Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter - Joe Baker Home Page

stage with Dave and his band. After Dave asked each about their
experiences as Texas Playboys, he asked them to sing/play their
favorite tunes. The stories were so special and, even though it
was late and the kids had been in class all day, they stayed tuned
in and ready for photos with the Texas Playboys!
North Central Texas College was delighted with the Swing School
and has already reserved the 2011 dates. I‟ll let you know about
the progress in the months ahead.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Wills
Bob Wills Heritage Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 1945
Burleson, TX 76097
817 360-2512
Carolyn Wills, daughter of Bob and Andrea Ruby, Bob‘s granddaughter,
did a fantastic job in organizing and making this year‘s
Swing School happen. They should both be commended for their
hard work and challenging endeavors in pulling off a well-run,
successful, and uplifting experience for each of the kids.
The Bob Wills Swing School was under the direction of bandleader,
entertainer and educator, Dave Alexander
(www.davealexander.com) Dave brought his expertise, experience,
talent and love of western swing music to the Swing
School. He shared his knowledge, talent and gregarious
personality with each of his students, making their time with
him special and filled with wonderful memories. He basically,
made learning about western swing fun! To all of us who love this
genre of music, that is a grand accomplishment. Our ultimate
goal is to get youth actively involved in carrying on this legendary
music for future generations to enjoy and have fun with.
From the moment I dropped off our grandson, Tristen, who is 14, I
felt he was in good hands. I felt happy to have launched him on a
new awareness and, hopefully, a lifetime appreciation of western
swing music. He has been exposed to western swing since he
was little due mainly to influences from his grandfather, Gary Beaver.
However, we both felt like the opportunity to attend this
Swing School and study about the music and actually play in a
small band with young people who are all interested in the same
music was too good to pass up.
After four days of studying and practicing, the session ended with
a Grand Concert where the young musicians shared their talents
with their appreciative audience made up of family members and
friends. It was a joyous occasion that Saturday afternoon in July
to witness these young people so proud and happy as they performed
before a packed auditorium.
Bob Wills Swing School was officially over, but memories will remain
with these kids for the rest of their lives.
10
Scholarships for students are needed for next year‘s Bob Wills
Swing School and any other support would be greatly appreciated.
Bob Wills Swing School sponsored by The Bob Wills Foundation,
Inc. (501c3), in cooperation with North Central Texas.
www.bobwillsswingschool.com
By: Joyce Miller
Cowtown Society Of Western Music
www.cowtown-swm.org
Well folks it's almost time and everyone from near and far will
be headed for the Cowboy Symposium at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack
& Billy The Kid Casino in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico October
7th, 8th, 9th &10th, 2010. For the folks who have attended
previous Cowboy Symposiums, you know all about it but for the
folks who have never been, we can honestly say "Once you have
been, you'll keep coming back!" We will have hundreds of western
vendors, the world's richest chuckwagon cook-off, kid's rodeo
sponsored by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Posse, Craig Cameron
the gentle horse trainer, educational activities for the kids, food
fun and of course music.
That‘s right folks, plenty of western swing and traditional country
music. Kicking things off on Thursday night beginning at 7pm will
be Bob Wills' Texas Playboys with 2 time Grammy award winner
Tommy Allsup and official voice of The Texas Playboys, the legend
himself, Mr. Leon Rausch. At 8:15pm The Texas Best Band
with Justin Trevino, Amber Digby, Darrell McCall, Curtis Potter,
Tony Booth and Bobby Flores will entertain the audience with
good ol‘ Texas Honky Tonk and traditional country music and at
9:15pm, Western Swing Ain’t Dead…, it's Asleep At The Wheel!
Friday Night, October 8 th at 7pm kicks off with Floyd Domino, Billy
Mata, Ginny Mac and the All-Stars. At 8:15pm making his very
first appearance at the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium and
celebrating 50 years as a professional musician, Jody Nix and
The Texas Cowboys. 9:30pm making their 21 st appearance at the
LCCS, The Texas Playboys with Tommy Allsup, and the official
voice of Bob Wills‘ Texas Playboys, Leon Rausch.
Saturday night, October 9 th , at 7pm Floyd Domino, Billy Mata,