Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter Distributed by BACKFORTY BUNKHOUSE PRODUCTIONS Home of the Backforty Roundup & CD Chorale 106 Roswell St Ruidoso, NM 88345 (505) 257-3955 Backforty Bunkhouse Publishing BMI Venue / Show Productions Western Music Radio Marketing www.BackfortyBunkhouse.com [email protected] www.MySpace.com/BackfortyBunkhouse

Joe Baker - Publisher September, 2007

The Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter is sent to over 500 email subscribers periodically and is growing every day. These are DJs, artists, and fans whose interests 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.

Mack Abernathy, Fire On The Line Published By: Joe Baker

By Joe Baker Cowtown Society of Western Music Hall of Fame

Backforty Bunkhouse Academy of Western Artists Disc Jockey of the Year. productions is proud to present Cowtown Society of Western Music Disc Jockey of the Year Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest Hall of Fame Mack Abernathy's latest album, Membership Director—Cowtown Society of Western Music Fire On The Line. I'm telling you folks, this is true Texas Driven Editor: Howard Higgins Music. Tommy White on steel guitar and Glen Duncan on Backforty Newsletter Breaks 500 Mark

fiddle, says it all, as without The month of September marked a milestone for the these two instruments, it just Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter—we logged in our 500th wouldn't be true Texas music. email subscriber plus several more. The newsletter sent There's something for everyone on this CD but I know out its first publication in January, 2007 to about 30+ people your going to really love them all, from western swing to who expressed an interest and nine months, nine issues cowboy music to country music at its best. Jason Webb later we’re sending it out to over 500. A tip of the hat to on the piano, Wayne Killius on drums, Jimmy Carter on each one of you for a successful nine months. bass, David Zychek on the slide guitar and guitars by Vic Clay, Kerry Marx and Jeff King, vocal harmonies Joe Baker's KNMB Top 10 Western Swing Albums with Scott Hoyt and Toni Clay by far round out this outstanding group of musicians to make Fire On The 1. Brady Bowen—In My Spare Time Vol. 4 Line, one of the finest albums I've heard in a long time. 2. Johnny Johnson—Angel's Don't Lie Produced by Vic Clay and Mack Abernathy & recorded 3. Bobby Flores—Neon Nights on Hombre Records, released in 2007. Look for "Young 4. Jerry Webb—Red Lips and Honkytonks Guns And Old Pistoleros" on September's Backforty 5. Johnny Beck—Time For The Fat Lady To Sing Roundup Vol.# 22. You can hear it before you buy it at: 6. Red Steagall—Here We Go Again www.BackfortyBunkhouse.com/CDChorale or check out 7. Joe Johns—If I Had Only Known Mack's website at: www.mackabernathy.com 8. Mack Abernathy—Fire On The Line 9. Johnny Lyon—The Austin Sessions A Big Western Tip of the Hat to All the Western 10. Carolyn Martin—Swing

Music Societies Joe Baker's KNMB Top Western

Thanks to Lou Bischoff of the Seattle Western Music/Cowboy Poetry Albums Swing Music Society, Joyce Miller of the Cowtown 1. Joe A Green—Back to the Good old Days Society of Western Music, Bobby Newton of the 2. Jean Prescott—Sweethearts In Carhartts Academy of Western Artists, Harry Coffman of the 3. David E. Young—I’m Not Home On The Range Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest 4. Yvonne Hollenbeck—What Would Martha Do and all others for contributing to the Backforty 5. Gil Prather—Last of the Border Cowboys Bunkhouse monthly newsletter. It is our goal to 6. Andy Nelson—Full Nelson Shoeing keep everyone informed and up to date on 7. Bar D Roundup—CowboyPoetry.com happenings and events throughout the country. 8. Gary Prescott—Rough Country Wild Cattle Special thanks this month goes out to Bobby 9. Susan Parker—She Rode A Wild Horse 10. Marci Broyhill—Window Of Memories Newton of the AWA for sending in the Sunset Network Music Charts — a sorted and compiled Hey folks, Western music disc jockey's love the roundup for the list of the most played songs and albums from the mega selections of great music and poetry. You sure want to get in reporting stations that report to the AWA for the saddle for the Backforty Roundup's next issue.

