orig. James Robert Wills
born March 6, 1905, near Kosse, Texas, U.S.
died May 13, 1975, Fort Worth, Texas
U.S. country music fiddler, singer, and songwriter.
Wills learned fiddle from his father. In Tulsa, Okla., in 1934 he formed the Texas Playboys; their radio performances made him a star in the Southwest, and in 1942 the group moved to California, performing in dance halls and films. They pioneered the "western swing" genre, which blended traditional hoedown fiddling with big-band swing and blues . Wills's best-known compositions include "San Antonio Rose" and "Panhandle Rag."