After Bob Dunn had been recorded playing an amplified slide guitar (called ‘the Frying Pan’ due its unusual shape – see last week’s show), it was only a matter of time before the electric guitar caught on, and it happened rather quickly.

The steel guitar was first to see amplification, but players from all fields took an interest in the obvious advantages presented by the radically updated instrument. Here we cover early Western Swing and we also touch on some jazz blues. Unfortunately, this show also highlights the rampant racism that existed at this time.

Featured tracks include:

Guitar Rag – Sylvester Weaver

Steel Guitar Rag – Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (w/ Leon Mcauliffe)

Liza Pull Down the Shades – Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (w/ Herman Arnspiger and L Mcauliffe)

My Window Faces South – Bob Will & His Texas Playboys w/ Eddie Shamblin and L Mcauliffe

Panhandle Rag – Hank Thompson w/ L. Mcauliffe

Ida Sweet as Apple Cider – Pappy O’Daniel and his Hillbilly Boys w/ Wilson “Lefty” Perkins

Rose Room – Derwood Brown and his Musical Brownies w/ Lefty Perkins

Hittin’ the Bottle – Jimmie Lunceford w/ Eddie Durham

Laughing at Life - The Kansas City Five (w/ Eddie Durham)

Countess Blues – Lester Young w/ Eddie Durham

Love Me or Leave Me – Eddie Durham and Freddie Green