Western / Western Swing music. Thanks Bobby... Contact [email protected] 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). Mike’s Top 10 Picks for August 2007 Skeebo Norris’ KBAL Top Playlist—www.KBALradio.com. Songs: San Saba, TX 1. Lost My Baby Blues—Reid Wells & Segovia Favorites: 1862 1. Jerry Webb—Red Lips and Honky Tonks 2. Here in Old Fort Worth—Jerry Webb 2. Jake Hooker—Faded Lights 3. More Than I Ever Bargained For—Reid Wells 3. Bobby Flores—Neon Nights & Segovia 1862 4. Red Stegall—Here We Go Again 4. Texas to a T—Carolyn Martin 5. Brady Bowen—In My Spare Time, Vol. 4 5. The Prettiest Girls in Texas—Brian Burns 6. —20 All Time Greatest Hits 6. Gotta Keep ‘Em Movin’ Along—Billy Mata 7. Carl Vaughan—Six Feet Deep In The Heart 7. Texas Eyes—Cornell Hurd Band of Texas 8. Nobody—Wild River Band Mike Gross 8. Johnny Bush/Justin Trevino—Texas on a Saturday Night 9. She Loves to Dance—Stardust Cowboys WVOF-FM 9. Billy Mata—Keepin' The Tradition Fairfield, CT 10. I Left the Best Part of Texas in Tennessee— 10. Danni Leigh—29 Nights Swingin’ West Red Steagall

Albums: Judy James’ Cowboy Jubilee Show August Top Ten

1. Jumpin’ Time—The Time Jumpers Cowboy Jubilee stations: 2. Swing—Carolyn Martin KSQX 89.1 FM -Springtown and Weatherford, 3. Don’t Ever Take Our Picture Down—River Road Boys KMQX 88.5 FM - Mineral Wells, 4. Segovia Road—Reid Wells & Segovia 1862 KEQX 89.1 -Stephenville, 5. Reinventing the Wheel—Asleep at the Wheel 93.7 FM in Granbury 6. Domino Effect—Billy Mata & Texas Tradition 93.3 in Graham. 7. Here We Go Again—Red Steagall & Friends Saturday mornings from 7:30 to 9:30 8. Old Boots New Steps—Wild River Band 9. Neon Nights—Bobby Flores 1. Juni Fisher—Tumbleweed Letters 10. Show Me—The Jazzabillies 2. Judy James—The Place Where I Worship 3. Cowboy Celtic—Black Diamond Mike Gross — www.swingingwest.com 4. Sons of the San Joaquin—Where The Very Same Cottonwoods Grow 5. Jill Jones/Lone Star Chorale—Cowboy Rhythm

Hugh McLennan’s “Spirit of the West Show” 6. Lon Hanah—The Vaquero Song Kamloops Country Radio 103—Kamloops, British Columbia 7. Dave Stamey—Wheels 8. Jean Prescott—Life Between the Rivers Hugh’s Playlist for August 9. Belinda Gail & Curly Musgrave—Montana Lullaby July 21, 2007 10. English Brothers—Cowpokes 1. Saddle Up—Reinsmen 2. The Cowboy Song—Hank Cramer www.JudyJames.com 3. Tom Blasingame (CanCon)—Ian Tyson 4. Silver Music—Juni Fisher 5. Bridle Hangin' on the Wall—Don Edwards & Rex Allen Graham Lees Top 10 Songs and Albums for August Poem: Loading the Bull (CanCon)—Ken McCohaghie HWD Radio — United Kingdom

July 27, 2007 Songs

1. Arizona Rain—John Hargett 1 Timeless—Quebe Sisters Band 2. Little Joe the Wrangler— 2 Swing—Carolyn Martin 3. Farther Down The Line (CanCon)—Tom Cole 3 Neon Nights—Bobby Flores 4. Where Have All The Cowboys Gone—Royal Wade Kimes 5. Cool Blue Mountains—Open Range 4 I Never Had The One I Wanted—Robert Weeks Poem: Leon Flick—My Place 5 Warehouse Tracks 1996-2006—Various 6 Susan Riley—Depend On Me August 4, 2007 7 Slide Show—Cindy Cashdollar 1. Cowboy Standard Time—Bill Barwick 2. Ode to Norma—Mike Blakely 8 Segovia Road—Reid Wells & Segovia 1862 3. What Does She See? (CanCon)—Chris Hillman 9 Music That I Love—Jody Nix 4. The West is as Wild As Ever—Craig Chambers 10 Keith Riemer—Saddle Up

