The Swingfield Playboys are an amalgamation of some of Houston's best musicians with a collective performing experience of well over a century. The group plays urban swing with a western flavor, not specifically western swing, although steel guitar, guitars, and fiddle are prominent in their seven-piece presentation. "Martini and Western" is a more apt description as they can go from Ain't Misbehavin' to I Love Paris quicker than Fats Waller could chug a pint of bourbon! Whatever swings, they brings.
|
HERB REMINGTON - Pedal Steel Guitar Member of International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, Western Swing Hall of Fame, and 13 other Halls of Fame. Alumnus of Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys [1946-1950]. Also performed with Spade Cooley, Tex Williams, T. Texas Tyler after his Bob Wills stint. Moved to Texas from California and joined Floyd Tillman. Along the way recorded with George Jones and others. More recently was featured on the Asleep at The Wheel's Grammy winning 'Ride with Bob' recordings. Currently performs with The Swingfield Playboys and The River Road Boys. He did all this sober and proudly.
|
|
 |
RON CRICK - Rhythm Guitar & Vocals Started out in the early 1970's in Kansas City, Greenwich Village and Chicago as a singer/songwriter. Recorded with the Ron Crick Band on Mountain Railroad Records, mid '70's. Toured music rooms and colleges during the late '70's as a comedian/singer/songwriter. Led the band Swingshift in Chicago [late '70's] which featured Steve Goodman, Jethro Burns, Howard Levy [his first band] and singer Diane Holmes. This was the proto-type for The Swingfield Playboys. Fell in with the comedy community at Houston's famed Comedy Workshop in the early '80's, home of many comedians on the way up. Appeared on Showtime with Billy Crystal. Opening act for everyone from Jerry Jeff Walker to John Prine to Maynard Ferguson. Co-wrote: " Hello,This is Anna" a novelty country song recorded in Nashville by O.B. McClinton. Appeared with songwriter Don McClean at Houston's Rockefeller's night club in August 1983 and was invited to open McClean's annual Thanksgiving show at Carnegie Hall with Wayne on guitar.
|
|
 |
LONNIE PETTIT - Lead Vocals Attended Julliard for a semester, toured Europe and U.S. with a 12-piece vocal group 1973-1975. Performed with The Pettit Brothers and Rooster Junction around Texas and the Caribbean 1976-1981. Singer, guitar and mandolin, hunter, fisherman and a swell cook.
|
|
 |
WAYNE WILKERSON - Lead Acoustic & Electric Guitars, & Vocals Houston's most called upon guitar accompianist. Owned the 3rd Collings guitar ever made. Still plays them. Along with Darry Pettit [Lonnies brother] he was the first act to play Mcgonigel's Mucky Duck. Performed with many songwriters at The Kerrville Folk Festival. Performed with Ron Crick since the late '70's. Accompanied Crick at Carnegie Hall as opening act for songwriter Don McClean [Nov. 1983]. Played with Tom Paxton.
|
|
 |
JEFF DUNCAN - Violin/Fiddle & Vocals Classically trained since age 4. Music major at Trinity University in San Antonio. Played with Trinity University Symphony. Shared the stage with The Bellamy Brothers, Django Walker among others. Invited to Mark O'Conner's Master Class fiddle/violin camp in Canada. Records with many songwriters in Texas.
|
|
 |
BILL COLLIN - Drums Graduate of North Texas State in 1978 as a music major, and a member of their prestigious 2:00 Lab Band. Performed with many bands in Houston over the years live and in the studio. Steady as a rock on drums.
|
|
 |
DAVID CRAIG - Upright Bass Graduate of Houston's HSPVA [High School of the Performing and Visual Arts]. Has toured and/or recorded with: Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Brecker, James Moody, Herb Ellis, Charlie Byrd, Tal Farlow and more. Currently performs with The Houston Symphony Orchestra. Artist in Residance/Clinician at HSPVA. Frequently seen in jazz combos at local clubs in Houston when time permits.
|
