Help spread the word! 

Email us us for a supply of handout postcards about CowboyPoetry.com for your event. 

Two CowboyPoetry.com information postcards are available for 2010 (and some previous cards remain available).

One is the image selected as the cover for the 2010 CD, The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Five, a circa 1940 photograph of Georgie Sicking, cowboy, poet, and Cowgirl Hall of Fame Inductee. Georgie told us it was taken at a "traveling show," when she was on her first date with the man who became her husband. (CD available in April, 2010) 

Another features Bill Owen's painting, "Born to This Land," chosen as the image for the 2010 Cowboy Poetry Week poster.

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.

Thanks to the following gatherings, organizations, and individuals for helping to spread the word by making CowboyPoetry.com information cards available to date and for providing space for them:

The Heritage of the American West show; the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Saddle Up! in Pigeon Forge, Sierra Vista's Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering, Wyoming Wintercamp Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Chadron State College Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Red Rock Writers, Montana Cowboy and Ranchwomen Dinner Show, Montana Country Poets and Pickers Annual Gathering, Festival of the West, Alpine Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering, Nara Visa Cowboy Gathering, National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo, Kamloops Cowboy Gathering, Estes Park Cowboy Poetry and Music Round-Up, Wyoming's Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering, Lee Earl Memorial Scholarship Gathering, Oklahoma Cowboy Poetry and Songs, Kane County Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Dollarwatch Cowboy Show, Gila Valley Poets Spring Gathering, Idaho City Gathering, Booth Western Art Museum, Los Rios Rancho and Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Cowboy Culture Corner, Truckee Western Week and ProRodeo Cowboy Poetry and Music, Conifer Trails and Tales, Triple Creek Ranch, Eldorado Running of the Bull, Oklahoma Centennial Covered Wagon Rendezvous, Annual Reno Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering, Friends of Marty Robbins, Southwestern Idaho Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Visalia Fall Roundup, Annual Grand Union Gathering, Badger Clark Hometown Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering, Old West Days, Pinedale Roundup, Grand Junction Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Grass Valley Elks' Cowboy Poetry, Annual Gila River Heritage Round-Up, Cowboy Poetry Hootenanny, Spirit of the West, Annual Bosque County Chuckwagon Cookoff & John A. Lomax Music Festival, Annual Stony Plain Cowboy Poetry, Music & Art Gathering, and First Annual Utah, Arizona, Nevada (& Neighbors) Cowboy Poetry Gathering & "Old Timers" Get Together, First Annual Golden Spike Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival, Annual Missouri Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Boys Town Nevada, Songs, Stories, and Cowboy Poetry—Celebrating the American West, Chama Cowboy Days, South Dakota Spirit of the West, Steppin' Back Guest Ranch, Cowboy Culture Extravaganza, Them Cowboys is Headin' Downtown, Riding 4 the Brand Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Rhymers Rodeer, Missouri Cowboy Poets Association An Evening in the West, Texas Independence Day Celebration and Cowboy Gathering, Annual Tyrone Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering, Southern Oregon Farm Festival, The Very First Ojai Valley Cowboy Show, Benicia Cowboy Poetry and Music Relay for Life Benefit, and Benefit Concert for the National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy, Third Annual Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show, Rileys at Los Rios Rancho, White Mountains Roundup of Cowboy Poetry, Music and Art, San Juan Western Heritage Festival, East Texas Wild West Fest, Open Range Magazine Cowboy Dinner Show, Them Cowboys is Trailin' North, Permian Basin Poetry Society, Cowboy Boot Camp, Wild West Days at Rough Cut,   Annual Columbia Gorge Cowboy Gathering, Campfire Tales at the Ft. Worth Stock Show, Texas Crossroads Cowboy Poetry Gathering, KBHB radio, Vinton Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Scofield's Cowboy Campfire at Red Mule Ranch, Pincher Creek Cowboy Gathering, Durango Cowboy Gathering, and Annual Bear Lake Cowboy Gathering; and Tom Morgan, Jeri Dobrowski, Smoke Wade, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Susan Parker, Ken Cook, Linda Kirkpatrick, DW Groethe, Gwen Petersen, Janice Coggin, Sandi and Jay Snider, Nika Nordbrock, Karen Neurohr, Jo Lynne Kirkwood, Lauralee Northcott, Kathy and Van Criddle, Doris Daley, Tex Tumbleweed, Laurali Noteman, Alfred Janssen, Hal Swift, Diane Tribitt, Ann Blackford, Doc Stovall, Bobbie Hunter, Jim Hawkins, Al Mehl, Don Hilmer, Geff Dawson, Mick Vernon, PJ and Dallas McCord, Carla Bell, Jim Runge, Tom Cole, Linda Record, Cheryl Park, Lowell Moore, Jon Chandler, Jerry Brooks, Juanita Buckley, Almeda Terry, Ronna Lee Sharpe, Laura and Tony Argento, Sr., Ralph Smith, Steve Conroy, Donnette Engebrecht, Fred Liese, Harlo Birkholz, Mark McMillan, Beth Bender, Kay Duke, Jackson Mackenzie, Francie Ganje, Pat Richardson, Sam Jackson, Stan Tixier, Tom Weatherby, Jennie Cummings, Maryanne Patterson, Mike Moutoux, Cimmaron Sue and Nevada Slim, Ted Flaum, Rick Nagle, Christopher Martinez, Janice Gilbertson, Cass Swanson, Jan Billups, Thayne Beard, Larry Krause, Kathryn Trigg, Bill Henderson, Don Collop, Mark Miller, Sally Smith, Laurel Paulson-Pierce, Terri Taylor (STAMPEDE!), Woody Woodruff, Pete Kennedy, Mikki Dennis, Joe Baker, Kathy Barlow, Diane Tribitt, Paul R. Hirdler, Denise Keary, Gari Merendino, Stephen McFadden, Rose Sanders, Jo Baeza, Doc Davis, Clark Crouch, Larry Krause, Kat Copeland, Jim Moore, Shawn Gannon, Duane Nelson, Jim Cardwell, Cindy Quiqley, Buck Helton, Bob Kinford, Betty Ramelli, Steven Spalding, Thomas Scofield, Martyn Hill, Linda Mannix, and Arden Gailey.

Email us if you or your event should be on this list, and if you'd like a supply of cards.

Email us for a free supply for your event, shop, or places in your community that would welcome the information.

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Below:

September 2010
October 2010
November 2010
December 2010

January 2011
February 2011

Venues with Monthly and Multiple Dates
 

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September, 2010

See our complete Events list here
 

Below are announcements we've received for forthcoming events from the event organizers...

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September 5, 2010
Devils Tower 16th Annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering   Devils Tower National Park, Wyoming 

From Robert Dennis:
 

September 5, 2010 at 1 to 4 pm.

Bonnie Krogman, Paul Larsen, Marty Blocker and Robert Dennis.

Come with a picnic basket and set in the shade and enjoy the afternoon.

Visit the Devils Tower site: http://www.nps.gov/deto

Posted 8/25

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September 9-11, 2010
Banning Stagecoach Days  Banning, California

From the organizers:

Banning Stagecoach Days

September 9 thru 11

• Parade
• Rodeo
• Blacksmith Competition
• Wild West Shot Outs and Re-enactors
• Cowboy Poetry and Music
• Cowboy Church

http://www.banningstagecoachdays.com/

Posted 3/11

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September 10-11, 2010
6th Annual Max Walker Memorial Cowboy Gathering  Enterprise, Oregon
a part of the Annual Hells Canyon Mule Days celebration
 

From Sondra Lozier:

Hells Canyon Mule Days
Max Walker Memorial Cowboy Gathering - 2010

Local and visiting cowboy poets and musicians are on the line-up for the Hells Canyon Mule Days Max Walker Memorial Cowboy Gathering on Friday night September10th starting at 6:30 pm, at the Wallowa County Fair Grounds in Enterprise, Oregon.

The opening for the show will be Cowboys from the Canyon, a celebration of memories of the many folks that lived in Hells Canyon on the Snake River.

Smoke Wade from Mesquite, Nevada, will head up the evening show with his poetry and western nostalgia of storytelling. You can sit and listen to cowboy tales and also enjoy some toe-tapping tunes. The evening line-up includes, Jim Aason, Andy Bales, J.B. Barber, Peggy Brennan, Daniel Hall, Bill Henke, The Prairie Creek Girls, Alisha Young, and six-year- old Bailey Vernam on the fiddle.

The Gathering is guaranteed to be an evening that is fun for the whole family. There isn’t admission charged for attending the Gathering, but suggested donations of $5.00 for adults will be accepted to support the Max Walker Memorial Scholarship Fund, so look for the big five gallon cowboy hats and dig deep into your pockets to support this worthwhile cause.

Also, on Saturday afternoon there will be a Gathering at 2:30 pm till 4:00 pm in the Exhibitors Barn. So stop by and enjoy some traditional cowboy music and western poetry from some of the best entertainers from near and far...

For more information contact HCMD Gathering Co-Chairman:

Andy Bales - 253-303-2953 or e-mail mulesareus@msn.com
Alisha Young - 541-398-1303 or e-mail ayoung@communitybanknet.com 
Visit Hells Canyon Mule Days - www.hellscanyonmuledays.com 

______________________________________________________________________________

Max Walker was one who wore many hats during his twenty years of involvement with the Hells Canyon Mule Days event. He, along with Bob Casey, Jerry Winegar, Jerry Perren, and a handful of other locals, were the Founding Fathers and Mothers of this annual event.

Max was the driving force behind the scenes as well as main stage each year during the event. He was the first chairman of Hells Canyon Mule Days and acted in that capacity for many years. He also provided initial financing for the event. Besides being a contestant in the events, he and his wife Marcel and their mules were the official escort for many Hells Canyon Mule Days Grand Marshals over the years. The Walkers were honored as Grand Marshals of Mule Days in1992.

Max was a avid sportsman and loved to hunt, fish, hike and camp, but telling his famous hunting stories was his favorite pastime. The Snake River area and the Wallowa Mountains were among his favorite places. An expert at shoeing horses and mules, many livestock owners sought out his excellent services.

The Max Walker Memorial Fund was established in 2005 by Hells Canyon Mule Days, Inc. in the memory and honor of the late Max Walker. The Scholarship Grants are funded through the Hells Canyon Mule Days event, the Max Walker family, and donations from individuals who want to remember Max Walker and contribute to a Wallowa County student’s education.

Posted 8/17

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September 11, 2010
Scofield's Cowboy Campfire at Red Mule Ranch  Fiddletown, California
 

Ron and Marie Scofield are your hosts for an evening of old-time cowcamp entertainment under the stars at the Red Mule Ranch in Fiddletown, California. Enjoy a chuck wagon tri-tip dinner and cowboy music, poetry, and story telling in an 1880s setting. In addition to Ron's traditional brand of old cowboy standards, special guest performers contribute their unique style of western wit, wisdom, satire, and song.

Sept 11 - Old West Trio and Mark Twain
 

Dinner is served at 6:30pm. Entertainment begins at 7:30pm with a break for intermission and dessert. After lots of music and poetry, it's "Happy Trails" around 10pm.

Total event cost per person is $45

Scofield's Cowboy Campfire, P.O. Box 12, Fiddletown CA 95629; cowboycampfire@gmail.com; (209)-296-4519  www.scofieldscowboycampfire.com

Posted 2/22

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September 12, 2010
Afternoon at the Bunkhouse  Soap Lake, Washington

From Jessica Hedges:

Jessica Hedges, Dawn Nelson, Ron Tebow, and Coyote Joe Sartin invite you to join them for an Afternoon at the Bunkhouse, a cowboy poetry and music performance on Sunday, September 12, 2010 from 3 to 5pm at the historic Masquers Theater in Soap Lake, Washington.

Event sponsored by Notaras Lodge and The Purple Coyote. Beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets are $12 at the door.

For more information, please contact Jessica Hedges at 775-397-4420, jessica@jessicahedgescowboypoetry.com, or Dawn Nelson at 509-636-2343.

Posted 8/2

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September 11, 2010
Deaver Festival 2010  Deaver, Wyoming

From Rose Wenstrom:

First Annual Arts Festival in Deaver, Wyoming, September 11, 2010, from 8 am to 9 pm. 

Free to the public! 

Includes Farmer’s Market; artists; crafters; vendors; food vendors;  live music performances all day; Volunteer Fire Dept open house and fundraiser; 9/11 Commemoration;  Cowboy Poetry Round-up; Children’s Storytime Tales; Historical characters and re-enactments; children’s art workshops; Barn Dance from 5-9 pm. 

A community festival to celebrate local talent, to bring talent into our community from other areas, and provide family fun all day! 

Come explore the creativity among us!  www.deaverfestival.com

Posted 6/8

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September 17, 2010
Mavericks Coffee House  Visalia, California
 

From Gary Brown:  

Mavericks Coffee House & Roasting Company
Exclusive Venue for Cowboy Poetry & Music
 

** September 17 - THE HANNAH BOYS (Sons of the San Joaquin) in a rare all-gospel show featuring songs from their GOSPEL TRAILS album and others. $40 This show featuring our favorite trio will sell out quickly so order now.

All shows at 7 PM. Tickets go on sale 30 days prior to the concert date. For tickets call 559 624-1400. Mavericks Coffee House & Roasting Company is located at 238 E. Caldwell Avenue, Visalia, CA 93277

Find information for other 2010 shows below.

Updated 8/16
 

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September 17-18, 2010
13th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo   Montrose, Colorado

San Juan Western Heritage Festival   Montrose, Colorado
 

From the organizations' joint media release, July 12, 2010:

The 13^th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo returns to Montrose, Colorado, September 17-18, 2010. Held in conjunction with the San Juan Western Heritage Festival, events take place at the historic Turn of the Century Saloon, 117 North 4th Street. Along with the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo, the Festival will feature  live entertainment—including a Saturday evening show by top singer and songwriter Brenn Hill. 

 

The purpose of the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo is “Excellence through competition.” The announcer will, once again, be the well-known cowboy poet and events organizer Smoke Wade. The judging team will be led by 13-year National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo veteran, the one and only “Prairie Pastor,” Ed Nesselhuf and include Darrell Arnold, poet, author, photographer, and long-time editor and publisher of Cowboy magazine; the notoriously funny and talented cowgirl poet, Sam DeLeeuw; one of Western America’s most admired cowgirl poets and author, artist, and teacher Jo Lynne Kirkwood; and the man who started the Western Legends Roundup, one of Americas premier Western festivals, Dennis Judd. 

 

This year the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo takes on an international flavor with cowboy poets from 12 states, Canada and Australia competing for approximately $6000.00 in prize money, silver buckles, trophies and a year's worth of bragging rights. Poets compete, on stage, in a stock rodeo format. With numbers on their backs, judges, and a rodeo announcer, the poets spur their "rides," (their poems) as they compete in 9 different events, giving each contestant a golden opportunity to see how they really stack up against their peers. There will be a Friday night show featuring cowboy poets and musical acts.

 

Saturday, September 18, the top 50 percent of the competing cowboy poets advance to the final round. Following the finals, a Cowboy Poetry Shoot-out will be held, as top ranked cowboy poets compete for the title, "Best in the West." Poets interested in registering for the NCPR may contact Sam Jackson,  last2camp@kanab.net  (435) 644-5459 or (435) 899-1100.

 

A headliner and awards show will take place on Saturday evening featuring the winners of the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo along with popular western singer and songwriter, Brenn Hill.

 

While in Montrose, poets and families will enjoy the Western Colorado Experience, which includes Black Canyon; Ute Indian Museum; Western History Museum; Ouray—“the Switzerland of America”; and other attractions. Many will take home memories and local products from historic downtown Montrose.

 

The San Juan Healthcare Foundation is the major sponsor and the fundraiser proceeds will go to the Caring Friends Fund for patients at the San Juan Cancer Center. 

Roster, as of August 2, 2010:

JB Barber—Genesee, Idaho
Branden Brian—Loa, Utah
Caib Brian—Loa, Utah
Cathy Brian—Loa, Utah
JV Brummels, Wayne, Nebraska
Scott Bumgardner---Houston Texas
Jim Cathey,—Marlin, Texas
Byrl Keith Chadwell—Baker City, Oregon
Jan M. Corey—Mesa, Arizona
Betty Wolf Duncan—Runnells, Iowa
Del Gustafson—Duval, Washington
Paul Harris—Rociada, New Mexico
Dennis L. Hunter—Grand Junction, Colorado
Keven Inman—Graham, Washington
Doug Keller—Kanab, Utah
Mark Kerr—Ivins, Utah
Suzie Knight—Evergreen, Colorado
Toni McGuire—Bruneau, Idaho
Dick Morton—Mesa, Arizona
Jane Morton—Mesa, Arizona
Dale Page—Monrovia, Indiana
Steve Porter—Fountain Inn, South Carolina
David Proust—Forrest Beach, Queensland, Australia
Joe Ryden—Greeley, Colorado
Bryan (B.J.) Smith—Diamond City, Alberta, Canada
Keith Ward—Vilas, North Carolina
C.R. Wood—Elsinore, Utah
 

If you are interested in signing up or for more information, please contact:

Sam Jackson
Producer, National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo
4675 E. Vermillion Ave.
Kanab Utah, 84741
 

(435) 644-5446 evenings

644-5444 days

899-1100 anytime (just about)

last2camp@kanab.net

 

From Sam Jackson, May 18, 2010:

Howdy Bard Pards (and other interested folks),  

 

Four months from tonight we’ll be sitting in the Turn of the Century Saloon in beautiful down town Montrose Colorado, as our favorite emcee,  Mr. Smoke Wade, introduces poets and musicians who will be entertaining at the Saturday night Headliner Show and I will be handing out trophies and checks for over $6,000 to the Rodeo winners.

