Bob Wills Project

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Tribute to the Legend

by Tommy Allsup

Paying tribute to Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing, on his 100th birthday, "Bob Wills' A Tribute to Bob's 100th Birthday" and doing it in a way that represented his career and contributions to all genres of music, produced many challenges.

To accomplish this task, we started with the producer he chose to do his last album - "Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys For The Last Time" Produced by Tommy Allsup for Konawa Music Productions. We then added Leon Rausch, The Voice of the Texas Playboys for over 50 years, and of course The Texas Playboys themselves.

Choosing the Guest Artists wasn't an easy task either. We started with Merle Haggard, whom Bob Wills chose to be on his last album. Merle sings and plays the fiddle that Bob Wills gave him.

We then invited country legends George Jones, Gene Watson, Larry Gatlin, Tanya Tucker, Charlie Daniels, Glen Campbell, Johnny Rodriquez and Lynn Anderson; R&B icon Archie Bell; Pop legend B.J. Thomas; Cowboy Poet Red Steagal; Today's hit makers Cody Canada, Dierks Bently and Joe Diffie; Stars of tomorow Robin English, Rachel Bradshaw and Chance from Muzik Mafia; Grand Ole Opry stars Porter Wagoner and Billy Grammer.

We added Oscar winning actor Wilford Brimley, to draw attention to Bob Wills movie career.Four time superbowl winner, NFL Hall of Famer, successful businessman, actor and sports media icon - the versatile Terry Bradshaw joined the album to pay tribute to another man, "Who Knew No Limits" and crossed genres and professions for many decades.

This album represents every era of Bob Wills' music form the lone fiddle days, to twin fiddles, to Dixieland jazz, and all the way to the big band era. Bob Wills even played a form of rap music 60 years before it became known as rap. He influenced every kind of music from the 1930's to the present day and will continue to do so far into the future.

Bob Wills wasn't only a music and film hero, but also an American hero. From the cotton fields in west Texas to the Halls of Fame spread out all over America, he serves as an inspiration to us all. Thanks to all the people who took part in this tribute and to all of you who are enjoying it. You are what keeps Bob's music alive.

See ya in 100 years.

West Main Productions