Western swing was the most eclectic form of country music and in its free-wheeling diversity, it set the stage for rock & roll. Based in tradtional string band music, western swing also incorporated traditional pop melodies, jazz improvisation, blues and folk, creating a wildly entertaining and eclectic form of American music.

Western swing was the most eclectic form of country music and in its free-wheeling diversity, it set the stage for rock & roll. Based in tradtional string band music, western swing also incorporated traditional pop melodies, jazz improvisation, blues and folk, creating a wildly entertaining and eclectic form of American music. Bob Wills and Milton Brown popularized the genre in the '30s and Wills became known as the father of the genre, since he remained popular for several decades, during which he had a remarkable string of hit singles. Although it sometimes faded away from view, western swing remained popular throughout the 20th century, occasionally experiencing upswings in popularity, such as the early '70s and the early '90s.