5. The Girls of Summer( CanCon)—Fred Doberstein Album list 6. Every Cowboy Knows (CanCon)—Eli Barsi Poem: Rock Lake (CanCon)—B.J. Smith 1 Shame On You —Quebe Sisters Band

August 11, 2007 2 Country Girl—Bobby Flores 1. Wannabe Donnie—Blanz 3 Exactly Like You—Carolyn Martin 2. King of the Cowboys—Dusty Rogers 4 Cowboys Ain’t Supposed To Cry—Robert Weeks 3. That Palomino Pal of Mine—Roy Rogers 5 Come On Home To Huston—Cornell Hurd 4. The Day Trigger Died—Leighton Watts 6 Whole Load—Waddie Mitchell 5. Heroes (CanCon)—Gary Fjellgaard 7 It Happened In Monterrey—Reid Wells & Segovia 1862 5. Early Morning Trails—Rusty Richards 8 Speedin’ West—Cindy Cashdollar Poem: The Cowboy of A Little Girl's Heart—Janice Gilbertson 9 Walk Me To The Door—Jody Nix Hugh can be contacted at: www.hugh-mclennan.com 10 Play Faded Love, I Gotta Go Home—Lyn Ryan [email protected]

www.cowboypoetry.com www.mountainannies.com www.duggcollins.com WOW! Whatta AWA Show!!! Saddlemaker of the year to Dillon, MT's own George Holt, master By Bobby Newton Saddlemaker. Tony Wallace, OK, won the Spurmaker, and the crowd

GARLAND,TX—If you missed the 12th was awed by his work on the big screen. The Braider of the year went Annual Academy of Western Artists Will to Nate Wald, who was in Argentina, but was accepted by a friend of Rogers Awards, Granville Theater in his, Michael Hague. returned to present the Engraver of the Year to NM native, Bill Lusk. Garland, TX, you missed the biggest night in Country and Western Entertainment and Art. Helen Brooks then came out to present the Garnet Books Chuckwagon

