Southwest Shuffle: Pioneers of Honky-Tonk, Western Swing, and Country Jazz

by Rich Kienzle

Overview

Southwest Shuffle documents an important period in country music history. During the '30s and early '40s, hundreds of thousands of "Okies," "Arkies," and other rural folks from around the Southwest resettled in California, in search of work. A country music scene quickly blossomed there, with performers playing Western Swing, Cowboy, and Honky Tonk country. After World War II, these styles rocked country music, leading to the innovations of '60s performers like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard in creating the so-called "Bakersfield Sound." These stories are based on original interviews and archival research by one of the most respected writers on this period of country history. Kienzle writes in a vibrant style, reflecting his long-time love for these musical styles.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415941020
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/25/2003
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Rich Kienzle is a well-known writer on country music. He served as contributing editor to Country Music Magazine, has contributed to dozens of journals, and served as researcher, editor and principal writer for The Comprehensive Country Music Encyclopedia (Times Books, 1994). He has annotated over 200 albums, and has been an historical commentator on several Nashville Network documentaries. He lives in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Preface Part I A New Country Beat 1. JEKYLL AND HYDE, Spade Cooley 2. SEARS' JUBILEERS TO OCEAN'S ELEVEN, Jimmy Wyble 3. INSURGENCY IN ASCENDANCE, Hank Penny Part II Capitol Chronicles THE KID FROM CHICAGO, Lee Gillette 4. FATE JUST PUTS EVERYTHING TOGETHER, Ken Nelson THE ONE WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) Part III Western Swingers 5. THAT WESTERN SWING FLAVOR, Hank Thompson RHYTHM BUSTER, Luke Wills 6. WRONG ROAD HOME, Tommy Duncan MOVE THOSE THINGS OUT Bob Wills Invades the Grand Ole Opry: 1944 Part IV Hometown Heroes 7. A HAPPY HELLO, Cliffie Stone and the Hometown Jubilee 8. FLIPPIN' THE LID, Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant ADULTERY GOES MAINSTREAM, Slippin' Around 9. NEITHER FISH NOR FOWL, Roy Lanham and the Whippoorwills 10. PEA-PICKIN', Tennessee Ernie Ford Part V Against the Grain 11. I CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM MYSELF, Ray Price WALK SOFTLY, Wade Ray 12. SOMEDAY THAT'LL CHANGE, Willie Nelson Discography Notes Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

"Kienzle is an encyclopedic authority on U.S. country and western music. His enthusiasms are intense and persuasive — if you like anything at all about the genre, which is far from universal fondness. Here, in a scholarly but thoroughly readable volume, Kienzle explores the Southwest element of the genre, quite distinct — especially before the 1950s — from the more traditional Southeastern and Midwestern species. Even the casual fan can hear from memory the voices of Tennessee Ernie Ford, Hank Thompson and Willie Nelson, who figure strongly here. But there are a dozen other main players, and legions of lesser ones. A fine piece of cultural journalism about a powerful engine of music and poetry." — Michael Pakenham, The Baltimore Sun
"Kienzle, with the gift of a storyteller combined with the details of a professor's research, shows off our state's music roots in his book "Southwest Shuffle," a must for anyone interested in the annals of country and Western music, a link to rock 'n roll, swing and rhythm and blues styles that owe a lot to country boogie." — Daily Oklahoman
"Kienzie has put together an absorbing and eminently readable account of an important period of music history that's often overlooked, filled as it is with engaging stories and personalities. Any self-respecting fan of the genre should hunt this book down." — The Austin Chronicle

From the Publisher