Heroes of Country Music - Vol. One
Legends of Western Swing

Bob Wills formed the Texas Playboys in 1933 with his brother Johnny Lee Wills and Tommy Duncan. Prior to that he'd been working with Milton Brown in a band called the Light Crust Doughboys. Bob quit the Doughboys that year and took several members, including Tommy Duncan to form the Playboys.

In 1934, Bob moved his Texas Playboys to Tulsa, Oklahoma, which became home for them during their most prominent years (1934 - 1958). By the late 30's, dancehalls were flourishing as the big band sound grew in popularity. Although Bob Wills was the undisputed pioneer of Western Swing, scores of other groups popped up during this period. Milton Brown, Spade Cooley, Tex Williams, Cliff Bruner and Hank Penny, all led excellent bands.

The Western Swing popularity waned in the 50's, but it remained an integral part of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Asleep at the Wheel, Merle Haggard and George Strait's music.

Legends of Western Swing, is packaged by Rhino Records - Los Angeles, California. The CD is a compilation of key singers who spawned the Western Swing sound. On the CD are such great bands as, Milton Brown & His Brownies, Cliff Bruner & His Texas Wanderers, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, Spade Cooley & His Band and Hank Penny & His Radio Cowboys. Here, you can sample the artistry of eighteen different groups for a relative small investment.

Legends of Western Swing is available at

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Revised: 11/7/1999 | Thanks for visiting!