Bob Wills was an American country music artist, songwriter, and bandleader who popularized Western swing music. He was born in Kosse, Texas, and began his career in Fort Worth, Texas, playing in dance halls and on the radio. Wills and his band, the Texas Playboys, recorded hundreds of songs and had dozens of hits, including “San Antonio Rose,” “Faded Love,” and “Take Me Back to Tulsa.” He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1968 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. Wills’ influence extended to other genres of music, including rock and roll and jazz, and he has been credited with helping to bridge the gap between country and urban music.
| Name | Bob Wills |
| Genre | Western swing |
| Date of Birth | March 6, 1905 |
| Origin | Texas |
| Instruments | Guitar, fiddle, mandolin, trumpet |
| Labels | Columbia, MGM, Decca, Liberty |
| Notable Songs | San Antonio Rose, Stay a Little Longer, Faded Love |
| Awards | Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1968) |
10 Best Bob Wills Quotes
1.
“It don’t matter much what kind of music you play, just so you remember to keep it danceable.”
– Bob Wills, from NPR
2.
“It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.”
– Bob Wills, from NPR
3.
“It’s the music that’s important. It’s the soul of the people.”
– Bob Wills, from NPR
4.
“The last group of people that ever learn anything about music are the musicians.”
– Bob Wills, from NPR
5.
“You play it hard, you play it fast and you play it with soul.”
– Bob Wills, from NPR
6.
“I was always bored with the same old way of doing things.”
– Bob Wills, from PBS
7.
“I don’t know why I liked it, but I knew it was different and I liked it.”
– Bob Wills, from PBS
8.
“The only music I ever heard that I liked was when I heard it done different.”
– Bob Wills, from PBS
9.
“If you don’t have a good time, it’s your own fault.”
– Bob Wills, from PBS
10.
“We were just trying to make a little noise and maybe make somebody happy.”
– Bob Wills, from PBS
5 Bob Wills Quotes About Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
“I had to get away from the fiddle and make people dance. I had to bring something that they hadn’t heard before.”
– Bob Wills, from NPR
“I can’t think of anything I’m proud of that I ever did as much as building that band.”
– Bob Wills, from NPR
“There was something about Bob that was just magic. It was like electricity in the room.”
– Leon Rausch, from Texas Monthly
“We didn’t try to make it commercial. We just played it the way it should be played.”
– Bob Wills, from Texas Standard
“We got the idea of mixing together Western swing, jazz and blues…we called it Western swing.”
– Bob Wills, from Texas Standard
8 Inspirational Bob Wills Quotes
“I believe if a band makes a record and it’s a good record, it ought to sell.”
– Bob Wills, from allmusic.com
“I’m not a singer, I’m a yodeler.”
– Bob Wills, from allmusic.com
“I’d like to be remembered as a singer, a yodeler, and a fiddle player that could get out there and make them dance.”
– Bob Wills, from allmusic.com
“I think a band’s got to achieve a certain style, and from then on, it’s just a matter of improving upon that style.”
– Bob Wills, from allmusic.com
“If it’s good, it ought to be heard.”
– Bob Wills, from texasmonthly.com
“A band can’t be good unless it has a good singer.”
– Bob Wills, from texasmonthly.com
“I think it’s important to reach out to a lot of different kinds of people, not just stick with one type.”
– Bob Wills, from texasmonthly.com
“A musician’s got to be able to play different kinds of music.”
– Bob Wills, from texasmonthly.com
6 Famous Bob Wills Quotes
1.
“I never felt like I was a great musician or a great singer, but I did feel like I was a great entertainer.”
– Bob Wills, from NPR
2.
“If it wasn’t for the people, I didn’t have no music.”
– Bob Wills, from Texas Monthly
3.
“I don’t try to be the same as anyone else. I always try to be different.”
– Bob Wills, from Texas Monthly
4.
“I don’t think about feeling good. I just think about getting better.”
– Bob Wills, from NPR
5.
“I’m proud of the music I’ve made, but I’m always trying to make it better.”
– Bob Wills, from Texas Monthly
6.
“I’d rather have a good time than worry about money. That’s what I’m here for. I’m here to have fun.”
– Bob Wills, from NPR
8 Bob Wills Quotes About Love
“Love is the most important thing in life.”
– Bob Wills, from texasbobwills.com
“It’s not just about the music, it’s about how much you love the music.”
– Bob Wills, from Texas Monthly
“I love the way the music makes me feel.”
