Resources

  • 360 PSG - Web Experts Design and Support Award winning website design. NBA's provider of choice
  • Admiral Wade McClusky - During the 2nd world war, Admiral Wade McClusky, then a Lt. Commander, led his squadron of fighter planes - low on fuel, in searching out and destroying 3 Japanese aircraft carriers, together with all their planes at the battle of Midway. It was a major turning point in the war. Admiral McClusky is from Buffalo, New York.
  • Bill Halsey - Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. was an American naval commander during world war II and is one of only four individuals to have attained the rank "Fleet Admiral of the United States Navy". After the surprise bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on December 7, 1941 he vowed revenge on its perpetrator Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Nearing the end of the Guadalcanal ferocities, Admiral Halsey received a tip from the highest command of the U.S. government that the Japanese code had been broken. Almost immediately thereafter it was learned that Admiral Yamamoto would travel by plane to a Japanese frontal area for a morale booster visit to his troops. Admiral Halsey was contacted and given a two-word order - "get Yamamoto" and was given his expected arrival time. How to do it was left up to Admiral Halsey. After careful deliberations with his staff he decided it would be by air and sent a squadron of fighter planes to intercept. With a reputation of punctuality to a fault, Yamamoto arrived exactly on schedule. The fighters were waiting and shot down Yamamoto's planes killing him together with all his staff, shortening the war. Truly a remarkable commander was Admiral Halsey.
  • Billy Byrd - Lead guitar player with Ernest Tubb 1949-1959, doing many albums with Ernest. Recorded 3 solo instrumental albums. Billy with Hank Garland designed the Byrdland for Gibson guitars. Also a session musician recognized by his peers as among the most skilled guitarists ever to play country music, he taught himself to play listening to Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt records.
  • Bluegrass Hall of Fame - International Bluegrass Music Museum Inductees
  • Branson, MO Shows - Live show capital of the World
  • Buddy Emmons - Considered the world's foremost steel guitarist. Moved to Nashville in 1955 and joined Little Jimmy Dickens band. This Hall-of-Famer was for many years in high demand in the recording industry.
  • Carolina Cotton - Western swing singer-yodeling blond bombshell
  • Carter Family - The Carter Family is a traditional American folk-music group that recorded between 1927 and 1956. Their music had a profound impact on Bluegrass, Country, Gospel, Pop and to a lesser extent - Rock and Roll musicians. The Carter Family were the first vocal group to become country music stars. They wrote and recorded dozens of songs including probably the most recognizable country song ever, "Wildwood Flower". Others were Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Keep On The Sunny Side, and Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes. They also wrote and recorded "Wabash Cannonball" which was to become in subsequent years Roy Acuff's signature song and biggest hit. All of these and more are classics today.
  • Country Music Hall Of Fame - Inductees list
  • Django Reinhardt - Jean "Django" Reinhardt was a French jazz guitarist and composer regarded as one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. His playing was phenomenal even though he lacked fingers on his chord/fretting hand caused by a fire. He inspired hundreds of others. In a day when amplification was not yet in vogue he became the most significant jazz talent to emerge from Europe.
  • Doc Watson - It's difficult if not impossible to overemphasize the talent and skill of this guitar player-singer-entertainer. Loved and appreciated by millions.
  • Elvis Presley - Elvis was an American, singer-actor and is considered by many as the most significant cultural icon of the 20th century. In later years he became dubbed "King of Rock and Roll" or just "The King". Beginning in 1954 with producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, he went on to have an amazing but rather short career, having died at age 42. He served honorably in the U.S. Army. Magnetism and stage presence unmatched by any entertainer before or since.
  • Ernest Tubb and Record Shops - "Opry member since the 1940's. Hall of Fame. Recorded over 30 albums and 400 songs. He and his Texas Troubadour bands are legendary."
  • Ernest Tubb : Biography & History
  • Fiddle Player Hall of Fame - The Inductees
  • Gene Autry - Autry National Center Museum of the American West
  • George Patton - General George Patton, Jr, referred to by soldiers he commanded as "old blood and guts" served America in two world wars. An outstanding practitioner of mobile tank warfare. Strict discipline, toughness and self sacrifice created exceptional pride within his ranks. His motto: "Attack, Attack, Attack!" he believed saved more of his soldiers lives by keeping the enemy constantly on the defensive. The German army feared him more than any other allied general, indeed referring to him as the allies greatest general. General Patton loved to read. He attended the U.S. military academy at West Point, New York. No accolades are too high for this one-of-a-kind General.
  • Glen Miller - Alton Glenn Miller was an American big-band trombonist, arranger, composer and band leader during the swing era. He was the best-selling artist 1939 -1943 enjoying numerous top hit songs, 23 of which were number one hits. Unfortunately Glenn's career was cut short. A U.S. Army Captain, he and his band entertained personnel serving in the European theater. While traveling from England to France for an engagement, his plane disappeared in inclement weather over the English channel and has not been found to this day. A profound loss, missed by millions
  • Grady Martin - Thomas "Grady" Martin, an American session guitarist in country music and rockabilly was a member of the Nashville "A" team. Grady recorded for and worked with a significant number of artists. He is renowned for his fantastic, clean, and original guitar backup on Marty Robbins million-seller "El Paso".
  • Grand Ole Opry - Legendary Country Music Stage and Concert Hall. Longest running country music show of all time.
  • Guitar Player Hall of Fame - The Inductees
  • Hank Garland - Played guitar on many hits coming out of Nashville during the 1950's. Artists he recorded with include Roy Orbison, Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley and Don Gibson. He wrote "Sugarfoot Rag" and was encouraged to record it by Elvis. He and Billy Byrd designed the Byrdland guitar for Gibson.
  • Hank Williams, Sr. - "Hiram" Hank Williams, a high school dropout, became one of the most significant and influential American singer-songwriters of the 20th century. With a magnetic personality that resonated stage presence, Hank wrote and performed numerous hit songs - most of which are classics today. Member of Country Music Hall of Fame.
  • International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame - The Inductees
  • International Western Music Association - Excellence in creativity, professionalism, and preservation of western music
  • Jango Music - Internet radio whereas all artists can receive airplay for their material
  • Jimmy Bryant - Blinding speed yet amazingly clean guitar player. Three illustrations are "Stratosphere Boogie", "Four Wheel Drive" and the fiddle tune "Turkey In The Straw". Worked for years with famed steel guitarist Speedy West.
  • Jimmy Dickens - Little Jimmy Dickens was a Grand Ole Opry member for 60 years. This Hall of Famer was the first artist to feature the twin-guitar sound on the Opry stage.
  • Joe Pass - A great jazz guitarist of the 20th century. Created many possibilities for jazz guitar through his chord-melody, chord inversions, progressions, walking basslines and counterpoint during improvisation. Joe often worked with piano great Oscar Peterson and vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. Received his first Gibson guitar as a gift from a fan.
  • Johnny Gimble - John Paul Gimble is a legend. Johnny was one of the most sought after fiddle players of his day. His 5-string fiddle made him quite unique. Bob Wills referred to him as the "real deal". Years of work in the recording studio and live appearances. Received many awards including Hall of Fame, Instrumentalist of the year and Best Fiddle Player.
  • KSEY Radio - Streaming real Western Swing and country
  • Leon Rhodes - Simply a fantastic guitar player. Countless recording sessions. Was for years the Grand Ole Opry house band guitarist. Years on the road with Ernest Tubb are among his many accolades. Fantastic instrumentals with Buddy Emmons and Buddy Charleton while a member of Ernest's "Texas Troubadours" band.
  • Les Paul - Lester William Polsfuss, later becoming known as Les Paul, was an American jazz, country and blues guitarist. Also a songwriter, luthier, inventor and pioneer of the solid body electric guitar. Well known for jazz and popular music, his beginning career was in country music. His early experiments with overdubbing, delay, delay effects, phasing effects and multi-track recording were among the very first. A great guitar innovator he and his wife Mary Ford sold millions of records. Les has a permanent stand-alone exhibit in the rock and roll Hall of Fame.
  • Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame - Inductees list
  • Medals Of America - Helping military veterans research and get medals deserved but not received
  • Merle Travis - With a unique guitar style referred to by many as "Travis Picking", Merle "Robert Travis was a country western singer-songwriter-performer. His greatest song was "Sixteen Tons". This turned out to be Tennessee Ernie Ford's biggest hit when he covered it. For years Merle was a regular on TV shows such as Ranch Party, hosted by Tex Ritter. Together with Joe Maphis many instrumentals were recorded.
