William Leon McAuliffe was born in Houston, Texas on March 1, 1917. He became very interested in playing guitar at the early age of 14. In 1933, he joined the “Light Crust Doughboys,” a Western Swing band.  After a couple of years, Leon became a member of Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys. Not long after, he wrote and recorded “Steel Guitar Rag,” which catapulted him into prominence. It is said that he simply adapted the melody from a blues guitarist by the name of Sylvester Weaver. At any rate, with Wills’ catchy introduction, “Take it away, Leon,” McAuliffe was established as one of the foremost steel guitarists in the country.

Leon McAuliffe stayed with Wills until his country called him to service in 1942. During World War II, he worked as a flight instructor. After the war, Leon decided to form his own band, which he named, “The Cimarron Boys.” The group worked on a radio station in Tulsa, Oklahoma and recorded for Columbia Records.  Leon’s “Panhandle Ray” became a Top Ten hit in 1949. He reunited with Bob Wills to put out a reunion recording in 1973. After Wills’ death, he made several personal appearances with the Wills band.

Leon McAuliffe passed away on August 20, 1988.

Dusty Owens
TCM Radio News