ReNOWNED ARTISTS BEHIND THE MUSIC
The National Swing Band of Texas
Tommy Hooker, Award Winning Artist, Vocalist - Lead Vocalist
Tommy Hooker is the lead vocalist and fronts the band. His stunning vocals are genuine and unmistakable. Tommy had the prestigious honor of winning the Academy of Western Artists Western Swing song of the year, “Texas In My Soul” from his album “Texas In My Soul.”
Tommy was inducted “April,2024” into the Western Swing Society of the Southwest. A prestigious group of performers.
In 2016 he won the Pure Country album of the year award “It Should Be Easier Now.”
In 2013 he had the honor of performing at the esteemed International Country Music Festival in Calthness, Scotland. You may see him regularly on Tv as an artist on Tru Country, YouTube and with his son Jake Hooker.
Steve Palousek, Award Winning Renowned Steel Guitarist
Steel guitarist Steve Palousek is a true world class player. Steve has received numerous awards throughout his career. To name a few: Steel Association Rising Star of the year, Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame honorable mention at age 25. In March 2013 Steve was inducted into the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.
Steve is also a very accomplished recording engineer and producer. He was voted Best Studio Engineer and Best Instrumentalist by the Music Association of Central Texas receiving the Groovy Award for each Category.
Steve Palousek has performed with Ray Price, Gary Stewart, Leon Rausch, Johnny Bush and many more.
Ricky Turpin, Two-Time Grammy Winner, Fiddle Player
Ricky Turpin, born in Lubbock, Texas, discovered his love for fiddling at age twelve, inspired by his father’s playing. At twenty-two, he became the first recipient of the Tom T. Hall Endowed Scholarship in Country Music at South Plains College. A two-time Texas State Fiddle Champion, World Series of Fiddling Champion, Grand Nationals first runner-up, and two-time Grammy winner, Ricky has performed with Clay Blaker, Johnny Bush, and Ray Benson’s Asleep at the Wheel. He has recorded alongside legendary Texas Playboys and major artists including Merle Haggard, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Willie Nelson. Despite his many achievements, Ricky remains dedicated to preserving and celebrating traditional fiddle style.
Steve Story, Award Winning Renowed multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and fiddle player
He has performed on the Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Awards, Red Stegall’s Somewhere West of Wall Street, RFT-TV, TNN’s Nashville Now, Music City Tonight, Tnn’s New Country and the National Finals Rodeo with Red Steagall. Additionally, he has toured and performed Western Swing and Country Music with artists such as: Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys, Ricky Van Shelton, Steve Wariner and the late Leon Rausch, Ray Price and Tom T. Hall.
In addition to his services as the Director of Strings and jazz band at Fort Worth Christian School he also records, produces, and performs with Steve Story Music.
Steve Story personifies the term Class Act.
Ginny Mac, Dynamic Vocalist and Accordionist
Ginny Mac, our new addition for the 2024 season.
Ginny adds the OH WOW effect to the show. Hailing from Fort Worth, TX, Ginny Mac fronts a dynamic group that brings a fresh and exciting twist to vocal and instrumental stylings in the Country & Western Swing, Americana, Hot Jazz, and International music genres. Ginny has also toured with Asleep At The Wheel, Brave Combo, Pat Green, Mike Dillon, The Texas Playboys under the direction of Tommy Allsup and Leon Rausch, and many others. She endorses Menghini s.r.l. Scandalli Accordions based in Castelfidardo, Italy.
Photo: Steve Palousek, Steve Story, Ginny Mac, and Tommy Hooker
The National Swing Band of Texas Performance