BOB WILLS

BOB WILLS: THE KING OF TEXAS SWING

Produced by Joyride Media - Paul Chuffo and Joshua Jackson

Now online at the Public Radio Exchange

IMAGINE WALKING INTO A DANCEHALL ON A DUSTY TEXAS HIGHWAY BACK IN 1946. THE ROOM IS PACKED WALL TO WALL, AND ON THE BANDSTAND IS A SMILING, HOLLERING FIDDLER LEADING 22 MUSICIANS WHO ARE WORKING THE DANCERS INTO A FRENZY WITH HIT AFTER HIT.

THAT BANDLEADER WAS BOB WILLS AND FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS, BOB WILLS AND HIS TEXAS PLAYBOYS WERE THE MAIN ATTRACTION, THE BIGGEST AND ONE OF MOST POPULAR DANCE BANDS OF THE SOUTHWEST.

BUT IT WAS ALSO AN UNUSUAL SOUND, MIXING COUNTRY WITH JAZZ, BLUES AND POP MUSIC UNTIL IT BECAME IT'S OWN STYLE, TEXAS SWING.

WE'LL HEAR HOW BOB WILLS BECAME THE KING OF TEXAS SWING. TEXAS PLAYBOY FIDDLER JOHNNY GIMBLE JOINS US, SO DOES BOB WILLS BIOGRAPHER AND DAUGHTER ROSETTA WILLS. WE'LL ALSO HEAR FROM RAY BENSON OF THE BAND ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL.

• Host: Laura Cantrell
• Length: One-hour with two breaks for station spots
• Broadcast Window: Begins September 2006
• Terms: Available for all USA broadcasters at no cost