Burson leads Church of Western Swing in joyful noise during Bob Wills Day

  • SWINGIN’ AND SINGIN’ Jimmy Burson, singer and fiddle player from Silverton, confers Sunday morning with Sonny Rice of Sealy, bass player and once-a-year pastor of the Church of Western Swing in Turkey. The 10 a.m. service featured a sermon by Rice preceded by a music service led by Burson, with Rice on bass and Tommy Thomsen, church owner, playing an arch top guitar. | HANABA MUNN WELCH
    SWINGIN’ AND SINGIN’ Jimmy Burson, singer and fiddle player from Silverton, confers Sunday morning with Sonny Rice of Sealy, bass player and once-a-year pastor of the Church of Western Swing in Turkey. The 10 a.m. service featured a sermon by Rice preceded by a music service led by Burson, with Rice on bass and Tommy Thomsen, church owner, playing an arch top guitar. | HANABA MUNN WELCH

    Can you dance at the Church of Western Swing during Bob Wills Day festivities in Turkey?

    Absolutely. Every night. The musicians are cream of the crop.

    Can you go to church there?

    Yes. Once a year during the week called Bob Wills Day. You just can’t sit on a front pew. They’ve all been removed to create the dance floor.

    The church belongs to Tommy Thomsen, leader of the California-based All Star Wester…