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Billy Tabb
and his Western Swing Band
WMIS Natchez, MS

About The Artist

Billy Tabb and his Western Swing Band A 1951 article notes Billy-Boy (as he was called then) was just arriving on the country music scene. He was known as one of the top "hillbilly accordionists" of the day and in 1951, was the leader of a six piece band.

Billy and his band were being heard eacy day over WMIS out of Natchez, Mississippi.

By early 1952 or so, you were hearing Billy Tabb and his Western Swing Band over radio station WVMI out of Biloxi, Mississippi.

The group was quite popular around the Biloxi listening area. The group kept themselves busy doing personal appearances. You could find their recordings on the Blue Ribbon Recording Company label. There 'latest' release in the early 1950s where we found them, was "I Want A Whole Lot of Lovin'".

Billy was a bit of a song writer as well and had several of his tunes submitted and accepted by publishers. However, the articles did not mention any of those tunes.

Timeline and Trivia Notes

Group Members included:

  • Billy Tabb
  • Carl Gates, hot guitar
  • Jack Bass, drums
  • Ed Bishop, bass
  • Jeff Lofton, steel guitar(?)

Credits & Sources

  • Cowboy Songs No. 21; July 1952; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT
  • Country Song Roundup; Issue No. 10; February 1951; Charlton Pub. Corp., Inc.; Derby, CT


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