Song of the Day: Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, “Steel Guitar Rag”

The "King of Western Swing," Bob Wills, was born on this day in 1905. He was an inspiration to Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and others in defining what has come to be known as The Bakersfield Sound. "Steel Guitar Rag" is, according to Wikipedia, "the seminal Western swing instrumental credited with popularizing the steel guitar as an integral instrument in a Western band." Composed by Leon McAuliffe, it was first recorded by Wills in 1936.