Former Texas Playboys - Eldon Shamblin & Smoky Dacus - Interview at Cain's Ballrooom

Former members of Bob Wills Texas Playboys, Eldon Shamblin was guitar player and drummer Smokey Dacus interviewed at historic Cains Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Interview takes place around 1994. They discuss Wills and their experiences.
Shamblin was important in the development of Western swing music as one of the first electric guitarists in a popular dance band. This may be the only video interview they did together.
These clips are provided by Jack Frank a collector and preservationist of rare Tulsa film footage.
Jack has produced many documentaries about Tulsa and Oklahoma. Those DVDs have been sold in QuikTrip Stores, Walgreens, Bank of Oklahoma, Arvest
And Steve’s Sundries (old Tulsa bookstore)
Now those DVDs, which make up the Tulsa History Series, are here:
Purchase Tulsa DVDs here: tulsafilms.com/

[@kevincoyner1200]

Eldon Shamblin is better known as the greatest Western Swing guitarist. His tenure with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys is legendary! He either had THE 1st of very close to the 1st Stratocasters that Leo Fender ever made and used it for most of his professional carrer.

[@spacepilot12]

Smokey was still a great drummer when he was in his early 80's! I was watching a small town music festival in California and he happened to be visiting and talking with members of one of the bands. They asked him to sit in on a number, introduced him, and people politely watched as he sat and did an acceptable job on the drums. All of a sudden he stood up and started playing with much more volume and energy. By the end of the song it was obvious that he had not lost his touch, and the crowd was cheering and clapping. He ended up staying for two more numbers, and there was no question that he was enjoying it, and had not lost his touch.

[@TheTubbeater]

These are the roots, I'm a drummer and Smokey signed my drumhead. he was kinda grumpy and I loved him for it... lol

[@kathyrountree3397]

THANK YOU! Bob Wills is my great uncle. I love to see all the info on the web.

[@MrMusicguyma]

Eldon Shamblin was the first great guitar player with Bob Wills. Very influential

[@dcgilleland]

There are "LOTS" out there BUT!, these two rode on the bus and drawed a check! God bless 'em both!

[@kevincoyner1200]

Smokey played on the first Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys recording in 1935 and the last in 1973.

[@Tulsa_Films]

I know what a great story. The way he tells it is great. "Hey you got a guy hanging off your bus"

[@tomrayburn9877]

I have seen Eldons Fender years ago.The serial number is either 0001 or 00001.Been too long.Great guy!

[@schmidt60410]

Eldon Shamblin is one of the finest rhythm guitar players in the world and in the Oklahoma Music Hall Of Fame. While playing with Bob Wills, Leo Fender gave him one of the first Stratocasters produced.
Eldon's Stratocaster is prominently displayed at the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland and exists in it's exact condition as Eldon parted with it.
He is not a bass player.

[@ratherknotty]

What a brilliant bit of history, I am so glad this historic interview has been saved for posterity, many thanks.

[@richardtoney2441]

Great interview, so nice to see Eldon again, we didn't know what a treasure he was.

[@Tulsa_Films]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mikephillips8538]

Great interview. It sure was great hearin these old Texas boys talk about the good ol days playing in the band with Bob Wills and I'm in my 30s. I will always carry the old school along as long as I live.

[@ChuckNicholsonTRM]

Oklahoma boys!!!!!

[@mrbeaverstate]

That story at around 3 minutes was great.

[@pixiejenkins]

This is so good. Such great history wow. I am an Australian fiddler who discovered Bob Wills early in my career and I’m certainly the better for it. XXXXX 11:11 I hate set lists lol

[@NeilOratz]

thanks to whoever is responsible for this great video reminiscence

[@colkidglen8802]

I enjoyed this very much. Great history about the Bob Wills band.

[@OwenGilmoreOG]

awesome, thanks for posting this! Love hearing these old timers

[@OwenGilmoreOG]

Awesome, thanks for posting!

[@andrewbeattieRAB]

EXCELLENT VIDEO

[@Tulsa_Films]

Thank you very much!

[@gabrielaavalosconti5516]

que buenos datos de la banda de Bob Willis

[@hankelling5833]

Thanks so much for sharing this! Do you know what year this interview took place? ..........

[@Tulsa_Films]

I think we recorded this around 1995. I did the interview.

[@vintageguy87]

This is fantastic! When was it recorded?

[@Tulsa_Films]

I think I did the interview in 1995 but will check for accuracy

[@robertgreenberg7328]

Are there any of the Texas Playboys alive today in 2023?

[@Tulsa_Films]

Doubtful