Bob Wills Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

Bob Wills Day, on April 29, pays homage to The King Of Western Swing, Bob Wills, every year on the last Saturday in April. Since 1972, tens of thousands of fans have attended the Bob Wills Day festival in the town of Turkey, Texas. Bob Wills’ music takes Country and Swing music lovers on a trip down memory lane, reminding them of an era when Western music was at its peak. For others, it is a fun festival of great music and dancing.

The background of Bob Wills Day

Bob Wills was an American-Western musician and bandleader born on March 6, 1905, on a farm near Kosse, Texas. From a very young age, he developed an interest in music, learning the mandolin and fiddle in his childhood.

Wills performed live and played on air on South and West radio, until 1934 when he banded the Texas Playboys, featuring Tommy Duncan on vocals, banjoist Johnnie Lee Wills, guitarist June Whalin, guitarist and bassist Kermit Whalin, and Wills himself on the fiddle. The band’s music style was tweaked to a bit of Jazz when guitarist Eldon Shamblin became a part of the band in 1937. Over the years, the band’s music style expanded further with the additions of Leon McAuliffe, Smokey Dacus, and Al Stricklin to the band. The Texas Playboys performed regularly in Oklahoma, and radio station K.V.O.O.

The band had its breakthrough in the 1940s and rose to popularity with songs like ‘New San Antonio Rose,’ ‘Steel Guitar Rag,’ and ‘Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima.’ Wills’ musical troupe signed deals with several labels including Columbia, Vocalion, and M.G.M. In the 1950s, his mega-hit songs ‘Ida Red Likes the Boogie’ and ‘Faded Love’ reigned on the charts, but Wills suffered from poor health and struggled with finances. As Rock and Roll emerged, the band declined in popularity. Still, he continued with his performances. In 1962, Wills had a heart attack which led to the Texas Playboys disbanding, but he continued to perform solo.

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BOB WILLS DAY ACTIVITIES

Listen to Bob Wills’ discography

Fans, pull out your old records and relive the magic that was Bob Wills’ music. If you’ve never listened to his music before, now is the time to discover it.

Attend the Bob Wills Festival

Celebrate with fans from around the country by attending the Bob Wills Festival in Turkey, Texas! For more information, head over to the festival’s official website.

Have a swinging celebration

If you cannot make it to the Bob Wills festival, host your own Bob Wills-themed swinging party. Invite your friends and family!

5 FACTS ABOUT BOB WILLS, THE KING OF WESTERN SWING

Bob Wills was born in Texas, where his family owned a cotton farm.

Wills had several relatives who were well-known for playing the fiddle and violin, including his own father.

Wills performed his first solo at the age of 15.

Before fame, Wills worked in construction and other labor jobs to make ends meet.

His cigar and cowboy hat were part of his statement.

BOB WILLS DAY DATES