck and Norma Bell out in Idaho this weekend and get an update...

Ric...

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 14 Nov 2008 11:04 am

That's terrific to hear. I hope it remains true today, and that he realizes there are still folks who appreciate what he helped become great so many years ago. I always wanted to meet him, and it's good to know I still may get that chance someday.

Johnny Rojas · Post by **Johnny Rojas** » 14 Nov 2008 9:11 pm

In Eldon Shamblin's words:

Bob Wills had a dynamic personality! Bob himself was such an entertainer! I can truthfully say that as many years as I was on the band, he never failed to entertain me(my emphasis). I enjoyed his antics on stage - super! And the people - I saw old people walk up front and sit or stand there for hours, and never move. Wills could take any kind of a band - that's what I used to tell the guys - I said, "Look, when the old man is sober and here, he doesn't need any of us." That's the way I always felt and I think that's true. He could get up there by himself and entertain the people. Then, if he wasn't there, there was nothing we could do to entertain those people. The guy was something else!

The players loved it. The crowd loved it. Who's going to argue with Eldon Shamblin?

If you don't like it, fine. Don't listen.

Johnny Rojas · Post by **Johnny Rojas** » 14 Nov 2008 9:42 pm

By the way...

I was fortunate enough to play for several years with country swinger Sean Reefer.

He talked, hooted, hollered, and announced the soloists, including the upright bassist AND drummer, every time we played our choruses - and he also called the solos (like Bob Wills).

The reaction from the crowd was unanimous:

THEY LOVED IT!!!

From biker bars in Brazoria County to highbrows in downtown Houston, to dives in Galveston County and Nashville, to the Americana Music Association's convention...

Sean's hollering made the crowd MORE interested in the soloists; not less.

That's my experience.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 14 Nov 2008 10:10 pm

I played one of my favorite Bob Wills songs at a show recently-my favorite song of his, "San Antonio Rose".

Brett

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 15 Nov 2008 8:17 am

Never gave it a second thought,
it's just Bob Wills and that's what you get.

Off a Tiomewarp Tophand CD

What makes Bob hollar
Betchya bottom dollar,
it's cause he feels that way.

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 15 Nov 2008 12:56 pm

When playing with Ole Rasmussen in the middle 40's at the 97th Corral in Los Angeles, Bob Wills was booked in on a Wednesday night. The Dance Hall ordinarily held about 2000 people but about double that number showed up. Well, Bob was indisposed out back in the bus and never was able to appear with the band. However, Tommy Duncan took over and the band played on. Johnny Gimble and Joe Holly put on quite a show with dueling fiddles. Herb Remington and Eldon Shamblin were playing guitar parts. It was a great band thouroughly entertaining the people without Bob. When any of the crowd asked about Bob they were told he out in the bus. They seemed to understand the situation and were not that upset about it. I don't think anyone asked for their money back.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 15 Nov 2008 6:23 pm

Just think what we would pay to see that band today!

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 15 Nov 2008 7:47 pm

Ron Whitfield wrote:Just think what we would pay to see that band today!

Yep, ain't got enough in the bank right now.

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 15 Nov 2008 8:51 pm

There was always the story (and I think it was true} that in the WW2 years Bob and the band were booked into the Oakland, Ca. Civic Auditorium. Ordinarily civic auditoriums hold maybe 2,000 people. The story goes that in excess of 10,000 people showed up and the Fire & Police Departments had to be called out for crowd control. The story was that Bob outdrew any of the big popular swing bands that ever played there.

Some more ancient History. There must be hundreds of these Bob Wills stories out there.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 15 Nov 2008 11:20 pm

IT's good to be the King!

Dayna Wills · Post by **Dayna Wills** » 20 Nov 2008 11:18 pm

I have had a ball reading all your opinions about my mama's brother.
When I was a kid and listening to the records, it used to bug me when Uncle Bob talked while Tommy was singing. (because I wanted to be a singer and I wouldn't want him butting into my tune)
Now, I am older and wiser and I agree that his recognition of his players is what keeps 10,000 people coming to Turkey Texas for Bob Wills Day, 33 years after his passing, to hear Bobby Koefer. Isn't "recognition" one of the main reasons for doing what we do?
About the booze: Uncle Bob was what is known as a "periodic drinker" in that he drank in spurts. Consider the music he WOULDN'T have made had he been drunk all the time? He musta done somethin' right to be so revered by his players and the public.
I never got to see him perform live, so I am really jealous of those of you who not only saw him, but worked with him. I was thrilled and honored that some of his Playboys recorded with me. Awesome!

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 20 Nov 2008 11:39 pm

Anybody else remember any of his little "blurbs"?

"Shoot low boys, (s)he's riding a shetland". ? I know LJD used that one on a BP album.

"Women/Chillun holler: Willie! Willie!...I think he will"..

"A man after my own heart...

With a razor....."

Some of them were downright great. I'll look some up if I get a chance.

EJL

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 21 Nov 2008 5:03 am

"Shoot low boys, (s)he's riding a shetland"

ROTFLOL
THAT's a good'un!

Joe Shelby · Post by **Joe Shelby** » 22 Nov 2008 2:05 am

There's not much I could add to what's already been
said in one post or another.
I started listening to the Texas Playboys when I was
15.
Bob's various recordings were just starting to be reissued at that time, in a big way. I instantly was
a fan.
Bob's 'hollering' just seemed natural to me and I was
always curious to know who the steel players were and
that was a great way of knowing just who was playing
when.
It didn't take long, however, to know who it was.
Gene Crownover, Herb Remington, Bobby Koefer, Noel Boggs, Leon McAuliffe, Billy Bowman and others were
very easy to know in one or two notes.
The Tiffany Transcriptions are like a national treasure; anyone who loves Bob Wills' music needs to
hear them. It is at once, loose, big fun, great playing from every angle--like being at the best house party ever with the best band ever.
Bob's hollering I think probably wasn't well received
by some of his players, but I'd like to think that it
drove others to go beyond their abilities.
Flea-bite.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Bob Wills is driving me nuts....

To:: Chris Scruggs:

Bob the King

Many Thanx, Ric!

Eldon Shamblin's thoughts...

Bob Wills