The show was opened by MC R.J. Award to Bob and Nancy Sparks from Brownwood, TX. A quiet then Vandygriff, who got the crowd going and then came Mike Siler, came over the crowd as the names of those who passed on during the Nashville, TN, to get it off on a musical start. R.J. Vandygriff also year were on the big screen, with a very poignant photo done by Baru presented the media awards this year and they were big. The Major Spiller of a cowboy with an empty horse opening a gate for greener pastures. It was a very touching moment. Market Disc Jockey went to XM Radio Disc Jockey, Eddie Kilroy who has the top rated show on the entire XM circuit and is playing lot of Getting back to the music, Dottie Jack, Houston swing singer, put the contemporary and country western music. Not to be outdone, Dallas crowd back into a more festive mood and ready to get on with the McCord, from KNND, Cottage Grove, OR took home the Secondary awards. Anne Lockhart, actress and Western aficionado, was the next Disc Jockey award and he has been playing the fire out of all the presenter and her first award was for Western Female Vocalist which contemporary artists. R.J. Presented the Independent Record Label to went to a very surprised and elated Patty Clayton. The Western Swing Yellow Rose Records and their owners, Bobby Flores and Al Album of the Year went to Dan. T. Chambers for his album "Alive and Michalzcak. The Record Producer went to Brady, Texas' own Tracy Swinging". The Pure Country Group of the Year was in France, but was Pitcox, who also won the Disc Jockey Award last year. Tracy was also still very appreciative and the Lucky Tomblin Band took that award. honored to present the very first Cindy Walker Award to Jerry Max The Western Music Yodeler of the Year went to a youthful and Lane, talented Texas songwriter who has written hits for almost every exuberant, Chelsea Beck, OK and the Western Swing Female Vocalist major country star who ever recorded music. of the year went to Houston's own, Liz Talley, a big sound comes out of a small package. Leighan Cortes filled in for Joni Harms, who couldn't make it, and fill in she did. WOW!, Where has she been hiding, she belted out country like Doug Moreland came out with his trio and treated the audience to some it was supposed to be, not like it is coming out of Nashville now. Next good ole country and western music, just before they left to have a tour up was AWA Executive Vice President, Charles Williams, who was to in Europe. In case you don't know, Doug is Glenn (two ns one o) do the honors for the Cowboy Poetry Categories. After an eloquent Moreland's son and a heckuva entertainer, but isn't much of a speech, Charles said he was retiring from the AWA to spend more time chuckwagon cook. with the Will Rogers Medallion Books. He will definitely be missed, but still be involved with the AWA. His first presentation was to the Tracy Pitcox came back out to present the next set of awards in only Cowboy Poet of the Year, Waddie Mitchell, followed by Cowgirl Poet of the style he can. He is a heckuva promoter in Brady and doing a lot of get more country and western entertainment to more people. the Year, Jane Morton. The Buck Ramsey Cowboy Poetry Book went to Kent Stockton, Wyoming, for his book, “The Campfire Ain't Quite Out His first award went to the legendary Light Crust Doughboys who took Yet.” The Album/CD award went to a couple of Canadians, who made home the Western Swing Duo/Group of the Year. This is the original the long trip south to pick up their "Willy" for their work on "A Cowboy group which started Western Swing and . Although many Collaboration". What can you say about Tammy Gislason, who is new faces, it is the same good old sound. Liz Anderson, mother of Lynn keeping the memory of Skinny Rowland alive with her Anderson, took home the Western Music Song of the Year, "I Rode In imitations and her wonderful gift for humor. Another Canadian was As A Stranger", which will undoubtedly be one of the classics of all taking home her statue. Charles then presented the Will Rogers time. The Pure Country Album of the Year went to Frankie Miller, who Medallion Awards to a deserving Bette Wolf Duncan and again Kent was on hand to gladly accept the award, with the boots he got from Stockton for their great books, and also acknowledged Cowboy Miner on his feet. The Western Swing Song of the Year went to Productions for their excellence in keeping quality up in cowboy poetry a Missouri Native, Starla Queen, who sang her heart out with "Show publishing. Me". The Western Swing Instrumentalist of the Year went to legendary steel guitar player, Bobby Koefer, who couldn't be on hand. Then came Bobby Flores to get everyone back into a musical mood. Not only being a super record producer, Bobby puts out some of the The crowd was then treated to the wonderful sound of Lynn Anderson, best western swing and country music to come out of Texas. He had who brought the crowd back to the reason everybody came, to hear the crowd wanting more, but we had to get back to the awards. good music and see good people. She did a terrific job. The Gearmakers and Chuckwagons came next and the presenters were Wayne Mitchell, long time AWA board member and Texas The next presenter was KNND's own, Dallas McCord, who filled in at Rancher, plus Lynn Anderson, noted country singer and horsewoman, the last minute and did a terrific job. Dallas' first category was Pure and Helen Brooks, who honors the AWA each year to keep the memory Country Male and it went to Mike Siler, who came a long way to pick up of her late husband, Garnet, alive by presenting the Chuckwagon a well deserved award. Next on deck was the Western Music Album of awards. the year and back came Lynn Anderson to pick up a trophy for her well

Starting out things, Lynn Anderson presented the Western Art award to deserved work on "Cowgirl", which is doing well all over the airwaves. Robert "Shoofly" Shufelt, NM, who could not attend, but sent a very Western Music Male brought in a newcomer to western music, Doug appreciative letter to the AWA, next came the Cowboy Cartoonist Moreland. Doug is doing quite a bit of western music as well as Award which went to Jack Fordyce, WA, who also could not be in country music and taking it to many new areas, including Europe, as attendance. While the awards were being presented, their work was soon as the show was over. The Pure Country Song went to a being shown on a huge screen right above the podium for all the traditional favorite, but done up the country way by Joe Babcock. Joe has written and performed music for most of his life and has had it audience to see. recorded by many of the leading artists in country with great success

