Western Swing News

(This page is for recent news about Western Swing persons and events.
News items should be sent to the normalee10@comcast.net for editing and posting.)

R.I.P.  CHESTER SMITH
We are saddened by the loss of still more of our friends.  Hall of Famer,
Chester Smith, passed away on Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, at Stanford University
Medical Center in Palo Alto.  Chester Smith started his career as a country
music singer and radio broadcaster and built a television station empire
based in the Modesto,California, area that earned him millions and the respect
of those he inspired.  During his radio-TV announcer days of the 1940's
through the 1960's, a who's who in country music worked with Smith. The
names included Marty Robbins, Del Reeves, Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Cash,
Hank Thompson, Jerry Lee Lewis and even rocker Chuck Berry.  He was
inducted into the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame in 1998 and, in 2002,
Smith was honored with the Modesto Area Music Association's Lifetime
Achievement Award. Smith also received the Pioneer Award from the Christian
Country Music Association in Nashville. 

R.I.P.  LOU WALKER
Former Bob Wills fiddler and lead guitarist, Lou Walker passed away
at his home earlier this month.  Lou was with Bob for 3 years, around
1953 to 1956.  Condolences can be sent to Judy Walker c/o the Western
Swing Society.

R.I.P.  DON HELMS
Sad news; the Last Drifting Cowboy is gone. Legendary steel guitarist
Don Helms passed away early on the morning of August 11, 2008. Don
was one of the most loved people in country music. He was on so many 
legendary Williams’ recordings and also played the intro to "Walking
After Midnight" by Patsy Cline. Don worked hundreds of other sessions
during his long career. He was a tremendous story teller and he was one
of those guys who could keep me laughing from his first words. 

HALL OF FAME FESTIVAL FESTIVAL COMING UP
On October 2nd through October 5th, 2008, the Society will present its 27th
Annual Western Swing Society Hall of Fame Music Festival with four days of
music by 13 bands.  For more information, click HERE. 

PICTURES NEEDED:

We are trying to complete our photo archives of our Hall of Fame members.
The following pictures are either missing or of very poor quality:
Ollie Gray, Bert Reif, Roscoe Keithley, Bill Moore, Jerry Mayberry,
Kenny Norman, Frank Kassis, Bud Jones, Robert Dugan, Pete Harrison,
V.O. 'Shorty' Messer, Jimmy Williams, Don McGinnis, and Don Markham.
If you can help, please contact the editor of our newsletter, Norma-Lee.