Abilene Reporter-News

Song Writer Slim Willet is a new man in the western music field. That is he only started singing western songs in the fall of 1948. He did his first singing western songs in student n Hardin-Simmons University [sic]. The song, sung as a lark in chapel, was SHUT THAT GATE. The students seemed to like Willet's country style of singing, and you know how singers are --Just one little mite of encouragement and there is not stopping them.

His first attempt at song writing was a little college tune entitled LIVING ON THE GI BILL. Next from the Willet pen came PINBALL MILLIONAIRE which was soon recorded by Hank Locklin for 4-Star, then by Jene O'Quinn for Capitol.

After graduation from Hardin-Simmons in August, 1949, Slim joined the staff of Radio Station KRBC where he still works as an advertising salesman. However, he is known to West Texas listeners as a country style disc jockey who does his own commercials, and Emcees the Big State Jamboree every Saturday night in Abilene's Fair Park Auditorium.

First Willet recording was on the Star Talent label, a tune called TOOL PUSHER FROM SNYDER. This was followed on Talent by three other records. Now on the 4-Star label his latest releast is LET ME KNOW, backed by LOVE'S PRISON.

Slim owns his home in Abilene where he resides with his wife, Jimmie and two sons Ted and Tim. At 32, he says "Well, I guess I'm in the Western music business for the rest of my life. It feeds me pretty good, and I like to eat!" Incidentally, Slim weighs 232 pounds.

Shorty Underwood and the Brushcutters are the recording band that you hear on Slim Willet's records. Shorty is a used car dealer in Abilene, Texas, where he tries to spend some of his time. Featured members of the Brushcutter band are Imperial record artist Vaughn Shields, Jean Stansbury, Smilin' Smokey Donaldson, Georgia Underwood and pianist Price Self. Shorty Underwood plays the fiddle. This band usually accompanies Slim on personal appearances.

--from an undated file photo, probably 1951.