Biography

Pioneer western swing fiddler and songwriter. Born February 22, 1915. Died August 9, 1976. Career most active 1930s and 1940s. Full name: Jesse Theford Ashlock. Worked with Milton Brown and Bob Wills. Songwriting credits include “Please Don’t Leave Me,” “My Life’s Been A Pleasure,” “The Kind of Love I Can’t Forget,” and “Still Water Runs the Deepest.”

Interview Summary

1971 June 16
(1 hour, 12 minutes)
Western swing fiddler Jesse Ashlock recalls his career. Discussion includes growing up in a musical family; playing house dances during the 1920’s and 1930’s; meeting Bob Wills when he was 14; learning to play swing music from Cecil Brower; playing with Milton Brown and the Musical Brownies when he was 17; touring with Bob Wills and his band; recruiting Leon McAuliffe to join Bob Wills’s band; using saxophone in a western band; recording sessions with Bob Wills and Bill Boyd; playing with Jimmy Wakely; touring with Ray Whitley; memories of Cecil Brower, Merle Travis, and Uncle Ike Emory; his own songwriting.