Johnnie Lee Wills

About

American western swing musician playing guitar, banjo, and fiddle. Born September 2, 1912 in Jewett, Texas and died October, 25 1984 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Younger brother of Bob Wills and older brother to Billy Jack Wills.

Joined Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys on banjo in 1934, then founded his own group, the Rhythmairs, in 1939. In 1940, Bob split his group into two and led his faction to California, leaving Johnnie Lee in charge of the Oklahoma faction, which became Johnnie Lee Wills & His Boys, with Johnnie Lee switching to fiddle. After this group dissolved in 1964, he was only intermittently active in music.

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