Western swing showcase kicks off today in Cape

To Bob and Virginia Dolle, it don't mean a thing if you ain't got that western swing. And this weekend, they're hoping to get a few other music fans hooked on the genre, too.

The Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest will present its eighth annual Western Swing Music Showcase today through Saturday at VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau. Music will be performed by members of the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest and several bands. The last few years, the event has drawn around 1,200 people. But the Dolles, who host five such events around the Midwest throughout the year, are looking to build on last year's attendance.

"We're always hoping for more and more interest each year. We can reasonably expect somewhere between 1,100 and 1,500 for the weekend this year," said society charter member Bob Dolle. "But this isn't your everyday music show. True western swing music is just something you don't hear often. But everyone that comes out each year enjoys it, and hopefully that leads to the music being spread around to new listeners."

The society was founded in 1998 with the purpose of preserving western swing music, a genre that primarily blends the sounds of big bands and country and western stylings. The Dolles say it is close to being forgotten by younger generations who tend to favor new country. During events like this weekend's showcase, the society raises money it will use to give scholarships to young musicians interested in keeping the western swing tradition alive.

"The last six or seven years we've been lucky enough to be able to give out 13 scholarships a year. We're always looking for the young people that can carry on this music tradition," Virginia Dolle said. "It's nice to be able to help these kids, and it's great that more young people are taking to our style of music."

The showcase begins today with an open jam, but Friday and Saturday sessions will feature a number of western swing bands from all over the Midwest, including Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas.

"The open jam is a chance for everyone to get introduced and start dancing, so we just put bands together and see what they can do," said Bob Dolle. "Over the weekend we'll have more western swing musicians in here than I care to count. We always try to go more local with some of the bands, but this kind of music just isn't done around here."

The showcase runs from 2 to 11 p.m. today, and Friday and Saturday performances will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is free today, and $10 Friday and Saturday. Admission for society members is $5. All proceeds go to the organization's scholarship fund. For more information about the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest or to become a member, visit www.wsmss.com.

jsamons@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

1049 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO