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

Joe Baker - Publisher March, 2009 The Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter is sent to over 600 email subscribers periodically and is growing every day. These are DJs, artists, and fans whose interests are , Poetry, Cowboy Heritage and 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 Joe Baker's KNMB Top Western Swing Albums

Cowtown Society of Western Music Heroes • Brady Bowen, In My Spare Time Vol.#5 Academy of Western Artists Disc Jockey of the Year. • Cowtown Society of Western Music Disc Jockey of the Year Billy Mata, This Is Tommy Duncan, Vol.#1 Western Society of the Southwest Hall of Fame • Rebecca Linda Smith, American Heroes Membership Director—Cowtown Society of Western Music • Johnny Lyon, Wynn Stewart Favorites Vol.#1 Board of Directors—Cowtown Society of Western Music • Bobby Flores, Eleven Roses Western Swing Music Society POWS Hall of Fame • Hank Stone, San Antone Editor: Howard Higgins • Jody Nix, The Fiddle Man Seattle Western Swing Music Society Hall of Fame • Jerry Webb, Red Lips And Honky Tonks • Johnny Bush, Lillie’s White Lies Title: Panhandle Waltz 2009 • Backforty Roundup Vol.#35 Artist: Michael Elliott • Cornell Hurd, Songs Of Moon Mullican, by Joe Baker • Johnny Johnson, One Last Time Although born in Indiana, • Dave Caley, Live This Life Michael Elliott has ties to • Joe Paul Nichols, The Price Is Right and his new • Bobby Ray Spears, I’ve Made A lot Of Friends album reflects the • Curtis Potter, When The Neon Lights Come On Southwest flavor. With a • Amber Digby, Passion, Pride & What Might Have Been style all his own, he's able • Tommy Alverson, Country To The Bone to cultivate some of the • Randy Brown, Hard Face To Face finest guitar playing I've heard in a long while. Joe Baker's KNMB Top Western

There’s fifteen tracks on Music/Cowboy Poetry Albums this album that includes • many different genres of Bob & Johnny Boatright, Lost Trails • music. I am particularly drawn to the Title cut, Panhandle Chuck Cusimano, Wind, Blow My Away Waltz. I know you'll enjoy this fantastic recording as • Cliff Douglas, Truckin’ Country much as I. You can purchase Michael Elliott's Panhandle • Horse Crazy, Daughters Of The West Waltz for $15 at www.BackfortyBunkhouse.com and you • Yvonne Hollenbeck, Pieces Of The Past can contact Michael at: [email protected] • Joe Green, Texas Original Live • Gil Prather, Last Of The Border Cowboys Visit These Western Organizations • K.R. Wood, Live In The Alamo • Mike Dunn, Somewhere Between Earth & Heaven • Cowtown Society Of Western Music • Bar D Roundup, Vol.#3, Various Poets www.cowtown-swm.org • Joe Fisher, Holding On Tight • Northwest Western Swing Music Society • Forever West, Belinda Gail/Curly Musgrave www.seattlewesternswingmusicsociety.com • • Allan Chapman, Sixth Generation Western Swing Music Society Of The Southwest • www.WSMSS.com Jim Jones, Different State Of Mind • • Western Swing Society, Sacramento, CA. Sons Of The San Joaquin, Live WJW • www.westernswingsociety.org Sourdough Slim, Classics II • • Academy Of Western Artists Silverscreen Cowboy Project, Various Artists • www.awa-awards.org Eli Barsi, Darn Hard To Tame • Western Music Association • Eddy Leverett, Old Faded Jeans

www.westernmusic.org www.backfortybunkhouse.com

Joe Baker’s Backforty Bunkhouse Show is broadcast on 100,000 watt KNMB, 96.7FM “New Mexico’s 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 Broadcasters Association (WMBA). Also available ’streaming live’ 24 / 7 on the internet at W-105. All Things Country Top Ten CDs The Big Fred Walker Show Rowena Muldavin WOES 91.3 FM Mid-Michigan 1. Price Porter - Last Call For Heartaches 2. - Willie And The Wheel “THE BIG FRED WALKER SHOW” Internet 3. Miss Leslie - Between The Whiskey & The Wine Radio www.oe.k12.mi.us Wed. 4:00 to 6:00 PM 4. Li'l Mo & The Monicats - Hearts In My Dream and Sat. 9:00 to 11:00/PM EST. The Gospel 5. Ron Williams - Texas Style Show is on Sunday 9:00 AM & 9:00 PM EST. 6. Riders Of The Purple Sage - Living The Cowboy For airplay send music to: The Big Fred Walker Dream Show WOES, 2101 Cook Road, Owosso, MI 48867-8927 7. Curtis Potter - Curtis Potter Sings Willie Nelson 8. Patty Loveless - Sleepless Nights Top Ten Songs: 9. Audrey Auld & Bill Chambers - Bill & Audrey 1 Jody Nix – I’ve Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand 10. Heybale! - The Last Country Album 2 Wesley Ialacy – Hook Line and Sinker

All Things Country email address 3 Donnie Gene – Good Morning Radio [email protected] 4 Pauline Reese – Don’t Leave Me Standing Here 5 Jerry Jericho – Walk My Way Mike’s Top 10 Picks (Freeze) 6 Billy Mata – Closed for Repairs

Songs: 7 Bobby Flores – Danny Boy 1. Brownsville - John England & Western 8 Jean Prescott – Adobe Hacienda Swingers 9 Joe Paul Nichols – One More Time 10 Danney Ball – The California Earthquake Song 2. I’ll Take the Blame - Price Porter 3. Are You Teasing Me - Bobby Flores Top Ten CDs: 4. Old Town - John England & Western Swingers 1 Wesley Ialacy – Word Gets Around 5. She’s Comin’ Home with Me - John England & 2 Dusty Owens – The Final Touch Western Swingers 3 Nancy Thorwardson – Something In The Air 6. Southern Hospitality - Cornell Hurd Band 4 Jody Nix – The Fiddle Man 7. Crystal Canyon - Patty Parker 5 Devon Dawson – Keepin’ Your Head Above The Water Mike Gross 8. Call Back My Heart Texas Moon - Gaylynn 6 Mike Headrick – Steel Rails WVOF-FM Robinson 7 Paul Stout – I love My Life Fairfield, CT 9. Put a Little Texas in Your Swing - Mary Allen- 8 Pat James – It’s My Life Swingin’ West Keating 9 Dusty Owens – Sings Once More 10. Heartless Lover - Cornell Hurd Band 10 Chuck Cusimano – Wind Blow My Blues Away Albums Top Five Gospel Songs 1. Open That Gate - John England & Western Swingers 1 Mary Lee – Rivers Of Life 2. This is Tommy Duncan - Billy Mata & Texas Tradition 2 Justin Trevino – Where We’ll Never Grow Old 3. Last Call for Heartaches - Price Porter 3 Billy Adams - Walk A Little Clossr 4. Something Old, Nothing New - Dennis Ivey 4 Killman, Calahan, Prescott & Sally Bates – Covered In Crimson

5. The Songs of Moon Mullican - Cornell Hurd Band 5 Joe Paul Nichols – I Know He Can 6. Bluebonnet Lane - River Road Boys Top Five Gospel CDs 7. In My Spare Time Volume 5 - Brady Bowen 1 Mary Lee – Rivers Of Life 8. Celtex Swing - Stretch Dawrson & the Mending Hearts 2 Killman, Calahan, Prescott & Sally Bates – Covered In Crimson 9. Favorite Requests - Don Sulesky 3 Glenda Raye – Songs For The Soul 10. Put a Little Texas in Your Swing - Mary Allen-Keating 4 Jean Prescott – Tapestry Of The West Mike Gross — www.swinginwest.com 5 Ray Brown – Rays Of Hope [email protected]

Skeebo Norris’ KBAL Top Playlist. Graham Lees Top 10 Songs and Albums San Saba, TX (Freeze) HWD Radio — United Kingdom

I am happy to announce that our sister station KNVR, 1410 AM is now Top 10 CDs simulcasting our GREAT programming, 1 Billy Mata & The Texas Tradition - This Is along with our streaming 24/7 on www. Tommy Duncan Vol One kbalfm.com. Tune in daily 9-12, for "The 2 John England - Open That Gate Skeebo Show" but KBAL/KNVR and www. 3 Cornell Hurd Band - American Shadows kbalfm.com also feature Legend Radio, in 4 Swing Commanders - Live At The Grand the afternoons and Saturdays with Host Jim 5 Lynn Davis - Wild Turkey & 7 Up Lossberg. Check us out for the best in 6 Johnny Johnson - One Last Time 7 Bobby & Johnny Boatright - Lost Trails Classic Country and Western Swing.. Favorites 8 Patty Parker - Southwestern Serenade 9 Brenn Hill - What A Man’s Got To Do • Vance Lane - Texas Two Step 10 Jake Hooker - Faded Lights • Jody Nix - The Fiddle Man • Leona Williams - Sings Top 10 Songs • Justin Trevino - Too Many Heartaches 1 Kip Calahan - Tumbleweed • Bobby Flores - Eleven Roses 2 Ray Doyle - The Water Is Wide 3 Due West Trio - Salt River Valley • The Quebe Sisters - Timeless 4 Jake Hooker - Faded Lights And Lonesome People • Bobby Lueders - Still Swinging in Texas • 5 Cornell Hurd Band - Make Friends Brady Bowen - In My Spare Time, Vol 5 6 Flying J Wranglers - Cabezon • Curtis Potter - When The Neon Lights Come On 7 Giddyup - Stampede • Red Stegall - Here We Go Again 8 Janet McBride - Wide Rollin’ Plains • Jerry Webb - Red Lips & Honkytonks 9 Earl Gleason - Cowboy Way www.kbalfm.com 10 David John and The Comstock Cowboys - The Duke [email protected]

Cowboy Poetry Week Past editions of The BAR-D Roundup have enjoyed wide radio airplay, By Margo Metegrano, cowboypoetry.com. and the new edition will also be distributed to hundreds of Western radio stations, thanks to Joe Baker of New Mexico's Backforty Bunkhouse. The CD includes a radio public service announcement by top cowboy poet and philosopher . Wyoming's Andy Nelson, poet, humorist, popular emcee and co-host of the award- winning Clear Out West (C. O. W.) Radio show is the CD's co- producer.

The BAR-D Roundup is offered for sale, with proceeds supporting CowboyPoetry.com ($20 postpaid from CowboyPoetry.com, PO Box 330444, , CA 94133 and on line at CowboyPoetry.com).

The annual CD's focus—and that of the Center and CowboyPoetry. com—is to present stories from the real working West. Octogenarian “cowboy” Georgie Sicking (she prefers that well-earned title) tells it like it was in her selected poem:

Housewife

We went to the bank to get a loan to keep the ranch afloat little banker had whiskers on his chin just like a billy goat.

He wrote "profession: rancher" on my husband's pedigree, asked a few more questions and then he looked at me

He looked me up and down with kinda squinty eyes Image © 2008, Bob Coronato, courtesy The Greenwich Workshop, Inc. and opened up his mouth and uttered a word that I despise: housewife

www.greenwichworkshop.com; Cowboy Poetry Week 2009, www. Now when I'm calvin' heifers and haulin' hay and doin' other chores cowboypoetry.com. to call me "just a housewife" is enough to start a war.

This year's Cowboy Poetry Week—the eighth annual—is celebrated I've got cows to move and fence to fix, gotta doctor that ol' bull, April 19-25. Inaugurated by CowboyPoetry.com, which is a non-profit and that balky tractor it won't start without a pull. project of the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry, the celebration has been recognized by unanimous resolution of the United States Now the ranch work is important so the house will have to wait. Senate. Twenty states' governors and other officials have issued I'll cook supper for my husband because he's workin' late.

Cowboy Poetry Week proclamations, and the week is celebrated with I've been a rancher's daughter, I've been a rancher's spouse, activities across the West and beyond. But never was I ever married to a house.

"The Horse Wrangler Gather'd the Morning Mounts...," a painting by © Georgie Sicking, All rights reserved notable Western artist Bob Coronato (www.greenwichworkshop.com) of Hulett, Wyoming, was selected as this year's Cowboy Poetry Week The poem is included on Georgie Sicking's CD, To Be a Top Hand, poster art. Posters are sent to libraries as a part of the Center's Rural which received the 2008 Academy of Western Artists' Will Rogers Library Project and are available to Center supporters. Award for best cowboy poetry album. The National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Inductee comments, "To be a cowgirl is more than just fluff and For 2009, there's a new edition of The BAR-D Roundup, the Center’s stuff. You have to do your share of the work, kill your own snakes, annual compilation recording of the best in classic and current cowboy never complain, mount up even when you know you may get bucked poetry. The CD is also offered to libraries and available for purchase; off, and all the while being more of a lady at work than when you are at proceeds help fund the Center's programs. home." To Be a Top Hand is available for $18 postpaid from Georgie

This fourth annual edition of The BAR-D Roundup includes a vintage Sicking, PO Box 11, Kaycee, Wyoming 82639. recording of Gail Gardner reciting his famous work, "The Sierry Petes" Take part in Cowboy Poetry Week: Get your schools, libraries, and and contemporary poets reciting their work, including "The Men Who community involved! Perform your poetry, donate a book, share your Ride No More" by Joel Nelson, "Cowboy Laundry" by Rodney Nelson, knowledge, get yourself a copy of The BAR-D Roundup. Read more and "Housewife" by Georgie Sicking. Also included are "The Red Cow" about it all at CowboyPoetry.com. by the late Larry McWhorter, and "Tracks that Won't Blow Out" by the late Ray Owens. Among other classic selections are poems by Bruce Kiskaddon and Henry Herbert Knibbs recited by the respected Randy Wyn Machon Rieman and Jerry Brooks and the traditional "Roundup in the Spring" Oamaru heritage Radio 88.3 & 107fm. recited by the late JB Allen and "The Cattleman's Prayer" recited by Dick Morton. Gail Steiger recites "The Dude Wrangler" written by his 5 Lowther St. Oamaru 9400. grandfather, Gail Gardner and Jesse Smith recites “The Black Beauty” Whitestone City, New Zealand . by Johnie Schneider. The CD has a fourth annual selection from • Ann Brown - My cowboy smile. "Grass," a master work by the late Buck Ramsey, a National • Ann J Morton - Sunshine and lollipops. Endowment for the Arts Fellow, recognized as the modern spiritual • leader of the genre. Arlene Renee - Raising G rated kids. • Bad Bob & Jimmy - Huntin' club. There are many additional tracks of classic and contemporary poems • Amber E Robinson - Candle burning in my (28 total), most from poets who frequently please audiences from window. contemporary gathering stages, including: Al Clark (reciting a poem by • - Send me the pillow that you dream on. Arthur Guiterman), Ken Cook, Doris Daley, Elizabeth Ebert, DW • Cody Dobson - When you leave Amarillo. ( Backforty vol 31 ) Groethe, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Linda Kirkpatrick, Jo Lynne Kirkwood, • Johnny Boatright - Ridin' hidin' teardrops. ( Backforty Vol31 ) Slim McNaught, Rod Miller, Jane Morton, Andy Nelson, Pat Richardson, • Jay Snider, and Diane Tribitt. Barbara Nelson - Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe. ( Backforty vol 31 ) Vintage and contemporary photos from featured poets' families are a • Dusty Owens - I'll hate myself forever. part of each year’s CD. This year's cover features a small "cowboy" in • Hank Locklin - Last look at mother. an image of Gail Gardner (1892-1988) from an 1890s tintype. Inside, • - Empty saddles. there's a contemporary photo of three generations of the cowboys in Jay Snider's family, taken on the Snider ranch in Cyril, . Contact Wyn at [email protected]

The Talley Book Andy & Jim Nelson’s C.O.W. Radio Julie Carter — Cowgirl Sass & Savvy 4-Week Playlist

Most folks think that if a cowboy has a brain, 2/28/09, Ranch Roping Book Review he wears it under his hat. • Belinda Gail & Curly Musgrave - My Truth of the matter is everything of importance Horse's Heart that he might know is written in a little book • - 6000 Miles of Wire (The carried in his shirt pocket. In fact, it's been Wind said that was very reason for inventing • - The Rebel-Johnny Yuma pockets for shirts - that and a place to carry • Carin Marie & - Hallie cigarette papers and a bag of Bull Durham. Lonnigan • The tally book usually sports an embossed Debra Coppinger Hill - Common Sense, Horses, and Men name on the cover endorsing the company • Dave Stamey - The Mission San Miguel that provided it to the cowboy. This is typically a bank that has a vested interest 2/21/09, The Worst Whippin' I Ever Took in the cowboy keeping track of his • David John and the Comstock Cowboys - Rocky Mountain Railroad business. Blues • Barry Ward - Drifting With the Western Wind It's his little black book, often red or green, • Sisters of the Silver Sage - Blue Side of Texas but has little if anything to do with collecting • phone numbers of girls, albeit there is Jean Prescott - Road of Dreams • occasionally a need to jot one of those down. Milton Taylor - Chip Heater (The Grand Dame of the Rockies)

Preprinted dates and categories in the book mean nothing. The 2/14/09, National Cowboy Poetry Gathering cowboy keeps his own style of books and may mark the spot he • The Quebe Sisters - So Long to the Red River Valley needs to turn to often with a folded dollar bill or a toothpick. • D.W. Groethe - Ridin' That Trail The data that may set the course for risk management, purchases, • Glen Ohrlin - The Chickens Grow Tall in Arkansas hedging, selling or retained ownership could ultimately end up on • Hot Club of Cowtown - Hand Me Down My Old Guitar some computer run by a guy in high-water britches and a pocket full of • Paul Zarzyski -The Roughstockaholics Just One More Last One mechanical pencils. However, the origin of all cattle information is Blues recorded first in the cowboy's tally book. • Wylie and the Wild West - To Ride

Similarities to methods and information end there. The detailed cowboy will record the exact date cattle were purchased, their weight 2/7/09, The Wagon Masters and price per pound. He'll record when they were moved from one • Jill Jones and the Lone Star Chorale - I Love to Yodel place to the other and give an estimated weight based in prior • Bill Snow Jr. - Cattle Call knowledge of gain per day in a specific pasture. • - For the Good Times • Death loss will be noted and counts corrected. Medicine given is Don Edwards - Good Bye Old Pal • accounted for, as are dates, amounts and types of feed and Jo Lynne Kirkwood - The Auction supplementation. • Suzy Boguss - Night Rider's Lament

Dates are noted when the bulls are turned in with cows, how many, “Clear Out West” Radio Show where and when they were pulled back out of the pastures. PO Box 1547, Pinedale, WY 82941

At branding time, numbers of new baby heifers and steers calves are recorded from each pasture and how many are left as bull calves. Hugh McLennan’s “Spirit of the West Show” Those same calves' weaning weights and price per pound will be Kamloops Country Radio 103—Kamloops, British Columbia (Freeze) recorded in the fall, giving historical value to the tally books that end up in a desk or dresser drawer to be found by the generations to come. February 21, 2009 1. Cowboy Way of Life—Liz Masterson A few pages may be dedicated to phone numbers for the feed 2. Jingle Jangle Jingle—Montana Blue & The Big salesman, parts house, veterinarian and fuel dealer. Others will detail Sky Cowboys well information, pump jacks and windmills, including when it was last 3. Call Me Cowboy—Ken Raba pulled, if new leathers were put in place and when pipe or sucker rod 4. There Was A Time (CanCon) - The Bunch was replaced. Grass Band The personal nature of the business showed up when the cowboy 5. Here's Hopin' There'll Always Be a Cowboy— recorded information about a particular cow, one of a thousand, like it (CanCon) Brett Kissel was someone he knew personally. The notation would read, "White- POEM: How I learned to Count (CanCon) - Doris Daley faced cow, short in the hind quarters, 3 years old, late to breed, check February 14, 2009 next year." Or "motley-faced cow, horn cut, open last spring, light bred 1. Old Cowboy Songs—Due West Trio now. 2. Cowboy Rough—Sons of the San Joaquin All this critical information in one little book that, in theory, is close at 3. Blackbird (CanCon) - Allen Christie hand and available, always. But things happen. If he bends over a 4. Pretty Bay Roan (CanCon) - Chelsea Cunningham drinker to fix a broken float and the pocket flap wasn't snapped, the 5. Big Iron (CanCon) - Tom Cole book falls in the water and it's a cussing-fit accident. POEM: Slapshot Delivery (CanCon) - Brian Salmond

If the little woman snags up his dirty shirt off the floor at the end of the February 7, 2009 day and loads it in the washing machine without first checking the 1. Ridin' Drag (CanCon) - Ben Crane pockets, it's the end of the free world. 2. Dude String Trail—Dave Stamey 3. Cowboy Music Soothes My Soul (CanCon) - Jim Reader There's no question, there are now computer cowboys who ride a 4. A Trucker's Just a Cowboy—Dan Roberts variety of noisy, expensive motorized "horses," but even so, they still 5. The Pale Horse (CanCon) - Fred Doberstein have a little tally book in their shirt pocket. Likely, right next to their POEM: Bull in South Dakota—Ken Haverland BlackBerry smart phones. Hugh can be contacted at: www.hugh-mclennan.com Julie can be reached for comment at www.julie-carter.com “Cowboy Bills” Top 10 Playlist Texas-Radio.nl, The Netherlands Top 10 Most Requested Songs… Eddy and Ria Veldkamp’s show can be Cowboy fun in Georgia in 2009. heard by internet radio from 2 - 4 PM every Hey pards. Where has the year gone Sunday from WWW.OMROEP-SCHEEMDA.NL

already? I guess we've been so doggone March 15 Playlist busy, we didn't realize that March is here already. We had the privilege in February to • Tommy Garrett -Texas Our Texas do a show at one of the largest nursing • The Cornell Hurd Band - Cold Kisses homes in Georgia. The hit of the day was • - My Pillow * King of the when we performed "Who Shot the Hole in Road My Sombrero." We ended with "Will the Circle • Hank Stone - Somewhere In Texas Be Unbroken" and there were so many tears • Brian Burns - Crying on the Shoulder of in the audience that Cowboy Bill added another song to lift everyone's the Road spirits. It warms our hearts to be able to help • Tommy Overstreet - Send Me No Roses bring the cowboy spirit anywhere we can and • Leona Williams - Bottle Let Me Down where could be better than with our senior citizens. We appreciate all our fans and will ALBUM OF THE WEEK: * IN MY SPARE TIME VOL. 5 * continue our quest to preserve the cowboy Brady Bowen WWW.BRADYBOWEN.COM spirit. Until next month, we want all you pards • Brady Bowen - Vocals: Durwood Strube -Take Back Your Old out there to stay warm, keep your powder dry Love Letters and keep it cowboy. Just remember, There's • Brady Bowen - Vocals: Durwood Strube -Grits & Gravy Blues the right way, the wrong way and the... • Cowboy Way!!!! Brady Bowen - Vocals: Tommy Allsup -You Belong To Me

As always, we continue to get CDs from many artists and groups and • Tobias Rene - Pour Me A Strong One we welcome them all. If you want to send us your CD, we are at: • - The Highway To Nowhere The Cowboy Way Show • - Too Close To Call 146 Hwy 139 #230 • Rick Cavender - Rosalie's Cantina Monroe, Georgia 30565 • Miss Leslie & Her Juke Jointers - Everything Ain't Right • Our top ten playlist for March, 2009 is: Jamie Richards - Love You Back To Texas • Willie Nelson - The Pilgrim: chapter 33 1. I'd Rather be a Cowgirl - Horse Crazy • Jody Nix - Walking Tall 2. Don"t Cuss a Trucker - Cliff Douglas • Amber Digby - Hinges On The Door 3. Back Down Those Trails Again - Mike Whitley • Gil Prather - Don't Fall In Love With A Cowboy 4. Who Shot the Hole in My Sombrero - The Cowboy Traveling Band • 5. Song of the Bandit - Vince Crofts & Mindi Reid Guy Clark - Cold Dog Soup • 6. Western Moon - Horse Crazy and His Texas Playboys - Roly Poly • 7. Down in Old Mexico Again - Chuck Cuisimano Adam Hood - Late Night Dinner 8. Western State of Mind - John Bergstrom • Jesse Dayton & Brennen Leigh - Two-step Program 9. Cowboy Up - Lawrence Bishop • Jamey Johnson - Between Jennings and Jones

10. Copenhagen - Gary Allegretto • Kelly Spinks - For A Minute There • J.R. Castillo - Cantinero Cowboy Bill Can be contacted at: [email protected] Contact Eddy & Ria at www.Texas-Radio.nl

Enola Gay Mathews 20th Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium KSST Radio, Sulphur Springs, TX October 8-11, 2009

Howdy, Western fans! I have been enjoying The 20th Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium is October 8- every minute of Don Edwards "Heaven on 11, 2009 in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico. Thursday night concert Horseback" that we received at the radio station opens with Mel Tillis and Bob Wills Texas Playboys featuring the in February. A few of the 14 selections are tradi- official voice of The Texas Playboys the legendary Leon Rausch and tional, a few are newly-written, and all are inspi- friends. All day entertainment. Worlds richest chuck wagon cook off, rational. The interpretation of the messages is Kids , Craig Cameron Horse Clinic. Friday and Saturday from Don at his best, and the supporting instrumenta- 10 am to midnight enjoy live western swing music at tion is Rich O'Brien at his best. It was recorded Casino and sports bar with Brady Bowen and Swing Country with and mixed at Casey Jones Studio in Burleson, Tracy Pitcox’s Heart Of Texas Recording Artists Darrell & Mona Texas. Get this one! McCall, Curtis Potter, Amber Digby, Justin Trevino. The Gatlin In recent weeks, I 've been sharing the stage with a country and west- Brothers, will be performing as well. Western Swing ern swing band, Gale Hague and Lone Star Express. Gale's a long- Music dances Friday & Saturday nights with Bobby Flores, Floyd time band leader (and dairyman) and he asked me to sing with his Domino, Billy Mata Ginny Mac, Liz Talley and many more. Over 100 group for some of the dances he puts on. Gale is also playing a western vendors throughout Ruidoso Downs Racetrack selling their benefit for Jason Hightower, owner and general manager of KMOO wares. For more Tickets and information please call 575-378-4431. Radio in Mineola, Texas. Jason is a young man who is currently a brain cancer patient. The best to Jason, and a speedy return to the RAVAGED RANCHERS HELPED BY NONPROFIT “GIVING BACK airwaves. Also, Gale, Jo Coker and myself are working on a Western FOUNDATION” by Rhonda Stearns

Swing event for Sulphur Springs, as part of the National Day of the Temperatures along the Milk American Cowboy celebration. More on that later...and the month of River near Malta, Montana April will bring Joe Green back to Sulphur Springs and Winnsboro for hovered close to 30 below his "spring tour". Meantime, hope all of you can find a way to put zero on December 20th, some Swing in your spring, and keep the music playing! Your friend, 2008. Rancher Todd Young Enola Gay had undergone double knee [email protected] surgery the day before and was on his way home, unaware of conditions at the ranch. Todd and Sonia’s oldest son Laremy was home, planning to move their Harms, Slim McNaught, Jack Gladstone, Michael Hurwitz, R.W. cattle to a different pasture. In view of nature’s fury, though, he made Hampton and TJ Casey. the wise decision that he and his friend should not even try fighting the You can order CD’s, and learn more about the activities of the Giving blizzard, driven by 30-mile-per-hour winds. He was hoping the next day Back Foundation, by visiting their website, www.ranchersandfarmers. would be better. org. Corporate and private donations to this worthy cause are actively As night fell and the storm wore on, the Young family’s herd of black- sought, and to donate or buy CD’s you can call (406) 442-3420 or write cross cows and calves drifted before those bitter winds, seeking shelter. Giving Back Foundation c/o Montana Stockgrowers Association, 420 They finally found it, under a bluff. Unfortunately, that high ground which North California Street, Helena, Montana 59601. broke the wind and caused the cattle to bunch and gather was the Remember, GBF is a viable, action-based Foundation that offers upper bank of the Milk River...the cattle were moving onto snow-covered concrete help to your neighbors when natural tragedies strike. Join the ice! effort, extend a hand to ranchers and farmers, who have been the When the boys found the herd the next morning, after more than an backbone of this region and America as a whole for more than a hour’s ride in 50-below-zero chill factors, the ice had given way. A lot of century, providing food, clothing and other necessities of life. As TJ cattle were in the river. Many were floundering, fighting to escape. Some Casey puts it, “We appreciate their hard work and what they provide 27 head lay dead, with many more coated in ice from having been for us, so we should let them know submerged in the icy water.

Riding for help as quickly as possible, the boys recruited kind neighbors Be sure to listen to Joe Baker’s radio show Saturday mornings from 6 and family members to help. Together, they managed to rescue more of am—10 am EST on the internet. Go to backfortybunkhouse.com and the cows and calves. Many were so weakened and disoriented they click on the “Listen Live” Logo. plunged back into the icy water after being dragged out. Eventually, riders were able to trail most of the survivors to a neighbor’s feedlot, where they were bedded in straw, with hopes of saving their lives. Bill McCallie’s Cowboy Jubilee Radio Show Classical 90.5 WSMC-FM Chattanooga, TN When the storm settled and a final count could be made, the Young My good friend Don Brewer paid us a visit in the family realized 39 cows and 35 calves were missing...undoubtedly bunkhouse this month and gave a full victims of the icy Milk River. Other livestock involved in the tragedy were accounting of the Elko National severely impacted...nobody knows how many pregnant cows aborted as Cowboy Poetry Gathering. We played Ian a result. Todd and his wife Sonia and their sons, along with Todd’s Tyson's "The Wonder of it All" and did Waddie mother Agnes, were not only devastated because of the suffering and Mitchell's poem "No Quit Attitude" as Don filled loss of life to their livestock; they were broadsided with the financial us in on their activities in Elko. Stephanie Davis ramifications. Those calves represented expected cash flow at weaning is always a favorite of mine. Her song "Ikey" is time. Those cows represented business inventory, the basis for cash one of my all time favorite songs. "Something About Montana" and flow for years to come. "Just a Cup of Coffee" are really nice Stephanie Davis story songs. Christmas 2008 for the Young’s, whose family has ranched along the Hot Club of Cowtown did some western swing as well as Carol Milk River for more than seven decades, would never be forgotten...and Martin, The Quebe Sisters, and Bobby Flores and Jody Nix. You they winced to face 2009 after such a loss. know I happened onto a concert by Thom Bresh, "The Breshman"

You can perhaps imagine the surprise and pleasure of Sonia and Todd and man was I entertained. He's one of the foremost impresarios of when they received an invitation from something called the “Giving the Thumb and Finger Style guitar. Being Merle Travis' son didn't Back Foundation” to attend a social event in Billings, Montana on hurt him any either. Anyway meeting Thom Bresh prompted me to February 7th, 2009. The message said their meals and room for the do a show featuring Spade Cooley, , Merle Travis and my night were paid; and further informed them they’d be presented with a old friend from Flowery Branch, Georgia Rev Charles Nation. check to help out in their recent livestock loss! Merle's "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke" was a big hit as well as "Detour." Chet played masterfully on his "Barsalino" and "Tiptoe through the The February event was actually a fundraiser for the Giving Back Bluegrass." Chuck Nations’ CD is called One Man Band. Chuck Foundation (GBF), a nonprofit entity founded on one of the ancient plays "ALL" the instruments on the cd. His "El Comanchero" and principles and unwritten rules of the agrarian lifestyle – “helping one "Bully of the Town" hit the mark with our audience. Liz Anderson's another,” or “taking care of your own.” Knowing all too well the group did a nice version of "Desert Rat" and Don Edwards and whipping many ranchers and farmers take from natural disasters Waddie Mitchell scored with "Desert Pete." I threw in Walter annually, a few years ago T.J. Casey came up with the idea to offer at Brennan's "Dutchman's Gold" for a little trilogy of gold mining songs least a flicker of hope to devastated ranchers and farmers across the US to round out the show. and Canada. They were joined by others with a heart to help, and GBF has continued to grow. The foundation has been able to help rural It sure was nice having "Ole Gad About" Don Brewer visiting for a families through many tragedies, from blizzards to wildfires, in several show this month. I hope he's comes back soon. It's always great to states. get reports from the road. Don hits a lot of the festivals and gatherings and is a great source of information for the show and our The recent fundraiser, which was the Young family’s introduction to the audience appreciates him as well. generous kindness of GBF, brought in another $4,000 for Foundation use, along with more ideas and inspiration for future growth. That's about all the news that's fit to print. I rode the "Steel Pony" to Daytona Beach for Bike Week and just got back. Saw a few gators One ongoing GBF project is the cowboy CD, and a new one has just from a swamp air boat, and a lot of other interesting wild life on main been released. The original two-set compact disc was released for sale street and at the Iron Horse Saloon. in 2006, featuring 25 selections by western singer/, musicians and cowboy poets who unhesitatingly donated their art, time We're 100,000 watts and streaming to the internet at 6 pm EST and effort to the Foundation. every Sunday at www.wsmc.org. Hope you can give us a listen. If you are in the area, stop in and see me and if you're in Nashville That set is still available, and the new CD, GIVING BACK #2, Building area stop in and see Carolyn Martin doing some western swing at Memories by Preserving our Heritage has just been released. These the Nashville Palace every Wednesday evening. I'll be starting up on 24 entertaining, inspirational and varied selections of cowboy music and the Southern Belle River Boat with the In Cahoots Band in May, so if poetry are by such acclaimed artists as Barry Ward, RJ Vandygriff, you are in Chattanooga, come to see us. We broadcast from Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns, Sisters of the Silver Sage, Ringling 5, Jay beautiful downtown Collegedale , where the air always Snider, Jim Reader, Jean Prescott, Sandy Seaton, Palo Duro, Joseph smells like a big oatmeal cookie....thanks to Little Debbie. FireCrow, and Waddie Mitchell on CD 1. CD 2 features Don Edwards, Ride Safe... Open Range, Doris Daley, Dan Miller, Juni Fisher, Dennis Gaines, Joni You Can Contact Bill at: [email protected] Sundays at 6:00 pm—www.wsmc.org/webstream.html Old Tucson Studios Hosts Western Music "Sampler" Series Convention Center during Cowboy Christmas, I came across a copy

Friends and Supporters of Western Heritage and Music, of Cowgirl Living—Lifestyle Magazine for the Western Woman. Canadian barrel racer Lindsay Sears and her horse Martha were The following information is provided for you to share with your featured on the cover. I’d not seen nor heard of the publication listeners. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. previously and was pleasantly surprised by it. Thank you for your consideration. A glossy bimonthly, the publisher touts Cowgirl Living “for women who Old Tucson is proud to present our Western Music Sampler Series. choose a Western way of life”—more specifically: horsewomen. The Each Sunday, beginning March 8 and lasting through April 26, 2009, purpose of the magazine is to provide horsewomen with articles that Old Tucson Studios will present a series of intimate performances by help better their lives outside the arena. Articles focus on day-to-day some of Western music’s most cherished and original acts. Each challenges of “juggling family, career and horse activities,” covering artist in the line-up embodies the true spirit of the American West. The Western fashion, cowgirl celebrities, tips for barn and home, and a performances, staged in the Grand Palace Saloon beginning at 1 pm, recipe section. To get a feel for the magazine, check out the premiere will have you toe tappin’ and smiling ear to ear. If you’re in the area, issue. Elementary school teacher and barrel you won’t want to miss a single performance! racing finalist Kelly Mabin is pictured on the cover, along with her

