If you’re a fan of traditional country music and western swing, not to mention a night of good old fashioned boot scootin’, you won’t want to miss a night out with the Rocky King Band. Fronted by fiddler Rocky King of Seguin, they tour dance halls all over the state.

Started in 2011, the band consists of Rocky on fiddle and vocals; Michael Polasek on drums; Duane Wavra, upright bass and vocals; Kenny Grohman on steel guitar; and Scott Moon, fiddle and vocals. With a new CD out and a packed dance card, RKB is looking forward to a busy 2016! Rocky took some time out to introduce Texas Lifestyle readers to RKB:

Tell us about your history as a fiddler

“My parents took me along to dances at The Stampede in my hometown Big Spring, which is where my love for the fiddle and country and western swing music was born. 
On my fifth birthday, my parents gave me a fiddle. I started taking lessons from Jody Nix and the “fire” was lit. I continued playing, but sports and school took over most of my time until I was about 16. It was then I realized that playing fiddle could be more than just a hobby and I started focusing on the style of playing that great fiddlers, such as Tommy Jackson, Johnny Gimble and Ricky Boen, use. I received several scholarships to South Plains College, including the Tiny Moore Memorial scholarship. I’ve since had the honor of playing with several bands over the years.”

How do you describe the music RKB plays?

“We play real country music and western swing. This isn’t your “top 40 pop country” or “bro country” that is so popular on the radio. It’s true dance music.”

Who are your musical inspirations?

“Ray Price, Johnny Bush, Bob Wills, Mel Tillis, Faron Young, Darrell McCall, Frenchie Burke, Curtis Potter and Red Steagall. I look up to fiddle players like Tommy Jackson, Johnny Gimble, Keith Coleman, Shorty Lavender and Buddy Spicher.”

What can people expect from an RKB show?

“Dance music! We don’t consider it a show as much as we prefer to think of it as a dance since we play music you can dance to all night long. We play songs mostly from the 50’s through the 70’s and you’ll hear a lot of twin fiddling and steel guitar featured in each song. We’re also proud to have an upright bass in our band. It makes a huge difference in the sound of this style of music.”

Do you play all over the state?

“Yes! San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Canton, Ft. Worth, Houston, Big Spring, San Angelo, etc. We travel anywhere people want to have a traditional country and western swing band.”

What are your favorite venues?

“Schroeder Hall near Victoria and Anhalt Hall, north of San Antonio.”

Tell us about the new CD

“‘Rocky King’ includes ten songs featuring all of the musicians in our band and has a good mix of shuffles and swing songs. I’m super proud of it – the musicianship is second to none. I couldn’t ask for better friends and musicians in this band. They are a truly talented and humble group of guys.”

Check out www.RockyKingBand.com for upcoming shows in November, December and into 2016!
By Elaine Krackau