If you hear ghostly shouts of Bob Wills’ signature cry “Ah haaaa!” this weekend, don’t be surprised.

The fifth annual Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival will call downbeat at noon Nov. 6, drawing attendees from near (Fort Worth) and far (at least Italy) who remain aficionados of the music genre that traces its origins to the city.

Taking a little bit of string band music and throwing it into a blender with jazz, Western swing was first performed by Milton Brown & His Musical Brownies at the Crystal Springs Dance Pavilion located at 5653 White Settlement Road in 1929, according to most musical histories.

The music is characterized by a mix of country, string band, jazz, big band and swing elements.

Mike Markwardt, a businessman who has made his career by traveling the world

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