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Finding LucindaAuthor: The Bluegrass Situation Language: en-us Genres: Music, Music Commentary, Music History Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Presenting American Songcatcher: Bob Wills
Sunday, 7 December, 2025
In the feed today, we wanted to share a podcast that we think you’re going to love. It’s called American Songcatcher, an educational documentary-style podcast that preserves and connects the cultural heritage of American roots music through stories and song. Hosted by folk musician and musicologist Nicholas Edwards Williams, American Songcatcher weaves stories across the spectrum of Traditional music, to artists who shaped and played integral roles in different forms of Blues, Country, Jazz, Bluegrass, Western, Gospel, Old-Time and the Folk music that is derived from it all.On this episode of American Songcatcher, we’re proud to present the story behind the King of Western Swing, Bob Wills. One of the most influential and iconic bandleaders and musicians of the 1930’s-1950’s, Bob came from a humble life of a poor sharecropping family, and was deeply influenced by old time and breakdown fiddle through his Texas state champion family of fiddlers in his father and uncle. Bob also loved all the turn of the century and 1920’s black music, and this confluence of cultures would help him create the craze that became Western swing, and the details of his journey to get there will surprise you. Story by Brent Davis and Nicholas Edward Williams__Support Educational Programming:Tax-Exempt DonationsJoin the Patreon CommunityOne-time donations: Venmo or PayPalFollow American Songcatcher on InstagramStory Credits:Brent Davis - Research, Writing Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing editing, recording and distributionHomecoming: Reflections on Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, 1915-1973, Charles R.Townsend.Country Music Hall of FameAuthentic TexasOW MayoThe Life and Times of Bob WillsCountry Music, an Illustrated History, Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns.Country Music, a PBS documentary by Florentine Films, Ken Burns, director; Dayton Duncan,writer.OK HistoryLife and Times of Bob Wills (TNN)Texas MonthlyBirthplace of Western SwingThe Country Music Pop-Up Book, by the staff of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.The Hag: The Life, Times, and Music of Merle Haggard, Marc Elliot.
