Nice piece about Pee Wee Charles and his bandmates in Western Swing Authority:
http://www.guelphmercury.com/whatson...ith-authority/
Playing western swing with authority
Coming to town_2
Coming to town_2
Western Swing Authority: Ed Ringwald, Shane Guse, Matthew Lima, Stacey Lee Guse, Jimmy Boudreau, Dan Howlett, Paul Chapman.
Guelph Mercury
By Coral Andrews
Texas song-scribe Cindy Walker was one of the most prolific female writers in music history, a lyrical pioneer known for "three chords and the truth" which flowed through her greatest hits including country standards "You Don't Know Me" and "Sugar Moon."
Multi-instrumentalist/singer Shane Guse has always loved Walker's music, especially high spirited frolic "Cherokee Maiden" which introduced him to western swing music. Guse (master fiddler/step-dancer with world travellers The Guse Family) revelled in the work of yesteryear's music heroes like Bob Wills and Spade Cooley. He also liked Asleep At The Wheel and super group The Time Jumpers, who transformed Nashville's Station Inn into a landmark venue with their weekly western swing shows.
"I got to thinking, 'I wish I could play in a band like that.' And ... well? Why wouldn't I?" said Guse, adding he got the idea for his like-minded band while watching a Time Jumpers PBS special. "I sent out a message saying, 'What does everyone think of this?' I thought very specifically about who would be the right people. And everyone came back immediately and said, 'Yeah, let's do it.'"
Five years on, the superstar septet continues to honour western swing while penning new tunes in the same glorious key. Akin to the Time Jumpers, Western Swing Authority packs the dance floor every second Tuesday at Maryhill's Commercial Tavern, where they about to release their third album.
"Now Playing" (produced by Guse bandmate Jason Barry (Dean Brody, WSA's "All Dolled Up") is a fabulous feature presentation that includes swing string-treated traditionals like Frank Loesser's "Slow Boat to China" and Cindy Walker foot-stompin shoutout "Miss Molly" paired with sweet and sassy originals set to WSA's unique dance swang. Shane Guse co-writes include Jason Blaine ("All Dolled Up"), The Road hammers' Jason McCoy ("Swing Thing") and the late Larry Wayne Clark (who wrote acclaimed WSA song "I've Got A Feelin'") on radio single "Sweet Harriet." Stacey Lee Guse channels country queens Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, especially her vocal endearments on "One Of Us Is Lying" and "The Last Waltz." And Ed Ringwald's perky pedal steel ditty "Bapadoodle" was inspired by his granddaughters.
WSA members include top call players Ed (Bapa) Ringwald, pedal steel guitar/dobro/lap guitar/ Shane Guse, fiddle/viola/mandolin/cello/vocals, Stacey Lee, vocals, Paul (Chappy) Chapman, electric/ acoustic guitar/mandolin, Dan Howlett, fiddle/mandolin, Matthew Lima, upright/electric bass, and Jim Boudreau on drums.
The band has shared the stage with music legends and chart toppers from Gordon Lightfoot to George Canyon. WSA members have individually garnered multiple Canadian country music awards and Juno nominations. They recently signed with eOne Music (The Mahones, Jason Blaine). Plus, Stacey Lee, Ed Ringwald and WSA, have been nominated for Ameripolitan Music Awards, invited to play at this Austin Texas showcase where roots music and traditional sounds are championed in lieu of typical Top 40 country playlists.
Stacey Lee, is super-excited about her Best Female nod, and playing their first show "south of the border."
Shane Guse hopes to play more shows in the U.S. and beyond, as the band continues to spread the Good Western Swing Word.
"The best thing about this band is not only are we inspired by and play all of the traditional stuff," said Stacey Lee, "but we are also trying to create new songs that sound traditional. And I think that gives a little breath of fresh air into the genre."
Western Swing Authority
"Now Playing" CD release party
Sunday, Feb 8
3 p.m.
Commercial Tavern, Maryhill
Ticket $15
Kids under 12 free
www.commercialtavern.ca
www.westernswingauthority.com
NOMINATE and VOTE for ED and WESTERN SWING AUTHORITY please!