 

The Turn of the Century Saloon is located in beautiful downtown Montrose Colorado just West of highway 50, only a couple of blocks from the main business district.  It is an absolutely magnificent Western facility that will add an authentic “Old West” atmosphere to our event. 

 

Don’t have a “hard” schedule as yet, but in general, beginning around 1 PM Thursday at the Saloon, riders can pick up their welcome packets and join in a workshop, after which, we will draw for “Ride Times” followed by an evening, NCPR hosted, “Get acquainted” party, catered by Pine Cone catering. 

 

The Rodeo’s first go-round will start Friday morning at 8 AM sharp, running until around 5, followed by a Friday night show featuring NCPR talent.

 

Saturday morning, same start schedule for the second go-round followed by the “Shoot-out,” the day ending end with the Saturday night Headliner show, once again showcasing the rodeo winners along with some musical talents. 

 

Sunday morning at am, Cowboy church, (location TBD)

 

The San Juan Western Heritage Festival will have their booths and other entertainment events located on the property along side the Saloon facilities. We should end up with an event enjoyable for the entire family and community.

 

Best regards from yer ol’ (and getting’ ol’er) corral boss, 

Sammy Jackson  

 

PS: Take a look at these web sites and the Black Canyon Motel is giving us discount rates again this year.

 

http://www.pineconeunlimited.com/turn1.html

http://www.turnofthecenturysaloon.com/

http://www.blackcanyonmotel.com

 

PPS:  Questions? e-mail or give me a call at (435) 899-1100, 644-5444 (days) or 644-5459 (evenings)

 

Find more information about the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo in our feature here.

Updated 8/2

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September 17-19, 2010
Ninth Annual Spirit of the West  Sioux Falls, South Dakota  
 

From Cass Swenson:

Spirit of the West Festival

September 17-19, 2010

Cowboy Entertainment, Arena events, Horses, Period and Modern vendors, Chuck Wagons, Dutch oven cooking, re enactments, cowboy church, cavalry and military drills, music, poetry, hands on history...and more!

www.spiritofthewestfestival.com 

Exciting events for the 9th Annual Sioux Falls Spirit of the West Festival:

BREAKING NEWS:

“The Gentlemen of Old Deadwood, LLC” are coming back! This group loved the Spirit of the West Festival SO much last year, they requested to perform again! This is a professional re-enactment group, and will be performing their legendary and historically accurate “Trial of Jack McCall” both Saturday and Sunday at the Festival and stage historically accurate street gun fights both days as well. They are ‘backed’ by their own band “The Dover Brothers”, which includes a mandolin and guitar player, washboard & spoons and wash tub/stand up bass players! These performers have been in numerous TV and movie roles, and have been on HBO, History Channel, PBS and numerous cable and local TV programs.

The exciting part about this is that this play has only been performed outside of Deadwood once, and that was here at the Spirit of the West last year! If you have not had the opportunity to go out west and enjoy this great show, come see the encore performance as the Festival brings the Streets of Old Deadwood to the Fields of North Sioux Falls!

Both the play and the gunfights are high on audience involvement, and true to the nature of the Spirit of the West Festival, especially involved the children. The audience will be the jury and witnesses in the Trial which includes humor and constant improv while restating the true facts of historical events. The street shootouts also include a “swearing in” of all present “little Deadwood deputies” by Old Marshal May with a quick gun safely demonstration by Lame Johnny. Strict in safety, the Gunslinger performances always use ‘blanks’ or ‘cereal loads’ in their performance guns. See www.spiritofthewestfestival.com for schedule of the activities out at the show.


(NOTE: Photos of the “Gentlemen of Old Deadwood, LLC are available at www.deadwood.org. Click on “Photo Gallery” and then “Attractions.” Choose “Gunfighters” for shoot out pics or “The Trial of Jack McCall” for actors and the band.


NEW MUSICAL PERFORMERS:

Greg Hager, a Nashville, TN recording artist from Valley City, North Dakota will be bringing his songs about life, love and living to the Festival this year. He performed at the South Dakota State Fair and the Casey Tibbs Museum Grand Opening in 2009 and looks forward to bringing his unique and original cowboy music back to South Dakota. See his website http://www.greghager.com for more information.

The Yoders of Sumner, TX will be sharing their cowboy campfire music on the Festival stages this year as well. Laurinda plays mandolin and sings country and gospel is accompanied by her fiddle playing husband, Eran. You are certain to enjoy these wonderful new entertainers.


MOVIE STARS:

Stars of the cowboy era big screen will again walk the "streets" of the Spirit of the West Festival September 17-19, 2010 Robert Fuller, Ty Hardin, William Smith, Ed Faulkner, James Stacey and Peter Brown will be signing autographs and selling memoirs of their movie days at the Festival. Revel in the days of when the good guys wore white hats and good always triumphed over evil as you visit with these old cowboy heroes of the big screen.


RETURNING:

Sherwin and Pam Linton and the Cotton Kings will again grace the Main Stage of the Festival, reviving those great old western classics. Known as “Mid America’s Country Music Legend” and a “Nationally Unknown Superstar”, Linton and the Cotton Kings have been thrilling the music world since 1957—and are most proud to have NEVER missed a concert date in all those years! Linton has rubbed elbows with some of country music's greatest, and has been instrumental in launching more than one youngster’s careers in music. He will be sharing his own tunes, as well as those of Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Marty Robbins and more at Spirit of the West—see www.spiritofthewestfestival.com for his playing times.

Local Artist Amanda Swenson will also be returning, along with Ron and Jane Cote, Luverne, MN cowboy musicians. Donnie Miller and the Dover Brothers will also be featured on stage for your listening pleasure.

The Re-enactment area will feature World Champion whip cracker, Adam Winrich and gun spinner Garrett Popek with their amazing demonstrations and comedy routines. The Silver Creek Mavericks and Old West Society will join the Gentlemen of Old Deadwood with stories and plays from the Old West itself. Rope Spinner Mike Wooldridge from Florida will return with his sidekick, Cow Patty, and their one of kind humorous sideshows!

Spirit of the West would not be complete without Brian and Paula Bausch of New Mexico and their fabulous trick horses…join them as they perform and entertain all three days of the Festival.

The Bausch’s will also compete in the Arena Shooting Events and Wild West Shows complete with the Tribute to the American Cowboy and our Veterans. The 7th Cavalry and other horse exhibitions will be scheduled throughout the weekend.


MORE NEWS: West River Author and Cowboy, Mel Anderson, will again be present at the Festival. Mel and with his wife Dorothy, will be promoting and signing his books, including his latest: Wild Places – Wide Apart. This is Mel’s fourth book preserving the stories, history and lives of the men and women from our South Dakota past…folks who came looking for a new life after the Civil Way, settling the ‘wild’ and staking a claim to ‘free land’. Mel’s matter-of-fact, humorous style of writing keeps readers engaged page after page.

Unique to this book, Mel chose James Patrick of Watertown, SD to illustrate the stories he remembered from his youth. James holds a bachelors degree in Fine Arts, and could have made his mark on the world with his own paintings and writing, but instead found his calling as a renowned wainwright, researching and building from scratch or restoring historically accurate wagons. He often completes custom work for Hansen Wheel and Wagon out of Letcher, SD. He takes his personal Peter Schuttler Chuck Wagon to competitions and cooking events across the country. He and his wagon will be set up in close proximity to Mel Anderson at the Spirit of the West Festival September 17-19, both available for story telling and book signing all three days of the Festival. Come out any of the three days of the show and sit a spell and visit with Mel and James, have your books signed and sample some of James’ award winning chuck wagon vittles.


The Festival will be hosting its 6th Annual Cook Offs with Chuck Wagons from across the Midwest competing for $3,000 on Saturday, followed by Sunday’s Public Dutch Oven Cook Off. Come and watch—or come and cook and take home your share of the fabulous prizes from our great sponsors. New this year is the American Chuck Wagon Society will be hosting a chuck wagon clinic at 2pm on Friday at the Festival if you have ever had the desire to learn more about chuck wagons and dutch oven cooking. There is a charge for the clinic, but it includes ACWA membership and an evening meal. Paid Clinic participants may enter the festival grounds for free after 1:00pm. The clinic will be ran by a few of the founders of the ACWA coming all the way up from Texas for this event.

These are all great additions to an already exciting Western Festival. Hosting its 9th Annual Event, Spirit of the West continues to get bigger and better, winning honors and awards across the country, most recently being chosen again as America’s Best Heritage Festival by American Cowboy Magazine, among several other honors. Often cited as a "vacation destination," Spirit offers something for all ages with its unique vendors, fast arena action, cowboy vittles from Dutch ovens and chuck wagons, plays and music. Join us for the day or the weekend…you’re sure to find your cowboy spirit, if only for the day. SPIRIT OF THE WEST FESTIVAL…FUN FOR THE LITTLE BUCKAROO ‘N YOU! www.spiritofthewestfestival.com or call 605-334-9202 for more information.

Posted 8/25

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September 19, 2010
Western Music Association California Chapter Jam and Meeting at the Autry National Center  Los Angeles, California

See information below.

Posted 2/4

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September 25, 2010
Maricopa Butterfield House Concert Series   Maricopa, Arizona

From Nancy Ruybal:

Going into our 5th season starting September, 2010, we are looking to build the audience even further by bringing in some altogether new performers to our series, even stepping out a little further into the acoustic world.

For those of you who have not been to the new location, it seems folks are really enjoying it. Some arrive early to take photos and a bit of a walk before the shows. There is a barn being built and we hope to have it performance ready by September. The bay under the house is very nice, but, the barn will lend a special ambiance that only a barn can.

Please call ahead to let us know you are coming, especially if you have never attended one of our events before. We want to make sure we have plenty of seats and the right amount of coffee brewing! You might discover there is a trail ride or BBQ associated with the concert!

September 25, 2010  Ted Ramirez www.borderlandartists.com

The public is welcome and invited to attend these delightfully intimate presentations.

Performers and artists with related work are encouraged to contact us by e-mail or by phone: katycreek@gmail.com; 520.705.5901; www.katycreek.com/houseconcerts.htm

Find other dates below.

Posted 6/10

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September 25, 2010
Vinton Cowboy Poetry Show   Vinton, California

From Laurel Paulson-Pierce:

Vinton Cowboy Poetry Show, Saturday September 25, 2010
Sierra Valley Grange Hall, 92202 Hwy 70, Vinton, CA, 96135
(near the junction of Hwy 70 and Hwy 49, 30 miles from Reno)

Shows at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Show tickets $18, $6 for kids 12 and under

With BBQ Country Rib dinner from 4-7 for $12, $6 for kids 12 and under

Reserved tickets and info....send check (made out to Sierra Valley Grange) to Betty Ramelli, P.O.B.15, Vinton, CA, 96135 (specify which show time you prefer)

Performers: Hanson Family Singers
Poets: Joe Herrington and Newell Mills from Fallon, Nevada

For more infol: bramelli@gotsky.com

Posted 8/19

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September 25, 2010
"Not JUST Cowboy Poetry" at Emandal near Willits, California

From Tamara Adams:

Saturday, September 25, 2010

3pm at Emandal

Not JUST Cowboy Poetry

To benefit the Western Folklife Center, Elko, Nevada

Featuring

• Stephanie Davis

• Doris Daley

• Richard Chon and The Saddle Cats

$20/person or $25 at the gate

Come early to swim and/or picnic; bring blankets or chairs

Limited VIP Tickets:  $125

(Nibbles and drinks during the show; preferred seating; dinner with artists after)

 

Overnight Accommodations available:  $175

(Cabin, dinner, show, brunch)

 

Reservations:  707-459-9252 or cowboypoetry@emandal.com

More info:  www.emandal.com/CowboyPoetry/

 

16500 Hearst Post Office Road
Willits, CA 95490

Posted 8/24

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September 30, 2010
"This One's for the Cowboys" Philip, South Dakota

From Laura O'Connor:

Cowboy Poetry and Music Show
"This One's For The Cowboys"

Featuring Kevin Davis, Jay Snider, and Ken Cook.

Kevin's singing and songwriting has been enjoyed by audiences across the United States, including a trip to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jay holds the honor of 2008 Academy of Western Artists' Cowboy Poet of the Year and Ken is currently Lariat Laureate at CowboyPoetry.com.

All three of these cowboys have performed at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada.

Proceeds from the show will be used to help fund the Philip High School music students' trip to New York City as well as the drama department. Make plans to join us for an unforgettable evening of cowboy entertainment:

Thursday, September 30, 2010
Legion Hall
Philip, SD
Showtime: 6:30 pm.
$10.00 Tickets

*Tickets will be available at the door as well as at local businesses. Businesses in Philip that will have tickets for sale include Philip Livestock Auction, Jones’ Saddlery Bottle and Vet Supply, First National Bank, Cabin Fever Floral, and Farm Bureau Insurance. Tickets are also being sold by drama students and members of the senior class.

**Call the high school at 605-859-2680 for information.

Updated 9/2

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September 30-October 3, 2010
22nd Annual Durango Cowboy Gathering  Durango, Colorado 

From Linda Mannix:

22nd ANNUAL DURANGO COWBOY POETRY GATHERING FEATURES RED STEAGALL September 30th in Durango, Colorado

One of America's favorite cowboy poets, musician and storytellers is Red Steagall from Ft. Worth, Texas. He will be the featured performer at the 22nd annual Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Durango, Colorado. (visit www.durangocowboypoetrygathering.org for complete schedule).

Steagall will play with his back-up band "The Boys in the Bunkhouse" at a special performance on Thursday September 30th. Known for not only his music, Steagall is a master storyteller and avid preservationist of the cowboy culture. He has been featured on NBC's Music Country USA and hosts his own weekly radio show, The Cowboy Corner.

The Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering always features top cowboy poets, musicians and artists. It is held in the Historic Strater Hotel in downtown Durango where Louis L'Amour used to stay. The Gathering will be September 30th through October 3rd 2010. Besides Steagall, shows will include Dave Stamey, Chris Isaacs, Belinda Gail, Bill Barwick, Juni Fisher and about 45 other cowboy entertainers.

Highlights of the weekend include a special Cowboy Poet Train on the DSNGRR and a Cowboy Poet Trailride with Rapp Corral. Poets will entertain in every car of the DSNGRR as the train makes a special run to Cascade Canyon. On the Trailride, poets and guests ride horseback with a stop along the trail to listen to the poets stories. Barbecue lunch is included in both the Train Ride and Trail Ride.

The Cowboy Parade on Saturday morning is a town favorite. Known as a "motorless" parade, every entry must be horsedrawn, mounted, or on foot. No motorized vehicles are allowed. It goes down Main street of Durango and the town returns to the heritage of yesteryear as horses are tied up outside the Diamond Belle Saloon, just as it must've looked in 1881.

Western art is represented in many local galleries with featured openings at Sorrel Sky Gallery, Toh-Atin Gallery, Open Shutter Gallery, Goodnight Trail Gallery and new this year, the RainDance Gallery. The weekend wraps up on Sunday morning with an inspirational show of poetry and music called "A Cowboy and His Creator." Many events are free and all shows are family oriented.

The Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering is considered a highlight among events in the fall season of Colorado. Be sure to make reservations early as the town will be full of folks wearing cowboy boots and hats. For a complete schedule go to www.durangocowboypoetrygathering.org or call 970-749-2995.

Make your reservations early for this spectacular fall weekend in Durango Colorado. - Tickets and complete Gathering information can be found at www.durangocowboypoetrygathering.org  or by calling 970-749-2995.

- Room reservations and local information can be obtained at the Chamber of - Commerce website - www.durango.org. 

- Tickets for Red Steagall can be ordered at www.durangoconcerts.com. 

- Reservations for the Cowboy Poet Train can be made at www.durangotrain.com or by calling 1-888-872-4607.

- The Cowboy Poet Trailride is limited to 15 riders and reservations can be made by calling Rapp Corral at 970-259-2402.

The evening poetry shows sold out last year, so get your ticket order in early. The Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering is one of the biggest events of the fall in Durango and is a wonderful time to enjoy the fall colors in Colorado.

Posted 5/11
 

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October, 2010

See our complete Events list here
 

Below are announcements we've received for forthcoming events from the event organizers...

---

October 2, 2010
5th Annual Pinedale Cowboy Roundup   Pinedale, Wyoming
 

From Andy Nelson:

The entertainment has been set for the fifth annual Pinedale Cowboy Roundup (PCR) and you will want to make plans early to attend this year.

In keeping with the tradition of bringing in only the world's best cowboy performers, the PCR is proud to announce this year's headliners: Gary McMahan, Rodney Nelson, Ernie Sites, Jim and Karen Ross, and Jesse Smith.

Event Date and Time:

Saturday October 2, 2010, 7:00 PM

Location:

Pinedale High School Auditorium101 East Hennick, Pinedale WY. Turn north on Sublette Street and go to the end.

Ticket Information:

Tickets are available at the Cowboy Shop in Pinedale, at the door, or by calling (307) 367-6710

For a Great Cause:

All proceeds are donated every year to the Small Miracles Foundation and Kickin' Cancer in Sublette County.

Event logo by Pat Richardson.

Posted 5/12

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October 3, 2010
Fourth Annual Cowboy Poetry and Music Show   Martin, South Dakota
 

From Ken Cook:

Martin, South Dakota PEO Chapter CV is proud to announce their 4th Annual Cowboy Poetry and Music Show, "This One's For The Cowboys."

Featuring award-winning singer and songwriter Kevin Davis riding on stage with 2008 Academy of Western Artists' Cowboy Poet of the Year Jay Snider. Current CowboyPoetry.com Lariat Laureate Ken Cook and popular broadcaster, rodeo announcer, and emcee Jim Thompson of Live! with Jim Thompson will round out our cowboy crew.

This lineup of performers has all the makings for a great afternoon of entertainment, so please plan on joining us:

Sunday Oct 3, 2010
Inland Theatre, Main Street
Martin, South Dakota

Showtime: 2 pm.

$12.00 Tickets

Advance tickets can be purchased by contacting 605-685-6749.

Posted 7/19

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October 3, 2010
22nd Annual Alzada Cowboy Poetry, Art & Music Show   Alzada, Montana

From Chris Maupin:

The twenty-second Annual Alzada Cowboy Poetry, Music and Art Show will be held on Sunday, October 3 at the Alzada Community Hall in Alzada, Montana.

Five people will be featured at the event along with over thirty other performers and artists. The featured poet is Kip Sorlie, Winfred, SD. The special artists to be showcased are Brandon Arpan, Rapid City, SD and Charles Maupin, Hulett, WY. Musicians who will be featured are Sus Clark, Hulett, WY and Milo Dailey, Belle Fourche, SD.

The theme for the show, which was started to celebrate the Montana Centennial, will center on acorns and oak trees.

Arpan and Maupin were only three-years old when the show was started in 1989 and have helped their parents and grandparents with many chores concerning the show. Arpan serves in the United States Air Force and Maupin recently graduated from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, SD and is employed as an engineer in Belle Fourche, SD.

The building opens at 10 a.m. for viewing of the artwork. The free program of poetry and music begins at 1 p.m. The Alzada Community Club that sponsors the event will serve lunch all day.

Anyone interested in performing or showing artwork are asked to contact Gay Arpan, (406) 828-4517or Chris Maupin (307-467-5260).

Each poet, musician or musical group may do two selections. Artwork may include paintings in any medium, photographs, leatherwork, sculptures, needlework, quilts, woodwork or other art projects

Posted 8/30
 

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October 9, 2010
2nd Annual Whistle Stop Ranch Fall Cowboy Roundup  Acton, California

From Bob Mann, Big Hat Productions www.bighatonline.com: 
 

2nd Annual Whistle Stop Ranch Fall Cowboy Roundup
October 9, Saturday
Acton, California

Again this year, in association with Mike and Paulette Tcherkassky, we are happy to present the 2nd Annual Whistle Stop Ranch Fall Cowboy Roundup in Acton, California.

Dave Stamey, Gary Robertson and Michael Tcherkassky

Sponsored by OutWest Marketing in Old Town Newhall

Bring your friends and join us again this year for some cowboy grub and great entertainment at Mike & Paulette Tcherkassky's Whistle Stop Ranch.

www.bighatonline.com

Posted 5/20

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October 17, 2010
Western Music Association California Chapter Jam and Meeting at the Autry National Center  Los Angeles, California

See information below.

Posted 2/4

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October 30, 2010
Maricopa Butterfield House Concert Series   Maricopa, Arizona

From Nancy Ruybal:

Going into our 5th season starting September, 2010, we are looking to build the audience even further by bringing in some altogether new performers to our series, even stepping out a little further into the acoustic world.

For those of you who have not been to the new location, it seems folks are really enjoying it. Some arrive early to take photos and a bit of a walk before the shows. There is a barn being built and we hope to have it performance ready by September. The bay under the house is very nice, but, the barn will lend a special ambiance that only a barn can.

Please call ahead to let us know you are coming, especially if you have never attended one of our events before. We want to make sure we have plenty of seats and the right amount of coffee brewing! You might discover there is a trail ride or BBQ associated with the concert!

October 30, 2010      Gary Allegretto www.myspace.com/harmonicowboy

The public is welcome and invited to attend these delightfully intimate presentations.

Performers and artists with related work are encouraged to contact us by e-mail or by phone: katycreek@gmail.com; 520.705.5901; www.katycreek.com/houseconcerts.htm

Find other dates below.

Posted 6/10

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November, 2010

See our complete Events list here
 

Below are announcements we've received for forthcoming events from the event organizers...

---

November 6, 2010
Mavericks Coffee House  Visalia, California
 

From Gary Brown:  

Mavericks Coffee House & Roasting Company
Exclusive Venue for Cowboy Poetry & Music
 

November 6, Sat. TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS - An increasingly popular harmony group from Southern California. This will be their fist visit to Mavericks. $30.
 

All shows at 7 PM. Tickets go on sale 30 days prior to the concert date. For tickets call 559 624-1400. Mavericks Coffee House & Roasting Company is located at 238 E. Caldwell Avenue, Visalia, CA 93277

Find information for other 2010 shows below.

Updated 5/26
 

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November 21, 2010
Western Music Association California Chapter Jam at the Autry National Center  Los Angeles, California

See information below.

Posted 2/4

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November 27, 2010
4th Annual Columbia Gorge Cowboy Gathering  The Dalles, Oregon

From Duane Nelson:

The 4th Annual Columbia Gorge Cowboy Gathering, The Dalles, Oregon, will be held on November 27, 2010.

Artists will include: Horse Crazy, Doris Daley, and Juni Fisher.

For more information, contact: Duane Nelson or Lori Campanella @ backatthe@hotmail.com.

Posted 1/6

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December, 2010

See our complete Events list here
 

Below are announcements we've received for forthcoming events from the event organizers...

---

December 4, 2010
Maricopa Butterfield House Concert Series   Maricopa, Arizona

From Nancy Ruybal:

Starting our fifth season in September, 2010, we are looking to build the audience even further by bringing in some altogether new performers to our series, even stepping out a little further into the acoustic world.

For those of you who have not been to the new location, it seems folks are really enjoying it. Some arrive early to take photos and a bit of a walk before the shows. There is a barn being built and we hope to have it performance ready by September. The bay under the house is very nice, but, the barn will lend a special ambiance that only a barn can.

Please call ahead to let us know you are coming, especially if you have never attended one of our events before. We want to make sure we have plenty of seats and the right amount of coffee brewing! You might discover there is a trail ride or BBQ associated with the concert!

December 4, 2010   Turkey Jam Various local artists for a full day of music. Donations go to
                             Maricopa Food Bank
 

The public is welcome and invited to attend these delightfully intimate presentations.

Performers and artists with related work are encouraged to contact us by e-mail or by phone: katycreek@gmail.com; 520.705.5901; www.katycreek.com/houseconcerts.htm

Find other dates below.

Posted 6/10

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December 5, 2010
Western Music Association California Chapter fundraiser at the Autry National Center  Los Angeles, California
 

See information below.

Posted 2/4

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December 9, 2010
Mavericks Coffee House  Visalia, California
 

From Gary Brown:  

Mavericks Coffee House & Roasting Company
Exclusive Venue for Cowboy Poetry & Music
 

Dec 9, Thurs. RW HAMPTON - A crowd favorite at Mavericks. $30. The New Mexico working cowboy and multiple award winner will also be doing a Cowboy Gospel Concert at Calvary Chapel of Visalia on Wed. Dec. 8 at 7 PM.

All shows at 7 PM. Tickets go on sale 30 days prior to the concert date. For tickets call 559 624-1400. Mavericks Coffee House & Roasting Company is located at 238 E. Caldwell Avenue, Visalia, CA 93277

Find information for other 2010 shows below.

Updated 3/25

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December 10-12, 2010
12th Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival and Western Art and Gear Show  Monterey, California
 

From Wendy Brickman:

MONTEREY COWBOY POETRY & MUSIC FESTIVAL AND CHRISTMAS WESTERN ART & GEAR SHOW ANNOUNCES PERFORMER LINE-UP

The very special 12th Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival and Christmas Art & Gear Show (www.montereycowboy.org) will be held from Friday through Sunday, December 10, 11 and 12, 2010. The festival will be held at the Monterey Conference Center located at One Portola Plaza in downtown Monterey, CA. This popular annual event for all ages celebrates Monterey’s contribution to our western heritage with cowboy poetry, song and a first class Christmas Western Art and Gear show. The festival brings together people from all over the United States to enjoy and learn more about the “cowboy way of life,” including its history, current values and culture. This year's exciting entertainer line-up includes Ian Tyson, Randy Rieman, Dave Stamey, Diane Tribitt, Juni Fisher, Wylie & The Wild West, R.W. Hampton, Joni Harms, Jerry Brooks, Andy Nelson, Jesse Smith, Richard Chon, Cowbop, Dennis Agajanian, Side Saddle & Co., and Ernie Sites.

The festival has many shows scheduled over the three days plus a Jam Session on Friday night, a Christmas Art & Gear Show, Silent Auction and its special Sunday morning Cowboy Church, which benefits The Salvation Army and features many of the top performers of the weekend.

The Art & Gear Show features over two dozen artisans that offer an array of interesting items for Christmas gifts and collectors, including outstanding Western art, photography and books, clothing, (hats, jewelry, handmade boots, belts, purses, jackets, etc.), custom and antique saddles, Navajo blankets and jackets and much more.

The Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival also coordinates the popular Cowboys in the Schools Program. During the school year volunteers work with local educators to introduce the concept of Cowboy Culture and the influence of the vaquero to a diverse group of elementary school students. This “Cowboy Way of Life” program helps to teach youth self-esteem, ethics, values, writing, art and history. Young people also participate in the “Open Mic” event during the festival weekend.

For more information, to become a sponsor, a volunteer, visit the website at www.montereycowboy.org or call 1-800-722-9652.

Posted 3/9

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December 19, 2010
Western Music Association California Chapter Jam at the Autry National Center  Los Angeles, California

See information below.

Posted 2/4

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January, 2011

See our complete Events list here
 

Below are announcements we've received for forthcoming events from the event organizers...

---

January 29, 2010
Maricopa Butterfield House Concert Series   Maricopa, Arizona

From Nancy Ruybal:

Starting our fifth season in September, 2010, we are looking to build the audience even further by bringing in some altogether new performers to our series, even stepping out a little further into the acoustic world.

For those of you who have not been to the new location, it seems folks are really enjoying it. Some arrive early to take photos and a bit of a walk before the shows. There is a barn being built and we hope to have it performance ready by September. The bay under the house is very nice, but, the barn will lend a special ambiance that only a barn can.

Please call ahead to let us know you are coming, especially if you have never attended one of our events before. We want to make sure we have plenty of seats and the right amount of coffee brewing! You might discover there is a trail ride or BBQ associated with the concert!

January 29, 2011      John Batdorf www.johnbatdorfmusic.com
 

The public is welcome and invited to attend these delightfully intimate presentations.

Performers and artists with related work are encouraged to contact us by e-mail or by phone: katycreek@gmail.com; 520.705.5901; www.katycreek.com/houseconcerts.htm

Find other dates below.

Posted 6/10

 

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February, 2011

See our complete Events list here
 

Below are announcements we've received for forthcoming events from the event organizers...

---

February 4-6, 2011
3rd Annual Texas Crossroads Cowboy Gathering  Van Horn, Texas

From Bob Kinford:

3rd Annual Texas Crossroads Cowboy Gathering at the Special Events Center, Van Horn, Texas

"Local Mic" starts at 8AM, Talent show starts at 9AM Friday & Sat. Dinner show 6PM on Friday night, Finals show 7PM Saturday night. Cowboy Church ramrodded by Steven Spalding 9AM Sunday. Day performances are free!

This event is a "cowboy correct" gathering. Like the gatherings of old, Crossroads is a party where everyone is welcome. Rather than inviting certain performers and cutting the rest out, the first 44 entertainers to sign up are in the show.

The 2010 gathering resulted in 22 invitations being given out to five different performers. Four entertainers were offered five invitations to other events through our live-stream uploads to the internet!

Returning performers include Buck Helton, Tumbleweed Crawford, Rusty Battenfield, Evelyn Roper and more...

Cowboy poetry writing workshop by Debra Coppinger Hill, Cowboy Trappings all day on Saturday with local cowboys selling their trappings as cowboy prices.

*Check the website often as we are in the works of adding more things to go along with this event!

 Tickets will go on sale April 1, 2010 at http://www.texascrossroadscowboypoetry.org

Posted 2/24

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February 18-20, 2011
Seventh Annual Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering  Ellensburg, Washington
 

From Claire Lucke:

Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering is proud to present the finest in western entertainment this coming Presidents Day Weekend, February 18 – 20, 2011, in Ellensburg, Washington.

Concerts featuring Don Edwards, Waddie Mitchell, Sons of the San Joaquin, Dave Stamey, Rich O’Brien, Juni Fisher, Doris Daley, Buckaroo Girl Adrian and the CWU Symphony Orchestra will be held at the CWU Concert Hall and the Kittitas Valley Event Center.

We’ll also have a variety of western entertainers at downtown venues providing free entertainment on Friday and Saturday, as well as a Western Gear & Art Show, Rodeo Cowboy Reunion, Chuck Wagon cook Off, Workshops, a Fiddle Contest and Western and Square Dances.

For more information, go to our website: www.EllensburgCowboyGathering.com.

Posted 8/18

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Venues with Monthly and Multiple Dates

 

See our complete Events list here
 

Below are announcements we've received for forthcoming events from the event organizers...

---

Monthly
Heritage of the American West Performance Series   Spearfish, South Dakota

Reception at 6PM
Showtime at 7PM

 

August 26, 2010  Juni Fisher
September 16, 2010  Open Range
October 21,2010  Bob Petermann and Owen Badgett

 

Tickets are available at the High Plains Western Heritage Center, $7 for seniors/kids and $12 for adults.

The 90-minute live stage show also airs later on KBHB 810AM Five State Ranch Radio, Sturgis, South Dakota and KBFS 1450 AM & KYDT 103.1 FM The Country Twins, Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

For more information about the Heritage of the American West, contact Francie Ganje at Francie@rushmore.com.

See our feature about the Heritage of the American West here.

Posted 12/21

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2010
Mavericks Coffee House  Visalia, California
 

From Gary Brown:  

Mavericks Coffee House & Roasting Company
Exclusive Venue for Cowboy Poetry & Music
 

2010 Dates  (** added 8/16)

March 20, Sat.  DAVE STAMEY - Multiple award winning singer songwriter will play for Mavericks 7th anniversary. Dave has a small ranch just north of Visalia. $30

 

April 23, Fri.   BRENN HILL - Young Utah singer/songwriter and protégée of Ian Tyson. $25

 

April 27, Tues. DON EDWARDS - The premier cowboy singer today. Don will receive the Founders Award from the National Museum @ the Cowboy Hall of Fame for his lifetime contribution to the western way of life in Oklahoma City on April 17. $30 

May 29, Sat.   ELI BARSI - Eli, a yodeling cowgirl, makes a return visit to Mavericks. After years living in Branson, MO she has returned to her native Canada. $25

 

June 18, Fri.  JUNI FISHER - Juni will be unveiling a new album featuring old time rodeo ala Pendleton Roundup. Juni hails from nearby Strathmore. $25

 

July 10, Sat COW BOP - A hot cowboy jazz band featuring world class guitarist virtuoso Bruce Forman and Pinto Pam on vocals. Bruce's music was featured in Clint Eastwood's Academy Award winning film, Million Dollar Baby. $30

July 17, Sat. BELINDA GAIL - Visalia's own and America's "Cowgirl Sweetheart" will be performing solo after the untimely passing of Curly Musgrave. $25.
 

August 13, Fri. GILLETTE BROTHERS - The brothers from Texas put on a grand show in a grand old vaudeville and medicine wagon show style. $30
 

** September 17 - THE HANNAH BOYS (Sons of the San Joaquin) in a rare all-gospel show featuring songs from their GOSPEL TRAILS album and others. $40 This show featuring our favorite trio will sell out quickly so order now..
 

November 6, Sat. TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS - An increasingly popular harmony group from Southern California. This will be their fist visit to Mavericks. $30.
 

Dec 9, Thurs. RW HAMPTON - A crowd favorite at Mavericks. $30. The New Mexico working cowboy and multiple award winner will also be doing a Cowboy Gospel Concert at Calvary Chapel of Visalia on Wed. Dec. 8 at 7 PM.

 

All shows at 7 PM. Tickets go on sale 30 days prior to the concert date. For tickets call 559 624-1400. Mavericks Coffee House & Roasting Company is located at 238 E. Caldwell Avenue, Visalia, CA 93277

Updated 8/16

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2010
Third Sunday of each month
Western Music Association California Chapter  Los Angeles, California

From Lindalee Green:

The Western Music Association’s CA Chapter would like to invite everyone to attend our Jam and Meeting at the Autry National Center, in Los Angeles, California. It is held every 3^rd Sunday of the month. This event is very well received and has had up to 18 performers and 80 in attendance in the most recent past. 

The Autry National Center is located at 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA, 90027 – directly across from the LA Zoo.  Come one, come all! 

The remaining dates for 2010 are:

February 21
March 21
April 18
May 16
June 20
July 18
August 15
September 19
October 17
November 21 – Jam only
December 19 – Jam only

We will also have 2 fundraisers: 

June 13, Sunday matinee at ANC, presenting Juni Fisher, Jerry Hall & Trick Shot and a special guest appearance by Monty Montana Jr.

December 5, Sunday matinee at the ANC, presenting the Sons of the San Joaquin!! 2010 Christmas party will follow on 12/5.

And these workshops:

Workshops (Admission: $20 for non WMA members; $15 members): 

July 10, Saturday - 1 pm - “HOW TO WORK THE MEDIA: A WORKSHOP FOR ARTISTS” by LARRY WINES, presented by the Western Music Association at the Autry National Center / Autry Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, L.A. 90027; 323-667-2000; www.museumoftheamericanwest.org.

Larry Wines is a master of effective press/media materials for artists, including one-sheets, bios, and tools that work. He serves on expert panels at music conferences, providing knowledge and skills artists can use. Larry teaches how to work the media, get radio airplay, paid bookings, coverage (print and electronic), television guest spots, and getting signed to a label.

A consultant to musicians, songwriters, festivals, venues, and the industry, he’s produced and booked music festivals and benefits for charity. A longtime journalist, he’s written features, investigative pieces, interviews, reviews, and weekly columns for newspapers. Producer and host of the multiple award-winning Tied to the Tracks Acoustic-Americana radio program, included among "The Best of L.A. 2006" by Los Angeles Magazine, he’s interviewed and coaxed memorable live performances from hundreds of guests, from established icons – with Grammy, Juno, Emmy, Oscar and Peabody Awards – to talented up-and-comers. He edits the weekly Acoustic Americana Music Guide (www.acousticmusic.net) and writes a column and the annual “Best of / Top Ten” for FolkWorks magazine. His focus is talented musicians in folk-Americana, cowboy, Cajun, Celtic, bluegrass, blues and other traditions, and today’s innovative “acoustic renaissance.” Larry emcees the Autry’s Christmas show, Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest, and more. Info, tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com

 

August 21, Saturday - 1pm - a YODELING WORKSHOP with Kansas’ own “Yodeling Princess,” Judy Coder.  Twice named International Yodeling Champion by the WMA, her titles also include Academy of Western Artists Yodeler of the Year and Patsy Montana National Yodeling Champion.  Classically trained with a background in music education, Judy applies her expertise to her yodeling, and she is a great teacher.  Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn a few secrets from the expert!

 

For further information please contact Lindalee at LindaleeGreen@earthlink.net or 661-297-5955.  The Autry National Center’s website is www.autrynationalcenter.org and the Western Music Association’s website is www.westernmusic.org

Updated 5/24

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June-September, 2010
Scofield's Cowboy Campfire at Red Mule Ranch  Fiddletown, California
 

Ron and Marie Scofield are your hosts for an evening of old-time cowcamp entertainment under the stars at the Red Mule Ranch in Fiddletown, California. Enjoy a chuck wagon tri-tip dinner and cowboy music, poetry, and story telling in an 1880s setting. In addition to Ron's traditional brand of old cowboy standards, special guest performers contribute their unique style of western wit, wisdom, satire, and song.
 

June 19 - Juni Fisher and Johnny Walker
June 26 - Old West Trio and Harold Roy Miller

July 10 - Dave Stamey with Jim & Karen Ross
July 17 - Old West Trio and Gary Lowe
July 24 -The Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band

August 7 - Belinda Gail and Steve Deming
August 14 - The Gillette Brothers
August 28 - Old West Trio and Jim King

Sept 11 - Old West Trio and Mark Twain
 

Dinner is served at 6:30pm. Entertainment begins at 7:30pm with a break for intermission and dessert. After lots of music and poetry, it's "Happy Trails" around 10pm.

Total event cost per person is $45

Scofield's Cowboy Campfire, P.O. Box 12, Fiddletown CA 95629; cowboycampfire@gmail.com; (209)-296-4519  www.scofieldscowboycampfire.com

Posted 2/22

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June-July, 2010
Third Annual Big Hat Promotions House Concerts   Altadena, California

From Bob and Marie Mann:

Our June and July events will be held in our backyard here in Altadena, California.

As always, complimentary food and beverages will be served to our guests who attend the shows.

Your generous donations for our performers are greatly appreciated.

Please make your reservations early by emailing big.hat@sbcglobal.net.

Find complete information for all events at www.BigHatOnline.com

All events are on Saturdays. Doors Open at 5:30pm. Show at 7:00pm except where noted

June 19, 2010   The Tumbling Tumbleweeds

June 26, 2010   Belinda Gail  
                     An Evening with "America's Western Sweetheart"

July 17, 2010    Gary Allegretto with Ian Espinoza 
                      Doors Open at 4:30pm. Show at 7:00pm
                      Plus, Harmonica Workshop!!
                      Added Bonus! Learn to Play Harmonica!
                      Make reservations and arrive early for Gary's Harmonica Workshop.
                      Reservation Deadline for the Harmonica Workshop is July 7.

July 31, 2010    Gary Robertson and Eddie Villalobos
                      An Evening of Cowboy Campfire Poetry and Song


And....

2nd Annual Whistle Stop Ranch Fall Cowboy Roundup
October 9, Saturday
Acton, California

Again this year, in association with Mike and Paulette Tcherkassky, we are happy to present the 2nd Annual Whistle Stop Ranch Fall Cowboy Roundup in Acton, California.

Dave Stamey, Gary Robertson and Michael Tcherkassky

Sponsored by OutWest Marketing in Old Town Newhall

Bring your friends and join us again this year for some cowboy grub and great entertainment at Mike &
Paulette Tcherkassky's Whistle Stop Ranch.

www.bighatonline.com

We're looking forward to seeing you this year!

Bob and Marie

Big Hat Promotions
www.bighatonline.com 
 

Posted 5/24

---

Monthly
Maricopa Butterfield House Concert Series   Maricopa, Arizona

From Nancy Ruybal:

Going into our 5th season starting September, 2010, we are looking to build the audience even further by bringing in some altogether new performers to our series, even stepping out a little further into the acoustic world.

For those of you who have not been to the new location, it seems folks are really enjoying it. Some arrive early to take photos and a bit of a walk before the shows. There is a barn being built and we hope to have it performance ready by September. The bay under the house is very nice, but, the barn will lend a special ambiance that only a barn can.

Please call ahead to let us know you are coming, especially if you have never attended one of our events before. We want to make sure we have plenty of seats and the right amount of coffee brewing! You might discover there is a trail ride or BBQ associated with the concert!

Here is the line up so far for the 2010-2011 Maricopa Butterfield House Concert series.

September 25, 2010  Ted Ramirez www.borderlandartists.com

October 30, 2010      Gary Allegretto www.myspace.com/harmonicowboy

December 4, 2010     Turkey Jam Various local artists for a full day of music. Donations go to
                             Maricopa Food Bank

January 29, 2011      John Batdorf www.johnbatdorfmusic.com

February 2011          Chuck Pyle www.chuckpyle.com  Date TBA

March 2011              TBA

April 2011                 TBA

May 2011                 Joe Bethancourt www.whitetreeaz.com Date TBA


The public is welcome and invited to attend these delightfully intimate presentations.

Performers and artists with related work are encouraged to contact us by e-mail or by phone: katycreek@gmail.com; 520.705.5901; www.katycreek.com/houseconcerts.htm
 

Posted 6/10

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Looking for: Poets and Poetry, Musicians, Artists, and ...
     Submissions welcome. Email us.

 

From Almeda Terry Bradshaw:

Despite losing the Metra Arena to a tornado, the The NILE Stock Show, Pro Rodeo and Western Expo in Billings, Montana, is still happening!

Calling all WESTERN ENTERTAINERS for October 12-16, 2010 from 12:00 Noon to 5:30 PM to perform on stage in the Expo Pavilion.

Contact Almeda Bradshaw (Terry) by email: almedam2b@nemont.net  for more information.

Posted 7/19

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  Cowboys & Indians magazine welcomes poetry submissions for its weekly on-line postings. The link to the week's selected poem is included in each newsletter. Their instructions:

Submit your work to mail@cowboysindians.com with "poetry" in the subject line. Selected entries will appear online.

Subscribe to the newsletter here at the Cowboys & Indians web site.

Posted 6/24
 

---

  From Rose Wenstrom:

Lookin' for: cowboy and cowgirl poets, historical re-enactors, singers, storytellers and humorists for the Deaver Festival 2010: Art...in all its Forms

September 11, 2010, Contact Rose Wenstrom, PO Box 171, Deaver, WY 82421, 307-664-2206, dwenstrom@tctwest.net , www.deaverfestival.com 

Posted 6/8

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  From Diane Tribitt:

CowboyLegacy.org is now accepting Christian/Spiritual poetry. All poets are welcome to submit poetry directly at the site, or by sending an email to info@CowboyLegacy.org.

Posted 5/10

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Dee is seeking any relatives of  rodeo stars/trick riders Gil Traveller and Frank Burns. If you have information, please email us.

Posted 2/4

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Find a list of many radio shows who welcome submissions
in our Features listings here.

---

News from Western Radio, Podcasts, Video, Blogs, and More

     See our radio schedule here.

 

 Texas singer, songwriter, and poet Red Steagall is featured in a September 1, 2010 article and accompanying video in Wired magazine. The article, "Firearms, Boots and Dirty Cars as Canvases," is a part of series by Jeremy Hart, who is driving around the world. Red Steagall recites "Born to This Land" in an accompanying video. Find the article and video here.

Red Steagall is the past Poet Laureate of Texas, the first "cowboy" poet to hold that honor in decades (Carlos Ashley held the position 1949-1951). In 1991, Red was named the Official Cowboy Poet of Texas by the Texas state legislature.

Red Steagall's "The Fence That Me and Shorty Built" is on the The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Five. His "The Memories in Grandmother's Trunk" is on The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Three and "Born to This Land" is on the first volume of The BAR-D Roundup.

"Born to This Land" inspired the title of Red Steagall's friend Bill Owen's painting that was the 2010 Cowboy Poetry Week poster image.

Read more about Red Steagall in our feature here and visit his web site: www.redsteagall.com.

[2008 photo by Jeri L. Dobrowski; see her gallery of western performers and others here.]

Posted 9/2

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The August, 2010 issue of Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter, edited by Totsie Slover of The Real West from the Old West radio is available. The extensive newsletter—with a growing list of more than 1000 subscribers—includes reviews, opinion pieces, articles, event reports, news, and more. You can read the entire issue at the Backforty Bunkhouse, where you can subscribe and also read back issues.

In the current issue, there are commentaries and radio charts and playlists of Western music and cowboy poetry from many disc jockeys; Jeri Dobrowski's Cowboy Jam Session column, this time, "Shade Up During the Afternoon"; Julie Carter's Cowgirl Sass and Savvy column, this time "The Hat and the Cowboy"; Jim Gough's "News from BobWills.com"; the National Radio Hall of Fame 2010 inductees; Rhonda Craig's From the Messenger column; the Academy of Western Artists' Final Five Nominees in music categories; Rick Huff's Best of the West Reviews; the CowboyPoetry.com column (this time featuring Brenn Hill and the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo; Bill Morrison's Story Behind the Song column; Jack Blanchard's column; the Tri-Son News country music sheet; news from the National Cutting Horse Association; Jesse Mullins Jr.'s Something Solid journal; Bob Rohan's Buffalo Gals cartoon, and much more.

There are also detailed announcements for the forthcoming Hells Canyon Mule Days Max Walker Memorial Gathering (September), and the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium (October).

In "Joe Baker's Top 20" Western Music/Cowboy Poetry chart, the top three CDs are cowboy poetry CDs: Larry McWhorter, Cowboy Poetry from Prescott Music; The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Five from CowboyPoetry.com; and Yvonne Hollenbeck's Sorting Time.

Each newsletter also includes other articles, reviews, press releases, event and new release announcements, "empty saddles" tributes, and display ads.

Submissions are welcome. Email Totsie Slover bbnewslettereditor@gmail.com or contact Joe Baker, joe@backfortybunkhouse.com.

The Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter received the 2009 Publication of the Year Award from The Cowtown Society of Western Music. Read more about the Backforty Bunkhouse in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site. 

Posted 8/31

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  Marvin O'Dell's Around the Campfire show returns to the air August 30, 2010. It will air every weekday—a new show each day—at 9:00 AM CST on www.vetsols.com. Each show will be repeated in the afternoon.

He welcomes CD submissions for consideration: Around the Campfire, Marvin O'Dell, PO Box 3579, Palm Desert, CA 92261.

Previously, Around the Campfire was a mainstay of Heartland Public Radio, which stopped broadcasting its Western Channel July 1, 2010.

Marvin O'Dell maintains a list of DJ's who welcome submissions here at the Western Music Association (WMA) web site, and you can contact Marvin O'Dell for the most current list and to suggest radio shows for inclusion: MEOTEO@aol.com

See our radio schedule here and find features about radio stations that welcome cowboy poetry and Western music here.

Marvin O'Dell was named the 2007 Radio DJ of the Year by the Western Music Association (WMA). See our feature about Marvin O'Dell's Around the Campfire here.

Posted 8/30

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  One of the many features at top cowboy poet and philosopher Baxter Black's web site is "What's in Baxter's Truck." Among the current selections are The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Three (for Robert Service's own recitation of "The Cremation of Sam McGee") and poetry and music selections from Ray Doyle, Stephanie Davis, Dave Stamey, Juni Fisher, Gary McMahan, Doris Daley, Don Edwards, Red Steagall, Wylie Gustafson, Bob Petermann, and others. See the feature here on Baxter's web site.

Also at Baxter's web site, you'll find information about his books and recordings, his RFD TV "Out There" program schedule, his "Baxter Black on Monday" column, stories, photos, his schedule, and more: www.BaxterBlack.com.

Posted 8/23

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  Respected journalist Jesse Mullins, Jr. profiles writer and rancher John R. Erickson in an in-depth, illustrated article, "John R. Erickson: Story Crafter," at his web site, jessemullins.com.

Erickson, a former cowboy and ranch manager, is the author of over fifty books, including the popular Hank the Cowdog series.

Jesse Mullins, Jr. served as American Cowboy magazine's editor from the magazine's inception through July, 2009. Under his editorship, quality cowboy poetry and poets were often featured in the magazine. See some of those selections in a feature here.

Posted 8/19

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  Top cowboy singer and songwriter Ian Tyson lends his talents in an inspiring video, "A Song for Spirit." It is described:

Grade 1 and 2 students from Calgary Arts Academy write a song to cheer up a golden eagle named Spirit who is blinded as a result of being shot. Canadian music legend Ian Tyson joins up with the children to sing and record the song at the Beach Recording studio in Calgary in April of 2010.

View the video here at YouTube and at www.songforspirit.com, which has more about the song, links for audio downloads, the video, and more.

[Thanks to Dave Stamey for the video information]

Posted 8/18

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  Texas rancher, horseman, writer, and top reciter and poet Joel Nelson—recently awarded a prestigious National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) National Heritage Fellowship—is featured in an August, 2010 audio interview by Josephine Reed as a part of the National Endowment for the Arts podcast series.

The nearly half-hour interview is described, "Joel Nelson talks about how he grew to love poetry and how he writes and recites poetry, as well as growing up on a ranch and his love of horses, among other subjects." He also recites his poem, "Equus Caballus." A transcript of the interview is also available here.

The NEA describes the National Heritage Fellowship award, "As part of its efforts to honor and preserve our nation's diverse cultural heritage, the National Endowment for the Arts annually awards one-time-only National Heritage Fellowships for master folk and traditional artists. These fellowships are intended to recognize the recipients' artistic excellence and support their continuing contributions to our nation's traditional arts heritage."

The awards were established in 1982. Two other cowboy poets have been named National Heritage Fellows: Wallace McRae in 1990 and Buck Ramsey in 1995. Cowboy singer, storyteller, and illustrator Glenn Ohrlin received the award in 1985.

Find information about Joel Nelson here at the National Endowment for the Arts' web site, and see our feature that includes some of his poetry here. Joel Nelson's poetry is included on Volumes Two through Four of The BAR-D Roundup.

[photo of Joel Nelson by Kevin Martini-Fuller]

Posted 8/16

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  North Dakota rancher, poet and Dakota Cowboy Poetry gathering organizer Bill Lowman is featured, along with his poetry, in a slide show by photographer Jessica Brandi Lifland (www.jessicalifland.com).

 

Jessica Brandi Lifland, the official photographer for the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, has been working on a project documenting the lives of cowboy poets.

 

Her photoblog also includes a slide show here of DW Groethe accompanied by his poem "Yearlin' Heifers" from the first volume of The BAR-D Roundup; a slide show here of Rodney Nelson and his poem, "Good, Clean, Fun" from The BAR-D Roundup: Volume 4; and images here of Jerry Brooks and here of Elizabeth Ebert.

 

Jessica Brandi Lifland has contributed articles and photographs about cowboy poets to Range magazine, including Wallace McRae (Summer, 2008; see the article in this pdf file at the magazine's web site) and Henry Real Bird (Winter, 2009).

 

Photos of Wallace McRae, Henry Real Bird, Waddie Mitchell, Doris Daley, and others can be found in her General Archives at www.jessicalifland.com.

 

Based in San Francisco, Jessica Brandi Lifland has worked as a photojournalist "all over the United States and internationally in such places as Kosovo, Burma, Italy Jordan, Palestine, Senegal, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Her work appears nationally and internationally in publications including The New York Times, USA Today, The Toronto Star, Newsweek, Le Monde...."

 

Read more about her at her web site and visit her photoblog.

 

[photograph of Bill Lowman by Jessica Lifland; photograph of Jessica Lifland by Vasna Wilson]

 

Posted 8/12

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  Last week, we announced that there's a new web site at www.CurlyMusgrave.com in tribute to widely loved singer, songwriter, poet, and musician Curly Musgrave, who died in December, 2009. The site includes videos, photos, and information about Curly and his recordings. A tribute album and video is forthcoming.

YouTube also has a moving video produced by Diane Tribitt that features, "Cowboy Farewell," a song that is included on Till We Meet Again, a CD produced by Curly Musgrave's family (available in September, 2010). The song, co-written by Diane Tribitt and Will Dudley, was recorded from audio by Curly and added to by Belinda Gail and RW Hampton after Curly's death. See the video here, where there is also pre-release order information.

See our feature about Curly Musgrave here and many tributes, photos, and more here.

[photograph by Lori Faith Merritt (www.photographybyfaith.com)]

Posted 8/9

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  Fans of Wylie & the Wild West will enjoy a vintage 1994 video of their performance of "Doctor My Heart," a song that appeared on the band's 1992 debut album, Wylie & the Wild West Show. The video is available in a number of places on the web, including here and here.

Current band members Wylie Gustafson and Ray Doyle are in the video. The video is also a part of the band's 2005 Live! at the Tractor DVD, which includes ten other Wylie & the Wild West music videos that aired on CMT and TNN in the 1990s.

See our feature about Ray Doyle here and visit his web site, www.RayDoyle.net.

See our feature about Wylie Gustafson here and visit the Wylie & the Wild West band site at www.wyliewebsite.com.

[thanks to Jeri Dobrowski for the video link]

Posted 8/5

---

The July, 2010 issue of Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter, edited by Totsie Slover of The Real West from the Old West radio is available. The extensive newsletter—with a growing list of more than 700 subscribersincludes reviews, opinion pieces, articles, event reports, news, and more. You can read the entire issue at the Backforty Bunkhouse, where you can subscribe and also read back issues.

In the current issue, there are commentaries and radio charts and playlists of Western music and cowboy poetry from many disc jockeys; Smoke Wade's report from the Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show; Jim Gough's "News from BobWills.com"; Jeri Dobrowski's Cowboy Jam Session column, this time, "Haste Makes Waste"; Cade Schalla's Cades Cadence column, this time with his poem, "Broomstick Cowboy"; Dugg Collins' in-depth profile of Johnny Western; Julie Carter's Cowgirl Sass and Savvy column, this time "Headin' Down the Rodeo Road"; Joyce Miller's Cowtown Society of Western Music story about Donnell Clyde Cooley; the CowboyPoetry.com column (this time featuring Mike Puhallo; Mike Gross' review of Jerry Webb's Live at Pearls CD and DVD; Bill Morrison's "Story Behind the Song"; the Tri-Son News country music sheet; Jack Blanchard's column; Bob Rohan's Buffalo Gals cartoon, Rhonda Craig's From the Messenger column, and much more.

There are also detailed announcements for the forthcoming National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo (September) and the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium (October).

In "Joe Baker's Top 20" Western Music/Cowboy Poetry chart, the top three CDs are cowboy poetry CDs: Yvonne Hollenbeck's Sorting Time, The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Five from CowboyPoetry.com; and Larry McWhorter, Cowboy Poetry from Prescott Music.

Each newsletter also includes other articles, reviews, press releases, event announcements, "empty saddles" tributes, and display ads.

Submissions are welcome. Email Totsie Slover bbnewslettereditor@gmail.com or contact Joe Baker, joe@backfortybunkhouse.com.

The Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter received the 2009 Publication of the Year Award from The Cowtown Society of Western Music. Read more about the Backforty Bunkhouse in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site. 

Posted 8/4

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  Popular cowboy singer and songwriter Brenn Hill appears in a live, in-station interview on the August 2, 2010 Clear Out West (C. O. W.) radio show with Andy Nelson and Jim Nelson.

The award-winning, syndicated  C.O.W. Radio is broadcast weekly throughout the West from Pinedale, Wyoming, bringing "News and Entertainment of the Cowboy Culture" to a wide audience. Andy and Jim, the "C.O.W. boys," are known widely for the wild humor they bring to cowboy poetry gatherings and their rodeo and sports announcing. They feature Western music, cowboy poetry, and more.

See our feature about C.O.W. here.

Listen to the current week's show here, and find earlier shows for on-demand listening in the archives at www.clearoutwest.com.

Posted 8/4

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  Top Western singer, songwriter, and musician Mike Beck is featured in a video from a live performance on August 2, 2010 at the Music Villa in Bozeman, Montana, in their "Acoustic Spotlight" series. Music Villa has been serving Bozeman for over 55 years.

Mike sings four songs in the performance, all from his latest solo release, Feel: "Livin' in the Arts (is a Dangerous Thing)," "Don't Hurt My Heart," "Alberta Cowgirl," and "In Old California," about the legendary Jo Mora, co-written with Ian Tyson.

View the video here.

Mike is also a respected horseman and cowboy; he lived at the legendary Dorrance Ranch and gained much of his early experience with horses and ranch work there. Read more about Mike Beck in our feature here and visit www.MikeBeck.com.

[photo of Mike Beck at the Dorrance Ranch by John McCleary]

Posted 8/3

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  There's a new web site at www.CurlyMusgrave.com in tribute to widely loved singer, songwriter, poet, and musician Curly Musgrave, who died in December, 2009. The site includes videos, photos, and information about Curly and his recordings. A tribute album and video is forthcoming.

See our feature about Curly Musgrave here and many tributes, photos, and more here. Visit www.CurlyMusgrave.com.

[photograph by Lori Faith Merritt (www.photographybyfaith.com)]

Posted 8/3

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  A July 21, 2010 National Public Radio report, "Western Swing Gets Texas Town Scootin' Again," by Wade Goodwyn, tells about the Bobby Boatright Memorial Music Camp in Goree, Texas (population 300), with a history of Western Swing and its importance to the area.

You can read the transcript and listen to the report here at the National Public Radio web site.

Posted 7/22

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 Popular cowboy singer and songwriter Brenn Hill was interviewed by TJ Casey on Cuttin Up Radio's America's Cowboy Review on Tuesday, July 20, 2010. The program includes selections from Brenn's latest CD, Equine, an interview, and a brief appearance by top singer and songwriter Belinda Gail. The archived show is available here.

See our feature about Brenn Hill here and visit his web site, www.brenhill.com.

Posted 7/21

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  A recent article on the Northern Ag Network, "Without Ranchers, we wouldn't have this," Montana Stockgrowers Association.

The article tells that the video, "Rancher Stewardship: Protecting Montana's Prairie," which features ranchers in South Phillips County where "ranchers have called the prairie home for over 100 years," is meant to "...educate the public about how Montana’s family ranchers care for the environment, provide wildlife habitat and maintain lasting rural communities."

View the video and other videos from the Montana Stockgrowers Association here on YouTube.

[Thanks to Jeri Dobrowski for the news article.]

Posted 7/20

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  Popular poet, writer, radio host, and National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns (pictured) hosted America's Cowboy Review on Cuttin' Up Radio on July 2, 2010. From the announcement:

It was my pleasure and privilege to interview Sylvia Mahoney on America's Cowboy Review over at Cuttin' Up Radio recently. In case you don't know Sylvia, she's an educator and college rodeo coach of renown, married to another rodeo coach. She also researched and wrote the history of college rodeo. We discussed all those things, plus the 2010 College National Finals Rodeo and many other interesting matters.

Highlighting the hour are two great songs by my co-host TJ Casey and an awesome college rodeo poem ["College Cowboy" recited live] by great cowboy Bob Schild of Blackfoot, Idaho. 

Find the program here.

[photo of Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns by Jeri L. Dobrowski; see her gallery of western performers and others here.]

Posted 7/15

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 Joe Baker's Backforty Roundup celebrates its fifth year with the compilation's newest edition (Volume 45). The CD is a periodic issue of music and cowboy poetry, sent to over 170 Western radio stations and publications.  

The cover is the from Rebecca Lynn Smith's album, Forgotten Heroes. Inside, there are tracks from Rebecca Lynn Smith, Johnny Lyon, Bill Durham, Dave Caley, Steel Country, Deborah Liv Johnson, Wild Oats, Gayla Earlene, Jerry Hobbs, Gena Roberts, Rachael Hester, Ken West, Arden Gailey, and the Tom Houston Orchestra. The CD also includes the Public Service Announcement that Joe Baker recorded for the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry, included on The BAR-D Roundup: Volume 5.

Find more about Joe Baker's Backforty Roundup at the Backforty Bunkhouse web site, where you can listen to the selections.

The Backforty Bunkhouse also has download capabilities for the many radio stations receiving CD.

Read more about Joe Baker's Backforty Roundup—and how to get your music or poetry included—in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site for more.

Posted 7/1

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  Heartland Public Radio has announced that its HPR2: The Western Music Channel will cease broadcasting July 1, 2010, for lack of financial support. The channel has been on the air for three years.

The Western Music Channel featured continuous Western music. It was the home of Around The Campfire with Marvin
O'Dell and offered rebroadcasts of CowTrails with Barbara Richhart ("Western Belle") and Calling All Cowboys with Charley Engel ("Chuckaroo The Buckaroo").

See the announcement here

Posted 6/29

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The June, 2010 issue of Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter, edited by Totsie Slover of The Real West from the Old West radio is available. The extensive newsletter—with a growing list of more than 700 subscribersincludes reviews, opinion pieces, articles, event reports, news, and more. You can read the entire issue at the Backforty Bunkhouse, where you can subscribe and also read back issues.

In the current issue, there are commentaries and radio charts and playlists of Western music and cowboy poetry from many disc jockeys; Joe Baker's report about the Wanda Faye Day celebration; Tommy Tucker's's report from the Spirit of the West gathering; Jim Gough's "News from BobWills.com"; Jeri Dobrowski's Cowboy Jam Session column, this time, "Honoring Family and Western Heritage"; Cade Schalla's Cades Cadence column, this time, "Faith Outweighs Evidence"; Julie Carter's Cowgirl Sass and Savvy column, this time "Growing Old with Willie Nelson"; the CowboyPoetry.com column (this time featuring Al "Doc" Mehl; Jack Blanchard's column; Bob Rohan's Buffalo Gals cartoon, Rhonda Craig's From the Messenger column, and much more.

In "Joe Baker's Top 20" Western Music/Cowboy Poetry chart, the top three CDs are cowboy poetry CDs: Yvonne Hollenbeck's Sorting Time, The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Five from CowboyPoetry.com; and Larry McWhorter, Cowboy Poetry from Prescott Music.

Each newsletter also includes other articles, reviews, press releases, event announcements, "empty saddles" tributes, and display ads.

Submissions are welcome. Email Totsie Slover bbnewslettereditor@gmail.com or contact Joe Baker, joe@backfortybunkhouse.com.

The Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter received the 2009 Publication of the Year Award from The Cowtown Society of Western Music. Read more about the Backforty Bunkhouse in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site. 

Posted 6/29

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  "Navajo Churro Sheep," a Deep West Radio documentary produced by Hal Cannon and Taki Telonidis of the Western Folklife Center, aired on National Public Radio's Weekend Edition on Sunday, June 13, 2010. From the WFC description:

Our story traces the fall and rise of an animal that has been central to Navajo life for as long as anyone can remember—the Churro sheep. The Churro is even woven into the tribe’s creation story, which mentions that Talking God created the Churro by using clouds for the body, willows for the legs, and rainbows for the hooves and horns. These animals are so important, that the Navajo use the expression, “Sheep is Life."

Read more and find the link for listening here at the Western Folklife Center web site.

Posted 6/17

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  Cuttin Up Radio's American Cowboy Review program has a June 15, 2010 interview by poet, songwriter, and horseman TJ Casey with cowboy, horseman, and rodeo champion Will Stearns.

 

Will talks about his family's long history horses; his own rodeo experiences with horses, polo, and rodeo; working cattle; and more. The show's description tells, "TJ Casey interviews Will Stearns,3rd-generation Wyoming horseman, reared on a ranch in the edge of the Black Hills near the Wyoming/South Dakota border. He has spent more than six decades in the livestock industry and covered more country horseback than most men still living. " Will is the husband of poet, writer, and Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns.

 

Listen to the interview here.

[pictured: Will Stearns and Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns]

Posted 6/16

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  North Dakota rancher, writer, and poet Rodney Nelson and his poem, "Good, Clean, Fun" from The BAR-D Roundup: Volume 4 are featured in a slide show by photographer Jessica Brandi Lifland (www.jessicalifland.com). Jessica, the official photographer for the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, has been working on a project documenting the lives of cowboy poets.

View the slide show with Rodney Nelson here. Read more about Rodney and read some of his poetry in our feature here.

 

Jessica Lifland's photoblog also includes images of Jerry Brooks and Elizabeth Ebert, along with a slide show of DW Groethe accompanied by his poem "Yearlin' Heifers" from the first volume of The BAR-D Roundup.

 

Jessica Brandi Lifland has contributed articles and photographs about cowboy poets to Range magazine, including Wallace McRae (Summer, 2008; see the article in this pdf file at the magazine's web site) and Henry Real Bird (Winter, 2009).

 

Photos of Wallace McRae, Henry Real Bird, Waddie Mitchell, Doris Daley, and others can be found in her General Archives at www.jessicalifland.com.

 

Based in San Francisco, Jessica Brandi Lifland has worked as a photojournalist "all over the United States and internationally in such places as Kosovo, Burma, Italy and most recently Jordan and Palestine. Her work appears nationally and internationally in publications including The New York Times, USA Today, The Toronto Star, Newsweek, Time, Forbes and Le Monde...."

 

Jessica is headed to the Dominican Republic on an Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org) assignment, and then to Haiti for freelance photojournalism work. Operation Smile is a children's charity treating facial deformities such as cleft lips and cleft palates all around the world. She has previously traveled to Jordan, Palestine, and Senegal for Operation Smile.

 

Read more about her at her web site and visit her photoblog.

 

[photograph of Rodney Nelson by Jeri L. Dobrowski; photograph of Jessica Lifland by Vasna Wilson]

 

Posted 6/9

 

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  Eight-year-old poet, songwriter, yodeler, singer, musician, and ranch gal Cora Wood is featured in a special Western Horseman video presentation, "Cowgirl Songs & Stories," created by Senior Editor Jennifer Denison,

Cora Wood made her first invited appearance at the the Western Folklife Center's 26th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada in January, 2010. One session was captured in a video, "Carry it Forward," at YouTube featuring Cora and otherg young performers Adrian and Brigid Reedy, along with Wylie Gustafson of Wylie & the Wild West, Liz Masterson, John Reedy, and Laurie Wood.

Find some photos of Cora working cows here in Picture the West.

Cora's recent CD is Cora's Cowgirl Yodel. The CD includes seven songs (including the title cut, which Cora co-wrote with Paul Harris) and three poems. See the entire track list here.

Read some of Cora's poems and more about her here at the BAR-D and visit her web site, www.woodwesternmusic.com, which includes audio and video clips.

Posted 6/7

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  Top cowboy singer and songwriter Dave Stamey's latest newsletter has information about two new videos. From the newsletter:

After the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, Don Edwards, Belinda Gail, Rusty Richards and Dave sat around in the living room of Diamond and Linda Farnsworth, swapping the guitar around, and it was captured on film, resulting in two brand new songs being recorded: “Bubba and the Goat” at here and “Comfortable Shoes,” here. Give them a look and a listen and tell us what you think. We’re considering putting them all on the next CD and would appreciate your opinion.

Find more about Dave Stamey in our feature here and visit his web site, www.davestamey.com.

Posted 6/7

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   Top cowgirl singer and songwriter Juni Fisher narrates and performs in a new music video featuring her song, "When I Was Prairie Rose," from her new CD, Let 'er Go 'Let 'er Buck' Let 'er Fly. The video and song will be featured in the film Oh, You Cowgirl!, by Shirley Morris—a soon-to-be-released documentary film about early rodeo and Wild West show cowgirls.

Shirley Morris comments that the video and song, "... will help tell the story of the forgotten Prairie Rose, Rose Clayton. Juni Fisher will also be featured as a storyteller and narrator for the film."

View the video, which includes many vintage images, here.

Read more about Juni Fisher in our feature here and at her web site, www.JuniFisher.com.

Find more about Oh, You Cowgirl! at thecowgirlmovie.com.

Posted 5/26

---

The May, 2010 issue of Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter, edited by Totsie Slover of The Real West from the Old West radio is available. The extensive newsletter, with a growing list of more than 700 subscribers, includes reviews, opinion pieces, articles, event reports, news, and more. You can read the entire issue at the Backforty Bunkhouse, where you can subscribe and also read back issues.

In the current issue, there are commentaries and radio charts and playlists of Western music and cowboy poetry from many disc jockeys; Totsie Slover's report from the 3rd Annual Tyrone Cowboy Poetry Gathering; Joyce Miller's report from the 12th Annual Cowtown Society of Western Music Swingfest; Jim Gough's "News from BobWills.com"; Jeri Dobrowski's Cowboy Jam Session column; Cade Schalla's Cades Cadence column, this time, "Holding on to America"; Julie Carter's Cowgirl Sass and Savvy column, this time "I Love Them Too"; the CowboyPoetry.com column (this time featuring Rodney Nelson); Rick Huff's Best of the West Reviews; Jack Blanchard's column; and more.

In "Joe Baker's Top 20" Western Music/Cowboy Poetry chart, the top three CDs are cowboy poetry CDs: Yvonne Hollenbeck's Sorting Time, The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Five from CowboyPoetry.com; and Larry McWhorter, Cowboy Poetry from Prescott Music.

Each newsletter also includes other articles, reviews, press releases, event announcements, "empty saddles" tributes, and display ads.

Submissions are welcome. Email Totsie Slover bbnewslettereditor@gmail.com or contact Joe Baker, joe@backfortybunkhouse.com.

The Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter received the 2009 Publication of the Year Award from The Cowtown Society of Western Music. Read more about the Backforty Bunkhouse in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site. 

Posted 5/26

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  Top ranch photographer René A. Heil of Follett, Texas, recently photographed the branding at the South Dakota ranch of Glen and Yvonne Hollenbeck; view a selected image in his Photo of the Day journal and many images in his "Spring Round Up Collections," found under Recent Work at his web site.

Over the past fourteen years, René A. Heil has traveled from Mexico to Montana photographing working ranches and working cowboys during spring roundup. He is currently in the midst of 2010 ranch tour, where he photographs a branding every day, averaging 2500 photos per day.

Some of his ranch photography is collected in his Dust and Smoke series of books, the latest, the fifth, Dust & Smoke: Tough Cowboys & Good Horses captures spring roundup work on ranches from Texas to the Dakotas.

Visit René A. Heil's web site for more about his work and his books.

Posted 5/5

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 Respected cowboy troubadour Don Edwards received the Chester A. Reynolds Memorial Award from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum on April 17, 2010. View a video interview with Don Edwards filmed at the awards event at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum here on YouTube.

From the museum's media release:

With a career spanning more than four decades, Don Edwards is a guitarist, composer, recording artist and historian who has preserved and added value to the rich heritage of traditional Western music...

Born in New Jersey in 1938 as the son of a Vaudeville magician, Edwards was exposed at an early age to a vast array of music. He taught himself how to play the guitar at the age of 10 and moved to Texas when he was 16. Edwards was drawn to the cowboy way of life by the books of Will James and “B” Western movies that featured cowboys like Tom Mix and Ken Maynard. As a teenager, he worked ranches in Texas and New Mexico and chased rodeos before landing his first entertainment job as an actor, singer and stuntman at Six Flags Over Texas in 1961. Edwards made his first record in 1964. He has since recorded more than 15 albums, participated in numerous collaborations with other artists and has authored three song books. 

Edwards has contributed much to the preservation and celebration of traditional cowboy music. He has two albums, Guitars & Saddle Songs and Songs of the Cowboy, included in the Folklore Archives of the Library of Congress. As a result of 40 years of research, Edwards completed Saddle Songs, a compilation of classic cowboy ballads presented through two separate recordings and a book of the songs’ histories, lyrics and music. To add to his resume of talent, Edwards portrayed the role of “Smokey” in Robert Redford’s 1997 film The Horse Whisperer. He also was featured on the movie’s sound track. 

Edwards has many awards to show for his accomplishments as a Western music balladeer and historian. He has received the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Wrangler Award, along with numerous other awards from The Western Music Association, The Academy of Western Artists, the Will James Society, the National Association for Independent Music. He was selected Best Balladeer by True West magazine three years in a row. He also is an inductee in the Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame, the Western Walk of Stars, the Texas Trail of Fame, and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

 

When Edwards is not recording music he often gives workshops and lectures about Cowboy music heritage. He has taught seminars at Yale, Rice, Texas Christian and other universities. He also has appeared on hundreds of radio and television programs and performed thousands of concerts throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Europe and Asia.

See our feature about Don Edwards here and visit his web site, www.donedwardsmusic.com.

[Photograph by Lori Faith Merritt (www.photographybyfaith.com]

Posted 5/4

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  Bob Kinford, organizer of the 2nd annual Texas Crossroads Cowboy Gathering held in February, 2010 in Van Horn, Texas, has made videos from the entire event available at a Crossroads YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/CrossroadsGathering.

Visit the gathering's web site at: www.texascrossroadscowboypoetry.org.

Posted 4/29

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The April, 2010 issue of Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter, edited by Totsie Slover of The Real West from the Old West radio is available. The extensive newsletter, with a growing list of more than 700 subscribers, includes reviews, opinion pieces, articles, event reports, news, and more. You can read the entire issue at the Backforty Bunkhouse, where you can subscribe and also read back issues.

In the current issue, there are commentaries and radio charts and playlists of Western music and cowboy poetry from many disc jockeys; Dugg Collins' article, "Ray Price, The Cherokee Cowboy"; Jim Gough's "News from BobWills.com"; Susan Parker's "Not Just Another Writing Workshop" report from Elko; Jeri Dobrowski's Cowboy Jam Session column, this time "In the Mood for Spring"; Cade Schalla's Cades Cadence column, this time a poem, "Beef It's What for Dinner"; Julie Carter's Cowgirl Sass and Savvy column, this time "The Civilizing of Taco"; Rhonda Craig's From the Messenger Western Swing column; the CowboyPoetry.com column (this time featuring Slim McNaught); Rick Huff's Best of the West Reviews; Jack Blanchard's column; and more.

Each newsletter also includes other articles, reviews, event announcements, "empty saddles" tributes, and display ads.

Submissions are welcome. Email Totsie Slover bbnewslettereditor@gmail.com or contact Joe Baker, joe@backfortybunkhouse.com.

The Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter received the 2009 Publication of the Year Award from The Cowtown Society of Western Music.Read more about the Backforty Bunkhouse in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site. 

Posted 4/29

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  Some of the poets who were featured in the Winter, 2009 issue of the widely-read poetry journal, RATTLE, joined Editor Timothy Green in two sessions at the Association of Writers & Writing Programs 2010 Annual Conference & Bookfair, April 7-10, 2010 in Denver, Colorado.

You can listen to audio from one of those sessions, including J.V. Brummels, David Romtvedt, Joshua Doleza, Thea Gavin, Donald Williams, and others here in posts by Todd B. Stevens. You can page through the posts to hear the multiple recordings.

The Winter, 2009 RATTLE issue "celebrates the poetry of the Western range"  with work by 24 cowboy and Western poets.T Among those included are J.V. Brummels, Thea Gavin, D.W. Groethe, Al "Doc" Mehl, Rod Miller, Red Shuttleworth, Jeff Streeby, Larry D. Thomas, and Paul Zarzyski. Read more about it here at CowboyPoetry.com and here at the RATTLE web site.

From the conference schedule:

Stagecoaching for the Page: How to Perform Like a Cowboy. (Timothy Green, J.V. Brummels, Thea Gavin, David Romtvedt, Lisa Lewis, Al "Doc" Mehl) Ask a cowboy poet to give a reading and he'll look at you funny. Cowboy and western poetry isn't read, it's performed-at events that are entertaining enough to draw thousands of fans to the Nevada desert every year. Meanwhile, mainstream poetry languishes on the page. Learn how to put the buck in your bard, as five cowboy and western poets discuss the tricks of the trade-from roping recitation to commanding the stage. Moderated by the editor of Rattle's recent Cowboy and Western Poetry issue. 

A Rattle Reading: Cowboy & Western Poetry. (Jeff Streeby, J.V. Brummels, Thea Gavin, Lisa Lewis, David Romtvedt, Joshua Dolezal) The image of the cowboy has long been mythologized, and so, too, has the image of the cowboy poem. Modern cowboy and western poetry is as complicated and eclectic as the modern cowboy—there are plenty of appearances by cattle and corrals, but topics range from love and politics to ecology and philosophy. And while some of the poems speak in meter and rhyme, plenty of others roam wild and free. Six diverse poets from Rattle's Tribute to Cowboy and Western Poetry perform their work. 

Posted 4/21

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The Heart of Western Music, a new series from Nashville West Studios, had its debut on March 30, 2010 on Direct TV and Dish Network, and new segments are available on demand on YouTube.

Featured performers include the late Curly Musgrave, Belinda Gail, Juni Fisher, Dave Stamey, and many others.

Juni Fisher describes the show, "...It is the brainchild of Scott and Linda Deal, and the idea is: American Idol for Western Music...Not pop, not country, not 'country western,' but Western Music...the music of the American West. But the big difference is, some of the leaders of the Western Music Industry will listen to the newly discovered talents, folks just entering the Western Music arena, and instead of criticizing in front of the TV audience, they mentor, teach, encourage...and by golly, the concept is working!"

Ten segments are available on demand here on YouTube and there is a Facebook page.

Updated 4/13

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 The newest edition (Volume 44) of Joe Baker's Backforty Roundup is available. The CD is a periodic compilation of music and cowboy poetry, sent to over 170 Western radio stations and publications.  

The cover is the cover of the forthcoming The BAR-D Roundup: Volume 5. Inside, there are music tracks from Johnny Lyon, Rebecca Lynn Smith, Cowboy Joe & the Babcocks, Ben Chesney, Bill Durham, The Stardust Cowboys, George Highfill, and Wild Oats. The CD also includes the Public Service Announcement that Joe Baker recorded for the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry, included on The BAR-D Roundup: Volume 5.

Find more about Joe Baker's Backforty Roundup at the Backforty Bunkhouse web site.

The Backforty Bunkhouse also has download capabilities for the many radio stations receiving CD.

Read more about Joe Baker's Backforty Roundup—and how to get your music or poetry included—in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site for more.

Posted 4/8

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Top cowgirl poet and South Dakota ranch wife Yvonne Hollenbeck is featured in a Dakota Life television segment from South Dakota Public Broadcasting that's airing on RFD-TV.

The program shows her at work on the ranch and at home, and she recites some of her poetry. You can view the complete program here at the South Dakota Public Broadcasting web site.

Yvonne Hollenbeck has a new CD, Sorting Time.

See our feature about Yvonne Hollenbeck here and visit her web site, www.YvonneHollenbeck.com.

Posted 3/30

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Andy Wilkinson's (www.andywilkinson.net) operetta, "The Hang-and-Rattle Folk," will be performed at the 21st Annual Southern Plains Conference, the evening of April 13, 2010, at the International Cultural Center at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. The conference has a number of programs to commemorate "Black Sunday" and associated issues. From the media release:

Black Sunday—April 14, 1935—was not the worst of the dust storms, but it is the one that people remember as it tore away topsoil from the Dakotas to Texas, and helped galvanize a national response to combat the environmental and social ills caused by the catastrophe. On April 13 and 14, Ogallala Commons and its partners will be hosting two events at the International Culture Center at Texas Tech University, to commemorate Black Sunday, while discussing how to deal with future Dust Bowls.

"Our events will look back to Black Sunday to more clearly understand what ecological, economic, and social conditions are again massing to ignite a 21st century Dust Bowl," notes Andy Wilkinson, Artist-in-Residence at The Southwest Collection, one of the sponsors of the conference. "The speakers and the sessions for the evening and day events will also outline practices that we can enact to counter or mitigate another series of Black Sundays."
....

The "The Hang-and-Rattle Folk" operetta includes new music by Andy Wilkinson "about the Dust Bowl and what's happened since" along with vintage music selected by Andy Hedges, all arranged by Andy Wilkinson. Alissa Hedges and Emily Arrellano will perform along with Andy Wilkinson and Andy Hedges.

Find complete information about the Southern Plains Conference here (.pdf).

The recent CD, Welcome to the Tribe by Andy Hedges and Andy Wilkinson (www.andywilkinson.net) has received the 2010 Western Heritage Award, the "Wrangler Award," for Outstanding Traditional Western Album from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Read our review of the CD and find more at www.andyhedges.com.

Andy Wilkinson and Andy Hedges have a just-released CD, Long Ways from Home, with Alissa Hedges on some vocals. Read about that CD in an announcement here.

[photos of Andy Wilkinson and Andy Hedges by Jeri L. Dobrowski; see her gallery of western performers and others here.]

Posted 3/30

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The March, 2010 issue of Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter, edited by Totsie Slover of The Real West from the Old West radio is available. The extensive newsletter, with a growing list of more than 700 subscribers, includes reviews, opinion pieces, articles, event reports, news, and more. You can read the entire issue at the Backforty Bunkhouse, where you can subscribe and also read back issues.

In the current issue, there are commentaries and radio charts and playlists of Western music and cowboy poetry from many disc jockeys; Dugg Collins' article, "Bobby Koefer—Steel Guitar Legend"; Mike Gross's article, "The Survivors—Heart of Texas Label, Curtis Potter, Tony Booth, and Darrell McCall"; Chris Talbott's article, "Four Inducted Into Country Music Hall of Fame," with a focus on Ferlin Husky; Billie McCallie's commentary about the Saddle Up! at Pigeon Forge event and notes from new releases and from his Cowboy Jubilee Radio Show; Jim Gough's news from BobWills.com; Jeri Dobrowski's Cowboy Jam Session column, this time "Alligators and Swamp Cowboys"; Bob Rohan's Buffalo Gals cartoon; Julie Carter's Cowgirl Sass and Savvy column, this time "Maybe It's the Boots and Hat"; Rhonda Craig's From the Messenger Western Swing column; the CowboyPoetry.com column (with Cowboy Poetry Week information and featuring Linda Kirkpatrick, who recites Bruce Kiskaddon's "The Creak of the Leather" on the forthcoming CD, The BAR-D Roundup: Volume 5; Rick Huff's Best of the West Reviews; the National Cutting Horse Association Newsletter; Jack Blanchard's column; and more.

Each newsletter also includes other articles, reviews, event announcements, "empty saddles" tributes, and display ads.

Submissions are welcome. Email Totsie Slover bbnewslettereditor@gmail.com or contact Joe Baker, joe@backfortybunkhouse.com.

The Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter received the 2009 Publication of the Year Award from The Cowtown Society of Western Music.Read more about the Backforty Bunkhouse in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site. 

Posted 3/23

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  Top cowboy singer and songwriter Dave Stamey's latest newsletter has information about two new videos:

...The two newest include songs that are not available anywhere else. The first is from a concert Dave did in Woodside last May at the Pioneer Saloon, and features the song “Wild Sierra,” the first song that Dave ever wrote that he kept. This song was once available on a cassette album about twenty years ago, but vanished mysteriously, and even we don’t own a copy anymore. You can find that here. The second is from our recent visit to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at the Saddle Up! Celebration, where we did not meet Dolly, but Dave was captured singing a new song, “Sweet Grass County Line,” written during his July visit to Montana. You can click here for that.

Find more about Dave Stamey in our feature here and visit his web site, www.davestamey.com.

Posted 3/17

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  Watch a delightful video, "Carrying it Forward" here at YouTube from the 2010 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering featuring young performers Adrian, Cora Wood, and Brigid Reedy. Also appearing: Wylie Gustafson of Wylie & the Wild West, Liz Masterson, John Reedy, and Laurie Wood.

Posted 3/11

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The Western Folklife Center's channel here at YouTube features all of the 2010 Deep West videos that premiered at the recent National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Now in its fifth year, the Deep West project produces compelling short films about life in the West made by amateur filmmakers. (Read more here at the Western Folklife Center site where you can also see other years' videos.)

The YouTube channel also includes many other interesting videos, most from past gatherings.

Posted 2/24

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  Jerry Brooks, Kay Kelley Nowell, Jim Wilson, Don Cadden, Mike Stevens and others performing at the 24th Annual Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Alpine, Texas (February 26-28, 2010) appeared live on Marfa Public Radio on Monday, February 22, 2010.

Other scheduled segments include David Wilkie of Cowboy Celtic and Don Hedgepeth on Tuesday, February 23 at 10:00 AM Central (repeated at 6:30 PM); Andy Hedges and Andy Wilkinson on Wednesday, February 24 at 10:00 AM Central (repeated at 6:30 PM); Joel Nelson, Mike Beck, and others live from the event on Friday, February 26 at 10:00 AM Central.

You can listen live on the web.

Updated 2/23

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  Between Grass and Sky, an impressive film produced by Jerry Dugan (FLF Films), features top poets and reciters Joel Nelson, Jerry Brooks, and Andy Hedges reciting Buck Ramsey's "Anthem," the prologue to his master work, Grass. (The film begins with Buck Ramsey's voice.)

The film is now available for viewing here on YouTube.

You can also view the film here at the UeBERSEE web site, where there are additional photos of the associated 2009 exhibit at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, Nevada.

The Nevada Museum of art conceived and commissioned the work, and provided this description:

The poem Grass has impacted generations of cowboy poets throughout the American West. This audiovisual presentation features an original rendition of recitations by three renowned cowboy poets combined with a 1993 recording of Ramsey’s voice. Joel Nelson, a dear friend of Ramsey’s, owns and operates a ranch outside of Alpine, Texas. Andy Hedges, a young cowboy poet and musician, lives and works in Lubbock, Texas. Jerry Brooks, of Sevier, Utah, is one of the most respected reciters of Grass. Together, these poets’ voices pay tribute to the legacy of Buck Ramsey’s words and the universal themes they evoke.

The exhibit's artistic direction was by Nik Hafermaas, UeBersee Inc., Los Angeles.

See our features on Buck Ramsey and some selections of his poetry here.

Posted 2/10

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The January, 2010 issue of Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter, edited by Totsie Slover of The Real West from the Old West is available. The extensive newsletter, with a growing list of more than 700 subscribers, includes reviews, opinion pieces, articles, event reports, news, and more. You can read the entire issue at the Backforty Bunkhouse, where you can subscribe and also read back issues.  

In the current issue, there are commentaries and radio charts and playlists of Western music and cowboy poetry from many disc jockeys; an article about the new CDs, The Poetry of Larry McWhorter; the CowboyPoetry.com column (with a song from Ray Doyle; and article about Cowboy Poetry Week and 2010 poster artist Bill Owen;  Cade Schalla's "Cade's Cadence" column, this time "Watch Yer Step!"; Rick Huff's "Best of the West" reviews; Julie Carter's "Cowgirl Sass and Savvy" column, this time "Completion-Behind and Ahead"; Bob Rohan's "Buffalo Gals" comic; an article by Francie Ganje about the Heritage of the American West show; Gary Allegretto's article about his Harmonikids organization; Dugg Collins' article about Speedy West, Jack Blanchard's column; and more.

The newsletter also includes other articles, reviews, event announcements, "empty saddles" tributes, and display ads. 

Submissions are welcome. Email Totsie Slover bbnewslettereditor@gmail.com or contact Joe Baker, joe@backfortybunkhouse.com.

The Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter received the 2009 Publication of the Year Award from The Cowtown Society of Western Music.

Read more about the Backforty Bunkhouse in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site. 

Posted 1/19

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  A recent article in the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise about the Ralph's Back Porch internet radio show has been picked up by newspapers throughout Texas. The article, "East Texas online radio show is 'World Wild West'," by Kyle Peveto, appears in the Ft. Worth Star Telegram here and in other papers.

Ralph's Back Porch was recently named the Top Western Radio Station by the Western Music Association.

The show has broadcasts on each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and archived shows are available on demand.

Find more about the show in our feature here and visit www.ralphsbackporch.com.

Posted 1/19

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  Barbara Richhart's popular Cow Trails radio show can now be heard on Heartland Public Radio (HPR). Barb, known as "the Western Belle," was recently named the Western Music Association DJ of the Year. She sent the announcement from Heartland Public Radio:

The Dry Land meets the Heartland as Heartland Public Radio welcomes "Cow Trails" from KSJD in Cortez, Colorado to our broadcast lineup. Cow Trails is hosted by "the Western Belle," who is no stranger to radio. In fact she is
the Western Music Association's 2009 DJ of the Year! Her  program, "Cow Trails," airs on 91.5 KSJD every Sunday at noon Mountain Time. Heartland Public Radio is proud to rebroadcast each program starting on the Saturday
following its original Sunday broadcast. "Cow Trails" will air right after the newly-expanded 2-hour-long "Around The Campfire." ...

See our feature about Cow Trails here.

Posted 1/18

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    Andy Nelson and Jim Nelson of Clear Out West (C. O. W.) radio will air a special "stay-at-home" benefit show the week of January 4-10, 2010 on their syndicated radio show. The program is in honor of Curly Musgrave, who died December 13, 2009 (find our tribute pages here).

The show is available on demand now, throughout the month of January. Listen here.

The show includes great interviews with Curly Musgrave, his music and poetry, and more. The playlist includes Curly Musgrave reciting his poem, "Thanks," and singing his songs "Cowboy True," "Range and Romance," "The Irish Drover," and "A Cowboy Farewell." He is joined on "A Cowboy Farewell" by Belinda Gail and R.W. Hampton. The lyrics, from a poem written by Diane Tribitt, are here on the tribute pages.

[2006 photo of Jim Nelson, Curly Musgrave, and Andy Nelson by Linda Kirkpatrick]

Posted 12/31

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The December, 2009 issue of Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter, edited by Totsie Slover of The Real West from the Old West is available. The extensive newsletter, with a growing list of more than 700 subscribers, includes reviews, opinion pieces, articles, event reports, news, and more. You can read the entire issue at the Backforty Bunkhouse, where you can subscribe and also read back issues.  

In the current issue, there are commentaries and radio charts and playlists of Western music and cowboy poetry from many disc jockeys; the CowboyPoetry.com poetry column (with a poem from Jane Morton; Cade Schalla's "Cade's Cadence" column, this time "Giving and Receiving"; Rick Huff's "Best of the West" reviews; Julie Carter's "Cowgirl Sass and Savvy" column, this time "Here it Comes, Ready or Not"; Bob Rohan's "Buffalo Gals" comic; and more.

Gathering reports include Joe Baker's report from the Lincoln County Sheriff Posse's 5th Annual Cowboy Ball; Slim McNaught's report from the 21st annual Alzada Cowboy Poetry, Music and Art Show; Graham Lees' and Dallas McCord's reports from the 21st annual Western Music Association Showcase and Awards; Cade Schalla's report from the 1st annual Cat Spring Cowboy Poetry Gathering, and other reports.

The newsletter also includes other articles, reviews, event announcements, "empty saddles" tributes, and display ads. 

Submissions are welcome. Email Totsie Slover bbnewslettereditor@gmail.com or contact Joe Baker, joe@backfortybunkhouse.com.

The Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter received the 2009 Publication of the Year Award from The Cowtown Society of Western Music.

Read more about the Backforty Bunkhouse in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site. 

Posted 12/30

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The newest, Christmas edition (Volume 43) of Joe Baker's Backforty Roundup is available. The Backforty Roundup is a monthly compilation of music and cowboy poetry, sent to over 170 Western radio stations and publications.  

Artists with Christmas songs include:

Rebecca Linda Smith - Blessed  
Johnny Lyon - A Soldier's Christmas  
Devon Dawson - Followin' On That Star  
Al Franklin - Our Christmastime In Warm Sunshine  
Luke Reed - Lone Star Christmas  
Jerry Webb - Christmas Time On The County Line  
Dick Hammonds - Home For Christmas  
John Bergstrom - It's Christmas Eve Again  
David E Young - Twinkle Little Star  

Standard songs include:

        Rebecca Linda Smith - True Love  
        Johnny Lyon - If You See My Baby  
        Devon Dawson - Play Faded Love I Gotta Go Home  
        Al Franklin - Saturday Night Someday  
        Brenda True - Sugar Moon  
        Dick Hammonds - Late Night Country Music  
        Round Up Boys - Tulsa, Oklahoma  
        Frank Fara - Charmin' Billy  
        Wild Oats - Ghost Riders In The Sky  

You can listen to the full tracks from Volume 43 the Backforty Roundup here at the Backforty Bunkhouse web site.

The Backforty Bunkhouse has download capabilities for the many radio stations receiving The Backforty Roundup.

Read more about Joe Baker's Backforty Roundup—and how to get your music or poetry included—in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site for more.

Posted 12/22

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  Popular young Canadian singer and songwriter Corb Lund (www.corblund.com) is featured in a November 26, 2009 interview, "Corb Lund: Boot-Kickin' Canadian Cowboy," on National Public Radio's All Things Considered.

The extended piece includes lively conversation and music. Descended from four generations of ranchers and cowboys, Corb Lund talks about his roots and particularly about his father, the inspiration for some of songs: "...he's kind of a renaissance man: he's a cattle guy, and he was a pro-rodeo cowboy, and he's a watercolorist, and is a veterinarian." He comments about "the two chunks of my life," saying, "The first half was cowboy and the second half I was in an indie punk band. I like to write songs where those two worlds collide."

He and his band, "The Hurtin' Albertans," are popular on both sides of the border, and he returns to the Western Folklife Center's National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in January, 2010.

Find the audio interview, three full-length songs, and a transcript of the NPR interview here.

[Thanks to Jeri Dobrowski for information about the interview]

Posted 12/1

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The November, 2009 issue of Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter, edited by Totsie Slover of The Real West from the Old West is available. The extensive newsletter, with a growing list of more than 700 subscribers, includes reviews, opinion pieces, articles, event reports, news, and more. You can read the entire issue at the Backforty Bunkhouse, where you can subscribe and also read back issues.  

In the current issue, there are commentaries and radio charts and playlists of Western music and cowboy poetry from many disc jockeys; the CowboyPoetry.com poetry column (with a poem from Doris Daley; Cade Schalla's "Cade's Cadence" column, this time "In the Name of Fairness"; Rick Huff's "Best of the West" reviews; Julie Carter's "Cowgirl Sass and Savvy" column, this time "A Prickly Situation"; Rhonda Craig's column, "The Messenger," about Western Swing topics; and Dugg Collins' feature article about Gene Autry. The newsletter also includes other articles and display ads. 

Submissions are welcome. Email Totsie Slover bbnewslettereditor@gmail.com or contact Joe Baker, joe@backfortybunkhouse.com.

The Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter received the 2009 Publication of the Year Award from The Cowtown Society of Western Music.

Read more about the Backforty Bunkhouse in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site. 

Posted 11/25

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  Buck "the Big Man" Helton is featured in a November, 2009 video here, in an appearance on the Leslie Taylor Hare Show in Dallas. Buck comments, "I sing 'Home on the Range,' and 'King of Kings Ranch,' as well as giving a brief yodel lesson.

Buck Helton is the host of the syndicated webcast, Cowboy Campmeeting, which is webcast on Ralphsbackporch.com, SuperCountryHits.com, and twangtowUSA.com .

Find more information at his web site, www.buckthebigman.com.

Posted 11/24

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    A presentation at the NEA Arts web site—the quarterly magazine of the National Endowment for the Arts—features rancher and poet Joel Nelson. He speaks while image highlights from the 25th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering are displayed, photographs by official gathering photographer Jessica Brand Lifland (www.jessicalifland.com). View the presentation here.

The Vol. 3, 2009 issue of NEA Arts has a focus on folk arts. The web site includes articles about the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, the National Folk Festival, and more, along with special web features.

Joel Nelson was recently named an NEA Heritage Fellow. The article about the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering also includes his poem, "Awakening."

Posted 11/19

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  From Ralph's Back Porch radio, about their broadcasting from the Western Music Association Festival, November 19-21, 2009:

We're  Baaaaack!  The Ralphs Back Porch LIVE INTERNET WESTERN Radio Show is going to do it again this year at WMA! We will be coming to y'all live and taking western music and cowboy poetry to the whole world during the WMA Awards Showcase this year in Albuquerque, New Mexico starting November 19th and winding down on Saturday night, November 21st. 
 
We will be hosting tons of stars on our stage who will be playing and picking their hearts out for the Back Porch worldwide audience. Imagine all that talent on the stages of the BEST Western music showcase in America! Come join us and let's not only support Western music and poetry, let's celebrate it!
 
Live Radio... Live Video with a cowboy flare!  We're INTERNET radio so all you have to do is LOG ON to www.ralphsbackporch.com  and click on the box in the middle of the page!

Posted 11/16
 

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  A new segment of What's in a Song?, produced by National Public Radio in collaboration with the Western Folklife Center, aired Sunday, November 8, 2009 as a part of the Weekend Edition Sunday program.

Co-producer Hal Cannon describes the program:

This is an interview with David Lopéz a musicologist and percussionist I met in Chiapas, Mexico last year. His research and passion are instruments and accounts of ancient Aztec and Mayan music. In this story he talks about and plays a piece of music he composed based on a Aztec celebration called Corazon de Fuego or Heart of Fire.

You can listen to the What's in a Song segment here on the National Public Radio site, where there is also a transcript of the program.

Read more about the segment here at the Western Folklife Center.

Western songwriters featured recently on What's in a Song? include Stephanie Davis, Stan Howe, Tom Russell, Brenn Hill, Mike Beck, Curly Musgrave, Baxter Black, and Michael Martin Murphey. Find previous What's in a Song broadcasts here at the NPR web site.

Updated 11/16

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Award-winning musician, singer, and songwriter Ray Doyle has an impressive new video of his song, "The Emigrant Trail," from his recent album of the same name. The song has been nominated by the Western Music Association for the Song of the Year and the album is nominated in the Traditional Western Music Album category. Reviewer Rick Huff called the album "...a courageous, diverse statement and an outstanding achievement." View the video here at YouTube.

Ray Doyle performs solo and with Wylie & the Wild West.

See our feature about him here and visit his web site, www.RayDoyle.net and his MySpace page.

Posted 11/2

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The October, 2009 issue of Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter, edited by Totsie Slover of The Real West from the Old West is available. The extensive newsletter, with a growing list of more than 700 subscribers, includes reviews, opinion pieces, articles, event reports, news, and more. You can read the entire issue at the Backforty Bunkhouse, where you can subscribe and also read back issues.  

In the current issue, there are commentaries and radio charts and playlists of Western music and cowboy poetry from many disc jockeys, including Joe Baker, Mike Gross, Marvin O'Dell, Andy and Jim Nelson, Totsie Slover, Bill McCallie, Graham Lees (UK), Ken Bass, Lillies Ohlsson (Sweden), Waynetta Ausmus, Ralph Hampton and Tamara Boatright, and Big Fred Walker.

The October issue also includes the CowboyPoetry.com poetry column (with a poem from Janice Gilbertson); Jeri Dobrowski's "Cowboy Jam Session," this time, "Telling Tales: Celebrating Family, Ranch & Community"; Cade Schalla's "Cade's Cadence" column, this time "A Skunk Tale"; Julie Carter's "Cowgirl Sass and Savvy" column, this time "Changing of the Seasons—Cowboy Style," and Rhonda Craig's column, "The Messenger," about Western Swing topics.

There are event reports, including Totsie Slover's report from the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium; a report from the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo and San Juan Western Heritage Festival by Smoke Wade and CowboyPoetry.com; Willard Hollopeter's report from the 18th Annual Old West Days; and John Glawson's report from Maple Creek's 20th Annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering. There is a list of the Academy of Western Artists Will Rogers Awards winners and coverage of the America's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame 2009 inductees.

The issue includes Rick Huff's review of Life—Love—Legends by Carin Mari & Pony Express, a review of Jake Hooker's Lost Along the Way by Mike Gross, and a profile of Swedish deejay and publisher Lillies Ohlsson, "The Story of Lillies Ohlsson and Kountry Koral Magazine." There are "Empty Saddles" tributes to Leon Chambers, Tom McEntee, and Bob Bone.

The newsletter also includes other articles and display ads. 

Submissions are welcome. Email Totsie Slover bbnewslettereditor@gmail.com or contact Joe Baker, joe@backfortybunkhouse.com.

The Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter received the 2009 Publication of the Year Award from The Cowtown Society of Western Music.

Read more about the Backforty Bunkhouse in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site. 

Posted 10/27

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  Ralph's Back Porch radio is adding a third weekly broadcast on Wednesday evenings. From the show's announcement:

More Music and Poetry from the Back Porch
 
Ralph's Back Porch will now be on air three nights a week! Their new night will be Wednesday 7-9 pm Central and the show will be a music/poetry show only. "We will still take callers, but we won't be scheduling guests," co-host Ralph Hampton said. "The interviews on Monday and Friday have left us little room to play the great music and poetry we are getting into the station. We love this music and want to share it all with y'all!"
 
Ralphs Back Porch is a talk format show where they interview guests such as Don Edwards, Red Steagall, Paul Zarzyski, Wylie Gustafson and others in the western music/cowboy poetry industry. You can listen to their show Monday, Wednesday or Friday at www.blogtalkradio.com/ralphsbackporch from 7-9 pm.
 

