Mountain Street Stage: Western Swing RULES Band

Arkansas, Oklahoma & Western Swing

This program combines live music with stories and a visual presentation of the many Arkansans who helped shape and propel Western Swing to popularity.

Born during the depths of the Dustbowl and the Great Depression, Western Swing is a joyous gumbo of all great American music styles. Honky-Tonk, Rockabilly, Rock and Roll, the Bakersfield sound of country music can all be traced to Western Swing. Western Swing blends Jazz, Dixieland, Blues, Frontier Fiddle music, Big Band Swing, German and Czech Polka’s and Waltzes, Cowboy songs and Mexican mariachi into a danceable hybrid.

The cultural and historic significance, plus the many connections to Arkansas, are some of the reasons why the Western Swing RULES Band was formed in 2017. The Western Swing RULES Band, comprised of multiple Hall of Fame musicians, was a top five finalist for Western Swing Band of the Year 2021 by the Academy of Western Artists. Because of his extensive knowledge of the genre, founder and bandleader Robert Huston received a coveted Will Rogers Medallion Award for his role as a writer and associate producer of the documentary film, "The Birth and History of Western Swing."

Don't miss this truly one-of-a-kind program and be sure to bring your dancing shoes! 

Support for this program is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

All abilities are welcome. For disability accommodations, call 479.856.7250 or email questions@faylib.org 2-3 weekdays before a program. Plan your visit by viewing our building map and details on accessibility services.

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