March 8—Joe Green March 15—Dennis Jay daughter, Macye. You’ll also find a feature article on planning your indoor arena: www.cowgirl-living.com/images/CLM0308_lowres.pdf March 22—Call of the West March 29—Mike Moutoux April 5—Journey West April 12—Katy Creek Cowgirl Living is available at Tractor Supply Stores and other western April 19—Jeff Harrison April 26—Jon Messenger retailers. Subscriptions are $18 for one year (six issues) from PO Box

296, Lohrville, IA 41543; 866-894-1108; www.cowgirl-living.com For more information on this exciting series, visit OldTucson.com and click on Special Events of call us at 520-83-0100. The popular Cowboy Songs & Range Ballads at the

In addition to its historic role as a film location, Old Tucson Studios is Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming, is on hiatus until 2010. A statement southern Arizona’s premier outdoor entertainment venue with a full issued by the Buffalo Bill at www.bbhc.org/events/cowboysongs.cfm array of live shows, thrilling stunts, Old West dramas, saloon says the move was made “to ensure more time for planning and musicals, trail rides, and fun for the whole family. Old Tucson Studios fundraising. Please understand how much this disappoints us, and we is located at 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona, 85735 know our faithful performers and attendees are disappointed as well.” Responding to numerous requests for something to take up the slack, Marie Demarais, Marketing Manager, Old Tucson Studios Leslie Keltner, Runumuk Cowgirl Productions, is spearheading a one- Arizona's Hollywood in the Desert for 70 Years day festival celebrating the music, poetry, and lifestyle of the cowboy.

Songs of the Cowboys is scheduled for Sat., April 4, 2009. Open-mike Cowboy Jam Session: Western Culture News & Reviews sessions will be held during the day at Cassie’s Supper Club, with by Jeri L. Dobrowski spotlight presentations at businesses throughout the downtown area. What is it with girls and horses? Two different concerts—one at 3:00 p.m. and the other at 7:00 p.m.— will be held at Wynona Thompson Auditorium. Performers scheduled Abbie’s attraction to horses was apparent. to appear, with more to be confirmed, include Bill Chiles, Rex Rideout, The walls of her bedroom were tacked and Bob Lantis, Otto Rosfeld, Gwen Petersen, Georgie Sicking, Pop taped with images of horses: pictures cut Wagner, Open Range, John Shreve, Jim Garry, Larry Thompson, the from pages of magazines, photos of her Yampa Valley Boys, Glenn “Ike” Hall, and Leslie Keltner. family’s beloved mounts, renderings she had drawn and colored. Stiff-legged model For more information on Songs of the Cowboys, contact Keltner at horses stood at attention in a sturdy (307) 587-1558; [email protected] handmade barn and corral that overtook a large portion of the floor. I felt right at home. Mr. JOLLY - Jean Pierre The decorations and toys reminded me of my PLANET COUNTRY 93.3 FM room at her age, along with the rooms of most of my friends. 42/31 Rue de la Ferme

What is it with girls and horses? Kids and horses? Adults and horses? 59640 DUNKERQUE FRANCE On Horses’ Wings, a lovely and insightful collection of music, spoken word, and poetry, celebrates the mystical bond between humans and • CHRISTOPHER BOCK - WABASH horses and the life lessons learned through developing such CANNONBALL, CHRISTOPHER BOCK partnerships. The album opens and closes with Buck Brannaman • PHIL COLEY - WILLIE DONE IT THIS ("the horse whisperer") reciting “The Man in the Arena” by Theodore WAY, SOUTH FORK REC. Roosevelt. Brannaman also recounts meeting his stepfather for the • JACK BLANCHARD & MISTY M - CALL first time, drawing a parallel between his experience and that of a ON ME, STARDUST young horse. Joining him on the 19-track CD are country-and-cowboy • BUSTER DOSS - YOU CAN’T TAKE TEXAS OUT OF ME, musicians from Nashville and the Northwest: James Cain, Wylie & The STARDUST Wild West, Mary Ann Kennedy, Templeton Thompson, Antsy McClain, • BRAZOSGRASS - JUST ANOTHER HILL, STARDUST and Patty Hall. Kerry Anderson’s equine artwork, worthy of display in • GRAHAM RODGER - THE KIN KIN HOTEL, AUSTRAK MUSIC Abbie’s room, enhances the album package. Listen to several full- • JOHNNY BUSH - TEXAS ON A SATURDAY NIGHT, JOE BAKER’S length tracks at www.myspace.com/onhorseswings ROUNDUP

Produced by Hall, On Horses’ Wings sells for $20 plus s/h. All • BERNIE EARLY - TAKE THAT GAS AND SHOVE IT, JOE BAKER’S proceeds go directly to Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center (www. ROUNDUP littlebit.org), 19802 NE 148th St., Woodinville, WA 98077. Little Bit • KELLY SPINKS - IF HER LIPS ARE MOVING, JOE BAKER’S provides weekly therapeutic horseback riding lessons and Hippo ROUNDUP therapy to more than 250 children and adults in the Puget Sound area. • CODY DODSON - LET ME GO HOME WHISKEY, JOE BAKER’S Riders experience not only physical benefits (greater strength, ROUNDUP balance, and prevention of bone weakness and joint dislocation), but • GIL PRATHER - COLORADO CALLING, JOE BAKER’S ROUNDUP also emotional, cognitive and social benefits. (For more on Little Bit, • WHISKY AND DYNAMITE - YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE, SVENSKA watch the YouTube videos at www.myspace.com/onhorseswings.) MUSIC Order On Horses’ Wings from The Eclectic Horseman at www. • KEITH BRADFORD - MILLER ROAD, KMA RECORDS eclectic-horseman.com. • CHRISTOPHER BOCK - WABASH CANNONBALL, Amid rows of gear, boots, and bling displayed in the Las Vegas CHRISTOPHER BOCK

Northwest Society Of Western Music Update Cowtown Society of Western Music Update Formerly Seattle Western Swing Music Society By Joyce Miller By Ray Shawley Western Swing Tribute to Bob Wills February's Showcase brought out a full held in Jacksboro, Texas house, lots of goodies, and great Swing A Backforty Bunkhouse Production music kept the dance floor crowded. On Sunday afternoon, March 8th, western Patty McConnell and The Travelin' Four swing fans were treated to a compilation of were "right on" with the addition of great western swing music at the Bob newcomer Kevin Parr on lead, Wills 104th Birthday Tribute at the harmonica and vocals. Judy Hayes was Jacksboro, Texas VFW. Larry Lange & laying it down on bass, while LeRoy Brigge was swingin' on steel, and The Lone Star Troubadours entertained John Masai pushed them on drums. the crowd for the first hour and a half with some melodic harmonies. The grateful dancers glided around the Patty continues to impress with, "If You Ever Need A Lady, Just Call dance floor as appreciative patrons watched and tapped their feet to Me," her well-received takeoff on the male version of the song popular the music. After the Troubadours departed the stage, Brady Bowen & with many male vocalists. Swing Country took over, featuring 2 time Grammy award winner, With MC LeRoy King on bass and vocals, the jam included Darrell Tommy Allsup. A barage of memorable tunes from old Bob Wills songs Anderson, Rus Davis and Marty Dahlgren on fiddles, Jim Neel and like Flip, Flop and Fly to Buddy Holly's rock 'n roll classics echoed Larry Broad on lead, Ray Shawley and Dave Wheeler on drums, Sara throughout the 1960's style atmosphere of the old building. The dance Jane on bass, Stan Terrell on guitar and vocals, and Judy Collender floor was brimming over as the cowboy boots swished across the corn on keyboard and vocals. meal laden platform. The stage overflowed too, with a kaleidascope of

Bob Cargile and Judy LeBlanc both sang for us, with Sara Jane, veteran musicians such as Brady Bowen, Durwood Strube, Billy Darrell and Larry again displaying their harmony vocals. LeRoy Brigge Doshier, Larry Reed, George Uptmore, Wayne Glassen, Chris York put in all four hours on steel. and Charlie O'Bannon. There were a couple of young masterful musicians performing also, Jess Meador on fiddle and Neil Butler on Pretty Bailey Drake got up to thank the Society for her continuing guitar and vocals. Neil belted out some really fabulous baritone scholarship. She and her family and grandparents also caught quite a melodies to the delight of his Grandpa, Durwood Strube, and his Mom few dances. and Dad, Liz and Lanny Butler and the awed audience. He is really an

In addition to cake and goodies provided by the Society, a couple (that awesome singer and musician and has a bright future ahead of him. Of asks to remain anonymous) brought in 180 Valentine Heart Boxes of course, Jess is phenomenal also...he makes it all look so easy. candy. Many nice door prizes also matched the day. I was personally very happy to see Louise Rowe when she glided

Sharon Skurlock not only prepared the scrumptious Cabbage Patch through the band entrance door - "little red standup bass" in tow. She soup and macaroni salad, but presented a menu of grilled ham and looked great although she admitted she was a little tired. She told me cheese and chicken salad sandwiches. See you next month. —Ray she had driven by herself from Tishomingo, Oklahoma down to San Marcos, Texas to play a gig there on Saturday night and then back up to www.NWWSMS.com Jacksboro to play with Brady Bowen & Swing Country on Sunday and had only had 3 hours sleep the night before. Whew - made me tired just LEESWING88 TOP TWELVE CDs listening to her. She has more energy than the law allows. I guess Kountry Korral Magazine—Bennerstigen, Sala, Sweden that's why she still plays great bass and looks so good! She is one of my favorite ladies of all time in western swing. TOP TWELVE CDs 1 Bob & Johnny Boatwright – Lost Trails Cowtown Society of Western Music, due to the graciousness of Brady 2 Bobby Lueders Band – Still Swingin´ in Texas Bowen, conducted a short, live auction during Brady's first band break. 3 Chuck Cusimano – Wind, Blow My Blues Away The crowd was very generous and we sold nearly everything we 4 Cow Bop – Route 66 brought. All proceeds will go to fund the upcoming May 2nd CSWM 5 Eilen Jewell – Letters from Sinners & Strangers 11th Annual Swing Fest to be held at Holiday Hills Country Club in 6 Gaylynn Robinson – Love & Heartache Mineral Wells, Texas. Admission for Swing Fest is only $10.00 for an all 7 Joyce Woodson – If I Hadn´t Seen the West day pass. Doors open at 11:00 A.M. and Larry Lange & The Lone Star 8 Katy Creek – Autumn´s on Its Way Troubadours start playing at 1:00 P.M.

9 Kelli Grant – Swings & Sings Cowtown Society will honor 26 Heroes of Western Swing Music this 10 Mary Allen-Keating – Put a Little Texas in Your Swing year, plus a special tribute to Bobby Boatright. There will be awards 11 Mike Blakely – Rarest of the Breed ceremonies throughout the afternoon, live western swing music, 12 Rich Flanders – Yondering dancing, silent and live auctions and plenty of food, drinks and lots of TOP TWELVE SONGS fun to be had by all. For more information about this and other events 1 Blue Shadows on the Trail – Rich Flanders hosted by Cowtown Society of Western Music visit our website www. 2 Call Back My Heart Texas Moon – Gaylynn Robinson cowtown-swm.org or call Gary Beaver/Joyce Miller at 817-558-7580.

3 Last Wild White Buffalo – Mike Blakely Thanks and Remember...Western Swing Is Alive and Well! 4 My Last Word to You – Chuck Cusimano 5 Prairie Lullaby – Bob & Johnny Boatwright Joyce Miller CSWM Treasurer/Secretary 6 Put a Little Texas in Your Swing - Mary Allen-Keating 7 Rio Grand Sand – Gil Prather 8 Shadows on the Trail – Tumbling Tumbleweeds 9 Thanks a Lot – Eilen Jewell 10 Waddie Put Your Boots On – Joyce Woodson 11 Waltzing with Judy – Bobby Koefer 12 When the Bloom Is on the Sage – Cow Bop

You’re welcome to send CDs for review (mark Promos) to HOW TO PICK YOUR NEXT SINGLE. Lillies Ohlsson Bennerstigen 120 What makes a recording a hit?

SE-733 95 SALA * SWEDEN First, let’s just tackle an easier one... What makes a recording good?

Lillies Ohlsson—[email protected] Publishers and writers usually say it’s the song. Lyricists say it’s the words. Composers say it’s the music. The artists say it’s the vocal

performance. The musicians say it’s the arrangement. Producers say movie on the life of western swing legend Adolph Hofner. He received it’s the whole package. I tend to side with the producers, but, being the Disc Jockey Of The Year Award from the Academy Of Western good doesn’t guarantee a hit. Sadly, it’s not a quality contest. Artists in 2000 followed by his induction as a Pioneer Of Western Of Western Swing from the Western Swing Music Society Of Seattle in There are plenty of things along the way that can kill a great record, or 2002, the Western Swing Society Of Sacramento in 2004, the Western make a bad one popular. Most of these involve money and politics. For Swing Music Society Of Kansas Hall Of Fame in 2005 and his latest instance, if you are releasing a single next week and an artist who is but certainly not his last, Mike was inducted into the Western Swing managed by the label’s vice-president, is also putting out a single the Music Of The Southwest Hall Of Fame in 2008. same week, which one do you think will get the promotion? This was our experience with one of the major labels. Mike also served as master of ceremonies at the in for Leon Rausch, Tommy Allsup, Curly Collingsworth, There are less politics in the Indie field, but there are still problems in Bobby Koefer and Bob Wills' Texas Playboys in June, 2007. I have selecting a single that will help your career. Things to consider... always thought that the definition of western swing music was best Twenty-four hour programming: If the song is too slow, DJ’s might not said by Mike and here's what he says; "An American music form born play it in the daytime. They like to keep the audience awake in the in Texas and Oklahoma in the 1930's. It's an amalgamation of Scotch/ morning and during drive time. If it’s too fast they may not play it after Irish fiddle music, New Orleans and Black blues, and it evolved in dark, when listeners are trying too relax. Medium is the safest tempo, the 1940's parallel to Big Band Swing. It uses fiddles, mandolins, but there are a lot of hits that don’t follow this rule. A story lyric? A guitars and steel guitars, in lieu of or along with trumpets, reeds and singalong? A novelty? A ballad? And on and on. trombones. The words and vocals tend toward the light happy side. Momentum. If you’ve had some recent airplay with ballads, do you Over the years, there have been many different groups with varied and need a similar follow-up or a change of pace? Some DJ’s like the old different styles playing what can be considered Western Swing music. time sound, and some like it more modern. No matter which you In Addition, many artists in other fields of music have recorded choose, somebody won’t like it. That’s okay. You don’t need everybody Western Swing songs and used Western Swing style musicians and to like it. Just apply some skin thickener. sounds."

Here’s how we pick singles. We listen to all the potential singles we Be sure to visit Mike's website at www.swinginwest.com, there you have and narrow it down to a short list, our criteria being “What WE can listen to Mike Gross' Swingin' West weekly radio show and also like.” Although we’ve learned that we can’t second-guess the public find tons of information. Each one of us at Backforty Bunkhouse that’s usually what we try to do next. We analyze tempo, lyric and Productions tips our hat to our fellow disc jockey and multi-award music content, vocal performance, etc...We get discouraged and winning Mike Gross, and we look forward to many more years of

angry, bang each other on the head, give each other wedgies, and say friendship and working together. Congratulations Mike...Joe Baker we don’t care. Then we try again. Joe Baker—Backforty Bunkhouse Productions When we have it down to two or three, we take a poll of our friends. If we don’t like the poll results we throw them away. We listen to the Album: The Price is Right short list over and over until we can’t hear it anymore. We try listening Artist: Joe Paul Nichols from the next room, from the backyard, from inside the toilet tank. Label: Heart of Texas

We finally pick one and send it in to the record company. As soon as Joe Paul Nichols, one of western swing the mailbox slams shut, we start thinking we sent the wrong one. We and Texas 's most popular begged the not to release our biggest hit: “Tennessee names just recorded a new CD of 12 Birdwalk.” I thought “Somewhere in Virginia in the Rain” had too many tunes that is really a dandy. This album chords for country music. Our most popular songs have been fast, is a tribute to the great Ray Price and is slow, funny, serious, and unexpected. We press on regardless. filled with favorite songs and some wonderful musicianship from some of I think the only good rule is this: Don’t put out anything that is so bad Texas' top Pickers. that it will embarrass you. When you play it for friends, you don’t want In the musician spotlight is steel guitar to have to cough to cover certain parts. legend, Dickie Overby and fiddle and Jack Blanchard http://jackandmisty.com strings player Bobby Flores. Justin Trevino co-produced the album with Joe Paul and is featured on Mike Gross Swingin’ West Show Celebrates acoustic guitar and harmony vocals. Also heard on the album are 29 Years guitarist, Dave Biller, the great Floyd Domino playing piano, Jim Loessberg, the album drummer and bassist Jake Hooker. For Multi Award Winning Western Swing Disc jockey Mike Gross, February 17th, 2009 marked The album opens with former Cherokee Cowboy, Roger Miller's 29 years of the legendary "Swingin' West" radio Invitation to the Blues from 1958 and then Mel Tillis' Texas dance hall show from Fairfield, CT. To this day, Mike sounding One More Time. Then heard is one from another former continues to bring us all the finest in western Cherokee Cowboy, Willie Nelson, You Took My Happy Away. Then swing music. I first met Mike in 2001 and we there are four that Ray's own songwriting talents are displayed. They have been good friends ever since. Although we are Your Old Love Letters, Twenty-Fourth Hour, Each Time and I'll Be WVOF-FM have never shook hands as a lot of us have done There, co-written with Rusty Gabbard. Wayne Walker wrote two of Fairfield, CT in this business, one of these days we will find these gems, I've Got a New Heartache and Pride. From 1959 Joe Swingin’ West ourselves at the same place to make that hand Paul borrows Harlan Howard's Heartaches by the Number. The final shake a reality. Mike and I share a lot of music two Ray Price memories are Different Kind of Flower and the between us and I have always considered him a inspirational Faith. good friend but more so as a mentor, the same way I feel about This CD can be obtained from Joe Paul Nichols, 301 Church Road, another radio legend Larry Scott. Jacksboro, TX 76458 The cost is $15 plus $2 postage. On line www. Mike is the producer and host of the weekly Swingin' West program on joepaulnichols.com WVOF Radio, in addition, this western swing Hall Of Fame inductee's Mike Gross, WVOF-FM, Fairfield, CT and www.swinginwest.com love for the swinging sounds of hot fiddles and steel guitars has inspired him to review western swing albums and books for many publications all over the world. He has worked the Pedal Steel Guitar Association's www.BackfortyBunkhouse.com is the go to website for hard to find annual concerts as master of ceremonies since 1989 and has written Western Swing and Texas Honky Tonk Music. Cowboy Music and Cowboy Poetry can also be found on the CD CHORALE page. You liner notes in hundreds of western swing artist’s CDs. just might find something You’ve been looking for. Just remember Mike was interviewed and featured throughout in a 2004 documentary BackfortyBunkhouse.com

