Calling to the Good

Bob Wills passed from this life on May 13, 1975, and almost 50 years to the day, I got to sit down with the daughter of the King of Western Swing - Carolyn Wills - to reminisce about her childhood, talk about what it was like at her house growing up, as well as celebrate her new success as an award-winning author with her children's book, "Glory Be! It's Punkin's Story!" about her father's horse, Punkin'.

Many thanks to the folks at the Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival and its founder, Mr. Michael Markwardt for sponsoring this Western Swing series on Calling to the Good!

For tickets to their annual Western Swing festival in Fort Worth, Texas each year check out their website at BirthplaceOfWesternSwing.com!

To order a copy of Carolyn's children's book visit BobWills.com

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I remember Monday nights on NBC and later rushing home from school to watch Charles Ingalls and the folks of Walnut Grove on Little House on the Prairie.

In this episode, we are visiting with the gal everyone just loved to hate on Little House - that notorious Nellie Oleson (aka actress Alison Arngrim)!

Listen in as Alison tells us about Willie (Jonathan Gilbert), Harriet (Katherine McGregor), Charles (Michael Landon), and more!

Here's your opportunity to get to know the actress behind Walnut Grove's spoiled brat and step onto the set with her way back in the day!

I hope you enjoy this interview!

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Morey Sullivan is a legend in his own time. He brought the band that Hank Thompson later dubbed The Brazos Valley Boys - and they are still playing good music today!

Join us down at Good Time Charlee's in Pawhuska, Oklahoma as Morey Sullivan and host, Kelly Hurd, talk about how it all began with Hank Thompson and where it's all headed today!

Also, Hank Thompson's Brazos Valley Boys will be playing at the 2025 Pawhuska Western Swing Festival the weekend of November 14-15.

Find out more at PawhuskaWesternSwingFestival.com!

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If you haven't already tuned in to American Country Network (ACN), after listening to this episode you just might want to, because ACN is airing original country music content that you're gonna love!

We have two of the network's creatives on Calling to the Good today and they are also BOTH performing at the upcoming Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival in Fort Worth, Texas in November!

Steve Markwardt and Curt Ryle of Clarksville Creative Sound share about their new show, "Small Town Sound," on ACN, as well as give a little insight on Country Music and its roots in Western Swing!AND - we've even included a word from ⁠Tucker Carlson⁠ on this one!I'm Kelly Hurd, your host - and consider yourself invited to join us!

Thank you to the Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival for sponsoring our Western Swing series!

Find out more at:

BirthplaceOfWesternSwing.com

CallingToTheGood.com

ACNCountry.com

Hey y'all!

Let's do a little Calling to the Good!

Pull up a chair and join us around a table in the historic Guthrie Depot as the "boys" of Oklahoma Swing talk a little Bob Wills, limousines, Reba, barn fiddlin', dozens of dollars, and the journey that brought them together to revive Western Swing music north of the Red River!

May all your pastures be belly-deep, your cattle be tick-fat, and may the good Lord take a liking to ya!

Are you listening, Henry? ;)

Oklahoma Swing band members:

Greg Burgess

Henry Burgess

Bobby Baker

Joe Settlemires

Richard Sharp

Bo Posey

Steve Short

missing: John Blair

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BirthplaceOfWesternSwing.com

PawhuskaWesternSwingFestival.com

When you get five Kentucky gentlemen together, you just never know where the conversation might go...

I enjoyed every minute of visiting with The Honkytonk Wranglers as part of our Western Swing music series brought to you by the Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival!

Turn the volume up and get to know Sethro, Clayton, Scooter, Spencer, and Josh. You just might like a little Bone Stock Honkytonk music, as they call it - and you'll get the chance to listen to some because The Honkytonk Wranglers graciously allowed me to include their video of Crazy Arms in the video version of this episode.

I'm your host, Kelly Hurd, and I most definitely approve of this content! Enjoy!

This is one epic conversation!

Here we were in the historic Stampede Dance Hall on the Snyder Highway outside of Big Springs, Texas with none other than Jody Nix - a legend in Texas dance hall music.

We talked about his being invited to be part of the last Bob Wills album ever recorded - "For the Last Time" - as well as about growing up with the King of Western Swing coming over to his house after becoming friends with Jody's father, Hoyle Nix.

Jody even brought Bob Wills' original fiddle to the Stampede that day, and took it out and played it!

Enjoy this insightful look back into the days of the beginnings of Western Swing, as well as an inspiring look into the life of Mr. Jody Nix, himself!

Thank you to Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival and Mr. Mike Markwardt for sponsoring this Western Swing series on the Calling to the Good podcast!

Find out more about their festival at: BirthplaceOfWesternSwing.com!

Host: Kelly Hurd

Jake Hooker and Tommy Hooker have been making dance music for decades and managed to stay true-to-self in the Western Swing industry while putting their own stamp on it and calling it Texas Swing!

Around a wooden table over a cup of coffee, host Kelly Hurd, joined Jake and Tommy in the Hooker's guest house/music studio for a conversation that will stand the test of time and one that was definitely "Calling to the Good!"

Be sure to subscribe to the Calling to the Good podcast because there's more to come!

Also, if you're a Western Swing music lover, you'll want to follow the Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Facebook and Instagram pages!

Over the past 25 years, Texas music legend - Dave Alexander - has established himself as one of today's most sought-after Country and Western Swing performers!

When Dave is not performing with his own award-winning Big Texas Swing Band, you’ll find him touring and recording with such artists as George Strait, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Sheryl Crow, Asleep At The Wheel, Tracy Byrd, Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam, and LeAnn Rimes.  

Dave will also be one of the performers at the 2025 annual Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival taking place on November 6-9th in Fort Worth, Texas at the historic National Hall.

Host, Kelly Hurd will make sure it's entertaining and pull you right into the conversation! Get ready to smile and enjoy a moment of Calling to the Good!

Enjoy this iconic moment!

You're invited to pour yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy a little time at the ranch office of cowboy poet, songwriter, singer, and legend - Mr. Red Steagall - as he reminisces about his life, insights, and legacy. with host, Kelly Hurd.

*Many thanks to Mr. Gary Kinslow of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City for your gracious kindness. I still want to get a few of Red's Rangers together for an episode of storytelling! :)CallingToTheGood.com