Ricky Boen and The Texas Mud
When most folks hear the term "swing" associated with music, they think of the "Big Band" sound or era, that is if they're from anywhere other than Texas and Oklahoma. But, folks from around that part of the country immediately think of one thing when they hear the term "swing" — Texas Swing! What's the difference? Well, like Big Band Swing, Texas Swing (or as some call it, Western Swing) is primarily dance music, which is instrumentally driven and includes some vocals, often from the "front man or woman", plus some harmonies from "side men". The primary difference, however, is that while the Big Band Swing sound was driven particularly by woodwind/reed instruments like clarinets and saxophones, along with brass instruments and some strings, Texas Swing is driven by the string sound, predominantly fiddles and guitars. And, of course, if you're talking Texas Swing, you're talking twin fiddles!
But enough of the intricacies of Texas Swing. The most important thing to know is that with one trip to the Hamber Barber Theater to see Ricky Boen and Texas Mud, from that point on the only thing that will come to your mind when you think of Texas Swing is this sensational group of musicians who have brought a hot, upbeat part of Texas culture to the Ozarks.
Little wonder that Ricky and Texas Mud have been absolutely overpowering audiences in Branson for the past two years, and invoking such comments as, "I've been coming to Branson for ten years, and this is, hands down, the best show I've ever seen here." Why? Simply because this incredible group has combined the amazing talents, energy, and drive of the 1983 World Champion Fiddler from Odessa, Texas, Ricky Boen, with the Texas Swing group that won the coveted Will Rogers Award, being named best Western Swing Group.
|
