Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter Distributed by BACKFORTY BUNKHOUSE PRODUCTIONS 106 Roswell St., Ruidoso, NM 88345 (575) 808-4111 Home of Backforty Roundup and CD Chorale Backforty Bunkhouse Publishing BMI Venue / Show Productions Western Music Radio Marketing www.Backforty Bunkhouse.com [email protected] www.MySpace.com/BackfortyBunkhouse Twitter.com/backfortyBH

Joe Baker The Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter is sent to over 700 email subscribers periodically and is growing every day. There are DJs, artists Publisher and fans whose interest are Western Swing, Cowboy Poetry, Cowboy Heritage and Texas Honky Tonk music genres. We solicit your comments, suggestions and ways we may better serve you. If you do not want to receive this newsletter and want to be removed from our mailing list, reply to this email by entering “UNSUBSCRIBE” in the subject box of the email. ______Published by Joe Baker 4. Chuck Woller, Desert Moon 5. Backforty Roundup Vol. #42 Cowtown Society of Western Music Heroes 6. Flying J Wranglers, My Adobe Hacienda Academy of Western Artists Disc Jockey of the Y ear Cowtown Society of Western Music Disc Jockey of the Year 7. Stephanie Davis, Western Bliss Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest Hall of Fame 8. Rich Flanders, Ride Away Membership Director—Cowtown Society of Western Music 9. Backforty Roundup Vol. #41 Board of Directors—Cowtown Society of Western Music Seattle Western Swing Music Society POWS Hall of Fame 10. JD Seibert, Cowboy Poetry Backforty Newsletter—CSWM‟s Publication of the Year 2009 11. Joe Herrington, Shalako The Western Swing Society Sacramento CA Hall of Fame 12. Gil Prather, Last Of The Border Cowboys 13. The Buckarettes, Cowgirl Serenade Totsie Slover, Editor 14. Prescott/Masterson/Hollenbeck Ranchlife101 Joe Baker's Top 20 – September, 2009 15. Bob & Johnny Boatright, Lost Trails 16. Belinda Gail/Curly Musgrave, Forever West Western Swing 17. Cowboy Slim Rinehart, King Of Border Radio 18. Willie P Richardson, Live At Ritz (Humor) 1. Pat Jacobs, Legendary Western Swing 19. Chuck Cusimano, Wind Blow My Blues Away 2. The Desperados, Lucky 7 20. Ray Doyle, The Emigrant Trail 3. Hillside Records Country Song Roundup-Potter/ McCall/Trevino/Seratt/Inman/Sanders th 4. Rebecca Linda Smith, Jesus‘ Grace 20 Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium 5. Cornell Hurd, Songs Of Moon Mullican is October 9-11, 2009 with a Thursday night concert th 6. Wild Oats, Classic Country Music on October 8 with the legendary Mel Tillis and the 7. Jerry Webb, There‘s A Song In That Statesiders followed by Bob Wills‘ Texas Playboys, 8. Saddle Cats, Herdin‘ Cats kicking off three days with some of the finest music 9. Johnny Lyon, Wynn Stewart Favorites Vol. #2 in the world. This cowboy symposium has, for many 10. Brady Bowen In My Spare Time, Vol. #5 years, been tagged the granddaddy of them all. There 11. Liz Talley, More Than Satisfied will be hundreds of western oriented vendors through- 12. Hank Stone, Somewhere In Texas out Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Billy The Kid Ca- 13. Willie Nelson, Willie & The Wheel sino. The infield of the racetrack will be home for many 14. Darrell McCall, A Way To Survive/All She Did Was chuckwagons competing for the big $12,000 prize Fall In Love money. There will be a Kid‘s Rodeo sponsored by the 15. River Road Boys, Houston Lincoln County Sheriff‘s Posse, Craig Cameron Horse 16. Johnny Bush, Lillie‘s White Lies seminars, food vendors and of course, the music. That‘s 17. Stephanie Davis, Western Bling right folks, cowboy music, cowboy poetry, Texas honky 18. Richard Wolfe, Country Music Turns Her On tonk and western swing music every day with concerts 19. Leona Williams, New Patches and dancing on Friday & Saturday nights featuring the 20. Dave Caley, It‘s A Long Way Back best of the best. Our master of ceremonies as always is Academy Western the one and only Hall Of Famer and the legendary west- Artists Western Music/Cowboy Poetry ern music disc jockey, Larry Scott from Terrell, Texas Sunday morning from 9am til noon, you can enjoy the

LCCS Cowboy Church for good down home gospel 1. Stardust Cowboys, Ridin‘ Back To You singing by many stars in the gospel music industry as 2. Ken Cook, Cowboys Are Like That well as the local Good News Band, featuring Pastor 3. Bar-D Roundup Vol. 4, Various Artists

Joe Baker‟s Backforty Bunkhouse Show is broadcast on 100,000 watt KNMB, 96.7FM “New Mexico Bear” & 100,000 watt KWMW, 105.1FM, “Regional Radio W-105” every Saturday morning 6 am to 10 am in Ruidoso, New Mexico covering New Mexico & West Texas. Member: Western Music Broadcast- ers Association (WMBA). Also available „Streaming live‟ 24/7 on the internet at W-105

Cowtown Society of Western Music ‘2009 Publication of the Year’

1 Charles Clery from Ruidoso‘s J-Bar-J Coun- try Church. Take a look at who will be here, Bobby Flores Band, Billy Mata & the Texas Tradition, Lucy Dean Record, Red Steagall, Ginny Mac, Justin Trevino, R.J. Vandygriff, the official voice of Bob Wills‘ Texas Play- boys the legendary Leon Rausch, Tommy Allsup, Bobby Koefer, Larry Gatlin, Liz Talley, Floyd Domino, The Quebe Sisters Band, Call Of The West, Rollie Stevens, Albert Talley, Neil Butler, Derwood Strube, Chris York, Brady Bowen, Bobby Baker, J.W. Beeson, Jimmy Burson, Billy Dozier, The Flying J Wranglers, Chuck Cusimano, Harlen Kubos, Tuffy Cooper, Pete Laum- bach, Mark Lowe, Rick McRae, Jess Meador, Rich & Valerie O‘Brien, Del Puschert, Dennis Kubos, Darrell & Mona McCall, Tony Booth, Kimberly Murray, Tracy Pitcox and many more. Again this year, em- cee Joe Baker will be working the stage inside Billy The Kid Casino with Brady Bowen & Friends from 10am to 1am on Friday and Saturday as many performers stop by to perform a couple of tunes in between the act‘s on other stages. There are four stages in all throughout Ruidoso Downs Race- track & Billy The Kid Casino. MTD Radio has exclusive sympo- sium coverage and will be broadcasting 28 hours with live inter- views and western swing music and if you can‘t make it this year, just go to www.BackfortyBunkhouse.com and hear it live on the internet. We will have David Stallings and his film crew from Texas County Line Productions, shooting a lot of film coverage throughout the LCCS. You can catch previous shows in the archives at: www.TexasCountyLine.tv Tickets for the 20th Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium go on sale August 1st, 2009. To reserve your tickets and more information Please call 575-378-4114. Or visit: www.cowboysymposium.org

- Joe Baker

It Costs A Lot Of Money To Be Later, with a walking cast in place, Rob decided he would cut a Broke few cedar stays out of the brush pastures to sell, but his chainsaw Cowgirl Sass & Savvy Julie Carter was on the blink. His wife Sue recalled an ad in the paper where a Superstition suggests bad luck comes in chainsaw was offered at a weekend garage sale. When Rob re- threes and for Rob, the third had just hit. turned with his treasure, his plan was to show it off to his bride. He Actually, it was the fourth, but the rules pulled the rope and got the usual chainsaw resistance to starting. say after three, quit counting. Rob and his He pulled it again. Nothing. After about a dozen tries with no luck, wife had been subsidizing their cattle ranching in the usual Sue remembered something she had to do in the house, knowing sweaty, working ways. Lately, those hadn't been too successful. it was a good time to remove herself from the premises. Perpetually looking for a way to keep the wolf from the door, Rob When she went back a couple hours later, Rob was nowhere had a plan. around. The bar and chain were lying to one side and a thousand The cutting horse reject colt he had bought to make a heeling pieces of orange plastic were scattered throughout the area. The horse to sell was working out fairly well. That is, until a steer sledgehammer was leaning up against the barn door. came out of the roping chute, cut hard to the right and the colt, Next, Rob decided that since their ranch had some good coastal true to his training, did the same. Rob had not cleared the end of Bermuda, he'd sell some of the upcoming hay crop. He laid down the roping box when everybody went "hard right" and his boot a good-sized field of it in anticipation of the income that it would caught on the corner. The sickening sound told the story before bring. Of course, it had not rained in that part of the world in any- anyone had to look. The bone was broke and the shin was split. body's distant memory, but that night it poured down three inches. This didn't bode well for any money-making activity in the near He also had some farm ground and decided a crop of peanuts future. would be just the thing. He worked the ground, planted his pea-

2 nuts, and went to bed that night counting his millions. The next All Things Country Top 10 CDs morning he found that every peanut had been rooted up. Feral Rowena Muldavin hogs had never been a problem on his place, that is, until the 1. Tracey K. Houston - Just The Way I Am peanuts were in the ground. He did reflect with some gratitude 2. Jake Hooker - Lost Along The Way that the pigs hadn't helped themselves to his beer stash in the 3. Liz Talley - More Than Satisfied barn to wash down the peanuts. 4. Vance Lane - Texas Two Step As soon as he could find someone to tell him what pigs wouldn't 5. Ethyl & The Regulars - High Octane Honky eat, he'd consider replanting. The next accounting issue came Tonk & Western Swing when Sue announced that their son needed braces. Rob asked 6. Stephanie Davis - Western Bling how many sets of teeth the kid had because they'd just put him in 7. Rod Moag (Producer) - A Salute to the Heroes of braces a year or so ago. Sue informed him there were a couple of Texas Swing kids and this was a different one. 8. Teri Joyce - Kitchen Radio Rob was a good hand at roping but had put the sport on hold 9. L'il Mo & The Monicats - On The Moon while he married, had a family and set up his ranching enterprise 10. Amber Digby - Passion, Pride & What Might Have Been to seek his fortune. However, there was a big team roping coming [email protected] to town. He had many bills to pay, but uncannily, he had just enough money to pay entry fees. He called a former roping buddy Ken Bass KALH - Variety 95.1 FM and they entered up. It worked out better than anything had so Alamogordo - La Luz - Holloman AFB far. They won the roping, got their names called, new trophy & Tularosa, NM buckles and a big payout. On the way home, Rob bought new tires for Sue's pickup and an 01 - Charlie Daniels - Back in the Saddle extra case of ropers' aiming fluid (beer). The logic was clearly Again before him. He could ride in a cast and had proven he could still 02 - Larry Gatlin & Gatlin Brothers - Johnny Cash is Dead catch his share at the ropings. Subsidizing the ranch in this man- (and His House Burned Down) ner was going to be a whole lot more fun than riding colts, chain- 03 - Stephanie Davis - Soon 04 - Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe - Baby's Single Down in San saws, hay or peanuts. Antone Some cowboys have to work a little harder to get to the same 05 - Ray Sanders - One More Memory result; heeding the call of the roping arena. 06 - Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan - Shadows of the Leaves Julie can be reached for comment at www.julie-carter.com 07 - Starla Queen & Jazzabillies - I'm Beginning to See the Light 08 - Mel McDaniel - Jukin‘ "Swingin' West"- Mike Gross 09 - Texoma All-Stars - Don't Fence Me In WVOF-FM 10 - Cornell Hurd Band & Brad Moore - Cherokee Boogie September 1, 2009 11 - Jerry Webb - Wall to Wall Songs 12 - Vince Gill - Oklahoma Hills 13 - Jason Mitchell - (I'm Yo') Chicken Man 1. Over the Hill- River Road Boys 14 - Charlotte Autry - Be Honest With Me 2. Brownsville- John England & Western Swingers 15 - Kevin Fowler - Beer Season 3. Are You Teasing Me- Bobby Flores 16 - Travis Andrews - This Honky Tonk's Home 4. Southern Hospitality- Cornell Hurd Band 17 - Cow Bop & Pinto Pammie - Honeysuckle Rose 5. Feelin‘ Blue for Texas- Marshall Ford Swing Band 18 - Desperados - Leaving & Saying Goodbye 6. Crystal Canyon- Patty Parker 19 - Steve Martin, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill - Pretty Flowers 7. California Mountains- The Stardust Cowboys 20 - Tracy Lawrence - Up to Him [email protected] 8. I Can Almost Tell- Rich Lester

9. Swingtown- Andrew Dean & The Farm Machine

10. Heartless Lover- Cornell Hurd Band Albums 1. Houston- River Road Boys 2. Western Bling- Stephanie Davis 3. This is Tommy Duncan- Billy Mata & Texas Tradition 4. Open That Gate- John England & Western Swingers 5. Willie and the Wheel- Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel 6. Last Call for Heartaches- Price Porter 7. Herdin‘ Cats- The Saddle Cats 8. Favorite Requests- Don Sulesky 9. Something Old, Nothing New- Dennis Ivey 10. The Songs of Moon Mullican- Cornell Hurd Band

swinginwest.com

A-10 Etcheverry, Creative Achievement Award Winner Cowtown Society of Western Music 2009 CrayolaCowboy.com

3

Jim Gough: Musician, PO Box 14003 Character Actor, Narrator Mill Creek, WA 98082 put together the following article, showing that most musicians do in fact have a "real

life." — Ray

Becoming An Actor —

By Jim Gough Becoming An Actor — I got into acting through the 'back-door.' By Jim Gough I was an advertising art director in Houston

when I acquired a western wear store as an I got into acting through the 'back-door.' account. I was producing a TV spot to I was an advertising art director in Houston feature all-around cowboy Larry Mahan, when I acquired a western wear store as when he had to back out at the last minute. an account, I was producing a TV spot to As they say, the show must go on, so I feature all-around cowboy Larry Mahan, filled in and did the on-camera spot. when he had to back out at the last minute. Shortly afterward, I found an agent and As they say, the show must go on, so I it wasn't long 'til I did my first character part filled in and did the on-camera spot. in a film. I played the head of an Indian Shortly afterward, I found an agent and reservation in Mississippi in a two-part TV Jim Gough & James Callahan it wasn't long 'til I did my first character part ―Outlaw Blues‖ - 1975 in a film. I playedJim Gough the head of an Indian reservation in Mississippi in a two-part TV Over the years, we have received My real entry into all this acting and manymini-series nominations "Attack foron ourTerror." annual The Hall show of announcing business started as a Famefeatured that many profile Texas the actors development like Rip Torn, and coincidence while working in an ad agency WesternDabney Coleman Swing attributes and Wayne of manyRogers great from in Dallas in the mid-sixties. I had played musicians."MASH." guitar around town in combos with my Then,About the typically, same time we (I honor really those never talented wife when a friend in a recording selectedthought much with written about andacting verbal as I accoladeswas satis- studio asked me to announce a "demo" he offied their with musical my career past, as while an art frequently director) we an was working on for a major Detroit account. areagent also I had treated helped get to started their asked personal if I The campaign was for Dodge cars and presence,would audition and for performances, a film being atdirected our Hall by Gough, Dabney Coleman, Wayne Rogers ―Attack on Terror‖ trucks and was called "The Good Guys in ofthe Fame young Festivals. Stephen Speilberg. The show is called "Sugarland Express" and I must the White Hats." This was my first In meeting and enjoying these talented mini-series "Attack on Terror." The show have impressed Stephen as he com- significant commercial and it was picked up musicians, our conversations usually featured many Texas actors like Rip Torn, mented on my voice as being one of the gravitate to our common bond, our music Dabney Coleman and Wayne Rogers from best he'd ever heard. It was only a walk- – a seemingly endless topic in and of "MASH." on, but it led to many more character roles itself. About the same time (I really never in the ensuing 20 years. Included in their original profiles were thought much about acting as I was When someone asked me how I got often a short mention of the "real things" satisfied with my career as an art director) into acting (and they still do from time to that supported their enjoyment of being an agent I had helped get started asked if I time to time) I always say I didn't have to able to be a performing musician – but would audition for a film being directed by study it, it comes natural when you're a who wants to talk about such hum-drum the young Stephen Spielberg. The show is musician/band leader, you are always act- things? called "Sugarland Express" and I must ing on the band-stand! Last year, in putting together the bios have impressed Stephen as he commented My real entry into all this acting and Jim Gough with John Travolta of the 2008 Hall of Fame inductees, there on my voice as being one of the best he'd ―Urban Cowboy‖ in 1979 announcing business started as a coinci- on the back of Jim Gough's photo, was a ever heard. It was only a walk-on, but it led dence while working in an ad agency in listing of his "Movie Credits." Wow! to many more character roles in the Dallas in the mid-sixties. I had played gui- by the Detroit people immediately and went My wife Beryl is a real Western movie ensuing 20 years. tar around town in combos with my tal- on to be a national campaign that would nut, and says she recognizes Jim in some When someone asked me how I got into ented wife when a friend in a recording last some 20 years. I was still doing TV of his roles. Certainly many of you have acting (and they still do from time to time to studio asked me to announce a "demo" he and radio spots for Dodge in 1990 in seen or heard Jim in other than a musical time) I always say I didn't have to study it, it was working on for a major Detroit ac- Houston. The tag line on those spots is environment comes natural when you're a musician/ count. now legendary in automobile advertising ... I initiated recent communications with band leader, you are always acting on the The campaign was for Dodge cars and "you can tell they're good guys, they all Jim and added in some e-mail research to band-stand! trucks and was called "The Good Guys in wear white hats." 4 After this, I traveled all over the country, musician/band leader. Much of the time he lately doing commercials for The Star of recording in all the major markets doing my performed all these duties simultaneously. Texas Fair & Rodeo, The Fort Worth Stock 'cowboy'-style deliver often mistaken for Jim was raised and educated in Austin, Show & Rodeo and the San Antonio Stock Rex Allen. Luckily, I'm still doing it today. Texas. He attended the University of Texas Show & Rodeo. He's voiced spots for Wolf As to your "audiobook" question . . . I and studied Advertising Design at the Los Brand Chili, Gilley's Nightclub in Dallas, got into narrating them through my late Angeles Art Center. and KFC restaurants in the Houston area. friend Ralph Compton. I did his entire It was in Dallas that Jim's career as an These days. He's broadcast works (all "Westerns" of course) and they artist-designer began. He worked as an art spokesman for Golden Chick restaurants in were published by Otis Audio of Oklahoma director for several major regional agencies Texas and Texas Title and Loan Co. City. I then did many Zane Grey and Louis and eventually started his own advertising L'Amour novels for Blackstone Audiobooks business in Houston in 1970. During these A Life of Western Swing — of Ashland, OR. years, Jim traveled to major cities around Jim Gough studied guitar with the great I would never have been able to the country voicing commercials for various Joe Castle at the age of ten in Austin. accomplish any of these things had I not products and services. Along with steel player Wayne Wood, he been a singer/bandleader in Western In 1894 Jim produced a series of formed his first string band "The Rhythm Swing . . . my first love. — Jim programs called "Rhythm Roundup" that Wranglers" in 1947. They played dances featured interviews and the music of most around Austin at nightspots like Hilltop Inn, of the then living Pioneers of Western Copenhagen, Cinderella Club, Dessau Hall, Swing. This series of programs is proudly and Skyline from '47 thru '50. The band housed in the Writer's Collection of was featured on local radio shows and in historical Texas memorabilia at Texas 1949 won the "Texas Tower Time" talent State University in San Marcos. show at Radio House on the UT campus. Jim's radio series on Texas history, Jim went into the Navy in 1951 and "Today in Texas" has been featured on formed a Western Swing Band on a Navy radio stations throughout the state for Airfield near Manila. He also built and years. The series was recognized as the managed an Armed Forces Radio affiliate best documentary radio program of 1993 in in the Philippines. While stationed in Long a national competition. Gough has written Beach during 1954, Jim played all over and hosted a series of TV reports called, Southern California in Doug McGinnis' "Rodeo Roundup" for Houston's Paramount band with the great Jimmy Bryant on guitar. 20 TV station and his series, "True Tales of Returning from military service in 1955, Gough immediately joined Dowell Smith's great band "Smitty and The Ranchhands" as vocalist and front man, with Joe Castle, Gilbert Anderson, Jimmy Grabowske, and Steve Lightsey. With Elvis Presley and the beginning of Rock and Roll, Western Swing almost died out. It spelled the demise of A Long and Colorful Career — Smitty's great band in 1955 Native Texan Jim Gough never had just Jim married a talented pianist Gail one job in his long and colorful career. Williams and they made Dallas their home Jim Gough with Dwight Yoakam in At one time or another Jim's been a while entertaining at various country clubs ―Newton‖ newspaper cartoonist, display man, disc in the area, with Jim trading his boots and jockey, advertising art director, jingle Texas" aired on Houston's KNWS-TV 51. In hat for a sport coat and bowtie and joining '94 and '95, Jim hosted a regular weekend Vic Sterzing's Society Orchestra, singing radio program, "Texas USA" on the Texas and playing rhythm guitar. Jim formed a State Network. pop combo, "The Jimmy Gough Quintet" Since retiring from the ad business in the and played clubs and private parties for late '90's Jim has concentrated on voice several years. work and narrating audiobooks. His radio In 1975, Jim returned to Western Swing and TV commercials have won many and founded "The Cosmopolitan Cowboys." awards over the years and Jim is still in This band featured some of the great Gulf demand to voice spots today. Coast sidemen, Ernie Hunter, Bill Dessens, In the past he's been spokesman for Herb Remington, Bob White, etc. They Ford Tractors, Ford dealers in New played most every venue on the Coast for England, West Texas and North Texas, Jim Gough with Howard Keel in ―Walker‖ over twenty years. Chevy dealers in North Texas, Green Light Around 1990, Jim and Herb Remington producer, copy-writer producer, free-lance Auto Parts, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Texas co-led an all-star band called "The Texas voice talent, TV show host, talk show host, Hot Sauce, etc. Cowboys.‖ The band played folk festivals, movie character actor, and professional Jim has been heard on the airwaves dances, and shows from Boston to San 5 Jose, Dallas to Denver. "Playboys II," Jim joined the band as front Jim Gough's article is re-published by During the period from 1981 thru 1990, man, singer, and rhythm guitarist. He con- Backforty Bunkhouse Productions with per- Jim was vocalist, front man, and rhythm tinues to play with this outstanding group of mission from Jim Gough and Ray Shawley guitarist for Cliff Bruner's "Texas ex-Playboys to date. The original article was first published in Wanderers." The band featured Doc Upon retirement and moving back to the the Northwest Western Swing Music Soci- ety July, 2009 Newsletter. Lewis, Lefty Nason, Bill Dessens, Don Austin area, Jim has formed another fine Collins, and Sonny Stewart. Western Swing band featuring Bert Rivera, When Herb Remington formed Ray Tesmer, Rick McCrae, Gail Gough, and Jim Gough, Jr.

Listed below are just a few of the more memorable performances by Jim Gough

FEATURE FILMS ROLE COMPANY Sugarland Express Deputy Universal Attack on Terror Indian Agent TV Miniseries Outlaw Blues Band Leader Warner Bros. Urban Cowboy Sissy's Dad Paramount Hot-Wire Dudley LeBlanc Independent Liar's Moon Band Leader Independent Eddie Macon's Run Judge Universal Places in the Heart Hillbilly Musician Tri-Star J.F.K. Eye Witness Camelot The Trial "Morse" TV Miniseries "8" Seconds Rodeo Official Independent The Newton Boys Sheriff 20th Century Fox A Texas Funeral State Official Independent "Mi Amigo" Sheriff Durgette Azalea Films Wildfire Rodeo Announcer NBC Family Walker, Texas Ranger Auctioneer TV Series "Dallas" (TV Series) State Senator Lorimar TV U.S. Congressman Rodeo Announcer

Cowboy Jam Session by Jeri Dobrowski Road to Appleby Fair (University of Okla- Gypsies prove their horsemanship and the ―Western Gypsy‖ homa Press, 2007, 184 pages, 235 travel prowess of their beloved ―cobs‖ in contests. A half-dozen com- images, 15 historical images, 40 artistic They also sell the colorful, calm-natured munities in our images, hardback, ISBN: 1599755971). horses. Essential to work and play, the area celebrated Peek inside this exquisite coffee table book Gypsy cob is thought to be a combination centennials this that is part travel log and part history les- of Shires and Clydesdales, Dales and Fell summer. With son: www.finearteditions.net/book.htm ponies, Friesians and Galloway trotting each came a Invited to join a prominent Gypsy family ponies. There are no written records of smorgasbord of during their annual 60-mile horse-drawn bloodlines; no breed registry. Horses are activities, in addi- pilgrimage to Appleby Fair, Hockensmith sold and traded on the seller‘s word. To tion to the usual was allowed unusual access to the question his word is an insult. summer offerings of rodeos, fairs, wed- shielded society. Camera in hand, he trav- Gypsy Horses and the Travelers Way: The dings, milestone birthdays, and festivals. It eled with the caravan of bow-topped wag- Road to Appleby Fair retails for $49.95 and was easy to be entertained and hard to ons as they made their way through quaint is available at Amazon.com. You may also completely unpack before heading off villages, along busy and often dangerous order from the author at again. I was beginning to wonder if my highways, camping in lush pastures as www.finearteditions.net/books.htm; English ancestors might not have had a bit families have for more than 300 years. Hockensmith Fine Arts, 146 E. Main St., of Gypsy in them. Chartered in 1685 by King James II, Ap- Georgetown, KY 40324; (800) 972-8385. Photographer John Hockensmith, who pro- pleby Fair has been conducted ever since Montana‘s horse culture—and that of the duces the official Kentucky Derby Winner‘s without fail. It‘s a spirited gathering where American West—was the focus of the 2009 Print and Winner‘s Collection, spent two thousands of Gypsies and non-Gypsies National Folk Festival held this summer in summers traveling with the Romani Gyp- assemble to participate in and watch the Butte, Montana. Performers and craftsmen sies of northland country England. His festivities. The Romani heritage is cele- from across America made their way to the adventures are chronicled in the superb brated with music, food, drink, fortune tell- Richest Hill on Earth to share their talents. Gypsy Horses and the Travelers Way: The ing, trading and contests. As one of the Nation‘s largest and most

6 prestigious celebrations of the arts, there was traditional music, (C.O.W.) Radio (clearoutwest.com) from Pinedale. The C.O.W. food, crafts, dance, culture, and plenty of family fun: boys are known for their hilarity as well as for the excellent selec- www.nationalfolkfestival.com/2009/ We joined friends at the festi- tions of top cowboy poetry and music on their syndicated show. val and immersed ourselves in the rich and colorful atmosphere. I Andy tells that the following poem, like all good cowboy poems, is encourage you to attend the 72nd National Folk Festival when it "all true." Its title comes from a phrase in Curley Fletcher's classic "Strawberry Roan." concludes its run in Butte, July 9-11, 2010. It‘s an amazing gath- ering. Best of all, admission is free! The Worst One to Buck On our way back from Butte, we passed through Reed Point and

Columbus, Montana. Singer/songwriter Stephanie Davis makes She chatters my teeth, and rattles my bones, her home in between on a working cattle ranch. (Find out what‘s And she is the worst one to buck; happening at her Trails End Ranch at www.stephaniedavis.net/ She squeals like a pig, she snorts and she moans, ranch%20news.htm.) Whether or not you‘re familiar with her And shimmies like an old feed truck. name, it‘s likely you‘re familiar with her work. Davis wrote ―We Shall be Free‖ and ―Wolves,‖ both recorded by Garth Brooks. She beats on my kidneys, bruises my spleen, Others who have cut her songs include Don Edwards, Trisha And is cantankerous as heck; Yearwood, Maria Muldaur, Roger Whittaker, Daniel O'Donnell, Runs away at will, she's ornery and mean, And thrills in whiplashing my neck. and Martina McBride.

A Montana native and frequent guest on A Prairie Home Com- Why do I keep her? She pounds me each time, panion, Davis released two albums this year: Western Bliss and I swing a leg and get on her; Western Bling. I knew she was working on the pair and was anx- She cost way too much, and ain't worth a dime, ious to hear what she did with the standards she selected. You Each ride I think I'm a gone 'er. read right—standards—with a dose of Western swing. Think Bob Wills, Bobby Darin, Billie Holiday. (Davis talks about the CDs and She just takes her head, goes as she pleases, studio musicians at www.stephaniedavis.net/Bliss%20and% No matter what cue I give her; 20Bling.htm.) She breaks plum in two, jumps, kicks and wheezes, Davis‘ rich, almost sultry voice is reminiscent of the days when Jarring my tonsils and liver. couples flocked to ballrooms to enjoy an evening out with their favorite dance band. (Listen to sample tracks at I tell her back up, she plows straight ahead, Runs bucking and stirring up dust; www.cdbaby.com/Artist/StephanieDavis.) On Bling, I favor She spews out exhaust, and revels instead, ―Nevertheless,‖ ―Beyond the Sea,‖ ―The Best Things in Life Are In flaunting her growing distrust. Free‖ and ―Goin‘ Away Party.‖ On Bliss you‘ll find ―Montana Cow- girl,‖ ―Leanin‘ on the Old Top Rail,‖ ―Navajo Trail‖ and ―Texas With all her bad habits, her noises and smells, Blues.‖ For complete track listings and liner notes: She plain torques me off every day; www.cowboypoetry.com/stephaniedavis2.htm If I didn't need her, to clean my corrals, Western Bliss and Western Bling sell for $17 each (postpaid) from I'd give that darn skid steer away. Recluse Records, 838 Countryman Creek Road; Columbus, MT 59019; (406) 326-2180; www.stephaniedavis.net © 2008, Andy Nelson, All rights reserved Submit items for consideration to Jeri Dobrowski, 1471 Carlyle Road S, Beach, ND 58621; About the poem being true, Andy adds, "... that sonuvagun bucks and beats me up every time I get on it, I've never been on a more [email protected]. rough piece of equipment in my life..." © 2009, Jeri Dobrowski, All rights reserved The poem is on the 2009 volume of The BAR-D Roundup, an an-

nual CD of classic and contemporary poetry from CowboyPo- Cowboy Poetry at etry.com. Andy's most recent CD is Full Nelson Shoeing, available the BAR-D Ranch by for $18 postpaid from Andy Nelson, PO Box 154, Pinedale, WY Margo Metegrano, 82941. His new book of stories and poetry will be published later Editor, this year. CowboyPoetry.com You can catch Andy's performances at a number of impressive forthcoming events, including the Heber City Cowboy Poetry Fall means roundup Gathering and Buckaroo Fair, the Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gath- time, for cows and ering, and at the 2010 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. See his cowboy poets. Poets and musicians will gather at Wyoming's 4th web site, cowpokepoet.com for his entire schedule. Annual Pinedale Cowboy Roundup on October 3, 2009. The Find more about hundreds of cowboy poets and Western musi- event is a community benefit, noted for its high-quality cowboy cians at CowboyPoetry.com. It's an on-going gathering, with con- poetry and music--and for the most inventive gathering logo, cre- tinuous news, features, poetry, lyrics, gathering reports, and an ated by the infamous poet and artist Pat Richardson. Check it out extensive event calendar. Come on by and stay a while. at their web site pinedalecowboyroundup.com. Among this year's performers are R.W. Hampton, Chris Isaacs, Jesse Smith, Jerry [email protected] Hall and Trick Shot, and Andy Nelson. Pinedale happens to be where popular poet, writer, and emcee Andy Nelson hangs his hat and his shoeing apron. Andy and his brother Jim also co-host the weekly Clear Out West

7 Cade‘s Cadence dough Slim, and Juno award winner Gary Fjellgaard. Americans will be familiar with Fjellgaard's Reins of Glory, recorded by Jean (watch yer step!) Prescott, Prickly Pair, and many others. (Be sure to fast forward through the Doris Daley section....do I bob around on my toes like ―The Honorable‖ that during every performance? Good grief! I think Sharky filled my boots with red ants!) I recently had to go to court to contest a Friday and Saturday night perform- traffic ticket and I arrived a little early and ers were deliberately reserved for was sitting in the court room when the judged walked in. When he their evening performances, guaran- did, the bailiff announced his presence as ―The Honorable So and teeing huge night crowds and ensur- So‖ and instructed everybody to rise. Court then continued and ing lots of variety during the day everybody gave the judge due respect and addressed him as shows. The incomparable team ‖your honor‖ and as this went on I began to think. What is implied work of Gary and Brett highlighted by the title ―honorable‖ and why are judges given that title? Is it the Friday night show, while Satur- because he or she has worked very hard to attain that position day night's feature showcased one and because they are experts in their profession? I think that may of Alberta's most exciting and enjoy- be part of it but it can‘t be the sole reason. Many of us have able country music shows: Alberta worked very hard to get where we are and many of us are experts Country Music Legends. Bev Munro, in our field but we are still not bestowed with the title ―The Honor- Alfie Myhre, Pete Hicks, Joyce able‖ I think it has more to do with the position a judge holds. As Smith and Randy Hollar delivered a elected officials judges are expected to carry out their duties in a country music blockbuster that folks professional and honorable fashion and because the position will remember for the next 17 festi- Eli Barsi carries with it great power it also carries with it great responsibil- vals! ity. We have faith that our judges will do their job in a nonbiased Special guests Sourdough Slim (California) and Sue Harris and honorable way based on their knowledge of the law and con- (Arizona) followed on the heels of 2008 special guest, Montana victions they hold true. singer-songwriter DW Groethe. One or two top notch international I expect most judges are honorable in character as well but that performers ensures that Stony Plain fans are treated not only to may not always be the case. Take ―The Honorable Judge Roy tried-and-true Canadian favourites but also to some of the west's Bean‖ for instance who described himself as the ―The Law West top entertainers. of the Pecos.‖ Now some may not consider Judge Bean‘s charac- Huge accolades go to major ter as all that honorable. I guess it just depends on how high or sponsors Best Western how low your standards are. Before being appointed as Justice of Sunrise Inn and Suites, the Peace in Pecos County in 1882 Bean spent 2 months in Boston Pizza Stony Plain, prison in San Diego, California for attempted murder but dug out CFCW am 790, Decker with some knives that were hidden in a case of tamales, a gift Properties Inc., and the PTI from one of the ladies in town. He later moved to San Antonio, Group. Many, many other Texas where he attempted to run a firewood business, cutting local businesses make fi- down a neighbor's timber. He then tried to run a dairy business, nancial and in-kind dona- but was soon caught watering down the milk, and later worked as tions, a real tribute to the a butcher, rustling unbranded cattle from other area ranchers. level of community support Despite his personal affairs though, Judge Bean embraced his in this great western town. Sharky & Chris Shauer, Randy Smith position as a judge and ran it as honorably as he could. He held I haven't been to all 17 court in his own saloon and if you found yourself in Judge Bean‘s Stony Plain Gatherings, but I've sure been to most of them. I re- court you best have all your ducks in a row. He was known for his outrageous judgments and often times, coincidentally enough, the member hail storms, campfires, tall tale contests, mud swamps, fine you had to pay equated to the exact amount you had in your outdoor stages, weather so cold you could see your breath, pocket at that time. weather so hot that even the shade from a barb wire fence felt How do you achieve honor or, for that matter, respect? In the good, nights when we danced to great pick-up bands, and almost military you are taught to salute a higher ranking officer. As a vet- two decades of laughs and tears on stage. Volunteers and com- eran of the U.S. Navy, I saluted many officers and while I was mittee members are among the West's best, and this year's crew, paying respect to person I was also paying respect to the posi- lead by Donna Cowan, was no exception. It was an honour to be tion. What does it mean to be honorable and can the title ―Honorable‖ be given to other positions in life? Positions like Fa- among this year's performers: Eli Barsi, Ed Brown, The Command ther, Mother, Husband, Wife, Daughter, Son and Friend. We all Sisters, Stewart McDougall, Hugh McLennan, Harry Rusk, Chris hold one of these positions but the question is – Are we holding it and Sharkey Schauer, BJ Smith, Randy Smith , Bryn Thiessen, with honor? The Alberta Country Music Legends, Gary Fjellgaard, Brett Kissel, Sue Harris and Sourdough Slim. The 18th Stony Plain Festival will [email protected] be another barnburner; be sure to flag

www.stonyplaincowboypoetry.com for details. The 17th Annual Stony Plain, AB Cow- boy Festival [email protected] Report from Doris Daley

For cowboy poetry and music lovers in West- What folks are sayin”... ern Canada, all roads lead to Stony Plain, AB on Aug 14-16 for the town's 17th annual festi- Hello folks, this is Jerry Webb and I would like to say a great big val celebrating cowboy poetry, music and art. Seventeen years THANK YOU to my friend Joe Baker and his staff for all the hard means 17 opportunities to grow, refine and enhance this hugely work they do at the Backforty Bunkhouse. I look forward to getting popular event, and each year just builds and improves on the last. Thanks to the support of Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine, their newsletter each and every month and I sincerely appreciate highlights of the Stony Plain gathering can be seen on-line at their support of traditional country and western swing music. www.canadiancowboy.ca/downthetrail. View clips from Stony Keep up the good work. Plain favourites Eli Barsi, Bryn Thiessen and Hugh McLennan, Jerry Webb hot young rising star Brett Kissel, special California guest Sour- www.JerryWebbMusic.com 8 1963. Story Behind The Song... Alabama's ―Mountain Music," album certified quadruple platinum 1985. Martina McBride's, "My Baby Loves Me," charted in 1993. According to Lynn Anderson, her husband was the reason Sam Phillips, age 80, founder of SUN Records, died in Memphis that it took so long for her to record ―Rose Garden.‖ 2003. Lynn commented,‖ Glenn (who was also her record producer) Courtesy Bill Morrison kept telling me I couldn‘t record that song because it just wasn‘t a NUMBER ONES ON THIS DATE girl‘s song...that there were lines in that song that a girl just 1947 wouldn‘t sing! I had heard the tune ―Rose Garden‖ on a Joe Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) - Tex Williams South album and fell in love with the song and started in trying to 1955 get him to let me record it and he kept telling me no! He said that I Don‘t Care - Webb Pierce a woman couldn‘t sing lines like, ―I could promise you things like 1963 big diamond rings,‖ so the song just wasn‘t a female vocal. But Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash during one recording session we simply ran out of songs. We 1971 didn‘t have anything else to record so Glenn finally gave in and let I‘m Just Me - Charley Pride me record ―Rose Garden.‖ We cut it and the rhythm pattern just 1979 didn‘t work. So, Charlie McCoy and Jerry Kennedy came up with You‘re the Only One - Dolly Parton a kind of shuffle beat pattern.‖ It was the same kind of beat or 1987 rhythm pattern that Bill Anderson used on several of his records.‖ The Weekend - Steve Wariner But Sutton hadn‘t planned on releasing ―Rose Garden‖ that soon, until Columbia record, president Clive Davis, happened to be in Nashville for a convention and dropped by the recording studio Andy and Jim Nelson‘s C.O.W. Radio and heard the ―Rose Garden‖ recording and loved it! The re- cording was suddenly re-booked as Lynn‘s next single release. 4-Week Playlist ―Rose Garden‖ entered the country music charts November 7th,

1970 and made it to number the week of December 26th, where it stuck for 5 weeks. 8/29/09, Lineage of Cows It was Anderson‘s 9th charted song and her first number one.

The Columbia Records single also scored a #3 on the pop music Luke Reed: If there Wasn't Any Cows charts. The Quebe Sisters Band: Along the Navajo Trail QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Roy Rogers: Tennessee Stud QUESTION: Didn‘t some country singer have a hit record on the Bob Peterman: A Couple Good Horses to Ride pop song ―Yellow Ribbon?‖ Baxter Black: Cow Committee ANSWER: Johnny Carver had a 1973 # 5 country hit with the Wylie and the Wild West: I Get High Tony Orlando pop hit ―Yellow Ribbon‖

QUESTION: Have you ever heard of a Conway Twitty song 8/22/09, Cowboys Then and Now about ―Don‘t Let It Go To Your Heart?‖ My dad says he heard it on the radio years ago. Sons and Brothers: Cold High Mountain Wind ANSWER: ―Don‘t Let It Go To Your Heart‖ was the flip side of Kevin McNiven: Four Strong Winds Conway‘s 1974 # one, ―There‘s A Honky Tonk Angel.‖ Rex Allen/Don Edwards: It's My Lazy Day QUESTION: Is there any way to find out if Margo Smith might Andy Hedges: Tribe of the Forty and Found have been our next door neighbor years ago? The family‘s last Jane Morton: The Cows Came First name was Smith and they had a little girl who sang and yodeled. Tall Boots: Lonesome Cowboy Blues This was in Florida.

ANSWER: It‘s highly unlikely that Margo Smith was your next 8/15/09, Capriola's 80th Anniversary door neighbor. She was born Betty Lou Miller in Dayton, Ohio.

QUESTION: My dad says that Elvis Presley‘s hit ―Are You Asleep at the Wheel: Ain't Nobody Home But Us Chickens Lonesome Tonight‖ was a very old song before Elvis ever re- Dan Roberts: Cowboy T.V. corded it. Is that true? Sons of the Pioneers: Cheyenne ANSWER: ―Are You Lonesome Tonight‖ was a pop hit for Ian Tyson: Fifty Years Ago Vaughn Deleath in 1927. Elvis‘s version scored a # 22 on the Al Clark: The Star Planters country charts and a # 1 on the pop charts in 1960. KG and the Ranger: Bury Me Out QUESTION: Who was the country singer who played a lute?

He was a little fellow and was popular back in the 60‘s and 70‘s. 8/8/09, The Stories Behind the Songs ANSWER: That little fellow was Bobby Lewis, who placed 26 songs on the country charts between 1966 and 1985 Hot Club of Cowtown: The Girl I Left Behind Me

Buck Ramsey: The Trail to Mexico TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC Harry McClintock: Goodbye Old Paint by Bill Morrison Skip Gorman: The Old Chisholm Trail

Diane Tribitt: Half the Hand Charlie Bowman, "The Hill Billies," born Gray Station, TN 1889. Cowboy Celtic: The Cowboy's Lament Buddy Guy, guitarist, born Lettsworth, LA 1936.

Chris Darrow, vocals/violin/guitar/mandolin born Sioux Falls, SD 8/1/09, Cowboyisms 1944.

Elvis Presley made his first advertised concert appearance on the The Saddle Cats: Roly Poly Slim Whitman Show, At the Overton Park Band Shell in Memphis, The Desperados: Lily Dale TN 1954. Another unknown artist on the show that day was Marty Hank Snow: The Auctioneer Robbins. Cora Wood: Itty Bitty Outlaw Patsy Cline released "Honky Tonk Merry Go Round," 1955. D.W. Groethe: Star Cavvy Johnny Cash recorded "Folsom Prison Blues" 1955. Paul Harris: Autumn Reflections Brenda Lee's first recording session completed 1956.

Neal McCoy born "Hubert Neal McGauhey Jr." in Jacksonville, TX [email protected] 1958 Danny Roberts, mandolin, of "New Tradition" born Louisville, KY

9

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to Host Symposium during David‘s vocals on these anthems have become staples of radio Clovis Music Festival! programming. His music influenced the evolution of rock and roll and many legendary artists over the years, including Elvis, who We are proud to have The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in town was a big fan of The Diamonds. Dave's current act is full of songs during the Clovis Music Festival! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and vignettes of the late and great as well as his own 16 hits plus will host a symposium on Saturday and will be in town for all four a variety of material from his past repertoire tailored to his audi- days of the Music Festival. Having such a prestigious group at- ence. Legend? More accurately, he's a renaissance man whose tend the Clovis Music is Festival is an honor and a huge connec- musical history and creative talent bridges several decades and tion for Clovis to the State of New Mexico and the History of Rock artistic realms. and Roll. Shelby Morrison from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will host the Symposium with Kenneth Board, David Bigham, Gary & Charlie ―Sugertime‖ Phillip worked with Norman Petty on several Ramona Tollett, George Tomsco, Stan Lark and Tommy Allsup of his recordings, including the last major recording project that and others will serve on the rock & roll panel. Petty worked on before his death including ―Sugartime.‖ His new CD, ―Full Circle: The Last Norman Petty Sessions,‖ contains 16 In addition to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Clovis/Curry updated fully restored, remixed and re-mastered multi-track County Chamber of Commerce will host the New Mexico Tourism 1980‘s recordings produced at Norman Petty‘s world famous stu- Commission for its quarterly meeting at the Clovis Business En- dio in Clovis. terprise Center. Mike Cerletti and his commission will rock with us, kicking off the first night of the music festival center stage to Contact the Clovis Chamber of Commerce at (575) 763-3435 or let everyone know how important this event is to the local area visit website at www.clovismusicfestival.net! and the entire state. This is the first time the Tourism Commis- sion has made an official visit to Clovis. The New Mexico Music Commission has also been invited to the Music Festival and Bill McCallie‘s Cowboy Jubilee Radio Show Nancy Laflin will represent the commission during the Music Fes- Classical 90.5 WSMC-FMF Chattanooga, TN tival weekend. Fall weather in the Tennessee Valley brings The Clovis Music Festival is finally here, and what better way than out the great colors in our changing foliage and to start the festivities than with some of the most rockin‘ acts it's the best time to get outside and enjoy the around? Thursday, September 20th will be the kick off of the scenery, but we did manage to stay in the stu- Clovis Music Festival at the Curry County Events Center, and will dio long enough to get the Cowboy Jubilee feature musical acts Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, Johnny Til- Radio Show on the air. We kicked off the lotson, Shirley Alston Reeves of the Shirelles, Dave Somerville month with a tribute CD to Bob Wills. The title and the Killer Bees, and Charlie ―Sugartime‖ Phillips! is ―Bob Wills, A Tribute to Bob's 100th Birthday.‖ Lots of great songs here done by a plethora of folks who have been touched by Hailing from Raton, New Mexico in the late 50‘s, the Fireballs his music. ―Lilly Dale‖ by Gene Watson, ―Sugar Moon‖ by Larry were New Mexico‘s first Rock and Roll recording band to become Gatlin, and ―Bob's got a Swing Band in Heaven‖ by Red Steagall internationally know. The Fireballs, who made their name in in- were on the bill just to name a few. R.W. Hampton's strumental music with hits like "Bulldog" and "Torquay", continued ―Oklahoma...Where The West Remains‖ still is a favorite around their success as a vocal group with vocalist Jimmy Gilmer produc- here. This is an award winning CD and hopefully you have a copy ing smash successes like "Sugar Shack" and "Bottle of Wine." in your saddle bag for sure. Don Edwards is a standby around The Fireballs recorded all of their greatest hits right here in Clovis, here and his ―Moon Light and Skies‖ CD is one of his best. We and having these music legends back in the local area is sure to featured Don on a segment of the show and did cuts from that CD be a nostalgia-filled party! as well as his ―Kin to the Wind‖ CD. ―My Blue Heaven,‖ ― Land of my Boyhood Dreams,‖ ―Coyotes‖ and ―Kin to the Wind‖ were Johnny Tillotson‘s recording career spans 5 decades. He has 6 among the songs in that segment. I did some Ian Tyson through- #1 international hits and hundreds of charted records worldwide. out the month with his ―Fifty Years Ago‖ being one of the most He has 9 top 10 hits and 15 top 40 hits on the Billboard charts in requested. ―Casey Tibbs,‖ ―Steel Dust Line‖ and ―The Gift‖ were the USA alone. Some of his biggest records include ―Poetry in also among the Ian Tyson tunes for the month. I did a segment Motion,‖ ―Without You,‖ ―Talk Back Trembling Lips," "It Keeps on "Outlaw Songs" and featured Tim Ryan, Townes VanZandt, Right on a Hurtin'‖ and many more. MMM, Marty Robbins, Norman Blake and Tom Russell. Those "Outlaw Songs" were ―Pancho and Lefty,‖ ―Horse Thief's Row,‖ Bridging doo wop and uptown New York pop-soul, The Shirelles ―Sam Bass,‖ ―Horse Thief Moon,‖ ―Fastest Gun Around,‖ ―Bill projected a beguiling mixture of tenderness and innocence that Miner the Gentleman Bandit‖ and ―Claude Dallas.‖ Vern Thomp- was grounded in R&B as much as pop/rock. The Shirelles soon son's group The Flying W Wranglers did some inspirational music became known throughout the world when they placed six singles with ―Farther Along‖ and ―The Place Where I Worship.‖ I always in the Top Ten, and their songs have become classics and have have some Western Swing @ the top of the show and feature since been covered by many artists, including the Mamas and the regularly Buddy Emmons and Ray Pennington, Carolyn Martin, Papas and Dusty Springfield. Manfred Mann had a hit with a Bobby Flores, Jody Nix, Asleep at the Wheel, The Time Jumpers, cover of the Shirelles' song "Sha La La". And the Beatles them- and Hot Club of Cow Town as well as many others. Western selves covered " Baby, It's You." So come and enjoy a legend in swing is an integral part of the Cowboy Jubilee Radio Show and musical history as Shirley Alston Reeves sings personally for you. has been so from the start. We are in our 16th year of broadcast- The Shirelles, you may remember! Legendary lady, Shirley Alston ing the show and it would never have been possible without the Reeves, you will never forget! help of all the groups providing their latest CD to me...so THANKS once again to you all for keeping me in the loop with your music. I David Somerville will rock out the festival as he did when he was preview every CD and try my best to get something from each CD lead singer of The Diamonds singing ―Little Darlin‘‖, one of the on the show. seminal songs of rock and roll and classics and others such as Our TV series with Fox affiliate WDSI is going well and we are in "Why do Fools Fall in Love?", "Silhouettes," and "The Stroll." our second month of that production. It's called Tennessee River 10 Vacation and provides information about the perfect affordable from the applause at the end of the show, the audience loved it vacation spots along the Tennessee River. Next month we travel all. to Knoxville, Tennessee for our show. That's just about all the news that is fit to print…remember we are 100,000 watt public This gathering has recently been listed in the book, 1000 Places radio station here at WSMC and stream to the Internet. We to See in the US and Canada Before You Die. The author Patricia broadcast from beautiful downtown Collegedale, Tennes- Schultz writes, "...This is one of the nation‘s largest events dedi- see…"where the air always smells like a big oatmeal cated to cowboy verse and visual history of Montana and the cookie.‖ Ride safe and remember to "Get up, dress up and show West. Up to 60 cowboys and cowgirls recite their poetry to over up"...cause today might be the day they take the CLASS PIC- 1500 fans who range from aca- TURE! RIDE SAFE! demic folklorists to cowboy wan- nabes to grizzled ranchers who [email protected] have spent their life on the wsmc.org/webstream.html range..."

Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering On top of that, the Montana Cow- boy Poetry Gathering has been By Jane Morton chosen as one of the American The 24th Annual Montana Cowboy Poetry Bus Association‘s Top 100 Gathering & Western Music Rendezvous was Events in North America for held in Lewistown, Montana, August 14-16, 2009. group travel in 2010. Double Diamond This gathering is dedicated to the celebration and Another thing my husband and I preservation of central Montana‘s heritage and enjoyed about this gathering was the travel it required for us to get history. After Elko, this is the oldest cowboy poetry there from Colorado. There are probably more wide open spaces gathering in the country. I was impressed by the between us in Colorado and Lewistown, Montana than anywhere fact that Montanans take their heritage seriously. I was amazed at in the U.S. The skies and the miles of grasslands take the breath how many participants in the daytime programs were descended away. On the way we stopped to see the herds of wild horses on from homesteaders, or were at least the fifth generation on the the Pryor range, which takes in border land between Montana and land. One doesn‘t have to be invited to participate, one simply Wyoming. Those horses, now threatened by herd reduction, were signs up. A handful of performers were from other places; Can- a sight to see. ada, Wyoming, North Dakota, Colorado, Florida, and the other ninety percent were from Montana. Most of those grew up on or The roads from Colorado to Lewistown are rich in western history had lived on a ranch. with numerous trail crossings, battlefields, forts and historic build- ings to be seen along most any route. It was easy to visualize the The thing was, these people knew what cattle going up the old trails from Texas to the north, and easy to they were talking about, and some of the visualize the river crossings and happenings along the Yellow- poems, I believe, are already classics. stone, the Bighorn, the Musselshell, and the Powder. All figure in Mike Logan wrote and performed ―The the history of the state. Men Who Rode the Ranges,‖ Jim Hamil- ton‘s poem, ―The Changing of the Jane Morton [email protected] Guard,‖ brought tears to a few eyes, Owen Badgett‘s poem about his mule and his recitation of Bruce Kiskaddon‘s Dick Morton ―An Old Western Town,‖ were as good as being there when it happened. Although The Big Fred Walker Show he‘s relatively new to Montana, Jerry Laskody‘s poem regarding WOES 91.3 FM Mid-Michigan branding on his ranch and the way he feels about Montana and the land made a powerful statement. Joe Charter had many good TOP TEN SONGS poems but the one about the old cowboy in a nursing home was 01 Bobby Flores – Are You Teasing Me particularly moving. Dick Morton‘s recitation of ―Anthem‖ sounded 02 Leon Seiter – Where True Love Waits For much like the author, Buck Ramsey, reciting his own poem. Dick Me Hall‘s recitation of Tim McCoy‘s poem, "Wyoming‘s Azure Skys," 03 Joe Paul Nichols – Your Old Love Letters also known as "The Real Thing," 04 Dottie Jack – I‘ll Save Some Blues For You brought some good laughs, and a 05 Dusty Owens – Don‘t Tell Me What To Do recognition of the truth in the 06 Electa Winter & Wesley Lalacy – If You‘re Going Dancing poem. The audience enjoyed Meryl 07 David Church – Softer Side Of Blue and Lloyd McKenna‘s music as 08 K. Wilder – Caffeine & Country Music well as their fine poems. I had the 09 Jody Nix – I‘ve Enjoyed As Much Of This As I Can Stand opportunity to recite many of my 10 Liz Talley – Bump Bounce Boogie poems to the gathering‘s receptive audiences. I‘m sure there were TOP TEN CDs many other poems worthy of men- Lloyd & Meryl McKenna 01 David Church – A Legend Froze In Time tion, but I can only comment on 02 Billy Mata – This Is Tommy Duncan Vol. 1 those I heard in the sessions I went 03 Robert Mizzell – The Louisiana Man to. 04 James Hand – The Truth Will Set You Free 05 Red Kilby – Keeping It Real While the poetry sessions were going on in different rooms, for 06 Bobby Flores – Eleven Roses the most part, the musicians were playing in the Centermark. The 07 Leon Seiter – Nashville Memories Centermark was an inside court at the Yogo Inn, which is where 08 Jody Nix – The Fiddle Man the Western Art and Gear Show was held during the gathering. 09 Bobby Mackey – Ten Shades Of Green 10 David Cline – Good Old Country Music & Western Swing Thursday night featured a BBQ hosted by the Lewistown Art Cen- ter and Open Mic Poetry and Music hosted by Lloyd and Meryl [email protected] McKenna. Friday night was a Cowboy Jam ‗n Dance hosted by Almeda Terry and Jack Styer, and Saturday night‘s show featured Baxter Black with Mike Logan reciting his own poetry. Judging

11 Bobbe’s Tips Moore, Jackson Gleason, Imogene Coca and Sid Caesar. Not that this was not entertaining, however after watching the Mil- ton Berle show, you really didn‘t go to bed with a great big band Hello fellow Players, arrangement rolling around in your head. Remember, you can hear the same song over and over and over Quite often I get replies to my newsletters that are very interesting and enjoy it. But if you hear a celebrity do a joke, the next time and convey a lot of thought and knowledge. And as I read them I you hear somebody tell the joke, it really isn‘t very funny. say to myself, ―Boy, I wish everybody out there could see what Music is wonderful thing that seems to have gotten pushed to the this gentleman is saying.‖ background in our lives and replaced with what Paris Hilton was Also quite often, I hear from very knowledgeable players that doing, bad politics, news shows that are more into entertainment have spent a lifetime playing in country or great western swing than giving us unbiased, factual reporting. bands, not to exclude brilliant musicians in front of the nation‘s Then again, we have rap that has pushed real music pretty well greatest music schools like Mike Ides from Berkeley in New York. into the background. This is all to say nothing of some of the rock groups that care much more about volume than they do about Here‘s a letter I‘d like to share with you. tone. I just got a phone call from a long lost brother that I hadn‘t seen in As a teen aged student of Hank Thompson's legendary fiddle 15 years or more. He talked on the phone for half an hour and he players, to include Curly Hayes, Joe Tierney and Red Hayes, I reminded me of my great Les Paul and Mary Ford record collec- must say that the beauty filled massive sound Bert Rivera got out tion that I played continuously every moment I was home. of his peddle steel guitar flipped me. It has been 30 years and two I still appreciate the wonderful musical efforts of Les Paul. He careers later but I am now spending all my practice time learning might have been known as trickster to some people because of the pedal steel. I have traveled great distances to play and study his multi-track recording, but every note he played was clear as a the violin/fiddle and I must say, "I fail to believe there is such a bell with no distortion and very little reverb or echo if any. When thing as innate talent." It is all about discipline and the want to. So you heard a blur of notes or great chord jamming in the back- it is most often aptitude; and aptitude is learned from your envi- ground, that was him too. He and his guitar were a complete or- ronment and experience, not hard-wired at birth. I found the apti- chestra. tude to become an educational psychologist to feed my desires to I can remember times in the fifties when you could go across the learn and play music, and I got it from following my dad as he dial of a radio and find at least six stations that were playing Les travelled with Hank and the late Bob Wills. I have no desire to Paul songs in one five minute sweep of the dial. He was probably earn money playing the Pedal Steel, I simply have an unfulfilled the most popular, loved and famous guitar player that ever was. I desire to share this awesome music form with others and make wonder how many other steel guitarists and standard guitarists he an effort to spark the aptitude in other young people, making sure inspired in this world. it is not lost to the rock gazels so prominent in county and western From him, I went on to become a Chet Atkins and Merle Travis music today. So Hank was the most appropriate example I could fan and then still in junior high, my mind slowly opened up to ac- imagine. Sadly many rising country and western entertainers in cept the great jazz guitarists of the day. South Texas no longer recognize his name or contribution to the Now that I look back, learning to play music was much more en- C&W swing genre, and he lives and was based just outside of joyable than it has become to perform it as a professional. Austin, Texas close to Baylor University in Waco. Music is for enjoyment, not just for the listener, but also for the Bill Ross, Jr. another old man still learning and studying in performer. A good musician does it for the love of doing it, not for South Texas. the amount of money they make or the pretty girls they can pick up, but they do it for what it does for them also. I just felt that this letter should be shared as I understand this man If you are one of those players that sits in your den learning song and totally agree with his assessment of how what and why to after song, lick after lick and try to play like several different play- learn. I myself was inspired greatly by the western swing bands ers, I think this is incredible. Keep doing it and keep loving it. Go of the ‗40s, ‗50s and 1960s era. And there were a lot more than ahead and feel sorry for the thousands that only have a grand just one or two. piano in their den. Every Friday and Saturday night from California to Oklahoma and Texas, there was a bar, skating rink or VFW with a seven to Bobbe, I had one of the old Fender reverbs in 1964. Like an idiot I twelve piece traveling western swing band on the stage. traded it off. The new FRV1 I just purchased from you is a great Most were pretty astounding musically. Most also were copying box and gives the reverb sound every bit as good as the original. the great arrangements of Glenn Miller, Jimmy Lunsford, Tommy Having all kinds of fun. Dorsey and Chick Webb or one of the big, famous jazz bands of c c johnson the era. Songs like "Big Beaver,‖ ―Stompin‘ At The Savoy,‖ ―Flying Home,‖ "Little Brown Jug,‖ ―Tuxedo Junction‖ and Your buddy, ―Johnson Rag‖ were all tunes that the western swing bands had Bobbe arrangements on. www.steelguitar.net These great tunes and arrangements were known by everybody [email protected] on the street in the fifties. When television made it into most homes in the fifties, the love for the big swing bands was diluted by Milton Berle, Howdy Doody, Fay Emerson, Ken Nelson, Gary

12 JODY NIX *Texas Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo-Stamford, Texas 19 con- secutive years. By Dugg Collins *Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo 21 years.

*Western Heritage Classic Ranch Rodeo Abilene 15 years. What were you doing when you were eight years old? In my *Played for the George H.W. Bush Inauguration-Texas State Soci- neighborhood in Memphis, Texas, the neighbor boys and I were ety Black Tie Ball 1989. Rode the Texas float in the inauguration playing Cowboys, pretending we were Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, parade. Rex Allen, Durango Kid, Whip Wilson, etc. The girls were playing *The American Music Festival at Silver Dollar City six years. with dolls and saying how silly we looked riding stick horses and *The Smithsonian Folklife Festival June 2008 representing the shouting bang, bang, bang. Now that's how it was when I was State of Texas. eight years old.

Those are but a few of the many, many things he has done. He's Let's take a look at how things were for another eight year old boy recorded at least nine CD's in his own right and recorded two in 1960. When I was playing cowboys in 1951 Jody Nix joined great CD's with Asleep at the Wheel as guest vocalist. The first the human race one year later in 1952 and eight years later he one was nominated for a CMA Award and should have won, might was playing drums in his Father's band The West Texas Cow- I add. boys. I'm sure he must have started learning drums much earlier because I doubt if Daddy Hoyle just one night said, "Jody boy, He has worked with a Who's Who in Music: Johnny Bush, Moe tonight you're my drummer." My point is, all this young man has Bandy, Gene Watson, Red Steagall, Dottie West, Glen Campbell, ever known in his life is Western Swing Music. He was born into George Strait, Ray Price, The Wheel, Dixie Chicks, Bob Wills, Western Swing Roy- Johnnie Lee Wills, Marty Robbins, Chubby Wise, Shoji Tabuchi, alty when he be- Jimmy C. Newman and Red Sovine to mention just a few. Jody came the son of was also in the original play of "A RIDE WITH BOB," with Ray Hoyle Nix. Hoyle, Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. He played the roles of Eck his brother Ben and Robertson, Tommy Duncan, Joe Holly and Smokey Dacus. all those West Texas

Cowboys ruled West I venture to say the most important piece of work he has ever Texas. Even at the done was performing with the great Bob Wills and The Texas height of his popular- Playboys on the album FOR THE LAST TIME in Dallas, Texas. ity, when he tried to Jody told me he first heard about the project in September 1973. move into to Big Bob requested that Hoyle and Jody Nix be on this album with him. Spring, Texas, Lefty I think it was his way of showing his love for these two men with Frizzell soon found whom he had spent so many enjoyable hours out in West Texas he was no match for Joey Nix age 8 and he had to know this would be the last thing he would ever do the Nix Brothers and in the studio. Jody was just 21 years old when this session hap- moved on along. pened. He drove his own drums down to be used on the session

and sang some A lot happened in the young life of Jody Nix. He didn't learn what songs along the he knows about music from listening to records. No sir, he way too. MY learned at the feet of his Daddy Hoyle and the King of Western SHOES KEEP Swing Bob Wills. Jody told me that Bob was very much in his life WALKING BACK during those young learning years. I have a picture of Jody al- TO YOU, I CAN'T ready playing fiddle with Bob and Hoyle at age eleven. He be- GO ON THIS came a professional fiddler Christmas Day 1963. Hell, I could WAY and WHEN barely tie my shoes at age eleven. He was singing with the band YOU LEAVE by the time he was sixteen. Can't you musicians reading this just AMARILLO. Jody imagine what it must have been like to have great players like Joe said when he did Holly, Eldon Shamblin, Red Hayes, Billy Bowman and a host of the Amarillo song, other players in your house during any given week of the year? his vocal micro- Jody worked all the way through elementary school, Jr high, high phone was right school and two years of college. He worked a total of twenty five by Bob. He was to years with Daddy Hoyle and The West Texas Cowboys. Jody's immediate left and watched him the whole time. Jody said

he'll never forget those black eyes looking him with much approval The Jody Nix story really begins when he lost his Daddy and he and when the song ended and Bob said "Cut out the lights," that steps out front to lead the band, late August 1985. For twenty five was the last recorded voice of Bob Wills. years he was basically just a side man, but he had been learning and preparing himself for the day when he went to the front to What a career this man has had and it's not over by a long shot. become one of the most respected band leaders in Texas. When Next year Jody hits a milestone in his life. He will celebrate fifty he took over, changes were made and it then became the Jody years in the music business. I think that calls for a celebration Nix Texas Cowboys band, with the personality of it's new leader. myself and if there is one, I hope I am invited to attend. He, like It was and still is a very tight, well oiled machine that keeps the everyone else who has made a living in the music business has dancers dancing and having fun. known peaks and valleys. I must say there have been more peaks

than low spots. He has done things some only dream about doing. Jody recorded his first album in 1979 the same year he and I be- Jody and I talk many times a month via phone and he always re- came friends. He came to see me one night when the band and I minds me that nobody out there loves Bob Wills more than he and worked Big Spring. When he got off from the Stampede, he came I. That is the gospel truth, little brother and I love you dearly as to our place and finished the night with me. What really blew me well. You have been a great friend and I love attending your away was our fiddle player was right handed, Jody left handed dances when I can. Let‘s sing together again one day soon. I'd be and he took that fiddle...turned it upside down and freaked me a pretty good opening act. Until that happens, you just keep carry- out. ing on the show for Hoyle, Ben, Bob, Milton Brown, Leon

McAuliffe and all the great swing band leaders who have gone on Some career highlights include..... before.

*Bob Wills Day celebration Turkey, Texas - 34 consecu- Happy Trails Jody Boy. tive years. 10 years with Hoyle, 24 on his own. duggcollins.com 13

14

Album: Ridin' Back to You some steel. The originals include lots of very interesting tunes with Artist: The Stardust Cowboys a Western touch like B-Western, Ridin' Back to You, John Wayne Here is a brand new Hero and Cow Camp Lullaby. A real treasure in this album is one album of 11 exciting about the home state of this band, California Mountains. The cuts from a very tal- group again does another original gem of their beautiful part of the ented Western ori- world, Beaver Moon. The remaining two originals are the inspira- ented Western tional God's Always Watchin' and a beautiful love song with a Swing group from Western touch, If You Were Mine. Northern California. The album can be obtained for $15 plus $5 S&H ($20) from star- In the spotlight on [email protected] or 916-708-3426 or Stardust Cowboys, Box 58, vocals are husband Foresthill, CA 95631. You can order both this new CD and their and wife, Gary Alan previous one, Honky Tonk Cowboy & the Desert Flower for $25 and Vicki Campbell. plus $5 S&H ($30). In addition, they are Mike Gross, WVOF-FM, Fairfield, CT and www.swinginwest.com two very accom- plished song writers Around The Campfire with nine of the songs from either 1. Appaloosa Moon - Tom Hiatt one or both their pens. Gary Alan is also heard playing guitar. The 2. Heaven on Horseback - Don Edwards talent doesn't stop there. 3. The Faraway Look - Daron Little Western Swing Hall of Fame member Dave Wren is heard playing 4. Roads to Colorado - Liz Masterson pedal steel guitar and dobro while fellow Hall of Fame members 5. Life-Love-Legends - Carin Mari & Pony Ronnie Elkan and Olen Dillingham are the twin fiddlers. Olen also Express is heard playing mandolin as did his mentor, the great Tiny 6. Come Ride With Me - Dave Stamey Moore. Bob Woods plays guitar and electric bass while Steve 7. Ride Away - Rich Flanders Clark is featured on bass guitar and harmony vocals. Ryan Good- 8. Western Bliss - Stephanie Davis pastor is heard playing drums and Duncan Elledge plays standup 9. Just in Case - Bill Barwick bass. Conrad Nelson plays harmonica. Robert Metzler is heard 10. Ridin' Back to Yesterday - The Old West Trio playing drums and Jim Grey is the steel guitarist on She Loves to These CD's exhibit a high standard of excellence in re- cording, writing, and performing: Dance, a previously issued hit single of the band that is included.

The two standards are the Cliff Bruner and Adolph Hofner mem- Marvin O'Dell ory Jesse Polka and an incredible 5:29 minute instrumental ver- Around the Campfire sion of Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust from the great Artie Shaw Heartland Public Radio and Tommy Dorsey big bands. This time Dave plays some awe www.hpr.org 15 TEXAS HAS IT ALL Texas City, Texas 77590 If you measure distance in hours, you may Feeling tired? live in Texas. Feeling a Little Down?- Why not Visit: Energy, Texas T6452 If you know several people who have hit a Smiley , Texas 78159 Pep, Texas 79353 deer more than once, you may live in Paradise , Texas 76073 Cold? Texas. Rainbow , Texas 76077 Blanket, Texas 76432 If you install security lights on your house Sweet Home , Texas 77987 Winters, Texas 79567 and garage, but leave both unlocked, you Comfort , Texas 78013 Like to read about history? may live in Texas. Friendship, Texas 76530 Goliad, Texas If you carry jumper cables in your car and Love the Sun? Alamo, Texas your wife knows how to use them, you may Sunrise , Texas 76661 Gun Barrel City Texas live in Texas. Sunset, Texas 76270 Robert Lee, Texas If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph Sundown, Texas 79372 Need Office supplies? … you're going 80 and everybody's passing Sunray, Texas 79086 Staples, Texas 78670 you, you may live in Texas. Sunny Side , Texas 77423 Want to go into outer space? If you find 60 degrees 'a little chilly,' you Want something to eat? Venus, Texas 76084 may live in Texas. Noodle , Texas 79536 Mars , Texas 79062 If you actually understand these jokes, and Oatmeal , Texas 78605 You guessed it, it's on the state line. share them with all your Texas friends, you Turkey, Texas 79261 Texline, Texas 79087 definitely live in Texas. Trout ,Texas 75789 For the kids... Here are some little known, very inter- Sugar Land , Texas 77479 Kermit , Texas 79745 esting facts about Texas Salty, Texas 76567 Elmo , Texas 75118 1. Beaumont to El Paso - 742 miles Rice , Texas 75155 Nemo , Texas 76070 2. Beaumont to Chicago - 770 miles Pearland , Texas 77581 Tarzan , Texas 79783 3. El Paso is closer to California than to Orange , Texas 77630 Winnie, Texas 77665 Dallas And top it off with: Sylvester , Texas T9560 4. World's first rodeo was in Pecos, July 4, Sweetwater , Texas 79556 Other city names in Texas , to make you 1883. Why travel to other cities? Texas has smile... 5. The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the them all! Bigfoot , Texas 78005 only hotel in North America built over water. Cleveland, Texas 75436 Hogeye , Texas 75423 Destroyed by Hurricane Ike -2008! Colorado City, Texas 79512 Cactus, Texas 79013 6. The Heisman Trophy was named after Denver City, Texas 79323 Notrees, Texas 79759 John William Heisman who was the first full Klondike, Texas 75448 Best, Texas 76932 -time coach at Rice University in Houston Nevada, Texas 75173 Veribest , Texas 76886 7. Brazoria County has more species of Memphis, Texas 79245 Kickapoo, Texas 75763 birds than any other area in. Miami, Texas 79059 Dime Box , Texas 77853 8. Aransas Wildlife refuge is the winter Boston, Texas 75570 Old Dime Box , Texas 77853 home of North America 's only remaining Santa Fe, Texas 77517 Telephone , Texas 75488 flock of whooping cranes. Tennessee Colony, Texas 75861 Telegraph , Texas 76883 9.Jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson Reno, Texas 75462 Whiteface , Texas 79379 in 1978. Pasadena, Texas 77506 Twitty, Texas 79079 10. The worst natural disaster in U.S. his- Columbus, Texas 78934 And last but not least, the Anti-Al Gore City tory was in 1900, caused by a hurricane, in Feel like traveling outside the country? And our favorites... which over 8,000 lives were lost on Galves- Athens, Texas 75751 Gun Barrell City , Texas ton Island . Canadian, Texas 79014 Hoop And Holler, Texas 11. The first word spoken from the moon, China, Texas 77613 Ding Dong, Texas and, of course, July 20,1969, was " Houston ," but the Egypt, Texas 77436 Muleshoe , Texas space center was actually in Clear Lake Ireland, Texas 76538 Here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say City at the time. Italy, Texas 76538 about Texas: 12. King Ranch in South Texas is larger Turkey, Texas 79261 If someone in a Lowe's store offers you than Rhode Island. London, Texas 76854 assistance and they don't work there, you 13. Tropical Storm Claudette brought a New London, Texas 75682 may live in Texas. U.S. rainfall record of 43" in 24 hours in Paris, Texas 75460 If you've worn shorts and a parka at the and around Alvin in July of 1979. Palestine, Texas 75801 same time, you may live in Texas. 14. Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. No need to travel to Washington D.C. If you've had a lengthy telephone conversa- by TREATY, (known as the Constitution of Whitehouse, Texas 75791 tion with someone who dialed a wrong 1845 by The Republic of Texas to enter the We even have a city named after our number, you may live in Texas. Union ) instead of by annexation. This al- planet! If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south lows the Texas Flag to fly at the same Earth, Texas 79031 of Dallas for the weekend, you may live in height as the U.S. Flag, and may divide into We have a city named after our state Texas. 5 states.

16 15. A Live Oak tree near Fulton is esti- drop us a note at www.jimgough.com or at 2. Dusty Winds - The Babcocks mated to be 1500 years old. www.bobwills.com. We appreciate your 3. Barrel Racing Angel - Suzanne Depaoli 4. Ridin‘ Down the Canyon - Prickly Pair 16. Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in comments and suggestions. 5. Reins of Glory - Gary Fjellgaard the state. Poem: Haunting Headlines - Yvonne 17. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in I‘m excited about the Hollenbeck 1885. There is no period in Dr Pepper. upcoming shows in THE SPIRIT OF THE WEST 18. Texas has had six capital cities: weeks ahead. You‘ll Program #2936 Weekend of Sept. 5, 2009 Washington -on- the Brazos, Harrisburg , hear interviews with Galveston ,Velasco, West Columbia and famous folks like my MUSIC LIST Austin. longtime friend the leg- 1. Far Away Horses - Pedro Marquiez 2. Silver Stallion - Highwaymen 19. The Capitol Dome in Austin is the only endary steel player 3. Get Back on That Horse - Sheep River dome in the U..S. which is taller than the Herb Remington, a Rounders Capitol Building in Washington DC (by 7 recent interview I did 4. Somewhere In The Hills - Rick & Casey feet). with ―Bob‘s sister Helen‘s kid,‖ Dayna Wills, Peden 5. Cattle Call - Slim Whitman 20. The San Jacinto Monument is the tall- the great guitar player from Leon POEM An Old Western Town - Randy est free standing monument in the world McAuliffe‘s band, Billy Dozier and a young Reiman and it is taller than the Washington monu- fiddle player from North Texas who‘s carry- ment. ing on the Will‘s tradition, Brady Bowen. THE SPIRIT OF THE WEST PROGRAM #2937 21. The name '―Texas‖ comes from the Weekend of Sept. 12, 2009 Hasini Indian word 'tejas' meaning friends. In the months ahead, we‘ll feature impor- Tejas is not Spanish for Texas. tant Western Swing legends like Cliff MUSIC LIST 22. The State Mascot is the Armadillo (an Bruner, Smokey Montgomery and Adolph 1. Rodeo Wind - Joyce Smith 2. How I Love Them Old Songs - Bev interesting bit of trivia about the armadillo Hoffner. You‘ll hear these and important Munro is they always have four babies. They have contemporary artists that were all influ- 3. The Blizzard - Jim Reeves one egg, which splits into four, and they enced by the Texas Playboy style in their 4. South Dakota Cowboy - Rusty Richards either have four males or four females.) music. So plan on logging in to Bob- 5. Sunset Years of Life - Pete Hicks POEM: A Baxter of Blacks - Doris Daley 23. The first domed stadium in the U.S. Wills.Com often and we‘d be mighty was the Astrodome in Houston pleased if you‘d tell your friends about our THE SPIRIT OF THE WEST show. Remember, all of our programs are Program #2938 Weekend of Sept. 19, 2009 Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted archived so you won‘t have to miss any of MUSIC LIST on the wall at Cross Trails Church in them. When you‘re down in Austin, drop 1. Buckaroo Dreams - New West Fairlie, Texas : into the Broken Spoke and tell James 2. Share The Range - Gary Fjellgaard (1) Just one God. White how much you appreciate his in- 3. Saddle Tramp - Kevin McNiven (2) Honor yer Ma & Pa. volvement in the programs. 4. Trail Dust - Jim Reader 5. Twilight on The Trail - Sons of the Pio- (3) No telling tales or gossipin'. neers Til next time….Happy Listening, (4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting. POEM: Who Will Pack The Lantern - Tom Jim Gough (5) Put nothin' before God. Cole

(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's [email protected] THE SPIRIT OF THE WEST gal. Program #2939 Weekend of Sept. 26, 2009

(7) No killin'. THE SPIRIT OF THE WEST (8) Watch yer mouth. MUSIC LIST Hugh McLennan 1. Ridin‘ Back to Yesterday - The Old West (9) Don't take what ain't yers. Trio (10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's Program #2934 Week- 2. Cowboys & Rodeos - Quartette end of August 22, 2009 stuff. 3. Cowboy Morning Church - Fred Dober-

Y'all git all that? stein MUSIC LIST 4. If They Only Knew a Cowboy - Dan

Roberts 1. Wild in the West - News from BobWills.com 5. Twilight - Kevin Davis Curly Musgrave POEM: Headin‘ Home - Slim McNaught 2. Back in the Good Well, Western Old Days - Justin & The Montanas By the way, in addition to being on 18 com- Swing fans, 3. My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys mercial country stations across western we‘re back - Tom Cole Canada and the U.S., the Spirit of the West 4. Cowboy Rough - Sons of the San again with an- now has a full video version, it can be seen Joaquin other look at on demand at www.hugh-mclennan.com 5. Other People‘s Cattle - Sid Marty

Bob Wills Radio on BobWills.Com. First let POEM: The Worst One to Buck - Andy Ranch me say what a privilege it is to be included Nelson Home of The Spirit Of The West THE SPIRIT OF THE WEST Program in my friend Joe‘s informative newsletter http://www.hugh-mclennan.com #2935 Weekend of August 29, 2009 each month. Dwight Adair and I are hon-

ored to be here. I want to thank those of you who‘ve commented favorably about MUSIC LIST our programs and encourage anyone to 1. Sierra Nevada - Belinda Gail

17 "Do you think you have any great things in you", asked the man? Simon said, "Maybe. I've been doing a lot of thinking. If I had the time I'd do things differently." That's when the chest pain struck and the world faded to black. He vaguely heard voices. "What Happened?" "Get back!" He was being carried. 52,000 intelligent good-looking readers. Then a blinding light above. People working over him. "We're losing him!" "Clear!" THE LAST DAY. Then a huge shock. The world was gone again. Simon Lescart woke up on his last day, The smiling nurse said, "Welcome back. You've had quite a day." plugged in the coffee maker, "What time is it", he asked? and sat down at the computer to check his email. "Almost midnight,‖ she said. There was the usual spam and forwarded jokes, "I have to call my brother,‖ he insisted. which he deleted without reading. "We'll contact him for you. You can talk to him in a few days." The sixth message subject line read "Final Notice", "I wish I HAD a few days,‖ he said! and the sender was an acronym, "T.P.T.B." A cell phone rang. He started to dump it as spam, "That sounds like mine", he said. "Where is it?" but, for some reason he clicked it open. "It's beside your bed, but you need to rest." He tried to reach for it, but she stopped him. The message was this: "I'll answer it for you", she said. "Lie back down!" "NOTICE OF EXPIRATION. She said, "It's just a text message." Dear Mr. Lescart, "What does it say", he gasped? This is an automatic reminder that your life expires at midnight The letters on the cell phone screen said this: tonight. Please do not try to reply to this email. "EXTENSION GRANTED." Have a nice day. Very truly yours, Jack Blanchard The Powers That Be."

Simon tried to reply anyway, © 2009. but his email bounced back from the "unknown recipient". -- He knew it was most likely a stupid joke, Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan... but he couldn't stop thinking about it Grammy Nominees. Billboard's Country Duet of the Year. OUR HOME PAGE: http://jackandmisty.com as he fought the city traffic on his way to work. What if this really was his last day? He'd often heard the old saying, Review - Daughters Of The Purple Sage You should live every day as if it were your last. "The Best Of The Daughters Of The Purple Sage" What should a person do on his last day, anyway? Get drunk? Smell some flowers? Confess his sins? Here's one of the groups What? whose fame spread He didn't have much of a family to visit across the southwestern just a brother up in Akron, and an ex-wife in Atlanta. US and beyond, but by They hadn't spoken in years. the time many people had He couldn't think of any old sins offhand. heard about them, they Maybe he should commit some? were tantalizingly gone. He knew that the weird email was a fraud, Well, ok...the members but he decided not to go to work today, just in case. didn't live close together He pulled off at an exit and got back on the expressway going the any more. That's a less other way, romantic story, though. toward the ocean. For fans of close Western This is nuts, he thought. harmony ala femme, He couldn't think of anything really important to do, here's a double-disc "Best befitting a persons last day on the planet, Of" set from one of the so he just sat on the beach for most of the day, better groups to ever put and drank a few beers. lip and larynx to the task. He felt a little nervous, like a high school truant, but he also felt something else he couldn't define. For more than a decade, Was it freedom? The Daughters Of The He had some guilt too, for wasting the day looking at the ocean. Purple Sage were main- Someone whose approach he hadn't noticed sat down beside stays at Arizona festivals him. and particularly near their The man was obviously homeless, home stompin' ground "Out Wickenburg Way" (that song is here, in his ragged black suit and dirty torn sneakers. of course). Through their recordings, many more folks got to hear The man said, "Are you okay, friend? You look kinda lost." them than ever saw them in person. Here we have a 24-song Simon said this: compendium, drawn from albums dating back to the mid 90s. "That's an odd word... 'Friend'. Two of their breathtaking acapella arrangements are here, namely Now that you mention it, I guess I don't have any of those. "Shenandoah" and "Twilight On The Trail." You've heard all of the Just a bunch of acquaintances." songs here covered by others..."Wagon Wheels," "Timber Trail," "Maybe you never really tried,‖ said the man. "Roundup Lullaby," "Teardrops In My Heart"...you get the "I've been pretty busy,‖ said Simon. idea...but no one has done them any better. "You must have accomplished a lot of great things, being so busy,‖ the man said. Any harmony singer will tell you one of the toughest assignments "No great things. Just keeping even. Paying the bills,‖ said in the art form is unison singing on the same note. The passages Simon. 18 done in that manner by the Daughters are letter perfect and very effective.

A couple of miscreditings I feel obligated to flag. "Don't Fence me In" was also largely written by Cole Porter no matter how much we want to see poet Robert Fletcher get his due! In what proba- bly is just a misprint, the writers of "Along The Navajo Trail" are also credited with having written "Cattle Call." That should be Tex Owens, and if you really want to get specific this version is the Fred Rose adaptation.

2 CD set: $30 ppd through www.cowgirlmusic.com or you can download an order form and go by mail directly from Daughters The 2009 WMA Showcase and Awards Show Of The Purple Sage, 13623 Hart St., Valley Glen, CA 91405 November 19 - 22, 2009 Albuquerque, NM  by Rick Huff For information regarding [email protected] Registration and Tickets Log onto www.westernmusic.com

See you there!

Backforty Bunkhouse Trivia

This photo was taken in the late 1950s at the Melody Club in Odessa, Texas. Name the musicians‘ first and last names. 1st correct answer wins "The Bob Wills Story" from your friends at Backforty Bunkhouse Productions. Email you answer to [email protected] photo used by permission; Thompson/Loessberg

19 Western Swing Tribute To Shelly Lee Alley “The Show Must Go On!” Hot Club of Cowtown Leon Rausch

Hot Club of Cowtown are Leon Rausch is a Western Swing one of the hardest, ener- Singer and bandleader who getic, Western Swing trios worked as singer for the legen- around, their unique sound dary Bob Wills and his Texas blending the roots of the Playboys. Their association hot jazz era, Americana, began in 1858 and culminated in vintage pop and folk. Rausch taking over as band- Amongst the youngest leader from 1965 to 1966. members ever to be in- Though Rausch would remain ducted into the Texas close with Wills’ band right up Western Swing Hall of until the ‘90s, he also led his Fame, their sixth studio own bands and recorded many album, Wishful Thinking, sides as a vocalist for instru- was just released in August. mental stars like Johnny Gimble and Herb Remington

Clyde Brewer and the River Road Boys

The River Road Boys are best known as one of America’s premier Western Swing dance bands. Organized in 1971 by founding members Clyde Brewer and Tommy Howser, this band carries on the traditional western swing music genre inspired by other great legends such as Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, Clif Bruner, Milton Brown, Shelly Lee Alley and many others. The entire River Road Boys band was inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame in 1998.

2Time Grammy Winner As a session pianist Floyd Inducted into the Country Music has played on several re- Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1993, cordings, including five Larry Scott commenced his radio albums with George Strait career in Neosho, MO in 1955. From and won two Grammys. His 1982 through 2002 hosted the In- most recent Grammy was terstate Road Show, first from awarded in February 2000 KWKH in Shreveport, LA and then for best Country Instru- KVOO in Tulsa, OK. A former owner mental as a featured per- of a hot shot trucking business in former with Tommy Allsup, Texas, Larry can be heard Sunday Larry Franklin, Vince Gill mornings on KWKH hosting Singin’ and Steve Wariner on the and Swingin’ as well as The Glory Asleep at the Wheel re- Road. cording, Ride With Bob. Shelly Lee Alley Jr. Chad Alley Joel and Wendy Brewer 2 SHOWS 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM Saturday, March 27, 2010 Texas Opry Magnolia, TX

& More

20 LEESWING88 TOP 12 CDs Mr. Jolly - Jean Pierre Kountry Korral Magazine, Bennerstigen Planet Country 93.3 FM 120, Sata Sweden 42/31 Rue de la Femme 59640 Dunkerque Top 12 CDs France

01 - Bobby Koefer – Thumbin´ It  Robert Mizzell - Walk The Line 02 – Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys – Live Revisited at Boeing Aircraft  The River Junction Band - Born 03 – Gaylynn Robinson – Love & Heartache Country 04 – Kelli Grant – Swings & Sings  Dry Country - God Loves All His Rednecks 05 – Leon McAuliffe – Tulsa Straight Ahead 06 – Liz Talley – More Than Satisfied  Jay Hollis - One More Day 07 – Louise Rowe – My Time With Bob  Derek McCorkell - That's All I Said 08 – River Road Boys – Houston  Karl Sapp - Time & Place Back Then 09 – Sons Of The Pioneers – Way Out There  Will Cox - Nothing But Tequila 10 – Stardust Cowboys – Ridin´ Back To You  Neil Hersey - Summer Roll 11 – Stephanie Davis – Western Bling 12 – Texas Playboys – Live at Pawhuska `99  McCoy Grass - Walking For My Call  Tony Malone - Take A Sling TOP 12 SONGS  Jerry T. Yates - Jesus I Thank You  Darrenn Mullins - Blue Days Black Nights 01 – Blue Guitar Stomp – Leon McAuliffe  Dave Caley - Let's Chase Each Other Around The Room 02 – Cow Camp Lullabye – Stardust Cowboys Tonight 03 – Don´t Change The Rose Of San Antone – Pap Hamlet John Saculla - Get Out Of The Boat 04 – Don´t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes – Louise Rowe  05 – Honeysuckle Rose – Joaquin Murphey & The Plainsmen  Rebecca Linda Smith - Everlasting Love 06 – Hubbin´ It – Stephanie Davis  The Greigs - Please Don't Call 07 – John Wayne Hero – Stardust Cowboys  Dana Jordan - The Right Kind Of Man 08 – Keeper Of The Flame – Gaylynn Robinson  The Bushwakers - The Road To Thargomindah 09 – Me, My Truck & God – Ambrogio Gaigher  Kel Anne Brandt - I‘m A Big Girl Now 10 – South – Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys Live at Boeing Aircraft  The Heartleys - Hands Of My Heart 11 – Talkin´`Bout You – Stephanie Davis  The Heartleys - No Mans Land 12 – Way Out There – Sons Of The Pioneers  Dobe Newton - The Bush Dance  Tracy Coster - Way Back Then Lillies Ohlsson - [email protected]  Angela Lidin - A Life Passes By

 Angela Lidin - Shack On The Hill Graham Lees Top 10 Songs and Albums  Lotta Kallstrom - Countryside HWD Radio - United Kingdom  Lotta Kallstrom - Salty Teardrops  Frank Fara - Charming Billy – Billy The Kid Top Ten CDs  Robert Mizzell - Walk The Line Revisited

1. The Stardust Cowboys - Ridin‘ Back To You Myspace.com/papy435 2. Gretchen Peters & Tom Russell - One To The Heart, One To The Head 3. The Stephanie Davis - Western Bliss 4. The Cornell Hurd Band - American Shadows 5. John England & Western Swingers - Open That Gate 6. Desperados - Lucky Seven What folks are sayin’... 7. Various Artists - Hillside Records Country Song Roundup 8. Johnny Johnson - One Last Time 9. Janet McBride - Still Lovin‘ The Ride Joe Baker's Backforty Newsletter is the place to go to 10. Dave ‗Pappy‘ Hamel - Back Here With You find out what is happening in the world of western

Top Ten Songs swing, cowboy poetry and western music! Joe's news- letter covers all the bases. It is informative and enjoy- 1. Gretchen Peters & Tom Russell – Guadalupe 2. Red Steagall - How Green Was The Grazin‘ Back Then able to read and keeps me up to date on who's doing 3. Lynn Davis- Wild Turkey & 7 Up what and where it's happening. Joe's newsletter is the 4. Curtis Potter - The Other Woman best source that I know of to keep up with the music 5. Les Gilliam - Supper Time 6. Flying J Wranglers - The Last Cattle Drive and poetry that I love and it comes right to my inbox 7. The Saddle Cats - You‘ve Got The Right Key, But The Wrong each month. It just doesn't get any better than Keyhole 8. Palo Duro Navajo - Trail that. "Thanks, Joe, for all you do for the folks who play 9. Justin Trevino - Bright Lights & Country Music and listen to the best music in the world!” 10. Journey West - Call Of The Canyon

Jean Prescott [email protected] Ovalo, TX

[email protected]

21 nal songs being considered for release by many of the top Nash- ville stars, she is currently touring with Radney Foster and has a recording contract pending. Both girls now live in Nashville.

Mallary‘s mother wrote "Janet has such a heart for teaching chil- dren, and she does it without charge. There is no magic yellow brick road into the music business, but with people out there like Janet McBride who are willing to share their talent with young people, it makes the journey easier."

McBride has watched former students perform at some of the country‘s finest shows including the Fiddlers Feast Chuckwagon Show in Pigeon Forge Tennessee, and the "Fire on the Mountain Show" at Dollywood. She also watched Le Ann Rimes skyrocket to fame with the song "Blue" in the 1990‘s with the yodeling yips she picked up from Janet while she was a youngster singing on the Mesquite Opry in Downtown Mesquite TX.

The Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum‘s "Lifetime Achievement Award" will be presented to McBride on Saturday Night, Septem- ber 26th, 2009.

Contact Mary Schutz, 903-467-9545, [email protected]

The messenger…Rhonda Craig from Enid, OK

My Upcoming Events: Janet McBride and husband, John Ingram Amarillo: By the time you read this the WSMSS (Western Swing Music Society JANET MCBRIDE TO BE PRESENTED THE GENE of the Southwest) Showcase in Amarillo AUTRY OKLAHOMA MUSEUM ‗LIFETIME ACHIEVE- will be just about ready to kick off. It is MENT AWARD SEPTEMBER 26, 2009 , GENE AUTRY the last weekend in September, (24th, OKLAHOMA. 25th, and 26th). It‘s another three days of wonderful western swing music, With a lifetime of performing behind her now, and many years dancing, and reuniting with our friends from all over the south- since she was actively trying for a career in the entertainment west. Jim & Gwen Cox have worked very hard all year to make field, Janet found a more than satisfying vocation in coaching this event fun, affordable, and filled with music from beginning to youngsters who have a desire to perform traditional music includ- end. Everything is under one roof at the Airport Plaza hotel. They ing the art of yodeling. It is as a result of her continuing work in the western and country side of the music business, her long have extended great rates, ($49 per night) for all the Western and successful performing and recording careers and her dedica- Swing folks and it includes a hot breakfast. All day admission is tion to helping young, hopeful performers, Janet will receive the always reasonable, $5 for members, $10 for non members. Don‘t coveted ‗Lifetime Achievement Award,‘ to be presented on the miss this one if you can possibly go. Saturday evening show of the Gene Autry Oklahoma Film and Ruidoso: Music Festival. Then it‘s on to Ruidoso for the Lincoln County Cowboy Sympo-

McBride and husband John Ingram owned and operated the Mes- sium October 8-9-10. quite Opry Country Music Show for 15 years, while they worked As much as I love western swing music, I have never gotten to ‗day jobs‘ as deputies in Dallas County, TX. They now base in attend this one. I am more than EXCITED because we are going Forney, TX where her life is a joyful blend of wife, mentor and this year and I can‘t wait! Back in June at Gloria Miers Legends singer as she works to keep the traditional music she loves alive event in Wichita Falls, I conversed with 90 year old Mrs. Oleda and strong in the hearts of young people who come her way. Flud. Being a long time Bob Wills enthusiast and western swing

supporter she asked me, ―Have you ever been to Ruidoso to the Career highlights for McBride include multiple awards for top fe- male singer, top yodeler, plus the Western Music Hall of Fame Cowboy Symposium?‖ When I said no, that we had never had the Pioneer Award, The Traditional Music Hall of Fame Award, song opportunity, she mournfully shook her head and responded, of the year, emcee of the year and the Patsy Montana Cowgirl ―That‘s the granddaddy of them all!‖ Well Mrs. Flud…you didn‘t Spirit Award. have to say anything else. We have rearranged our schedule and wouldn‘t miss this one for the world. We‘re going on Wednesday She performs at the occasional Opry show or music festival these the 7th just in case something might be happening that we might days but spends most of her time tutoring young entertainers in miss. such areas as stage presence, song delivery, yodeling, singing, playing guitar, marketing and effective practice and it‘s results. WSPN for our Friends in need: Several of her protégés have gone on to record on major record Our email prayer network is growing everyday. It has been amaz- labels, at theme parks, Branson shows and the like. ing to watch so many become a part of this. For many of us, ex- cept for relatives and a few close friends, there was no place to Recent successes include Mallary Hope and Kacey Musgraves turn for prayer support when a crisis occurs in our lives. Now there both of whom began working under Janet‘s guidance when they is. It is the Western Swing Prayer Network. I have shortened it were 11 years old. Mallary now has a recording contract and her first video is now being played on GAC and CMT. According to the acronym ―WSPN‖ for easier reference. We certainly have to Mallary‘s mother, Kaye Whitener, Mallary wrote ten of the seen unbelievable results, comfort, and strength, through this net- eleven songs on her current CD. Kacey Musgraves has her origi- work. I really appreciate those of you who are willing to stop and

22 pray for folks you don‘t even know, when you get my email re- wearing out. They are in all walks of life…and do not necessarily quests. That‘s just the kind of people who make up this great sit on a pew. western swing family. Like I said in my article in the August issue Case in point…YOU, dear friends, are the obscure Gems who of the Backforty Bunkhouse …we are not religious zealots…just keep the prayers going for those who desperately need them in old fashioned Believers who were raised knowing how to pray our music family…and no one even knows who you are…but He and praise our Maker. does! Our prayers are keeping His perfect time. If you have a need… let us know. I am so honored to be a part of this 21 Jeweled Bulova WSPN If you want to be a part…let us know. with you wonderful gems. You are God‘s obscure Gem….hidden jewels. What are Obscure Gems? Serving with joy, We were very poor monetarily but not spiritually when I was grow- The messenger….Rhonda ing up. Mother had been abandoned when she was 8 months old but never let that be an excuse for laxity in her mothering skills for [email protected] my siblings and me. She was raised by grandparents, step par- ents and anyone who would give her shelter while her parents The Jacksboro VFW in Jacksboro, Texas will be hosting a Bene- made only brief appearances in her life at separate intervals. As fit Western Swing Dance on Saturday, September 26, 2009. a child I was well aware of her prize possession, a 21 Jeweled Fred Berry, the VFW Comander and longtime supporter of west- Bulova Watch given to her by her daddy on her 14th birthday, a ern swing music has prostate cancer. This benefit will help him gift given during one of those brief encounters. It was the only with his medical expenses. The first dance will kick off at 7PM thing she ever had that declared his love for her which was never featuring Brady Bowen and Swing Country. The Cowtown Soci- demonstrated otherwise. Through the years mother guarded and treasured that watch. ety Of Western Music will be on hand so please bring something One day, when I was about 9 years old, I asked my mother what for the auction as all monies collected will to the Fred Berry the words ―21 Jeweled‖ meant on her watch. When she told me Benefit.$20 a person or $30 a couple at the door For more infor- that her watch had 21 gems or jewels I stared, confused, at her mation please contact: watch because there were no jewels any where to be seen. Brady Bowen at: 940-507-1454 or Mother saw my confusion and in her infinite wisdom carefully Joe Baker at: [email protected] 575-808-4111 removed the back and crystal exposing the encased workings on A Backforty Bunkhouse Production the inside of the watch. As mother frequently did, she used this opportunity to teach me a ―life lesson‖ which I have never for- gotten. The Real West from the Old West She took a magnifying glass and invited me to view all the pre- KOTS 1230AM - Deming, NM cious little gems inside the watch. I was amazed at the array of Streamed at www.demingradio.com colorful little gems inside…diamonds, rubies, and emeralds She Totsie Slover pointed out that these jewels were the little team, hidden in ob- scurity, that did all the work. She told me that those gems would- Top 10 CDs n‘t wear out like man made materials. ―Those jewels are responsi- Bar-D Roundup Vol. 3 ble for the watch keeping perfect time!‖ As mother put the watch Let‘s Put the Western Back in the Country – Joni Harms back together, she said, "Rhonda, You must always remember, Ranch Life 101 – Prescott, Masterson & Hollenbeck not all of God‘s jewels are for adornment…worn so everyone Goodnight Cowboy Sweetheart – Larry Wilder can see and admire them. Some of God‘s finest and most Ridin‘ High – Naomi Bristow important jewels are small and hidden, doing the work that Lucky Seven – The Desperados must be done and don‘t wear out…like the jewels keeping Still Ridin‘ – Jim Jones the time in my watch even when no one is looking and no Herdin‘ Cats – The Saddle Cats This is Tommy Duncan Vol. 1 – Billy Mata one can see them…but they are jewels nonetheless.‖ Best of … - Hot Club of Cowtown The longer I live the more I understand and appreciate my mother‘s profound wisdom as she taught me about being a gem [email protected] in this life. God has raised up a whole army of gems, hidden in obscurity…who carry on the work that needs to be done, without

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24 magazine in 1963 and associate editor of Livestock Weekly in Empty Saddles 1968, retiring in 1990. Kelton maintained a parallel career as a freelance writer, beginning with short stories in the post-war pulp magazine trade, progressing to novels, non-fiction books and countless magazine articles. In all, he wrote more than 40 books, including ―The Time it Never Rained,‖ ―The Wolf and the Buffalo,‖ Elmer Kelton dies at 83 ―The Day the Cowboys Quit,‖ and ―The Good Old Boys,‖ which became a Turner Network movie directed by and starring Tommy By Cowboy Stan Paregien Lee Jones. Kelton was named the number-one Western writer of all time by the Western Writers of America. The WWA voted him seven Spur awards for best Western novel of the year and the

career Saddleman Award, and he received four Western Heritage Wrangler awards from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ann Kelton of San Angelo, sons Gary Kelton of Plainview and Steve Kelton of San Angelo, with wife Karen McGinnis, and daughter Kathy Kelton, also of San Angelo and companion Pat Hennigan. He and Ann have four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his brothers, Merle and wife Ann of May, Texas, Bill and wife Pat of Atlanta, Texas, and Eugene and wife Peggy of McCamey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the giver‘s favorite charity or the Tom Green County Library‘s Elmer Kelton statue fund through the San Angelo Area Founda- tion at 2201 Sherwood Way, Suite 205. Arrangements are pend- ing at Johnson‘s Funeral Home. Kelton recently completed his last book, "Texas Standoff," due out next year. Another novel, "Other Men's Horses," will be released this fall.

Elmer Kelton, the dean of Western novelists, died of natural Folks who need our prayers causes on Saturday, August 22, 2009 in San Angelo, Texas. I first met Elmer Kelton in 1984 at the Western Writers of America convention in Branson, Missouri. It was ―like‖ at first sight. He was humble, helpful and . . . well, just West Texas friendly. He always had a warm handshake and smile Fred Berry Jimel Bible for everyone. Bob Bone Rosie Carberry In 1986, I interviewed Elmer during the WWA convention in Leon Chambers Joyce Collins Fort Worth, Texas. That interview was later published in the Jim Cox and Family Mark Giles organization‘s official magazine, The Roundup. As he pub- Paige Haas Darci Hahn lished more and more excellent Western novels, he became a Lelsie Harris Briggs Hill and his family celebrity. Yet he never changed a bit. Earl Hill Marian Howell Over the years Peggy and I got to share many meals and Ray Hunter Dennis Ivey hours with Elmer and his gracious wife, Ann. And in more Norma Johnson Rick Langford recent years, we saw him annually at the National Cowboy Mel McDaniel Bob Nible Symposium in Lubbock, Texas. We often stayed at the same Joe Paul Nichols Beverly and Joel North hotel and frequently had breakfast together, where we en- Curly Musgrave Walter Pate joyed his quick wit and storytelling ability. Johnny Patterson Lyall and Donna Paulson His books were always well researched for historical accu- Jim Quisenberry Louise Rowe racy, but it was his storytelling that made his characters Ronona Sellars Connie Stom come to life on each finely crafted page. He set a bar for ex- Buddy and Darlene Thornton Mike Ward cellence that few writers will ever surpass. Charlie Watkins Ed White So we say a fond ―adios‖ to another Western legend. Much more than that, though, we bid farewell to a beloved friend. At a later time I will post a major update to Elmer Kelton‘s bio on my web site, www.cowboydirectory.com, If you have sto- What folks are sayin’... ries or photos of Elmer that you would like to have consid- ered for inclusion, please send them to me at: cow- [email protected] "I use the Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter like a cheat ---Stan Paregien August 24, 2009 -sheet on a high school history test. I know the DJs ______that report to the newsletter only play the best in West-

The following obituary was written by Kelton’s family and ap- ern and Western Swing music, I know the articles are peared in the San Angelo Times newspaper. entertaining and informative, and I know the informa- SAN ANGELO — Elmer Stephen Kelton, 83, died Saturday. He was born April 29, 1926, at Horse Camp in Andrews County to tion contained within is accurate. So rather than rein- Mr. and Mrs. R.W. ―Buck‖ Kelton, and grew up on the McElroy venting the wheel, I glean all the information I need Ranch in Upton and Crane counties. He completed his education from the Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter." at the University of Texas after serving in Europe during World War II. Kelton married Anna Lipp of Ebensee, Austria in 1947 and began Andy Nelson a career in agriculture journalism at the San Angelo Standard- Times in 1949. He became editor of the Sheep & Goat Raiser [email protected] 25