Wayne Mitchell then stepped up to the podium to present the Continued On Next Page

www.GilPrather.com www.JerryWebbMusic.com www.YourWebsite.Here Joe used to be on and now performs with his wife and “Cowboy Bills” Top 10 Playlist daughter. Top 10 Most Requested Songs…

The next performer was Billy Mata, who brought his own style of 1. Gone To Texas—Don Edwards performing to the stage. He had the women from the audience up 2. Great American Cowboy—Judy Jones dancing with him and even brought out Tammy Gislason, who put 3. What Have You Planned Tonight Diana— Tammy Pearl with Billy. His enthusiasm and wonderful voice was a treat R.W. Hampton for the audience. It is a performance which will be remembered. Billy is 4. A Hundred Years Late—The Desperados a very talented performer. 5. Old Blue—Howard Steele The last presenter was Eddie Kilroy, XM radio Disc Jockey. His first 6. Wyoming Rose—Janet McBride award was to the Western Music Duo/Group of the Year which just 7. As The Wild Wind Blows—Gil Prather happened to be the Quebe Sisters. Although they were working in Ft. 8. Cowboy Saturday Night—Gary Prescott Worth, they graciously accepted the award. This is a group which you'll 9. Montana In My Soul—Ken Overcast be hearing more and more about. Three young talented girls who can 10. Cowboy Boogie— play, perform and sing about anything in the way of music, and thank Events goodness, they like western and western swing. Next up was the Pure The fun keeps on coming here in Georgia. Country Female Vocalist which went to Leona Williams. Leona was “The Cowboy Way” radio show won the working in Branson at the time of the awards, but her award was “Radio Show of the Year” in Georgia award accepted by Frankie Miller. The last award of the night was for Western at the 33rd annual Atlanta Society of Swing Male Vocalist and, could you believe it, it went to Billy Mata, a Entertainers Awards held on Sunday, well deserved award. August 19, 2007. It is only the fourth time in As the show was winding down and everyone getting ready to go and its 33 year history that the Atlanta Society party and continue into the night at the fabulous Radisson Hotel, AWA of Entertainers has singled out a radio headquarters, things came alive on stage. show to win an award. “The Cowboy Way” show is aired weekly on WIMO am 1300 Lynn Anderson, Leighan Cortes and Joe Babcock got up on stage and out of Winder, Georgia and it’s the only did "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden". A perfect ending to a show in Georgia dedicated to the cowboy. perfect show. Enough cannot be said to thank everyone who was The host and founder of the show is “Cowboy Bill” Holden, Georgia’s involved in the 12th Annual Awards. It was a night to remember and Official Cowboy Ambassador. Cowboy Bill also won an award for one, which will be hard to beat. Everyone is looking forward to the next Radio Personality of the Year which was also only the fourth time such awards and, there should be more exciting and memorable experiences an award was given by the Atlanta Society of Entertainers. The again for anyone who enjoys Country and Western, and this is the best program is gaining recognition outside the U.S. as well. It is currently there is. being played every Tuesday on Bar-B-Q’s Country on the Coast program on FM 96.3 in Tanworth, Austrailia. The show is also played in Dugg Collins’ KFTI Western Swing Album Playlist Ireland, Denmark and even for the troops in Iraq. Wichita, KS CD’S FEATURED ON THE DUGG COLLINS’ Close to two thousand Cowboy enthusiasts showed up on Saturday SHOW. DON’T SEE YOURS LISTED? MAYBE July 28, 2007 to celebrate the Day of the Cowboy in Georgia. The YOU HAVEN’T SENT IT TO ME. celebration was kicked off by Senator John Douglas who read the proclamation submitted by Cowboy Bill & Wrangler Marv and signed by 1. REINVENTING THE WHEEL — ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL Governor Sonny Perdue which proclaimed Saturday, July 28, 2007 as 2. JUMPIN’ TIME —THE TIME JUMPERS the Day of the Cowboy in Georgia. The event went from 9:30 am until 3. BILLY KEEBLE SINGS WYNN STEWART— BILLY 5:30 pm and included horsedrawn wagons, gunfights every hour by KEEBLE Shadows of the Past, a stage with singing provided by The Atlanta 4. A CASE OF THE GIMBLES—THE GIMBLES Country Music Hall of Fame, fancy gunspinning and trick roping by 5. DON’T EVER TAKE OUT PICTURE DOWN — RIVER ROAD BOYS Deke Rivers and Darrin Jones and there was plenty of vendors with 6. ELANA JAMES —ELANA JAMES Cowboy and Native American items for sale. The Boy Scouts provided 7. STAY OUT LATE WITH THE LUCKY STARS — LUCKY STARS plenty of drinks and food and there were even pony rides for the little 8. WISHING RIVER — GINNY MAC buckaroos. 9. FADED LIGHTS—JAKE HOOKER 10. DOMINO EFFECT— BILLY MATA Cowboy Bill Can be contacted at: [email protected] 11. BLANCO COUNTY— BOBBY FLORES 12. SALUTE TO BOB’S 100th—TEXAS PLAYBOYS Around the Campfire’s Partial Playlist for August 13. WESTERN BOOGIE—DAVE ALEXANDER Featured Artist—Hank Cramer 14. SOMETHING TO SWING TO—JODY NIX 1. Gunfight at O.K. Corral—Johnny Western 15. ALIVE AND SWINGIN’ — DAN T. CHAMBERS 2. Put the Western Back in the Country—Joni Harms 16. STRANGE —LEIGHAN CORTES 3. A Bronc Stomper—Monty Teel 17. SPARE TIME VOL 4—BRADY BOWEN 4. Deep in the Heart of Texas—Nickel Creek [email protected] 5. Red River Rising—Hank Cramer

