Showcase trying to keep Western swing music alive

Although Southeast Missouri is better known for bluegrass and country, the Western swing music showcased this weekend at the Cape Girardeau Eagles Club is drawing fans of the genre from as far away as Las Vegas.

The Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest's fourth annual music showcase in Cape Girardeau began Thursday with an open jam session and continues today from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.

The society was founded in 1998 with the purpose of preserving Western swing music, a genre that Bob Dolle, an officer and charter member of the society, said is close to being forgotten by younger generations. 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.

"All we are trying to do is get our kind of music out there to the people," Dolle said. "As musicians are coming and going, people are forgetting about our music, and we are just trying to keep it alive. But we love playing this for everyone, and we hope people come out and love dancing 'cause that's what it's about."

Last year more than 1,500 people attended the showcase. However, Dolle said the rising cost of fuel may keep some fans away this year.

"We know the local people will come, but we have a lot of people that come from out of state," Dolle said. "We just hope that the price of gas won't keep a lot of people from coming here."

Dolle and his wife, Virginia, constantly travel between Cape Girardeau, Texas and Oklahoma, where Western swing has its roots and most of its fans can be found. Dolle said he got heavily involved in Western swing about 14 years ago while making summer trips to Texas. Now the 77-year-old is a devoted Western swing keyboardist who spends summers in Texas playing and listening to Western swing.

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com Chuck Hayes plucked the steel guitar during the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest's showcase Friday. The event continues today.

Friday morning attendance was low, featuring only four couples showing their steps on the dance floor and jam sessions by the bands. But evening events, such as a cake walk, guitar giveaway and fried chicken dinner, were expected to draw a late crowd.

"I tell you they always come running for that fried chicken," Virginia Dolle said. "And the people around here are wonderful to turn out like they do anyway."

Today is the final day of the showcase and will feature a grand prize drawing and four bands. For more information about the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest or to become a member, visit www.wsmss.com.