Billy Briggs was born in Fort Worth Texas in 1919. He apprenticed there under pioneering electric stell guitarist Bob Dunn & joined the Hi-Flyers in the mid-1930's. He followed a stream of former Hi-Flyers to Amarillo in late 1937 to join the Sons Of The West & in the coming years became one of the earliest steel guitarists to significantly expand upon Dunn's model. Briggs built his own nine-string steel, began experimenting with new tunings & chord voicings, and, when he formed his own band Swinging Steel in 1939, became perhaps the first steel player to attach legs to his guitar & play standing, fronting his own group. He returned to the Sons Of The West in 1940 & took part in their tightly arranged forward-looking 1941 sessions for Okeh. He held together a makeshift Sons Of The West lineup for a while during the war then formed his own XIT boys in 1946. In late '46 or early '47 Briggs began an association with Dan Allender's Dalhart/Amerillo-based Time label that lasted to the end of the decade. A single release on Lew Preston's Folke label followed, before a prolific stint with Imperial (1950-53) gave Briggs a regional & much covered hit "Chew Tobacco Rag" in 1951. Briggs ended a nine year association with Amarillo's Avalon club in 1956 when he dispanded the XIT boys & opened his own ill-fated hall. He left music soon after & died in California in 1984.
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glad to have you as my friend thanks for join my friends on myspace your music sound grate so keep up the grate work and god bless and have a grate weekend
Three new Christmas songs up. With a little Texas swing. "White Christmas", "Winter Wonderland" & "Missing You At Christmas". Come by and let me know what you think. Judy DeRamus with The Jordanaires
Drop by and listen to "The King and I" at the top of the play list. Judy DeRamus with The Jordanaires a few years back recorded "The King And I". The song went #1 in the national charts. Judy was given a #1 party at the SESAC building on 16th Ave. Nashville, TN. There Judy and The Jordanaires were honored with several recognitions from the music industry and the Governor of Tennessee. Nashville Gospel
Thanks a million Billy for joining our ministry of Blues. It's all about peace, love, understanding, and GROOVE! Hope to perform for you sometime, just not too soon. We dig your tunes. Wishing you the very best in Blues and life and afterlife! -Big Daddy
Hey! Just wanted to let you know that .... is playing at The Refuge on Tuesday, March 24!! They will be playing with DON'T WAKE AISLIN, OLD MAN SHATTERED, WE AS HUMAN, and THOROUGHFARE!! Show starts at 6:30 and will so don't miss out!!
Hey! Just wanted to let you know that KILL PARADISE is playing at The Nat on Friday, March 20!! They will be playing with TEEN HEARTS and VICE ON VERSA with a special dance party afterwards with DJ CHIKNBISKIT!! Show starts at 6:30 and will last until midnight so don't miss out!!
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