Western Swing vs. Polka Music
Thu, 08/01/2024 - 12:00am
Acknowledged Western Swing founder Milton Brown, told his brother, Roy: “The secret was that it had a good dance tempo, mm-pah-mm-pah, a 2/4 rhythm. If I pattern my music and make it a good polka tempo out of the songs I play, and play the polka tempo just a little bit harder, I think I’ll have a good band.” --- Leon “Pappy” Selph ( Light Crust Doughboys, Bob Wills, Blue Ridge Playboys) explained the success Western Swing: “When you boil it down, it was a good simple, polka beat”. In the list of music styles that West Texas hillbilly (country) bands played in the dance halls they always included polkas as the a staple, because people came to dance, not listen.
