The Steel Guitar Forum

We all know that Bob Wills is the King of Western Swing. Well, a few of us were in the steel chatroom this morning, talking and playing some older music when the subject came up,who was the Queen of Western Swing ? Nobody could come up with any answers. I realize that back then, there weren’t too many females recording but I thought that maybe some of you guys may have a comment or two about this subject. Your comments are all welcome !

To me, it would certainly be Patsy Montana. To some others, maybe Louise Rowe (who worked for Bob Wills, but never had a million seller like Patsy did - with her "Cowboy's Sweetheart"). Texas Ruby might also be in the running, but her stuff sounded more country to me than swing.

Edna Wills? (Bob's first wife)

Ever hear the tune, "King Without a Queen"? At least the title seems relevant to the subject.

Spade Cooley?

Spade Cooley

Cindy Walker when it comes to songs.

well in St. Louis they say Starla Queen Is the Queen of Swing, Huh Jimmy!

My favorite would have to be Chris Connell formerly of Asleep at the Wheel. Just check out her work on ASATW's "Bump Bounce Boogie".... It don't get any better than that by anyone. For some current Western Swing female vocalizing try the Time Jumpers' Dawn Sears or Carolyn Martin, they're both top notch!........JH in Va.

I cast my vote for Patsy Montana

Hey Gang,we had a real sweet lady who could Western Swing any song no matter what kind of song it was.She could turn it into Western Swing & her name Ms.Cindy Carson.She once was on Capitol Records. Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

Cindy Walker wrote most of Bob Will's hits, which goes to prove "Behind every good man is a great woman"

Perhaps without her songs, he may not have been king.

Thanks Mike for the comment. Yes, the guys here call me Starla Queen of Western Swing because I love swing music. Jimmy started that when we had our western swing radio show & it was a play of words with my name. Then when we did the Jazzabillies cd, the name stuck in our area. Just a play on words..

But truly, no other female has done as much for western swing as Cindy Walker. She was a western swing pioneer who not only established her own success but contributed to Bob’s as well.

Here's some links about Cindy Walker's Career Milestones:

http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundati ... alker.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Walker

Alot of western swing tunes that you hear were penned by this legendary woman. Recently Willie Nelson released a tribute cd to Cindy which featured these great western swing tunes.

Track Listing :Bubbles In My Beer, Not That I Care, Take Me In Your Arms,Don't Be Ashamed Of Your Age, You Don't Know Me, Sugar Moon, I Don't Care, Cherokee Maiden, The Warm Red Wine, Miss Molly, Dusty Skies, It's All Your Fault, Just Walkin' Out The Door

Keep Swingin'

Starla

It could have been Freddy Mercury?

Patsy Montana is the first name which came to mind.

However, Dean and Evelyn McKinney did a lot of recording with Bob Wills in the late '40's. So they should be considered.

Also Darla Daret. I've heard a couple of her records but don't know much about her.

How about Carolina Cotton? Or was she too country?

...wasn't Laura Lee McBride the"Queen of Western Swing"?

Hey Leo, I'd forgotten about Cindy Carson!... I worked with her some in the old days and you're right, she was a great swing vocalist! She also played a pretty decent bass guitar. Is she still around? When we worked together, Gino Ciriano the trumpet player was with us also. Cindy also could yodel your socks off!

I think that they're thinking about someone on a more national level and except for her short stint on Capitol Records, Cindy was mostly west coast. I'll have to agree with Steve H. on Laura Lee McBride! I'd forgotte about her, she was a good 'un for sure

Hey Jerry,Cindy Passed away about 14 years ago. She once was known on a National level.Believe it or not,but,Capitol Records dropped her for Merle Haggard in the line up.Another super lady comes to mind is Kay Star! Ain't this fun to talk to each other with our fingers. Leo J.Eiffert,Jr. & Pigeons

Chris O'Connell sang with Asleep at the Wheel and with Tom Morrell's Time Warp Tophands. Great singer!

There was a tribute to Cindy Walker on Texas PBS a while ago. I wonder if a recording of this event is available?

I'd have to put a vote in for Dale Evans.

No kidding.



EJL

I always thought Sue Thompson was pretty good,also looked pretty good,Don't you know.

John P.Phillips wrote:We all know that Bob Wills is the King of Western Swing.

Some of us know that Spade Cooley was and is the "KING OF WESTERN SWING", not Bob Wills.
Spade came up with the moniker "King Of Western Swing" and used is his whole career. So please stop trying to change history.

Rose Maddox?

Spade and Bob were both great,I lived in LA for awhile years ago and remember watching Spades TV show a lot.IMO only,They were both great Western Swing bands,Bob's music was a little more open to more improvisation by the great players,opposed to Spades more cosmopolitan,slick arrangments,[kind of like a Western version of Lawerence Welk]Staying real close to the written arrangments.This is just my opinion,some of you may disagree,but it just seemed that way to me,I'm sorry and relized I just strayed away from the subject about the lady singers.I apologize,Don't you know.

Alvin: There was a battle of the bands in CA. between Uncle Bob and Spade. Spade won, however , to my knowledge there was never a re-match in TX/OK where the outcome may have been different....Also, I think the reason that Bob Wills is considered the King is due to his long career. Having outlived both Spade and Milton Brown.
Blake: I have a recording of Darla Daret singing and yodeling a song called Blue Yodel with Uncle Bob and her range is incredible. She is retired in lives in Northern CA.
Charles: I just finished 4 days of Western Swing music in Sacramento. It's our annual Hall of Fame weekend. Sweet Sue Thompson was there and did a great job. She sounds just as she did when she had her hits in the 60's. She sang 'em, too. She gave me a wonderful compliment when she told me that she listens to my CD.
About Rose Maddox: She and Bob would have made a great pair, but only for a short time. They were both pretty strong-minded people and I am guessing that they might have clashed. But, before the clash there might have been some pretty memorable music.

I just saw this thread and I was going to post my answer. However, as I scrolled through the responses, I see Jimbeaux beat me to the punch.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn