Ernest Tubb is coming into the home stretch as he prepares to let Leon Rhodes and Buddy Charleton loose on a Bob Wills instrumental – “Big Beaver” – from the 1965 live LP, Hittin’ the Road:
[Pssst: Click on the triangle above to hear ”Big Beaver” by The Texas Troubadours.]
Thanks to Gary Olson of Home on the Range, I now know that Big Beaver was a place in Osage County, Oklahoma* that once had a big dance hall frequented by Bob Wills and those fabulous Texas Playboys [*Actually, claims Lewain Learned in the comment below, Big Beaver was located over the line in Kay County, west of Osage].
The Bob Wills Heritage Foundation, helpfully, provides these additional historical details on its Facebook page:
In Osage County, Oklahoma near Shidler, is Beaver Creek. An old, abandoned power station was converted to a dance hall along the creek area in 1938 – Big Beaver Night Club. It became a popular and successful night club (at 80 cents a couple) through 1946 when it burned down. It was never rebuilt.
Bob and his Texas Playboys were a very big draw – and very popular there! It is believed by some that Bob’s 1940 hit song, “Big Beaver” – song/title with Tubby Lewis on trumpet, was based on the nightclub.
“Big Beaver“
Recorded April 15/16, 1940
Burrus Sawmill Studio – Saginaw, TX
The Oklahoma Music Trail website‘s Bob Wills bio tells us that Big Beaver was once a regular stop on the group’s Oklahoma touring schedule, along with such venues as the Old Plantation Inn in Medicine Park, the American Legion Hall in Ponca City, Jump’s Roller Rink in Fairfax, and Whiting Hall in Pawhuska (where the Pawhuska Western Swing Festival, inspired by Bob Wills, is being planned as a “new tourist event” for the weekend of November 15-16, 2024).
George Jones made “Big Beaver” the final selection on his 1963 LP, George Jones Sings Bob Wills, while Buddy Emmons (& the Swing Shift) would make “Big Beaver” the A-side of a single that was produced by good friend, Ray Pennington, in 1985. “Big Beaver” can also be found on a pair of 45s by Chubby Wise (in 1972) and Dick Allen & the River Road Boys (in 1976), both releases from Houston-based Stoneway Records.
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Typo Alert!
Please Say You’re Sorry
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LINK to Western Swing on Zero to 180
11 Responses
Big Beaver Dance Hall was actually located in Kay County which is just west of Osage County. There is nothing left of the dance hall other than foundation and a metal sign someone put up commemorating the location.
Were can I find an old map
The Big Beaver Night Club was
1/2 mile N of Lyman, OK
Or
3 1/2 miles NW of Cooper, OK
On the banks of Big Beaver Creek.
My grandmother owned it.
My grandmother owned the Big Beaver Dance Hall.
Do you have any photographs of the dance hall? I’m working on a western swing documentary for the music’s 90th anniversary celebration, to be held in Fort Worth this November. Please let me know if there is any memorabilia that we can use in the film. Thank you! – Cary Ginell (originjazz@aol.com)
Do you mind me asking your grandmother’s name? I bet my father would know her!!! He will be 100 in August and I am planning a big party for him and gathering a lot of photos of things I have heard him talk about and I am going to go take pictures of the location of the dance hall and the old gate sign. If you have anything, I would gladly even pay for your knowledge and information. suannpalmer@gmail.com is my email I would love to hear from you.
Pam, can you tell me more about Big Beaver? My great-grandparents used to go dance to Bob Wills there. My email is searcyevanc@gmail.com. Please let me know if you’d be interested in talking
Actually, my father used to go to this dance hall back in the day. I went to this location with him a few years back and the foundation that I always assumed was the dance hall was actually the foundation of the old pump house according to my dad. He pointed more to the south and east of that foundation and said, “that is where the entrance to the dance hall was”. Just thought that would be interesting to pass along as well for anyone else that may go see this location.
Would like to find pics of the beaver and people who enjoyed it
The night club was just below our family home which is no longer exists. I spent much time there as a child. My great aunt a Kaw Indian had married Delmer Graham from Webb City and numerous family members have resided at Little house on the prairie as it was often referred to. My Grandma and other elders had often talked about that time of Big Beaver. The stories have been passed down over the years. Many figures in history had been seen in the little club from famous cowboys to Chicago mobsters most likely due to the Oil boom. Such deep history in this region from the good with men like Ben Johnson, historical like Frank Phillips, and horrific with the Osage Murders.
I’m Adam Catlin with the Newkirk Herald Journal. I’d like to know more about this location. I’m very interested and fascinated.