Ralph's Back Porch has broadcast live from many events, including the Western Music Association Festival, the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo, the Academy of Western Artists' Will Rogers Awards, house concerts, and more. The show has has hosted several annual Cowboy Poetry Week shows and a show with the Lariat Laureate finals from CowboyPoetry.com, with many poets taking part.

The show's regular broadcasts at www.blogtalkradio.com/ralphsbackporch take place now each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 7-9 PM (Central) and include Western music, cowboy poetry, interviews, and calls from listeners, and the show hosts a simultaneous chat board. Archived shows are available on demand.

Ralph's Back Porch welcomes submissions for consideration for airplay: Ralph’s Back Porch, 617 S. Liberty, San Augustine TX 75972 (or send mp3’s by email via the address on the Ralph's Back Porch web site).

Posted 10/27

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Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse now offers a digital download service to the hundreds of DJs in their network.

The first CDs offered include Wylie Gustafson's Christmas For Cowboys; Richard Graham's In Blue Lights Flashing; Dick Hammonds' Love Letters; Tom Houston Orchestra's Tuxedo Country; Brady Bowen's In My Spare Time Volumes 4 and 5; Desperados' Lucky Seven; Gil Prather's Last of the Border Cowboys; Dugg Collins' Looking Back...1977; and David Price's 100% Texan and Texas Songwriter.

Downloads are offered to registered U.S. and overseas DJs free of charge, from a password-protected area of the Backforty website. CD covers and mechanical information are included. 

For questions and complete information, email: joe@backfortybunkhouse.com  or call 575-808-4111.

Visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site for information about its services, broadcasts, and publications.

Posted 10/21

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Ken Overcast, singer, songwriter, writer, poet, and host of the popular syndicated radio show, The Cowboy Show, has a new newsletter here with an audio excerpt ("Low on Ignition Fluid") from his latest book, Sittin' 'Round the Stove, Stories From the Real West.

Sittin' 'Round the Stove, Stories From the Real West received the 2009 Will Rogers Medallion Award.

See our feature about Ken Overcast, with stories and information about his books and recordings here.

Visit Ken's web site, where you can sign up for his monthly giveaway and add yourself to his mailing list. You can hear a sample of The Cowboy Show and find the latest playlist here.

Posted 10/13

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 Montana's "Polish-rodeo-hobo" poet Paul Zarzyski and top cowboy singer-composer Wylie Gustafson appeared Tuesday, October 6, 2009 on the Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The event is available for viewing on demand from the archive. The performance is a part of the Homegrown: The Music of America concert series.

The hour-long concert included "Grace," both as the poem written and delivered by Paul Zarzyski and in song as written and performed by Wylie Gustafson; "Bucking Horse Moon," with both as a poem delivered by Paul Zarzyski and the song, which he wrote in collaboration with Tom Russell, sung by Wylie Gustafson; "Monte Carlo Express..." by Paul Zarzyski; Wylie Gustafson's "Whip Out a Yodel"; "Black upon Tan," the poem written and delivered by Paul Zarzyski; "Ridin' Double Wild," both as the poem written and delivered by Paul Zarzyski and in song as written and performed by Wylie Gustafson; "Words Growing Wild in the Woods," the poem written and delivered by Paul Zarzyski; "To Ride," written and performed by Wylie Gustafson; "For the Stories," the poem written and delivered by Paul Zarzyski; Tex Owens' "Cattle Call," performed by Wylie Gustafson; "The Heavyweight Champion Pie-Eating Cowboy of the West," the poem written and delivered by Paul Zarzyski; Badger Clark's "To Her," set to music and performed by Wylie Gustafson; and "Rodeo to the Bone," co-written by Wylie Gustafson and Paul Zarzyski—who introduced it with a bit of Badger Clark's "The Legend of Boastful Bill"—sung by Wylie Gustafson.

On October 7, Paul Zarzyski and Wylie Gustafson appeared at the Library of Congress in a noon performance in a concert series co-presented by the American Folklife Center and the Music Division at the Library of Congress in cooperation with the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.

Other cowboy and Western artists who have been a part of these series (and whose performances can be found on video from The Kennedy Center Archive) include DW Groethe, The Quebe Sisters, The BAR-J Wranglers, Sourdough Slim, Jody Nix, Chuck Milner, and Liz Masterson and Sean Blackburn.

Wylie Gustafson and Paul Zarzyski collaborated on a recent, acclaimed CD, Hang-n-Rattle (and several of the selections from the concert are included on that CD). Read our review here and visit www.wyliewebsite.com and www.paulzarzyski.com for more information.

[2009 photo of Wylie Gustafson and Paul Zarzyski by Jeri L. Dobrowski; see her gallery of western performers and others here.]

Updated 10/8

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   Historian and musician Mark Gardner (www.songofthewest.com) is featured in an engaging video produced by William Morrow/Harper Collins, publishers of his forthcoming book (February, 2010), To Hell on a Fast Horse: Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and the Epic Chase to Justice in the Old West.

The video was filmed at Colorado's Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. View it here on YouTube.

Mark Gardner is the author of many books, including Jack Thorp's Songs of the Cowboys (Museum of New Mexico Press, 2005). See our feature about that book and its accompanying CD, here.

[photo by Steve Butler]

Posted 10/5

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The September, 2009 issue of Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter, edited by Totsie Slover of The Real West from the Old West is available. The extensive newsletter, with a growing list of more than 700 subscribers, includes reviews, opinion pieces, articles, event reports, news, and more. You can read the entire issue at the Backforty Bunkhouse, where you can subscribe and also read back issues.  

In the current issue, there are commentaries and radio charts and playlists of Western music and cowboy poetry from many disc jockeys, including Joe Baker, Andy and Jim Nelson, Totsie Slover, "Cowboy Bill," Graham Lees (UK), Ken Bass, Lillies Ohlsson (Sweden), Rowenda Muldavin, "Mr. Jolly" Jean Pierre (France). Bill McCallie, Mike Gross, Bill Morrison, Big Fred Walker, Hugh McLennan; and Marvin O'Dell.

The August issue also includes the CowboyPoetry.com poetry column (with a poem from Andy Nelson); Jeri Dobrowski's "Cowboy Jam Session," this time, "Western Gypsy"; Cade Schalla's "Cade's Cadence" column, this time "The Honoraable";  Julie Carter's "Cowgirl Sass and Savvy column," this time "Knowing When It's Time to Quit"; Jim Gough's article, "Becoming an Actor"; Jane Morton's report from the 24th Annual Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Western Music Rendezvous; Doris Daley's report and photos from the 17th Annual Stony Plain Cowboy Festival; an article about the Rock and Roll Symposium at the September Clovis Music Festival; an article about the 20th Annual Lincoln Count Cowboy Symposium (October 9-11); Dugg Collins' article about Jody Nix; Mike Gross' review of The Stardust Cowboys' Ridin' Back to You; Jack Blanchard's column, this time, "The Last Day"; Rick Huff's review of the Daughters of the Purple Sage's The Best of the Daughters of the Purple Sage;  Rhonda Craig's article, "From the Messenger" with commentary on the Western Swing community; an article about Janet McBride being presented the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum Lifetime Achievement Award; an article about the late Elmer Kelton by Stan Paregien; display ads for events; and more. 

Submissions are welcome. Email Totsie Slover bbnewslettereditor@gmail.com or contact Joe Baker, joe@backfortybunkhouse.com.

The Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter received the 2009 Publication of the Year Award from The Cowtown Society of Western Music.

Read more about the Backforty Bunkhouse in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site. 

Posted 9/24

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  Wylie Gustafson of Wylie & the Wild West and Stephanie Davis are featured on a September 12, 2009 compilation show on Garrison Keillor's The Prairie Home Companion radio show on National Public Radio. You can listen to the show here.

Audio highlights here on the show's web site include Wylie Gustafson's "Cattle Call" and "Bailing Twine" by Stephanie Davis.

Wylie & the Wild West's most recent release is Hang-n-Rattle. See our feature about Wylie Gustafson and Wylie & the Wild West here and visit his web site.

Stephanie Davis has two new releases, Western Bling and Western Bliss. See our feature about Stephanie Davis here and visit her web site.

[photo of Wylie Gustafson by Ross Hecox; photo of Stephanie Davis by Clark Marten]

Posted 9/14

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Top cowboy poet and philosopher Baxter Black is featured on National Public Radio's What's in a Song? segment for September 12, 2009, as a part of the Weekend Edition Saturday program.

The program is described, " Public radio's favorite cowboy poet, philosopher and former large-animal veterinarian lost his father at an early age. But Black has a vivid memory of being regaled by a certain song about a young cowboy at bedtime." Baxter Black talks about "Little Joe the Wrangler," accompanied by excerpts from Don Edwards' rendition of the song; the song's lyrics were written by Jack Thorp. What's in a Song? is produced by NPR in collaboration with the Western Folklife Center.

At the Western Folklife Center site here, you can listen to the segment, find a full audio of Don Edwards' rendition of "Little Joe the Wrangler," some background, and the lyrics. You can also listen to the What's in a Song segment here on the National Public Radio site, where there is also a transcript of the program and the audio for the program and for the full version of Don Edwards' rendition.

Other Western songwriters featured recently on What's in a Song? include Stephanie Davis, Stan Howe, Tom Russell, Brenn Hill, Mike Beck, Curly Musgrave, and Michael Martin Murphey. Find previous What's in a Song broadcasts here at the NPR web site.

[photo courtesy of Baxter Black, www.baxterblack.com]

Posted 9/14

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  From co-host Tamara Boatright of Ralph's Back Porch:

Ralph's Back Porch will be at it again! Ralph and Tamara will be bringing us more live event coverage from the San Juan Western Heritage Festival and National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo, Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12.

Around the world folks can listen in as our favorites and friends compete for the silver buckle. Listeners can look forward to interviews and performances by Sam Jackson, Ed Nesselhuf, Darrell Arnold, Sam DeLeeuw, Verlin Pitt, Smoke Wade,  Jan Corey, Jim Cardwell, Cade Shalla, Marcie Broyhill, J.V. Brummels, Almeda Terry, Al Mehl, Jerry Brooks, Geff Dawson and a host of other talented individuals.
 
Their broadcast schedule will be:
 
Friday 1 pm - 4 pm MST (or 2 pm - 6 pm Texas time) Live show coverage with open mic
         7 pm - 9 pm MST (or 8 pm - 10 pm Texas Time) Headliner event with local Western Colorado Talent
 
Saturday 1 pm -4 pm MST (or 2 pm - 6 pm Texas Time) Live show coverage with open mic
             7 pm - 9 pm MST (or 8 pm - 10 pm Texas Time) Evening Show with Gary Lear and his Nashville Band
             as well as awards
 
To listen, go to www.ralphsbackporch.com the broadcast will be coming from the ustream box on the center of the page and volume can be adjusted there. Folks at home are encouraged to click the "chat" button to join other listeners in the worldwide chat room.

Find more about the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo and see a list of participants in our feature here.

Posted 9/8

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The newest edition (Volume 42) of Joe Baker's Backforty Roundup is available. The Backforty Roundup is a monthly compilation of music and cowboy poetry, sent to over 170 Western radio stations and publications.  

Artists with tracks on the CD include Rebecca Linda Smith, Johnny Lyon, Dave Caley, Johnny Saculla, Joe Herrington, and Wild Oats.

You can listen to the full tracks from Volume 42 the Backforty Roundup here at the Backforty Bunkhouse web site.

The Backforty Bunkhouse has download capabilities for the many radio stations receiving The Backforty Roundup.

Read more about Joe Baker's Backforty Roundup—and how to get your music or poetry included—in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site for more.

Posted 9/1

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  Montana singer and songwriter Stephanie Davis and her song "Goodnight Little Cowpup" are featured on an August 29, 2009 compilation show on Garrison Keillor's The Prairie Home Companion radio show on National Public Radio. You can listen to the show here.

Stephanie has two new releases, Western Bling and Western Bliss. See our review in a feature here, which also includes expanded track comments by Stephanie Davis and commentary by Rich O'Brien and Hal Cannon. At Stephanie Davis' web site, you'll find a full-length interview about the new releases, track samples, and order information.

See our feature about Stephanie Davis here.

[photo of Stephanie Davis and former cowpup, now grown up Ted Davis by Clark Marten]

Posted 8/31

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  Third-generation Montana rancher, poet, and writer Wallace McRae shares stories of his life and his work in an engaging and entertaining two-part interview on Yellowstone Public Radio, in conversation with George Cole on Real Time. He recites several poems, including his "Maggie" and "My Requiem," and reads from his new, widely acclaimed collection of stories, Stick Horses and Other Stories of Ranch Life.  

 

Listen to the interview here.

 

Wallace McRae has been a part of nearly every National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. He was the first cowboy poet to be awarded the National Heritage Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. He is a recipient of the Montana Governor's Award for the Arts, and has served on the National Council of the Arts.

 

His poem, "Urban Daughter," is included on The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Three. Read more about him in our feature here.

 

[2009 photo of Wallace McRae by Jeri L. Dobrowski; see her gallery of western performers and others here.]
 

Posted 8/26

 

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The August, 2009 issue of Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter, edited by Totsie Slover of The Real West from the Old West is available. The newsletter, with a growing list of more than 700 subscribers, includes reviews, opinion pieces, articles, event reports, news, and more. You can read the entire issue at the Backforty Bunkhouse, where you can subscribe and also read back issues.  

In the current issue, there are commentaries and radio charts and playlists of Western music and cowboy poetry from many disc jockeys, including Joe Baker, Andy and Jim Nelson, Totsie Slover, "Cowboy Bill", Graham Lees (UK), Ken Bass, Lillies Ohlsson (Sweden), Rowenda Muldavin, Bille McCallie, Mike Gross, Big Fred Walker, and Marvin O'Dell.

The August issue also includes the CowboyPoetry.com poetry column (with a poem from Smoke Wade); Jeri Dobrowski's "Cowboy Jam Session," this time, "Hay Days"; Joe Baker's reviews of the Saddle Cats' Herdin' Cats CD and Hillside Records' Country Song Roundup; Dugg Collins' article about Mel McDaniel; Julie Carter's "Cowgirl Sass and Savvy column," this time "Knowing When It's Time to Quit"; Rhonda Craig's article, "From the Messenger" with commentary on the Western Swing community; Jim Gough's article about Bob Wills Radio at www.bobwills.com; Jack Blanchard's column, this time, "All Hat and No Pickup Truck"; Cade Schalla's "Cade's Cadence" column; a cartoon by Bob Rohan; "Empty Saddles" remembrances of Lloyd Hickey and Les Paul; and more. 

Submissions are welcome. Email Totsie Slover bbnewslettereditor@gmail.com or contact Joe Baker, joe@backfortybunkhouse.com.

The Backforty Bunkhouse e-newsletter received the 2009 Publication of the Year Award from The Cowtown Society of Western Music at its 11th Annual Cowtown Society Of Western Music Swingfest, May 2nd, 2009 in Mineral Wells, Texas.

Read more about the Backforty Bunkhouse in our feature here and visit the Backforty Bunkhouse web site. 

Posted 8/17

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Ken Overcast, singer, songwriter, writer, poet, and host of the popular syndicated radio show, The Cowboy Show, has a new "audio postcard." Listen to the audio postcard here for a chapter ("45 Caliber Fishin'") from Ken's latest book, Sittin' 'Round the Stove, Stories From the Real West.

See our feature about Ken Overcast, with stories and information about his books and recordings here.

Visit Ken's web site, where you can sign up for his monthly giveaway and add yourself to his mailing list. You can hear a sample of The Cowboy Show and find the latest playlist here.

Posted 8/13
 

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  Plum TV (www.plumtv.com/sunvalley) of Sun Valley, Idaho has three short video presentations about the art of cowboy gear, filmed at the Western Folklife Center's 25th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

One film features engraver Rick Eaton "as he gives Plum a quick introduction into his world of engraving guns, knives and other cowboy accessories," from the "Cowboy Engraver's Gathering" event at the gathering.

The other two segments were filmed at the "Between Grass and Sky: Trappings of a Ranch Life" exhibit, both with saddlemaker Jeremiah Watt, who was the exhibit's curator). One is "an introduction into the world of saddle art as well as a brief overview of the history of the American Cowboy," and the other is described as "a brief introduction into the world of bit art and the functions of a bit in a horses mouth." (Catch a view of the 25th anniversary gathering brand quilt created by Yvonne Hollenbeck, at the end of the third film.)

See the films here.

Posted 8/11

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  Folk music legend Ramblin' Jack Elliott's (ramblinjack.com) recent performance at the 50th Annual Newport Folk Festival is available here from National Public Radio's festival audio archive. It's a concert filled with his classic stories and music, and in his encore, he dedicates "Diamond Joe" to Ian Tyson.

A long-time favorite at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Ramblin' Jack will be back at the 26th annual gathering January 23-20, 2010.

[photo of Ramblin' Jack Elliot at the 2008 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering by Jeri L. Dobrowski; see her gallery of western performers and others here.]

Posted 8/10