These days, according to the Pew Research Center, more Americans are living to age 100 and past it than ever before. The estimated number of 101,000 U.S. centenarians this year is expected to only increase over the next fifty years, and that’s good news for those of us who hope to still be living by then!
(According to Wikipedia — which keeps track of such things—our nation’s oldest living supercentenarian is a California woman aged 117 years and 99 days as of this writing. The next person down the list, a Texan, trails her at age 114.)
But few who attain that once-elusive hundred-year mark can boast the agility and talent of Lockney’s delightful Lucy Dean Record, whose friends, family and fans celebrated her milestone birthday on June 1. While an all-star lineup of Western swing musicians regaled her for six hours ( hours!) of fiddlin’ and dancin’, Lucy Dean herself took the stage to entertain with favorites such as “All of Me.” Lest you be tempted to observe that that’s a slow tune, you should have heard her race through a jazzy “Sweet Georgia Brown” on any number of recent occasions.
The next morning, she’d already posted thank-yous for cards, flowers, cake and musical tributes—on her own Facebook page.
Listeners for years farther back than I’ve been a Texan dubbed Lucy Dean Record the Queen of Western Swing. But the first time I heard her play, back when she was being recognized on her 90th birthday, I instantly agreed.
Lucy Dean, we wish you many happy returns of the day. For ourselves, we selflishly wish for many more of your performances at Western swing events or worship services or the faroff wedding of your lovely great-granddaughter.
To me—and many, many others—you’ll always hold the title of Queen of Western swing. Here’s my own humble tribute.
Lucy Dean, You’re Still the Queen
1. (I heard that...) Lucy Dean is playing for the dance; Out in Lockney, Texas, just by chance; Grab your cowboy hat and boots, You know that there’s no other substitute— Let’s go and have an evening of romance; 2. When Lucy Dean is playing Western Swing Her old piano magic’s just the thing; On the waltz, the two-step, jitterbug Anyone can cut a rug When Lucy Dean is playing — anything! [Chorus] Oh—Lucy Dean, well you’re the queen, Liveliest player there’s ever been; Bob Wills may be the King but Lucy Dean is still the Queen.
3. When Lucy Dean is playing on the stage The fans and dancers might be any age; Anyone you might be spottin’, You’ll be certain they’re applau-au-din’ When Lucy Dean is playing on the stage; 4. (Oh– when – it) comes to tickling the ivories No one rivals your expertise, So won’t you give us one more round of“Sugar Moon”or“Sweet Georgia Brown”— [Chorus] Lucy Dean, well you’re the queen, Liveliest player there’s ever been; Bob Wills may be the King but Lucy Dean is still the Queen; I said Bob Wills may be the King but Lucy Dean is still—the Queen!
