Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame

The Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame was founded in Austin by Al Dressen in 1988. Inductions have taken place at the annual Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame show, held in Austin during the years 1988-1993, and in San Marcos from 1994 to the present, on the third weekend in May. The Hall of Fame’s first inductee was Bob Wills, leader of the legendary swing band, Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys. Other members include such artists as Hank Thompson, Laura Lee McBride, The Sons of the Pioneers, Floyd Tilman, Eldon Shamblin, Hoyle Nix, and Asleep at the Wheel. The Hall of Fame also publishes a newsletter, Jamboree, which keeps its membership informed of special events and features music reviews.

Scope and Content Note

Photographs, costumes, posters, awards, clippings dating from 1930s-1990s and featuring members of the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame comprise the bulk of this collection. Items of note include Bob Wills’ hat and a fiddle he reportedly played, and Laura Lee McBride’s fringed leather costume.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions: Open for research.
Preferred Citation: The Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame Collection, Southwestern Writers Collection, Texas State University-San Marcos
Acquisition Information: Gifts donated by Al Dressen since 1991.
Processing Information: Processed by Amanda Oates, 1999. Finding aid revised by Alan Schaefer, 2010.

Detailed Description of the Collection

Series I: Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame

Box    Folder

1    1    List of inductees
1    2    Newsletter

Framed    Poster featuring Bob Wills, The Sons of the Pioneers, Laura Lee McBride, The Light Crust Doughboys,
Art case           Cliff Bruner, Milton Brown and his Musical Brownies, and Smokey Montgomery

Series II:  Hall of Fame Artists

    General Publicity Photos

1    3    Al Dressen
             Tommy Duncan, Bob Wills, and Laura Lee McBride
             Bob Wills and Hoyle Nix
             Bob Wills and Laura Lee McBride
             Sons of the Pioneers
             Ted Daffan
             Texas Swing Pioneers (Johnny Gimble, Jerry Gimble, Smokey Montgomery, J.R. Chatwell),
                     Fall 1980
             McKinney Sisters (Dean and Evelyn)
             Tiny Moore
             Billy Briggs

    Individual Artists

        Jimmy Davis

1    4        Photo, bio, clippings

        Light Crust Doughboys

1    5        Photographs and postcard
2    -        Hall of Fame Induction Award, 1989
Textile box        Cotton shirts embroidered with band name (1 blue, 1 white)

        Laura Lee McBride

1    6        Photograph
2    -        Hall of Fame Induction Award, 1989
Textile box        Leather vest, skirt, and wrist cuffs

        Hank Thompson

1    8        Photograph
3    5        1956 Billboard Award
3    6        1963 Cash Box Award
5    -        Cowboy Hat

        Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys

1    9        Photographs
1    10        Radio interview with Johnny Gimble about Bob Wills’ sideman Eldon Shamblin, 
                       National Public Radio, August, 12, 1998 (audiocassette)
2    -        Hall of Fame Induction Award, 1988
3    1        Poster signed by band, 1941
4    -        Fiddle reported to have been played by Wills
6    -        Cowboy Hat worn by Wills
Textile  box     Blue Blazer worn by Wills