Here’s a 1999 article I wrote on legendary Western Swing musician and arranger Larry ‘Pedro’ DePaul for the Journal of Country Music back in 1999. He was the architect behind the sound of the great Spade Cooley and Tex Williams bands of the 1940s.

By the way, knucklehead that I am, I mistranscribed DePaul’s wife’s name in the article. It’s Evelyn, not Beverly. My apologies.

Larry Pedro DePaul Article

4 thoughts on “Larry 'Pedro' DePaul”

  1. Thanks, I have a copy of this in my family files. He was my father. He did not get any credit for many of his arrangements, but Spade Cooley did. He also did a stint with the Dorsey Brothers (3 months). He could have stayed on, but he did not want to be on the road. He passed away in Spokane, Washington in 1999. My mom passed away 2001.
    Larry “Butch”DePaul

    1. Hi Larry–

      Thanks for your note. I’m a great admirer of your father’s work, and enjoyed the conversations we had while I was working on the article. I am, however, embarrassed to have gotten your mother’s name wrong in the article. My apologies.

  2. I am overwhelmed with the focus of your work. I am working on a new Document Records issue of the recordings The Bookers, Doc Roberts, and various others made for Gennett Records in April and August 1927 that involved the Black Bookers performing on what were advertised by Gennett Records as white Hillbilly records. Your transcription of Roberts on one of these recordings was a treat, but for me something about Joacquim Murphey was gold. Hope you are out there plugging away at something. Thanks and get in touch if you have any thoughts about Roberts and the Bookers

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