This week we conclude our two-part feature “It Don't Mean a Thing ...” with a focus on western swing. Western swing was developed in the dancehalls of Texas and, in sharp contrast to old-time stringbands, western swing groups employed many more members, with horn sections and multiple fiddles. These were needed to fill these massive dance halls with music for dancing.

We’ll hear classics from The Light Crust Doughboys, Milton Brown and his Musical Brownies and Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. We'll also hear new classics from Deborah Silver, Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel. Boogie woogie fiddles … this week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine.

Episode #20-42: “It Don't Mean a Thing ...”, Pt.2

Host: Tom Druckenmiller

Artist/”Song”/CD/Label

Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

David Grisman Quintet / “Minor Swing” / The David Grisman Quintet / Kaleidoscope

Deborah Silver / “That Old Black Magic” / Glitter & Grits / NTL

The Light Crust Doughboys / “Knocky, Knocky” / Okeh Western Swing / CBS

Milton Brown and his Musical Brownies / “Sweet Jennie Lee” / Western Swing Kings / Pazzazz

Bob Wills & his Texas layboys / “Right or Wrong” / Collection 1935-50 / Acrobat

Merle Travis / “The Sheik of Araby” / The Merle Travis Guitar / Raven

Lefty Frizzell / “If You Got the Money, I've Got the Time” / Columbia Country Classics Vol 2 / Columbia

Texas Troubadours / “Steel Guitar Rag” / Almost to Tulsa / Bear Family

Willie Nelson / “Cherokee Maiden” / You Don't Know Me / Lost Highway

David Grisman Quintet / “Minor Swing” / The David Grisman Quintet / Kaleidoscope

Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers / “Goin' Steady” / Shades of the Past / Sugar Hill

Al Goll / “Farewell Blues” / New Reso Gathering / Pinecastle

Susie Bogguss / “Straighten Up and Fly Right” / Swing / Compadre

Vi Wickham & Paul Anastasio / “Weiser Stomp” / Swinging at the Savoy / Zero Carbon Footprint

Asleep at the Wheel / “Take Me Back to Tulsa” / Comin' Right At Ya / United Artists

Asleep at the Wheel / “Choo Choo Ch'Boogie” / Swing Time / Sony

Merle Travis / “Cannonball Stomp” / The Merle Travis Guitar / Raven

Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways