Chuck Webb Bio

Virgil Watts was born in Ripley, Oklahoma in 1934 to Leslie and Nadine Watts. Virgil began playing music when he was 12 years old. He was inspired by Bob Wills' music and would run home every day from school during lunch to listen to the western swing music on the radio.
As a teenager, Virgil started playing in his first band with his friends, Otis Craig, Don Sessions, R.J. McBride and the "Durango Kid," Ted McMamer. The boys played frequently around the Ripley, Oklahoma area. Later on, Virgil left Oklahoma for Wichita, Kansas where he played country western and western swing music in various clubs and with many musicians.
Virgil left Wichita, KS and he and Don Sessions traveled to Kermit, Texas where they played such clubs as Weaver's Bar, Hoss Ivey's West End Club, and the Blue Room in Wink, Texas. While there, Virgil worked with Tony Capri, Troy Passmore, Durwood Haddock, Jerry Haddock, Eddie Miller, Larry Eduy, and many others.
From Texas, Virgil headed to Chicago and played country western and western swing music at various venues, including the Knickerbocker Inn, where he played with Bobby Braden, Don Erwin, Bobby Barnett, Judy Walker, and Eddy Starr. While in Chicago, he also played with "Buffalo" Johnson, Don Sessions, and Milton Mounce.
The owners of the Knickerbocker Inn were friends with Ernest Tubb and Don Session's song, "Thanks A Lot," became a hit song for Tubb. Virgil is known by fellow steel guitarists for playing with a smaller bar than normal which is the result of Virgil playing a jam with Tiny Murphy in Chicago and Tiny left his bar, which was a small bar, on Virgil's steel and left with Virgil's bar. Virgil had to finish out the night with the little bar and has used a smaller bar since because he can move faster around on the neck of the steel.
Virgil found his way to Missouri from Chicago where he met his lovely bride, June. Virgil played on the Possum Holler Opry television show which aired in three states. He also played various clubs, fairs, festivals, and Opry shows throughout Northeast Missouri where he had the opportunity to play behind some stars as they traveled through the area. Virgil still plays dances and Opry Shows in Northeast Missouri where he is featured playing traditional western swing songs. He has also appeared on other regional television shows.
Virgil has played the International Steel Guitar Convention for several years and has had the opportunity to play behind Johnny Bush, Leona Williams, and others. He's played along side Steel Guitar Hall of Fame members including Herby Wallace, Hal Rugg, Leonard T. Zinn, Tom Brumley, Dewitt Scott, and Jeff Newman.
The most pressure he ever played under was having Speedy West on stage watching him play, but was relieved when Speedy told him he did a great job. Virgil has got to jam with several fine western swing musicians including Chris Booher, Bill Adams, Chuck Cusimano, Harlon Kubos, Tony Smith, Scotty Henderson, and many others.
Virgil has been a inspiration to so many, including his daughter Starla (Watts) Queen, and he has spent a lifetime playing western swing for many people and introducing some folds to the genre of western swing music. He has a passion for western swing music that he loves to share and is known for his excellent playing and great tone. He has played western swing for 68 years and still plays today. His is regionally known as one of the best steel guitar players in the area.