Faculty recital at the UNT College of Music Winspear Hall.

Faculty recital at the UNT College of Music Kenton Hall.

Ensemble performance at the UNT College of Music Concert Hall.

Ensemble performance at the UNT College of Music Concert Hall.

Ensemble performance at the UNT College of Music Winspear Hall.

Ensemble performance at the UNT College of Music Recital Hall.

Millions of Texans and Southwesterners have been touched over the years by the Light Crust Doughboys. From 1930 to 1952, fans faithfully tuned in to their early-morning and, later, noontime radio program, and turned out in droves to hear them play live. The Doughboys embodied the very essence of the “golden era” of radio—live performances and the dominance of programming by advertising agencies. Their radio program began as a way to sell Light Crust Flour. Their early impresario, W. Lee “Pappy” O'Daniel, quickly learned how to exploit the power of radio to influence voters, and he put that lesson to good use to become a two-time Texas governor and the model for Pappy O'Daniel in the movie, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? But the group was more than a way to push flour; the talented musicians associated with them included Bob Wills and Milton Brown, each of whom receive credit for founding western swing. With the demise of their regular radio program, the Light Crust Doughboys had to remake themselves. Trailblazers in western swing, the Doughboys explored many other musical genres, including gospel, for which they were nominated for Grammys in 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2002. They continue to play …

Ensemble performance at the UNT College of Music Recital Hall.

Faculty recital at the UNT College of Music Concert Hall.

Ensemble performance at the UNT College of Music Kenton Hall.

Ensemble performance at the UNT College of Music Winspear Hall.

Faculty recital at the UNT College of Music Concert Hall.

Ensemble performance at the UNT College of Music Winspear Hall.