Fiddlin’ Man: The Life & Times of Bob Wills
Historic Videos
•
58m
Fiddlin’ Man: The Life & Times of Bob Wills, is the definite documentary of music legend Bob Wills, the violinist and singer who danced his way into America’s heart and lifted the nation’s spirit with his Western Swing, an irresistible combination of raw tunes from Texas field workers, soulful country Blues, the swinging horns of Big Band Jazz, and the jumping, joyous sound of Country & Western strings. Complete with intimate recollections from the Texas Playboys and jam packed with performances, this original documentary takes an intriguing look back at the King of Western Swing and his Texas Playboys, from his early days as “The Voice of Oklahoma” at KVOO radio to his days of fame and fortune as a movie star in Hollywood and a Las Vegas attraction.
“We should acknowledge that some truly hot Jazz was played by guys with cowboy hats on…” – Cadence Magazine
Spanning over 4 decades, this comprehensive film includes interviews and performances featuring Eldon Shamblin, Clarence Cagle, Bobby Koefler, Luke and Johnny Lee Wills, Joe Andrews, Johnny Gimble, Mel Tillis, and more, and thoroughly covers topics such as Wills’ childhood in Turkey, Texas, religion and how he nearly became a Preacher, the Light Crust Doughboys, the influence of Country, Jazz, Big Band, and Blues Music, the hiring of his Sidemen, Wills’ personality, maintaining his image, Hollywood & Westerns, handling immense popularity, The departure of Tommy Duncan, his struggles alcoholism and taxes, the Recording of Faded Love, Las Vegas, The 1973 reunion, and much, much more.
This video is both a documentary and a collection of full-length performances, including Sittin on Top of the World, Home in San Antone, Lone Star Rag, Goodbye Liza Jane, Time Changes Everything, San Antonio Rose and more. Singer, Movie Star, & Violin Fiddler Bob Wills etched his way into audience’s hearts with his whoops and hollers, his dancing fiddle, and the inimitable sound of his band, the Texas Playboys. The DVD, Fiddlin’ Man: The Life & Times of Bob Wills, is the definitive documentary of the man who rose out of the dustbowl Depression, fiddle in hand, to create Western Swing, a new music that lifted the nation’s spirit.
“At long last, the award-winning Life & Times of Bob Wills is out on DVD! – Highly recommended!” – The Academy of Western Arts, Western Clippings Magazine