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December 7, 2011 newsletter

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More from the BAR-D Be a part of it all The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Six Cowboy Poetry Week Meet our Sponsor Supporters     CowboyPoetry.com and the Center are supported by a great community of generous individuals, events, and organizations. It's a small but loyal group of poets, songwriters, and others who care about preserving and promoting Western life, cowboy poetry, Western music, and associated arts. You probably know many of them. Please join them and be a part of it all.   CowboyPoetry.com has over a million annual visitors. There are nearly a thousand poets and songwriters represented. Hundreds of events have information listed. Yet, the community of supporters is small in proportion to those numbers.   Right now, we urgently need your help. Your support is vital, more than ever, in these challenging economic times. We simply can't continue to bring you the Center's programs you depend on—including CowboyPoetry.com—without your essential support.    If you value CowboyPoetry.com and the work of the Center—which includes Cowboy Poetry Week, the outreach Rural Library Project; The BAR-D Roundup CDs, the annual Western art poster, gathering information cards as well as all of the continual updates of news, features, poetry, songs, and more at CowboyPoetry.com—please join the community of supporters. Donations of any amount are valued.   Find information about all levels of support here.   You and your friends can make tax-deductible donations by mail (PO Box 330444, San Francisco, CA  94133) or by a secure, on-line credit card payment through PayPal (a PayPal account is not required):   CowboyPoetry.com is a project of The Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry, a tax-exempt non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Act. The Center seeks grants and donations from individuals, corporate entities, foundations, and private sources. Contributions to the Center are fully deductible for federal income tax purposes. The BAR-D Roundup fair market value is $15 and that amount is not deductible as a charitable contribution. As in all professional journalistic endeavors, no editorial preference is given to financial sponsors or supporters.     The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Six is the Center's sixth annual cowboy poetry compilation CD. The BAR-D Roundup CDs are compilations of vintage and contemporary recordings of some of the best cowboy poetry. A wide range of voices present tales that express this venerable art form, words that uncover "the heartbeat of the working West." This sixth annual edition of The BAR-D Roundup has several threads running through it. Among them: the passing down of traditions through generations, enduring friendships, connections, and the Lone Star state. There are several poems written by Texas poet Larry McWhorter (1957-2003). Texas singer, songwriter, and poet Andy Hedges recites Larry McWhorter's "Trilogy for Cissy." Larry McWhorter's daughter Abi McWhorter recites his poem, "Therapy." Top cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell—in a recording that he and Larry McWhorter had wanted to make and was made possible after Larry McWhorter's death through technology—recites "Cowboy, Count Yer Blessings" along with Larry McWhorter. A fine complement to that poem is the respected Buck Ramsey's (1938-1998) rendition of the traditional "Windy Bill." Additional Texas voices are heard: J.B. Allen (1938-2005), whose image is on the Cowboy Poetry Week poster in a painting by Duward Campbell, recites his poem, "The Medicine Keepers." Joel Nelson recites his tale of "The Song of the Packer" and Linda Kirkpatrick recites Berta Harte Nance's ((1883–1958) defining poem, "Cattle." Top cowboy troubadour Don Edwards lends a spoken-word piece, "The Devil's Hatband." Premier singer, songwriter, and cowboy poet Red Steagall tells his "McCorkle and the Wire." Jay Snider recites a modern classic, "The Bear Tale," by Sunny Hancock (1931-2003). Noted reciter Randy Rieman opens the CD with a fragment of "Looking Backward" by Bruce Kiskaddon (1878-1950) and Jesse Smith recites Kiskaddon's "Forgotten." Dick Morton presents Sharlot Mabridth Hall's (1870-1943) "Beyond the Range" and Jerry Brooks recites "The Old Prospector" by Charles Badger Clark, Jr. (1883-1957).  There are many additional tracks of contemporary poems, most from poets who frequently please audiences from today's gathering stages, including: Doris Daley, Elizabeth Ebert, DW Groethe, Linda M. Hasselstrom, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Sam Jackson, Carole Jarvis, Rod Miller, Jane Morton, Andy Nelson, Rodney Nelson, Pat Richardson, and Bob Schild. Every year's CD includes a radio public service announcement about the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry. This year, it is delivered by popular singer, songwriter and poet Brenn Hill. The BAR-D Roundup cover images are vintage photos of poets or their forebears. This year's cover features legendary fiddler and cowboy Frankie McWhorter (1931-2008) and his dog, Hank. Frankie McWhorter was the father of cowboy and poet Larry McWhorter (1957-2003) and grandfather of reciter Abi McWhorter. The photograph was taken in about 1986 by photographer Kris Erickson (www.hankthecowdog.com). Inside each year's CD, a contemporary ranch family photo is featured. For 2011, there's a photo of Colorado ranch family Andrea McWhorter Waitley, Frank Waitley, and Abi McWhorter, along with Sunday, a horse started by Larry McWhorter as a two-year old. Sunday, who was ridden by four generations of McWhorters, was nearly 30 when he died in 2010. Poems and permissions were generously donated by poets, musicians, families, organizations, and publishers. (Find a narrative description of the CD's contents with poem excerpts in here.)   The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Five (2010) is available, postpaid, for $20, and is offered to new and renewing supporters of the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry at the $40 level and above. Proceeds from The BAR-D Roundup support the Center. CowboyPoetry.com is a project of the Center.  You can order by mail using the form here or send $20 (check or money order in U.S. funds) per copy to: CowboyPoetry.com PO Box 330444 San Francisco, CA 94133 Postage is included for the U.S. and Canada. Add $5 US for other countries. You can also pay by a secure, on-line credit card payment (a Paypal account is not required): CowboyPoetry.com is a project of the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry, Inc. a non-profit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Act. Contributions are fully deductible for federal income tax purposes. The BAR-D Roundup fair market value is $15 and no amount of the $20 donation for its postpaid delivery is tax deductible as a charitable contribution.   There are also special bundle offers: Find order information for all previous volumes here. Those renewing their support or making a new donation at the $100 or higher level receive the 2011 edition of The BAR-D Roundup and the 2011 Cowboy Poetry Week poster. Find information about supporting the BAR-D above and here. Find more about The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Six, which includes a narrative description of the contents of the CD.   Reproduction prohibited without explicit permission, "Pilgrim" © 2005, by Duward Cambell, duwardc@yahoo.com Cowboy Poetry Week 2011, www.cowboypoetry.com   The tenth annual Cowboy Poetry Week took place April 17-23, 2011. Find a wrap-up of activities here. CowboyPoetry.com initiated Cowboy Poetry Week, and for the celebration's second year, in April 2003, the United States Senate passed a resolution, with unanimous approval, recognizing Cowboy Week. Twenty-two states' governors (and other officials) have recognized Cowboy Poetry Week, and with the involvement of poets and others, proclamations have been issued in 2011.  The Rural Library Project is an important Cowboy Poetry Week outreach activity. Each year hundreds of libraries receive the Cowboy Poetry Week original Western art poster and The BAR-D Roundup, our annual compilation CD of top classic and contemporary cowboy poetry. Find more about Cowboy Poetry Week here. We' were honored to have the work of noted Texas artist Duward Campbell and his painting, "Pilgrim," featured as the tenth annual Cowboy Poetry Week poster. "Pilgrim" is a painting of cowboy and poet J.B. Allen (1938-2005) and his horse, Pilgrim. Duward Campbell often depicts regional cowboys, and in our feature that includes examples of his art, you'll find images that include  Oklahoma rancher and poet Jay Snider;  New Mexico cowboy, singer, and songwriter Rod Taylor; and others. Posters are given to libraries as a part of the Center's Rural Library Project and are available to Center supporters at the $40 level or above. (They are not offered for sale.)  Find information about supporting the BAR-D here.   Each year, thanks to individuals, gathering organizers, and others many thousands of CowboyPoetry.com information cards are distributed at gatherings, events, and other locations. There are two new 2011 information cards: One is the image selected as the cover for the 2011 CD, The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Six. It depicts legendary fiddler and cowboy Frankie McWhorter (1931-2008) and his dog, Hank. Frankie McWhorter was the father of cowboy and poet Larry McWhorter (1957-2003) and grandfather of reciter Abi McWhorter. The photograph was taken in about 1986 by Kris Erickson (www.hankthecowdog.com):  Another features Duward Campbell's painting, "Pilgrim," chosen as the image for the 2011 Cowboy Poetry Week poster. "Pilgrim" is a painting of cowboy and poet J.B. Allen (1938-2005) and his horse, Pilgrim. The painting is also the cover of J.B. Allen's book, the circle: The reverse sides of the postcards have information about the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry and CowboyPoetry.com. Find larger views, the reverse-side text, and previous years' cards here. See a list here of gatherings, organizations, and individuals who are helping to spread the word by making CowboyPoetry.com information cards available. Help spread the word! Email us for a supply of handout postcards about CowboyPoetry.com for your event and places in your community.  Visit all of our generous Sponsor supporters:   Western Folklife Center 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 The Western Folklife Center mission is to enhance the vitality of American life through the experience, understanding, and appreciation of the diverse cultural heritage of the American West. This mission is implemented through the annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, and through performances, exhibitions, educational programs, media productions (radio and television), research, documentation, and preservation projects that celebrate the wisdom, artistry, and ingenuity of western folkways.   Ken Cook 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 Third-generation cowboy Ken Cook spends his days ranching and writing in South Dakota. He's been privileged to entertain folks at regional gatherings and as a featured performer at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Named the Academy of Western Artists 2010 Male Poet of the Year, his is an authentic voice, bringing a deep respect for past generations to cowboy poetry.   National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo 2007-2007, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 The 14th National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo, driven by the concept of "excellence through competition," takes place August 18-20, 2011 in Kanab, Utah, in conjunction with the Western Legends Roundup. The competitive event is fashioned after a stock rodeo, with an overriding goal of advancing the genre of cowboy poetry to a degree benefitting both performer and audience.   Clear Out West (C. O. W.) 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 The award-winning weekly Clear Out West (C. O. W.) Radio Show from Pinedale, Wyoming, is co-hosted by brothers Jim and Andy Nelson, aired on many stations and broadcast on demand on the web. Andy Nelson co-produces The BAR-D Roundup.   Susan Parker 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 California poet Susan Parker was "born with a cowboy soul, growing up with a love for horses, cowboys, rodeos, and all things Western." She performs her own poetry and recites contemporary and classic poetry. She has a deep interest in the "vanishing voices" of women poets of the past, and is working on a project to help preserve and present those poets' material.   Saddle Up! 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012  Saddle Up! is a celebration of the American West and one of the featured events of Pigeon Forge Winterfest each February. This award-winning festival includes entertainment presented the cowboy way, including concerts by western musicians and cowboy poets.   Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival 2007-2008, 2008-2009,  2010-2011, 2011-2012 The Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival featured the best in Western gear, food, clothing, and living history exhibits as well as outstanding performers. The 2011 event included Hot Club of Cowtown, Wylie and the Wild West, Don Edwards,  The Sons of the San Joaquin, Waddie Mitchell, Sourdough Slim, Belinda Gail, Larry Maurice, Andy Wilkinson, Andy Hedges, Chris Isaacs, the Battalion Band of California, Chuck Pyle, and many others.   Booth Western Art Museum 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 The Booth Western Art Museum, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is a 120,000 square foot museum located in Cartersville, Georgia, where guests are invited to See America’s Story through contemporary Western artwork, Presidential portraits and letters, Civil War art, and so much more. The only museum of its kind in the Southeast, Booth Museum is the second largest art museum in the state of Georgia, and houses the largest permanent exhibition space for Western art in the country. The Booth Museum sponsors the annual Southeastern Cowboy Gathering (March) and the Southeastern Cowboy Festival & Symposium (October).   Monterey Cowboy Music and Poetry Festival 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012  Founded in 1998, the 13th Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival (December 2-4, 2011) is a 501(c)3 organization that holds a popular 3-day annual Festival. The 2011 performer line-up which will include Dave Stamey, Lacy J. Dalton, Waddie Mitchell, Juni Fisher, Quebe Sisters Band, Doris Daley, Brenn Hill, Adrian, Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum, Chris Isaacs, Ray Doyle, Saddle Cats, Jim and Karen Ross, J Parson, and Cora Wood. For more information, www.montereycowboy.org.     