23rd Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering Beginning at 2:00, deciding which session to February, 2009 attend was a really difficult decision. There Alpine, Texas were three different sets throughout the by Linda Kirkpatrick, with two-cents’ afternoon and each set had nine sessions, worth added by Doris Daley making it pretty hard to figure out where and Photos by Pam & David Chance who to see. However, no one complained! Could it have been the great weather? Could it have been the location? Could it have The Friday night show, “Night Time under been the cowboys or maybe just being in the Western Stars,” featured Master of West Texas? Whatever the reason or Ceremonies Joel Nelson and headliners combination there of, the campus of Sul Doris Daley and Rod Taylor along with Jay Ross University was the gathering place of Snider, Don Hedgepeth and Pat Meade. cowboys, cowgirls and the people who love Oh but the day was not over yet! Sheriff Jim to hear their poems and music. The voices Wilson hosted a jam-packed show at the and music echoed from the Davis renovated Granada theatre in downtown Mountains, leaving you to think you were at Alpine. I am not sure what time it ended, but a cowboy version of “The Sound of Music” (although as far as we know I stayed to the end. Sleep is something that no one’s shirt was made out of the curtains.) is not important this weekend. There were From the open mics first thing each morning to the last session of the smaller jam sessions at the Best Western afternoon, a quick stroll would find all rooms full to capacity. The and other places. record crowds, surely among the most affectionate and enthusiastic in Saturday was a full-day repeat of Friday the west, were made up of faithful, repeat fans plus a huge number of with the addition of the grand opening of the first-timers, including one from across the pond. “Trappings of Texas,” held at the Museum of the Big Bend. What an Thursday evening the performers gathered at awesome experience.

the Poets’ Party to just sit and visit over a The Saturday night show, headlining Jack Mexican-style buffet where the main meat Sammon and Dave Stamey, was another was buffalo. The Poets’ Party is always a standing-room-only event. We were all time that everyone really looks forward to, excited by the positive performance by Rusty because for some it may have been a year McCall of New Mexico. Rusty was facing since they last visited. The lack of rain was major brain surgery only a few days away probably the main topic of discussion. and his positive outlook of it all moved If you have never been to the Texas Cowboy everyone to tears and laughter. Rusty said Poetry Gathering I must tell you that you that he could not figure out why he was have missed a breathtaking experience. Each day begins with having brain surgery, because everyone who breakfast prepared around a camp fire. You have the smoke, camp knew him knew that he didn’t have a brain anyway. Rusty is a very coffee, eggs, biscuits and gravy just like in the days of old. Five tips of strong individual and we wish him all the best in the world. our hats to the cooks and volunteers.

Friday and Saturday mornings kicked off with the best open mic sessions around, emceed by Linda Kirkpatrick and Buck Helton. Thirty poets and musicians signed up and the rooms were standing-room- only. Two rooms were opened to accommodate all the open mic performers. Poet Doris Daley remarked, “The caliber of entertainment at the open mic sessions in Alpine is equal to a feature show at other gatherings.”

For the past four years a commemorative pair of has been raffled off and this year the winner was Rusty’s mom, cowgirl Deanna McCall! Everyone was excited and delighted that she won. Wilson Capron was the maker of this year’s spurs.

The Texas Trailhands of Ft. Worth played for the dance, a fabulous group of musicians and vocalists featuring Devon Dawson.

But all good things come to an end and that is what happens here. The final session was the Sunday morning Service While top notch cowboy music plays a dynamic and important role in sponsored by Michael’s Mountain Ministries featuring Karen and Brad Alpine, one of the distinguishing features of the Texas Gathering is its McGuire. enduring emphasis on the spoken word—no surprise for those who know committee member Joel Nelson, one of the west's most Congratulations to Adams, the respected poets and reciters. Friday and Saturday morning both recipient of the Heritage Award. This started off with a session entitled Let's Talk About Poetry, and the award recognizes those who work to discussion both mornings was lively, inspired, informed and promote and preserve the way of the passionate. Support of the spoken word was given by Andy Wilkinson, cowboy through poems, stories and songs. Nika Nordbrock and others.

On Friday morning the Welcome by Dr. R. Vic Morgan, head of the Sul I am quite sure that everyone’s trip home Ross Department of Agricultural and Natural Resource Management, found vehicles filled with the sound of was enhanced by headliners Doris Daley, Michael and Dawn Moon, new music and poetry CDs, just recently and Dave Stamey. Following them, Jeff Gore and Washtub Jerry did purchased at the Cowboy Mercantile. their tremendous “Tribute to .” Nelson Sager and his fine group of folks of Sigma Tau Delta did a great job of conducting the sale of CDs and books for the performers. This service was greatly appreciated by all of Album Review: Thumbin' It us. Artist: Bobby Koefer

So on behalf of the 48 performers, the underwriters, the sponsors and Bobby Koefer is a legendary steel guitarist that played in the bands of volunteers, the Steering Committee, everyone else involved and Bob Wills, Bill Boyd, Billy Gray and Pee Wee King. He is also especially you, the audience, “Ya’ll come back now, ya’ hear!” Circle enshrined in the western swing and steel guitar Hall of Fames. He has next year’s date right now, February 26, 27, 28, 2010. This is an event just released a new CD of 33 tunes. The tunes are short, between that you don’t want to miss. 0:57 on the Leon McAuliffe memory Mr. Steel Guitar and 2:30 on Santo and Johnny's Sleepwalk. Each piece of music is awesome. The album was produced and engineered by Lanny Fiel and all of the tunes were arranged by Bobby. This new album also features Lanny on fiddle, piano, bass and drums. Amanda Shire is also heard on fiddle. Bobby, Lanny and Amanda are also credited with the vocals.

The three vocal items are Bobby's own, beautiful Waltzing with Judy and two of Bobby's fan favorites White Lightning from and Hawaiian War Chant from Jo Stafford. Other items penned by Bobby are the album title Thumbin' it, A Little West of Dixie, Mohegas and Blue Mist. Old favorites include from Bob Wills, Rosetta, This is Southland, Wabash Blues, Steel Guitar Rag and from the Tiffany years Moonlight on the Ganges. Benny Goodman is remembered with From up-and-coming Parker McCauley at the open mic to veteran Honeysuckle Rose, Gene Autry with I Don't Want to Set the World on Nessye Mae Roach, the 23rd Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering had it Fire, Yours is from Jimmy Dorsey and Panhandle Rag is from Leon all! McAuliffe. Other gems include W.C Handy's St. Louis Blues, Herb Remington's Jean Street Swing and lots of other favorites like Dream, Academy of Western Artists Carroll County Blues, Georgia Steel Guitar, Sleepy Rio Grande and Sunset Network Western / Western Swing My Mother's Eyes. The Light Crust Doughboys are brought to mind with Little Girl Go Ask Your Mama, Guy and Carmen Lombardo with Music Charts March 2009 Coquette and Paul Whiteman with Whispering. Other steel legends Western Swing Album are paid tribute such as Ted Daffan with Blue Steel Blues and Joaquin 1 John England - Open That Gate Murphey with Lover. Two more come from the South Seas, Red Sails 2 Billy Mata - This Is Tommy Duncan in the Sunset and Beyond the Reef. The remaining tune is the beautiful 3 Bob/Johnny Boatright - Lost Trails pop standard, If I Had You. 4 Don Sulesky - Favorite Requests An autographed copy of this CD can be obtained by sending $20 5 Chuck Cusimano - Wind Blow My Blues Away (postage paid in the US) to Bobby Koefer, 19278 Innes Mkt Rd, Bend, 6 Price Porter - Last Call For Heart- aches OR 97701. You can also contact him by e-mail at [email protected] 7 Johnny Bush - Lillie’s White Lies 8 Curtis Potter - When The New Lights Come On Mike Gross, WVOF-FM, Fairfield, CT and www.swinginwest.com 9 Dennis Ivey - Something Old, Nothing New

