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Topic: Who was Queen of Western Swing ? |
John P. Phillips
From:
Folkston, Ga. U.S.A., R.I.P.
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Posted 5 Oct 2007 8:01 am |
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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 !
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Just remember,
You don�t stop playing cause you get older,
You get older cause you stop playing ! http://www.myspace.com/johnpphillips |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 5 Oct 2007 8:09 am
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| 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. |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 5 Oct 2007 8:18 am
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| Edna Wills? (Bob's first wife) |
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Ron Page
From:
Penn Yan, NY USA
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Posted 5 Oct 2007 8:30 am
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Ever hear the tune, "King Without a Queen"? At least the title seems relevant to the subject. 
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HagFan
Emmons Lashley LeGrande II |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 5 Oct 2007 8:49 am
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| Spade Cooley? |
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Leroy Riggs
From:
Looney Tunes, R.I.P.
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Posted 5 Oct 2007 8:53 am
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_________________
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
..... |
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Randy Mason
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 5 Oct 2007 10:07 am
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| Cindy Walker when it comes to songs. |
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Mike Sigler
From:
Give Em A Try !
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Posted 5 Oct 2007 10:39 am
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| well in St. Louis they say Starla Queen Is the Queen of Swing, Huh Jimmy! |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 5 Oct 2007 12:16 pm
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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.
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Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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LJ Eiffert
From:
California, USA
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Posted 5 Oct 2007 12:56 pm
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| 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. |
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Jimmy Queen
From:
Camdenton, Missouri, USA
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Posted 6 Oct 2007 4:30 am
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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.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/fame/walker.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 |
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Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
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Posted 6 Oct 2007 5:20 am
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It could have been Freddy Mercury? 
_________________
Bo Borland
Rittenberry SD10 , Derby D-10, Quilter TT12, Peavey Session 400 w/ JBL, NV112, Fender Blues Jr. , 1974 Dobro 60N squareneck, Rickenbacher NS lapsteel, 1973 Telecaster Thinline, 1979 blonde/black Frankenstrat
Currently picking with
Mason Dixon Band masondixonband.net |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 6 Oct 2007 6:05 am
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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? |
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Steve Hinson
From:
Hendersonville Tn USA
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 6 Oct 2007 8:23 am
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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
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Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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LJ Eiffert
From:
California, USA
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Posted 6 Oct 2007 8:41 am
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| 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 |
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Tom Moorman
From:
Decatur, GA USA
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Posted 7 Oct 2007 9:55 am
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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? |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Oct 2007 10:14 am
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I'd have to put a vote in for Dale Evans.
No kidding.
EJL |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 8 Oct 2007 12:36 am
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I always thought Sue Thompson was pretty good,also looked pretty good,Don't you know.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Alvin Blaine
From:
Picture Rocks, Arizona, USA
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Posted 8 Oct 2007 1:20 am Re: Who was Queen of Western Swing ?
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| 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. |
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Keith Cordell
From:
San Diego
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Posted 8 Oct 2007 5:21 am
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| Rose Maddox? |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 8 Oct 2007 11:25 am
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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.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Dayna Wills
From:
Sacramento, CA (deceased)
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Posted 8 Oct 2007 11:34 am
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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. |
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 8 Oct 2007 11:41 am
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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 |
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