Palmore named Western Swing Hero
Randall Palmore started playing the steel guitar almost 30 years ago and the acoustic guitar a decade or so before that, and this spring his musical skills are being acknowledged by his peers, who have selected him to be inducted into the Cowtown Society of Western Music’s “Heroes of Western Swing” at the non-profit’s 21st Annual Western Swing Fest on May 4.
“Randall will be inducted along with 26 other honorees,” said CSWM co-founder Joyce Miller. “He is a very respected musician among his peers and his fans. He has worked with many musicians in the Metroplex area, including steel guitarists Jerry Cunningham, Billy Braddy, and the late great Tom Morrell.”
Palmore will be among those recognized during the second awards presentation, which will take place from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, at the Holiday Hills Country Club in Mineral Wells.
“Being selected for induction was a surprise,” said Palmore. “I am grateful to be included in the list, and I am honored to be included among a lot of good players.”
Palmore has played on stage in Albany for many local events including recent Aztec Theater presentations Sentimental Journey, The Century of John Matthews, Always Patsy Cline, Do You Believe in Magic, A Party For Pam, and 1972, A Musical Review, church services, and Fandangle.
“I’ve played acoustic and electric guitar almost all of my life and I’ve been dabbling with the steel guitar since 1980 or so, and it’s been a great hobby,” said Palmore, who earns his living by serving as president of First National Bank of Albany/Breckenridge. “I’ve played a lot of backyard parties, funerals, and anniversaries over the years, and I’ve done some fill-ins at western swing festivals. I’ve enjoyed doing it, and I’ve met a lot of nice people.”
“Heroes of Western Swing” inductees are chosen by the CSWM board of directors each year in January based upon their contributions to the promotion, preservation, and perpetuation of the genre of western swing music.
“Randall credits the accomplished steel guitarist Gary Carpenter as being his steel guitar mentor,” said Miller. “He has played steel guitar with Greg Gibbs for the past 15 years. He’s also worked with Jody Nix, Tommy Hooker, and Buck Reams, to name a few.”
Western swing is a style of music originated by Texan Bob Wills, and the genre was declared the official “State Music of Texas” by former Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Legislature in 2011.
Since the CSWM was founded in 1999, Swing Fest has been celebrated on the first Saturday of May with live music, dancing, raffles, the Hero awards, plenty of food, and fun, said Miller.
This year’s activities will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3 with a free jam session and continue at 12:00 noon on Saturday.
Admission on Saturday is $20 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Discounted tickets can be purchased until April 15. For more information contact Miller at 817-558-7580.
“Randall, along with many of the other inductees, will be performing at the Swing Fest with the WSMSS Band led by John Jones and with Brady Bowen and The CSWM All Star Heroes Band,” said Miller. “Randall is well deserving of this prestigious award, and on behalf of the Cowtown Society of Western Music, we are proud to honor him with the title of ‘Hero of Western Swing’.”
