GRAMMY AWARD for Best Recording Package at the 58th Grammy Awards.

Still The King, Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys

 

I was approached by Bismeaux Records about designing a tribute album for Bob Wills, a project that had been in the works for at least a year. It included a collection of some of some of the most amazing artists in country music and was obviously deserving of something special. I felt the importance of this pacakge would best be served by putting together a design team that I had worked with before. A few years ago Sarah and Shauna Dodds and I had designed an award winning cd package, “Willie and the Wheel” and I felt they would be perfect for this project. They are two of the most talented artist I have every worked with and are a major reason why this package was so successful. 

 

Bob Wills has always been know as the King of Western Swing and it was decided that “Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys” was the perfect title to build a concept around. Playing off Bob Wills affection for cigars led to the idea of designing the package reminiscent of a vintage cigar box. Great care was taken in developing an image of authenticity and include details to reinforce that concept. 

 

A tax stamp created by Austin illustrator John Wilson was just one of the authentic details included. Other details include an Asleep at the Wheel product seal and an illustrated set of Still the King Cigars with banding similar to Will’s favorite cigar brand: Roi-Tan. The design also includes embossing of the titles on the cover and inside panels as well as a custom illustrated portrait of Wills on the inside of the cigar box lid. 

 

The package contains a 22 page booklet drawing on the design of vintage collectible cigarette cards. It includes an original photo of Asleep at the Wheel in front of Bob Wills original tour bus in Turkey, Texas dressed as Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. Completing the overall concept is a CD label design to look like the old 78 rpm records.