For most people, the word 'Swing' evokes memories of the great Big Bands that played all over America in the late 1930's to 1950s. But to millions of Americans, there was still another 'Swing'. 'Western Swing' was played in the roadhouses, county fairs and dance halls of small towns throughout the Lower Great Plains.  The music was strictly for dancing, and included mostly the simpler one and two step dances with quite a few foxtrots along with both "cowboy" and "Mexican" waltzes.  Vocals were handled by the leader and the popularity of the band sometimes determined the singers success but the music did not generally focus on the singer alone.  Local bands could play the same music that the big bands were playing, but because of the smaller instrumentation, and "local style", the music had a different "feel", it wasn't a Big Band sound, it was much more ensemble playing, fiddle, steel and guitar predominating. The folks who came to the roadhouses were of course, all the 'locals', - everyone knew everyone else, and their ages ran from the young folks to the old-timers, friends and neighbors, husbands and wives, all could spend some time listening, and dancing the weekend nights away.  Western Swing was a wide variety of music with a big band swing beat and most of the musicians would take a “ride” in the middle that covered the contemporary Jazz styles of the day. Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys were no strangers to the local people right here in those days.  Al Stricklin, Bob’s piano player first joined the Texas Playboys in Glen Oak on the Washington / Nowata County line, where a popular dance hall stood back then.

The Nowata Country Jubilee will host the 6th Annual Western Swing Show on July 7th.  The doors will open at 5:00 with a BBQ Beef sandwich dinner and the music will start at 7:00. The show is great for the whole family and will feature a 9 piece band along with 3 guest performers, Jordan Lacey from Malverne, Arkansas, Jim Reynolds from Hogshooter, Oklahoma and Derek Bradford from Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Twin Fiddles this year will include selections recorded by Bob Will, Tex Williams, Spade Cooley, Johnny Bond, Leon McAuliff, George Straight, and many more. The Jack Ellis Memorial Theater, 116 N. Maple St. in Downtown Nowata, is Air Conditioned and has comfortable theater seats. There is a great snack bar and a dance floor as well. Half time prizes and drawings. We are handicap accessible and put on a good family show for all ages. Children under 12 are free with an adult. For more information call the Jubilee Hotline 918-273-2340 or Paul Elledge at 918-273-0518.