silverfalls

          LIVE! in San Antonio
            © 2000 Copyright Kelli Grant (821137120122) (format: CD-R)

This is a TRUE COLLECTORS album. Never before officially released this album allows the  listener the rare opportunity to hear the King of Western Swing, Bob Wills laughing and talking live to the audience.

INDEPTH story behind the album.
     
      Casey Dickens, drummer on the album was a huge fan of the King's music. He followed the band around to every dance they played. He became good friends with Bob to the point that Bob asked Casey to be his bookkeeper, pay the band and also hire and fire as needed. Bob did not like that aspect of being the leader. Casey was math teacher and school principle at the time. So this was an easy task.

However, it just didn't seem enough to satisfy Casey's desire. He wanted to be more apart of the music and closer to his idol, Bob Wills. Finally, Bob told Casey to get a rhythm instrument of some kind. Casey really wanted to be a Texas Playboy so he bought a set of drums and being a math teacher the fundamentals of drumming were right up his alley. Divisions of 2 - 4 - 8, etc... and 3/4 meter were not a problem. Casey was excited he worshipped Bob and the music he played. Inorder to be more prepared and more knowledgeable of the arrangements Casey bought a Sears & Roebuck reel to reel tape recorder. He taped the recorders mic to Bob's mic stand.

And the rest of the story is a musical legacy captured on tape for all the world to enjoy. A LIVE performance of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.

It was recorded at the Farmers Daughter Ballroom in San Antonio, Texas. The date was never disclosed and truthfully Casey probably didn't remember the exact date but it was sometime in the early 60's, late 50's?

There's something more that should be added to the insights of this recording. When you hear, listen or dance to his beat, Casey played exactly the way Bob Wills wanted the beat played. Nothing fancy, he would say. Just give the dancers a good strong BEAT. Also featured on the album is "little" brother Luther J, Luke Wills. But there were other brothers, Johnny Lee Wills in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Billy Jack.

As with most big brother's, Bob would lend a helping hand or would seek help from one of his brother's if he needed cause they all played and sang. In this story as was told to me, Bob needed a drummer. Billy Jack played drums so Bob hired Billy Jack to work some dates. Billy was more into a Jazz style of drumming than Bob cared for but he needed a drummer and his brother was available. But Bob told him, "just lay down a good solid beat that these folks can dance to. Nothing fancy, okay?"

The night kicked off good and was going along smoothly until Bob noticed Billy Jack was playing with brushes. Not laying down a good back beat for the dancers that Bob wanted. Between songs Bob told Billy, "Look, brushes are for painting houses, NOT for playing a good dance beat". Billy said, "okay" and the dance continued.

But it wasn't long before Billy Jack started adding drum rolls, fills, accents which was not what Bob liked or wanted.

So ... in the middle of the dance, in the middle of a song Bob turned around and waved his bow in the air and with his signature, Awh !!! He said, "YOU'RE FIRED!"
True story.

A COLLECTOR’S DREAM

In the early 60’s Casey Dickens, went to work for Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys. First as a bookkeeper, part-time bus driver and then drummer for the band. Casey was not a natural born musician but he had the determination. Bob thought enough of Casey to give him all the help he could. So, he would let Casey tape a small square microphone on to the only mic stand in front of the band which was plugged into a mono reel to reel CHEAP recorder. Then Casey would take this back to the hotel room every night and listen to the entire dance and work out his mistakes. The results were hours and hours of live recordings packed away in boxes and stored in closets after leaving the band.

In ’91, Bob’s lead guitarist, Johnny Patterson was visiting with Casey and he got out one of these tapes. Johnny, former owner of the Delta Recording Center, Ft. Worth, Tx. Was concerned about the tapes deterioration and the loss of these invaluable recordings.

Everyone is amazed the fun Bob is having with the band and audience. Bob had had bigger, and better bands but this was a good selling little band. It was relaxed and a fun group, especially with little brother Luke on the upright bass and vocals.

These are never before heard tapes, with Bob’s wit and humor taking center stage. We apologize for the quality but I think you will agree that this is a must for the true fan and they should be shared with all that loved the man and his music.

In this photo Johnny Patterson, lead guitarist is singing as Bob smiles. If you look close at the picture,you can see Casey's reel to reel recorder Microphone tied, taped next to the old Sure microphone. A very valuable microphone ...
Band Cover of album:
Left to Right:
Gene Crownover, Luke Wills (in Back), Gene Gasaway, Bob Wills, Casey Dickens, George Cleburn, Johnny Paterson seated and Joe Andrews

Silverfalls Records
** Does NOT own nor claim any affiliation with Liberty Records
for display of album cover, "Bob Wills Sings & Plays".

The purpose for the cover is of a behind the scenes story. Johnny Patterson was hired in Big Spring, Texas by Casey to replace'guitarist Tag Lambert. Bob was booking dates along the route to Hollywood, to record what ended up being his last album with his world famous Texas Playboys. The tour was not only to work as all musicians want to do but also to tighten the band for the upcoming recording session.
There is another story that is told on one of the Live Former Texas Playboy Concerts, "Always A Texas Playboy" about that session. Please go to the Gilmer Concert
for that wonderful story and introduction of Johnny Patterson by Kelli Grant, the Queen of Swing.

Silverfalls Records also offers a full album featuring the legendary guitar master, Johnny Patterson. Another collectors item not available anywhere but you will want to add to your collection. "50 Year Celebration".