Smokey Wood
John “Smokey” Wood (* 1918 ; † 1975 ) was an American western swing musician. Wood is considered to be the pioneer of western swing in Texas .
Life
Smokey Wood is best known among historians today for his achievements as the singer of the Modern Mountaineers on their session for Bluebird Records (1937) and as the singer of Ross' Rhythm Rascals on their session, also for Bluebird.
However, his career in the 1940s and 1950s is far less known and well remembered. In addition, this period of his life is all the worse documented because Wood moved from band to band, stayed there only for a short time and hardly (or not at all) led his own band. During this time he played with Adolph Hofner , Spade Cooley , Cliff Bruner , Dickie McBride, Cotton Thompson, Benny Leaders and others. Wood was widely known in musical circles for his good work as a pianist, but also for his bad habits. For example, he borrowed instruments from other musicians and then pawned them. This is widely believed to be the reason Wood was never able to establish himself at the national level. His bizarre behavior has been linked to regular drug use.
From his late father, Wood inherited a farm in Meridian , Texas, near Waco , on which he lived the remaining 20 years of his life. He also ran a flea market at times and was involved in cockfights. Musically speaking, Wood was only active locally. For a long time he played in Joe Sanchez's Dixieland Jazz band , with whom he recorded the Lucille / Spirit of '65 record for Major Bill Smith 's Tu Bill Records label around 1965 . It was Wood's last studio recording.
Discography
| year | title | Label # |
|---|---|---|
| Lucille / Spirit of '65 (with Joe Sanchez and his Orchestra) | Do Bill 500 |
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Wood, Smokey |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Wood, John (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American western swing musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1918 |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1975 |