  • National Cowgirl Museum - Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Honorees List
  • Northwest Western Swing Music Society - Formed in 1983 by musicians and enthusiasts to preserve, promote and perform western swing music
  • Operation Smile - A provider of free surgery to correct cleft lip and palate for poor children
  • Phil Baugh - After a stint working in Ray Price's band, Phil in 1969 moved to Nashville where he became a popular session guitarist. He and Buddy Emmons were members of a country jazz band called the "Superpickers". His great guitar playing on such songs as "Country Guitar" and "One Man Band" were Billboard top 40 hits.
  • Rattlesnake Rodeo - The city of Opp, Alabama in Covington county has hosted this unique event since 1950
  • Ray Price - Biography
  • Rich O'Brien, Guitarist - Best guitar player in the West
  • Rocky Marciano - Rocco Francis Marshegiano, the "Brocton Blockbuster" - is the only heavyweight champion ever to retire undefeated. He was a relentless, formidable puncher with extraordinary durability. The fact that he was smaller in stature than most of his opponents made no difference. Rocky would apply maximum pressure, knocking out most of his adversaries. He died young in a small plane crash.
  • Sam Phillips - Sam was a producer who started Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee during the early 1950's. He understood the dream of unknown young newcomers and gave many of them a chance. An incredible judge of talent, it was Sam Phillips who gave us Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, all of whom at the time had not a dime to pay for Sam's services. He was instrumental in launching Elvis's career in 1954 with the song "Blue Moon of Kentucky" He used only two backup musicians on the recording: Scottie Moore on guitar and Bill Black on upright bass. Sam liked what he heard. Enough said.
  • Sons Of The Pioneers - A long time legendary western singing group. Top hits include "Cool Water" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds". Over the years had fine lead singers including Roy Rogers. Roy's son Dusty is, at the time this link was added - the current lead singer.
  • Spade Cooley - American Western Swing Musician, big band leader, actor and television personality
  • Sportsmen's Tavern - Opening in 1985, Sportsmen's transformed itself from a neighborhood tavern into one of the best live music venues in the United States. Fantastic Bands/Shows 7 days a week.
  • T-Mobile - T-Mobile according to their web site is America's best unlimited network. No annual contracts, roaming charges, taxes or fees. NBA has used T-Mobile for many years thus can personally attest as to their overall service. A growing provider, T-Mobile is particularly good throughout the U.S.A. and Asia.
  • Tex Williams - American Western Swing Musician. His "Western Caravan" big band numbered 12 pieces. Their recording of "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke that Cigarette" held the #1 position on the Billboard charts for 16 weeks.
  • Texas Steel Guitar Association - A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting steel guitar music, performances and education in Texas, United States and the World. Biggest event is annually in March.
  • The Wheeling Jamboree - Rich History and long list of pioneering Country Music artists
  • Thumbs Carlisle - Kenneth Ray Carlisle - Throughout his career, Kenneth "Thumbs" Carlisle was an innovative, unique American guitarist. Sitting with guitar held flat in his lap he fretted and picked with his thumbs. It was an amazing sight to see. One of his very best performances is imitating various other top guitar players on the classic song "Springfield Guitar Social". He worked at one time with Red Foley.
  • US Chamber Of Commerce - US Chamber Of Commerce Assisting American businesses large and small
  • Vetfriends.com - Vet Friends Searching, finding and re-uniting military veterans with old friends
  • Warren Spahn - Warren Edward Spahn, one of the best pitchers in Major League history, is the all time winningest left hander. He sported a 23-7 won-loss record at age 42 and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973 with 83% of the total vote. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and served with distinction, seeing action in Germany at the Ludendorf Bridge as a combat engineer. Mostly based on this, one of the best war movies ever made, "The Bridge At Remagen" was filmed in later years. He saw action also in the Battle Of The Bulge. Warren is from Buffalo, New York.
  • WesternSwingMusic.com - Western Swing Music, news and information.
  • Western Swing Calendar - Annual Calendar of Western Swing Events
  • Western Swing Monthly - Schedule of western swing music events and more
  • When The Cowboy Sings - Western, Western Swing and Country Music