Fort Worth and the surrounding community celebrate the legacy of Al Stricklin, the original piano player for Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, with the release of a new biography. “Brother Al Stricklin Now: Memories of a Texas Playboy,” published by TCU Press on Oct. 13, was written by his son, historian David Stricklin.
Family‑Driven Storytelling
David, a professor of history and former head of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, said he felt compelled to document his father’s life before the story was lost. “People are still interested in the music, and Dad was a big part of it,” he explained.
The book does not start in the genre’s golden era of the 1930s‑40s but jumps to the spring of 1974, when a 66‑year‑old Al and his son drove from their Cleburne home to Austin to see Asleep at the Wheel. The band’s lead singer, Ray Benson, announced Al from the stage, sparking a late‑career resurgence for the pianist.
Western Swing’s Enduring Appeal
Western swing, officially named the State Music of Texas in 2011, continues to thrive thanks to artists like Asleep at the Wheel, Merle Haggard, Hot Club of Cowtown and George Strait. The Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival, founded in 2021 by businessman Mike Markwardt, has sold out every year, underscoring the genre’s lasting popularity.
Markwardt praised Stricklin’s contributions, noting, “He added some jazzy elements, but he kept that swing going the whole time.” The festival’s programming highlights the music’s roots in Fort Worth while attracting fans from around the world.
From Grandview to Fort Worth
Born in Grandview, Johnson County, Al grew up in a religiously fundamentalist family that also nurtured music. Inspired by jazz pianist Earl Hines, his father taught him piano, though Al never claimed the title of “pianist,” preferring “piano player.” Bob Wills famously called him a “piano pounder.”
Al’s early career included playing at Baylor University, dancing halls, and eventually joining the Texas Playboys. World War II interrupted the band’s success, and Al left in 1942 to work for a defense contractor. After the war, he settled in Cleburne, balancing music with family life.
Resurgence and Legacy
In 1973, Wills invited Al back for the recording of the album “For the Last Time,” released in 1974 after Wills suffered a stroke. The project helped spark a renaissance in Western swing. Al and the Playboys performed for a decade, even recording his own memoir, “My Years With Bob Wills,” in 1976.
Local historian John Fletcher recalled the band’s popularity, noting massive Labor Day crowds at Hamilton’s in Cleburne that eventually led to a Grammy win. Those accolades meant a great deal to Al and his family.
David Stricklin compiled hours of his father’s tapes, interviews with siblings and friends, and archival material to create a comprehensive portrait of a musician whose influence reaches from Texas to Sweden and England. “It started here and it should be documented,” David said, emphasizing the cultural heritage of Western swing.
The biography arrives as the Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival celebrates the genre’s legacy, offering Fort Worth residents and visitors a chance to experience the music that shaped the city’s identity.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
