Get in the swing of things at showcase, dance

In the 1930s some young musicians blended country, polka and Western with the popular swing music of the time. The musical mix would later become known as Western swing.

Western swing still holds its popularity in its home of the Southwest, but people like Bob Dolle have made it possible to bring the genre to Cape Girardeau.

Dolle is a charter member and director of the Western Swing Society of the Southwest, which is hosting its fourth annual music showcase at the Cape Girardeau Eagles Club this weekend.

Since the WSMSS has only five of these showcases a year, with two each in Oklahoma and Texas, Western swing enthusiasts from all over the country come to Cape Girardeau for the only one in the Midwest.

Previous showcases have drawn crowds of anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 people, with many of them driving long distances to attend.

"Along with the local people, we have a lot of people that come from out of state," Dolle said. "We hope that the price of fuel doesn't prevent a lot of people from driving here."

Regardless of gas prices, some of the music groups are driving from as far as Texas to participate. Some of the musicians, including Dolle and the president of the WSMSS, played with Bob Wills, the "King of Western Swing."

Overall, Dolle said, it is a fun event for people of all ages, with plenty of music and dancing. "People love it. They love to dance, especially the Western swing two-step."

Today is a jam day that will run from 2 to 11 p.m. Western swing music lovers are invited to come jam with the group.

"We let anyone play that comes in and likes our type of music," Dolle said.

Friday and Saturday will feature more music and dancing from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. There will be door prizes and a grand prize drawing Saturday.

Dolle has been a member of WSMSS for nine years, when they first organized the group. Since then the WSMSS has grown from a mere five members to more than 1,500.

To learn more or to become a member, visit www.wsmss.com.

Western Swing music

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