– Bob Wills, from Texas Monthly
“I love the way the music moves my heart.”
– Bob Wills, from texasbobwills.com
“I love the way the music speaks to me.”
– Bob Wills, from texasbobwills.com
“I love how the music can bring people together.”
– Bob Wills, from texasbobwills.com
“I love how the music can bring out the best in us.”
– Bob Wills, from texasbobwills.com
“I love how the music can lift our spirits.”
– Bob Wills, from texasbobwills.com
6 Bob Wills Quotes About Life
“I guess the main thing is to keep living, you know. Just keep living.”
– Bob Wills, from Texas Monthly
“I just like the people, you know, and the music. The music’s the reason I’m living.”
– Bob Wills, from Texas Monthly
“I don’t ever want to get above my raising—I want to stay a good old country boy.”
– Bob Wills, from Texas Monthly
“It’s like I’ve been saying, I’m not smart in anything but music.”
– Bob Wills, from Texas Monthly
“If I have a choice between money and music, I’ll take the music.”
– Bob Wills, from Texas Monthly
“My music is just the way I feel about life.”
– Bob Wills, from AllMusic
6 Quotes About Bob Wills
“Bob Wills was the king of the western swing era”
– Vince Gill, from Biography.com
“Bob Wills will always be the King of Western Swing”
– Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, from Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
“There’s no doubt that Bob Wills was the most influential musician in the history of western swing”
– The Washington Post, from The Washington Post
“Bob Wills was one of the most popular figures of his time and he continues to be one of the most influential figures in country music”
– Country Music Hall of Fame, from Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
“Bob Wills was a master of Western Swing and Country Music”
– AllMusic, from AllMusic
“Bob Wills was one of the first country musicians to blend swing music with traditional country”
– Rolling Stone, from Rolling Stone
Interview with Bob Wills
Frequently Asked Questions About Bob Wills
1. What was Bob Wills’s most famous quote?
- “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.”
Bob Wills is an American country music singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He is considered one of the pioneers of Western swing, a popular style of music that combines elements of blues, jazz, and country music.
One of Bob Wills’s most famous quotes is “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with”. This quote has resonated with many people and become a popular phrase. It speaks to the idea that sometimes we may not get what we want, but we can still make the best of the situation.
Bob Wills has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. His legacy and influence on country music will live on for many years to come.
2. What genre of Music Did Bob Wills Play?
Bob Wills was considered a pioneer of Western Swing music, which was a hybrid of various genres including jazz, blues, country, and pop. The style began in the 1920s and 1930s, and Wills popularized it in the 1940s and 1950s. His genre was a blend of:
- Jazz
- Blues
- Country
- Pop
- Folk
- Gospel
- Big Band
Through his music, Wills created a unique and distinct sound that has been admired by fans and music critics alike. Today his influence can be heard in a variety of music genres, from country and blues to rock and pop.
3. When did Bob Wills begin playing music?
Bob Wills began playing music at an early age, taking up the fiddle at just seven years old. He started his professional career by joining the Light Crust Doughboys in 1931, where he performed for the next nine years. During his tenure with the Doughboys, Wills developed his signature style of western swing. He then went on to form his own band, The Texas Playboys, in 1934. This band became one of the most influential western swing groups of all time, and their music still resonates with fans today.
4. What is the name of Bob Wills’s most popular song?
Bob Wills was an American country western singer and songwriter who was active from the 1930s to the 1970s. His most popular song is widely considered to be “San Antonio Rose”, released in 1938. Other memorable songs written and/or performed by Bob Wills include:
- Faded Love
- Big Beaver
- Stay a Little Longer
- Steel Guitar Rag
- Cherokee Maiden
- Time Changes Everything
- Ida Red
- Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)
- Maiden’s Prayer
- South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)
5. What awards did Bob Wills receive over the course of his career?
Bob Wills was a highly respected and influential musician, composer, and band leader of western swing music. Throughout his career, he received many accolades for his work, including:
- Country Music Hall of Fame, inducted in 1968
- Grammy Hall of Fame, inducted in 1998
- Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame, inducted in 1975
- Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, inducted in 1988
- Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, inducted in 1998
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bob Wills was an iconic musician, singer, and songwriter of western swing music. His influence on the genre is undeniable, and his quotes on music, art, and life have inspired many generations of musicians. His timeless music and words of wisdom continue to be shared and enjoyed by fans around the world. His legacy will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of those who appreciate his artistry and the joy that he brought to those who heard him.