10 Johnny Johnson - One Last Time Around the Campfire Western Swing Song 1 Price Porter - I’ll Take The Blame 1. 1880's Cowboy - Jim Reader 2 Cornell Hurd - Southern Hospitality 2. Come Ride With Me - Dave Stamey 3 John England - Brownsville 3. Daughters of the West - Horse Crazy 4 Billy Mata - Stay All Night 4. Liz Masterson - Roads to Colorado 5 Patty Parker - Crystal Canyon 5. Forever West - Curly Musgrave & Belinda Gail 6 Chuck Cusimano - The Girls Showed Up 6. From the Wagon to the Wire - Donnie Blanz 7 Bobby Flores - Are You Teasing Me? 7. Romance With the Range - Prickly Pair 8 Mary Allen-Keating - Put A Little Texas In Your Swing 8. Astraddle a Saddle - Patty Clayton 9 Les Gilliam - What’s Right With America 9. The Faraway Look - Daron Little 10. The Silver Screen Cowboy Project - Various Artists 10 Gaylynn Robinson - Call Back My Heart Texas Moon

Marvin O'Dell—Around the Campfire Western Music Album [email protected] 1 Sons of the San Joaquin - Live 2 Buckarettes - Cowgirl Serenade Backforty Bunkhouse Show On The Internet 3 Liz Masterson - Roads to Colorado 4 Ian Tyson - Yellowhead to Yellowstone Joe Baker's multi-award winning Backforty Bunkhouse Radio Show can 5 Jim Jones - Still Riding now be heard on the world wide web broadcasting live every Saturday 6 Katy Creek - Autumn’s On the Way morning from 6 AM to 10 AM from the MTD studios located in Ruidoso, 7 Wylie & The Wild West - Hang ‘n Rattle New Mexico (MST) on KWMW, Regional Radio W-105. Listen to some 8 Barry Ward - Whispers Of The West of the best Western Swing, Cowboy/Western Music, Texas Honky Tonk 9 Doug Muchmore - New Mexico Ranch Songs & Such and Cowboy Poetry on the internet. Just go to the opening page of 10 Diamond W Wranglers Joe’s website, scroll down and click on the black “Listen Live” logo and

you’re there. Western Music Song 1 Katy Creek - Lawmen Of The Trail You can also listen to previous shows archived on Joe’s website www. 2 Ian Tyson - Blaino’s Song BackfortyBunkhouse.com. 3 Buckarettes - Slowpoke 4-Mentor Williams - Rio Grande 5 Blackbury Band - Down At The Old Corral The Backforty Bunkhouse newsletter is full of fresh and interesting 6 Terri Taylor - The Cowgirl Way news and features, many exclusive to the publication, and all worth 7 Barry Ward - The Devil’s Running Again reading. The informative and entertaining reviews, reports, columns, 8 Mickey Clark - Goodnight-Loving Trail and more on a broad range of topics makes it a don't-miss read for 9 Jim Jones - Lonesome Cowboy Heart me. 10 Wylie Gustafson - I Get High Margo Metegrano, CowboyPoetry.com Empty Saddles Ernie Aswhorth star Ernie Ashworth passed away. Ernie worked both of HANK LOCKLIN our Mason and Llano Country Opry shows February 15, 1918 - March 8, 2009 and was an in studio guest with us at KNEL by Dugg Collins radio on a couple of occasions as well as by

Lawrence Hankins Locklin was born in phone many times. He was a very kind McClellan, Florida. A singer, gentleman and will be missed. He even and guitar player who brought many hours donated a "penny encrusted" suit to our Heart of enjoyment to thousands of Country of Museum. I enjoyed Music fans. He had one of the most our friendship and even some time together pleasing country voices of any of the that we spent in Las Vegas a few years ago. Grand Ole Opry stars. He enjoyed great His wife Bettye passed away last year and I am certain that they are popularity in the USA, but was also an reunited today.

amazingly huge star in Britain and Ireland. Tracy Pitcox, Heart of Texas Records

Hank was a native of the Florida Born Ernest Bert Ashworth in Huntsville, Alabama, on December 15, Panhandle and won his first amateur 1928, he began his career singing on Huntsville radio station WBHP. contest at age ten in Milton, Florida at age ten. As a young man he In 1949, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he worked for worked on the WPA and various other laboring jobs. Hank took his several radio stations and was signed by Wesley Rose as a first radio job at WCOA Pensacola in 1942. He was also appearing on songwriter for Acuff-Rose Music. Among the artists who recorded his the airwaves in Mobile and Panama City. The military came calling songs between 1949 and 1955 were Jimmy Dickens, Carl Smith, and after the war, Hanks career took him out West to Louisiana and Johnny Horton and Paul Anka. Texas where he further developed his musical talents. However, success as a recording artist eluded him and in 1957, he At various times Hank was heard on KWKH's Louisiana Hayride, The returned to Huntsville and began working at the Redstone Arsenal, Big D Jamboree in over KRLD and on down to on KILT doing guided missile work. Three years later, Rose arranged a plus a host of smaller radio outlets. He had a few releases on Decca recording contract for him with . Billed as "Ernest but most of his early recordings were on the Four Star label which was Ashworth," his first single, "Each Moment (Spent With You)," became the first label home to Patsy Cline. His first hit came in 1949 called a Top 5 Hit. Later that year, "You Can’t Pick A Rose In December" "The Same Sweet Girl," a top ten country hit. His first number one went into the Top 10 and in 1961, "Forever Gone" went into the Top came four years later with "Let Me be The One" which stayed at 20. number one three weeks and on the charts for 32 consecutive weeks giving him national recognition as a country artist which lead to his In 1962, he moved to Hickory Records, the label owned by Acuff- greatest label deal with RCA. Rose, and he scored a Top 5 Hit with "Everybody But Me" and a Top 10 with "." His first single for RCA was a cover on "." It seems everyone and their dog recorded that tune and it was a hit by various But it was his third release for Hickory that would become his artist such as Webb Pierce and Red Sovine, George Jones, Warren signature song and the Number 1 smash. “” Smith and Shirley Collins and Hank Locklin. Hank came into his own in stayed on the national charts for 42 weeks and also did quite well on the pop charts. 1957 with a song that even went top ten in the pop field. It was the Lawton Williams song "Geshia Girl." The song came along about the Voted "Most Promising Male Artist" by Cashbox, Billboard and time was having a monster hit with another Lawton RecordWorld in 1963 and 1964, he was invited to join the cast of the Williams song, "Fraulein." Soon to follow were "Send Me The Pillow Grand Ole Opry in 1964. More chart records followed including "The That You Dream On" and "It's A Little More Like Heaven." His greatest D.J. Cried," "At Ease Heart" and "I Love To Dance With Annie." song came in 1960 when he recorded "Please Help Me I'm Falling." It Ashworth continued to be a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry, was impossible to turn on the radio or listen to a jukebox without but he never had a record to match the success of "Talk Back hearing that song. It was fourteen weeks at number one and stayed on Trembling Lips". the charts for eight months. It was that song that landed him a spot on In 1989, he turned businessman by purchasing radio station WSLV in the Grand Ole Opry where he remained for 49 years. Ardmore, Tennessee. In 1992, Ashworth was inducted into the He could never duplicate the success of "Please Help Me I'm Falling." Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Always a popular performer overseas, Hank was with the RCA family for sixteen years leaving the label in he had a Number 1 song on the Independent National Charts, 1972. He then went to MGM and was on the label the same time Mel "Lonely Only Bar," in 1999 and was also named the "Number 1 Most Tillis was there. I remember Mel calling me one morning all excited Programmed Independent Artist in Europe" that same year. about the new Hank Locklin single, "A Late Cup Of Coffee." Ashworth remained active as a recording artist until his death in 2009, Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the single didn't do a lot at radio making appearances at the Grand Ole Opry and spending much of and it was a damn good tune and session. His stay at MGM was short his time tending to the affairs of his radio stations in Ardmore and then he moved on over to Shelby Singleton's Plantation label where he Gallatin, Tennessee. had three albums in the next six years. Ashworth was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame on Hank maintained his Opry membership but managed to keep a February 22, 2008. respectable distance between himself and Nashville. He preferred to live near Milton, Florida when not touring, recording or making Opry appearances and raising beef cattle on his farm. The last time I saw Jimmy Boyd Hank I was backstage at the Opry in 2001. I was at the backstage MONICA, Calif. – Jimmy Boyd, the child entrance when he walked in. He was dressed in a green suit, white singer and actor best known for the shirt, white boots, had a white beard and reminded me of an Irish original rendition of the Christmas leprechaun. I spoke to him, we shook hands and he said "Walk with me novelty hit "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa and lets talk." He walked all the way to the stage entrance just in time Claus" in 1952, has died. He was 70. to be introduced on stage. He did his two biggest hits to great Boyd died of cancer Saturday at a Santa applause. I was walking back to the lounge area when he passed me, Monica convalescent hospital, longtime slapped me on the back, said it was good seeing me again and friend Eleanor Pillsbury said Tuesday. disappeared out the door. That was the last contact I had with Hank. He was 91 years old when he died Sunday March 8th, leaving behind a "I Saw Mommy" shot to the top of the host of friends and family who will miss him dearly and thousands of Billboard charts three weeks after it was fans who stuck with him all the way through. released. It sold 2 million records in less than 10 weeks.