Truly Texas Music

Western Swing originated in Fort Worth and not enough people know about Fort Worth’s great contribution to country music. Western Swing came about in the late 1920’s and was played at the Crystal Springs Dance Pavilion on White Settlement. Bob Wills is often cited as the “King of Western Swing,” known for his dance music that is a little bit jazz, a little blues, a little bit frontier fiddle, with some mariachi thrown in. It often features steel guitars, brass horns, and fiddles. Western Swing is truly Texas music, and it makes for great listening and dancing.

Outlaw Country was primarily influenced by Western Swing great Bob Wills, as well as Hank Williams, Elvis and Buddy Holly. It’s a mixture of blues, honky-tonk and rockabilly. When Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson secured their own recording rights, they fought against the too-slick “Nashville sound” and started their own recording studio based in Austin, Texas. Outlaw country became popular in the 1970s-1980s. There are many theories on why it’s called Outlaw, but we like that many of the Outlaw Country singers like Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings all earned some mugshots and/or served time, but they got second chances, and went on to ride in their Second Rodeo.

Texas Blues was originated in style by African Americans working in oilfields and ranches, and Blind Lemon Jefferson added jazz improvisation and a guitar in the 1920s. In the 30’s T-Bone Walker (just down the highway in Dallas) emerged with a more swing-influenced version and he moved to Los Angeles where he continued to influence others. Country music and blues rock got in the mix, influencing the Texas Blues sounds of the 1960s and 70s. We start to hear more keyboards and horns along with the guitar soloing. This is when we start hearing Jimmie and Steve Ray Vaughn, who bring Texas Blues into the modern era.