The Western Way and the Western Music Association 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 In August 1988, a group of Western Music performers and fans met in Las Vegas to organize an association and present a festival. The Western Music Association was incorporated in 1989 and has continued to grow since then. The open membership policy encourages Western Music performers, poets and fans to join and participate in the organization to keep the musical heritage of the American West alive, from traditional trail songs, through the era of the movie cowboy, to contemporary Western song and poetry writing. The WMA Showcase & Awards Show, held annually in Albuquerque, provides the very best in Western entertainment, as well as workshops to help performers grow both professionally and personally and the opportunity to get to know each other and their fans.   Marci Broyhill 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 Marci Broyhill, Prairie Poet, grew up between Highway 20, Nebraska’s Cowboy Trail and Highway 12, Nebraska’s Outlaw Trail. She generates her prose and poetry from “been there, done that” experiences. She also visits small local historical societies; researching stories, giving voice to those who struggled to maintain their way of life or forge a new one during the Western Movement. Marci balances her presentations with information, reflection, and humor.   Jay Snider 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013  Jay Snider was born into a ranching and rodeo family in southwest Oklahoma. He stays busy raising cattle and ranch horses and team roping. Writing and reciting cowboy stories in verse since 1996, he says: "I've been researching the cowboy way for life for nearly 60 years. I felt a need to preserve some of the stories I heard from the old timers, and I wanted to try to relive some of my own experiences." Jay has appeared at many of the major cowboy gatherings.   Juni Fisher 2010-2011, 2011-2012  Recipient of the Wrangler Western Heritage Award and countless other honors, singer and songwriter Juni Fisher entertains at venues from house concerts to cowboy gatherings to the Grand Old Opry. Waddie Mitchell has called her "the best thing to happen to Western music in a long time." Keeper of the Western flame, an accomplished horsewoman and fly fishing expert, she is, as Jack Hannah has said, "one of those rare artists who has it all."   Ranch Poetry by Vince Pedroia 2010-2011  California poet Vince Pedroia (1946-2007) was a popular part of the cowboy poetry world. His web site includes his books, recording, and art. Paul Zarzyski has commented, "Vince Pedroia exhibits a multi-faceted finesse in most every tapestry of verse he weaves from the finest fleece."   Tom Morgan Art 2011-2012  Sculptor Tom Morgan has a deep rooted love for Western heritage.  He states,  "The more I reflect on the work of the Cowboy Poetry community the more I  appreciate the depth of their love for a culture that truly matters.  We all need to live more of that simplicity, character, and ethics".  Tom works from his studio in San Antonio.  He states, "I love creating the story or narrative in the work as much as I do the sculpture.  "It's about the soul in the image."   Will and Rhonda Stearns 2011-2012  Both ranch-reared in Northeastern Wyoming, Will and Rhonda are most at home on a horse, and still spend a lot of time dayworking that way. They believe the American lifeblood our anemic civilization is starving for exists in the lifestyle, principles, trappings, words and music of the ranchland. Their original poems, stories and recitation of classics reflect this reverence and authenticity, which they see as an anchor for changing times.   Yvonne Hollenbeck 2011-2012  A multi-award winner in the world of cowboy poetry, Yvonne Hollenbeck performs throughout the United States, captivating audiences in her wake. She is one of the most published cowgirl poets in the West and is not only a popular banquet and civic entertainer, but also co-writes songs with many western entertainers. In addition to her presentations of cowboy poetry, her "Patchwork of the Prairie" presentations shows her collection of family quilts, spanning 140 years, including her own prize-winning creations. Poetry about quilts and quilters is presented throughout this awesome trunk show, which is enjoyed by men and women alike.   Live with Jim Thompson 2011-2012  Award-winning broadcaster Jim Thompson's radio program, Live! with Jim Thompson, the "country café of the airwaves," airs every weekday at 1:00 PM (MT) on over 50 radio stations and live on the web. Jim Thompson's Creative Broadcast Services (CBSI) produces Live! with Jim Thompson, and other programs and events.     Find all supporters' names on the Wall of Support.   Our mission is to preserve and celebrate the arts and life of rural communities and the real working West. You, and the many poets, musicians, fans, broadcasters, gathering organizers, financial supporters, and other critical members of our community—our over 2 million annual CowboyPoetry.com visitors—inspire our mission. We're grateful for your vital participation. We're always interested in your comments, and your news. Email us. Please join us, and spread the word.

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