|
With a passionate affection of Western Swing music and
the fact that I was married in June 2001 to Marlene, we
spent part of a three-week honeymoon at the Legends Of Western
Swing Festival in Wichita Falls, Texas. The highlight of
the five-day festival was the performance by the Bob Wills
Texas Playboys. Bob Wills died in 1975 after suffering a
stroke that left him in a coma for eighteen months, but
the name of the Texas Playboys has lived on. The rights
to the name of Bob Wills Texas Playboys is now owned by
Leon Rausch and Tommy Allsup, whom I had the greatest of
pleasures in meeting at the festival.
I also met the author of this book Dr. John E. Perkins,
Jnr who had a teaching career at both Corpus Christi and
Austin Senior High School, the University of Texas at Austin
amongst others and retired as a Professor of Economics at
Texas Christian University. He has been a devoted fan of
Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys since the 1940's and has
closely admired the career of Leon Rausch since the 1960's.
Meeting Dr. Perkins at the festival, we soon became kindred
spirits in our interest of western swing. I am ever grateful
to John for this gift of his biographical works of Leon
Rausch, which he presented to me signed by both himself
and Leon. A gift that I will forever treasure.
Born 2 Oct 1927 Edgar Leon Rauch was the voice of the Texas
Playboys joining the band on St Patrick's Day 1958. Bob
Wills and Leon Rausch were two men travelling in the same
musical direction for many years. This book records the
life and career of Leon, tells how he joined the band of
Bob Wills' brother Tommy Lee Wills and ultimately became
a member of the best known band in the history of western
swing, Bob Wills Texas Playboys. Interviews with numerous
musicians, such as Ray Benson (ASATW), Boxcar Willie, Cindy
Walker (songwriter), Don Edwards (cowboy balladeer) Dayna
Wills (singer and niece of Bob Wills), plus several of the
original Texas Playboys, sketch out the reverence held for
Leon Rausch. It tells of how Paul McCartney wanted to wrap
up his long concert tour of the USA by giving a party at
Soldiers Field, Chicago on 29 July 1990 and invited Leon
Rausch to organise a Texas band for the occasion. McCartney
said that he wanted a "Texas country band, a kicking band,
true to the Bob Wills' style."
Leon in turn pays tribute to the likes of Ray Benson, Alvin
Crow, Lyle Lovett and George Strait for keeping western
swing alive and adds praise to DJ's including Bill Mack
(songwriter of LeAnn Rimes 'Blue'), Larry Scott and George
Richie (widower of Tammy Wynette) for their contribution
in helping to get Leon's own music out over the airways.
269 pages, including 56 pages of fine B&W and much sort
after original photos collected by Rausch during his 40
year career. It tells of Rausch's life through his youth
and his celebrated musical career that started in the early
40's. Chronicling his family life, it pays special tribute
to Leon's wife Vonda who has been his inspiration for 50
years. There are humorous anecdotes of times on the road;
such as the time Leon was backing the tour bus into a parking
lot and ran over the parking attendants hut. And then a
time in Hollywood when he was backing the bus out of a tight
parking space and hooked up on the bumper of somebody's
Volkswagen, dragging it down the road behind him. It also
tells of the stress it puts on family life, being away from
home for long periods at a time. A compelling read and leaves
no doubt that western swing music is the love of his life
With a full discography of every record Leon Rausch has
been included on. This book tells the complete story of
one of the greatest vocalists and stylists in the History
of Western Swing and a man who I'm proud to have him call
me a friend.
Leon
Rausch...The Voice of The Texas Playboys
Can be obtained in the UK from A& R Booksearch
01503 22 246
|
