Milton Brown and the Founding of Western Swing (Music in American Life) [Hardcover]

Cary Ginell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Music in American Life | Publication Date: September 1, 1994

In Milton Brown and the Founding of Western Swing, Cary Ginell vividly portrays memorable personalities, stylistic growth, musical rivalry, touring, recording sessions, business practices, and driving determination. Drawing on a rich array of primary resources, including oral histories, family scrapbooks, and newspaper files, he documents Brown's role in creating Western swing, a musical genre that still resonates in George Strait's recent recording of "Right or Wrong" (originally a Brown hit) and the vibrant energy of the band Asleep at the Wheel.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Milton Brown And The Founding Of Western Swing appeared quite some time ago but deserves ongoing mention as a very special, unique guide essential for understanding the history of that brand of American music termed 'western swing'. Brown and his band predated Bob Wills' first band by a year and began a blend of country music, jazz and blues which took hold during the Depression. Enjoy a coverage which blends biographical sketches with a history of the style's development and growth. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 374 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press; First Edition edition (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252020413
• ISBN-13: 978-0252020414
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,419,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cary Ginell is a veteran radio broadcaster, folklorist, and author of five books on American roots music. Cary has annotated dozens of albums for labels such as Naxos, Living Era, Texas Rose, Rambler, Bear Family, Rhino, Revenant, and Origin Jazz Library. He has been honored four times by the ARSC (Association for Recorded Sound Collections) with awards for "Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research" for his books, "Milton Brown & the Founding of Western Swing" (University of Illinois Press, 1994), "Discography of Western Swing & Hot String Bands" (Greenwood Press, 2001), "Good Vibes" (Scarecrow Press, 2003) (an autobiography of jazz musician Terry Gibbs), and "Old Shep: The Recordings of Red Foley" (Bear Family Records). The Gibbs biography also won the prestigious ASCAP/Deems Taylor Award for music journalism in December 2004. Cary was also the associate producer and annotator for the Grammy-nominated anthology "Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom - 1950-1970" (Rhino Records, 2001). A longtime supporter of public radio, Cary produced specials for NPR's "Jazz Profiles" on Terry Gibbs and flutist Herbie Mann. His latest book is "Hot Jazz for Sale: Hollywood's Jazz Man Record Shop," which can be purchased at www.Lulu.com. Cary holds a master's degree in Folklore from UCLA.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Western Swing History, August 1, 2002

By 

Duke Gilleland (Central Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milton Brown and the Founding of Western Swing (Music in American Life) (Hardcover)

Great reading for the newcomer as well as the old seasoned lover of this Texas born music. Cary Ginell & Roy Lee Brown did a super job on this book! History told is in great detail. As my old friend Frank Reneau, who was a Crystal Spring Rambler & Light Crust Doughboy as well said, "It took me back 65 years!"
Highly recommended!

4.0 out of 5 stars Milton Brown ... The Father of Western Swing is a good book, April 2, 2011

By 

Michael - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Milton Brown and the Founding of Western Swing (Music in American Life) (Hardcover)

This is an OUTSTANDING account of the birth of Western Swing in Fort Worth, Texas by a handful of talented musicians. It is a real shame that the "Father of Western Swing", Milton Brown, lost his life in the prime of his music career. He would have gone on to much fame and fortune... no doubt.

The only slightly negative comment I have is the bad and untrue portrayal of Bob Wills in this book. Bob did more than anyone to spread Milton's unique and wonderful blend of country, hillbilly, jazz, blues & big band to create the finest dance music ever recorded. Bob was truly the "King of Western Swing" with regard to his pioneering efforts to spread this amazing music across America and around the world ... and I felt the book did not pay the deserved homage of Bob's true talent and contribution.

5.0 out of 5 stars Roy Lee Brown's personal reminiscences are fascinating!, August 23, 2009

By 

stretch - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milton Brown and the Founding of Western Swing (Music in American Life) (Hardcover)

Cary Ginell did a great job on this book! He has brought well-deserved attention to the innovative music of Milton Brown and the Musical Brownies. The best parts of the book are the reminiscences by Milton Brown's brother Roy Lee Brown. Roy Lee's vivid memories of growing up with Milton and working as a "string-fixer" for the Musical Brownies back in the 1930's are priceless. Cary Ginell also performed a great service by interviewing several of the surviving Brownies and preserving their stories as well. The essential audio companion to this book is the 5 CD set "Milton Brown:The Complete Recordings of the Father of Western Swing 1932-37" on the Texas Rose label. Highly recommended!