6. Navajo Rug—Hank Cramer 7. Nature's Church—Yvonne Hollenbeck The Cowtown Society of Western Music Membership 8. Voice of the Big Guitar—Carin Mari is growing in leaps and bounds every day. If you would like to 9. Someday Soon—Hank Cramer consider joining this organization, please visit: www.cowtown- 10. Tumbling Tumbleweeds—Gary & Sue Ball 11. Texas Plains—Janet McBride swm.org or contact Joe Baker, Membership Director at [email protected] Marvin O'Dell Around the Campfire

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www.JohnnyJohnsonMusic.com www.BradyBowen.com www.YourWebsite.Here New Western Swing Memorabilia Acquired for The CSWM Museum Andy & Jim Nelson’s C.O.W. Radio By Joyce Miller 4-Week August Playlist

Some really good western swing stuff was recently 8/25/07, 10,000 Cattle acquired for the museum. The first item is Bobby • Sons of the San Joaquin—Texas Plains McBay's standup bass fiddle. Gary Beaver, • Wylie and the Wild West—10,000 Cattle President of CSWM, contacted Vicky McBay, the • Jimmy Wakely—Along the Santa Fe Trail daughter of Bobby McBay. Bobby was an • Michael Martin Murphy—Strawberry Roan outstanding musician and played with Bob Wills • Gail Steiger with Delia Gist Gardner's—Hail and and The Texas Playboys. He is also one of our Farewell CSWM Heroes. Vicky agreed to sell the museum his standup bass. • Oklahoma Company Cowboys—Border Affair

Since Vicky only lives a few miles away in Waxahachie, Texas, Gary 8/18/07, Rustlers made a bee line to retrieve the cherished artifact. He visited with Vicky • Jon Chandler—Geronimo's Men most of one morning and came back with the bass fiddle in tow. It will • Carin Mari & Pony Express—Prairie in the Sky always have an honored place in the museum. • —Big John

The second treasured item was donated by Leon Rausch. Leon gave • Wayne Nelson—Stock Detective • Don Kennington—The Last Nail the museum a collection of sixteen of his prestigious awards for • Gary S. Pratt—Cowboy Dream display. This is quite a collection of accolades which vary in size and shape. There are plaques, trophies, a wooden T (his Terry Award) and 8/11/07, Guest Joelle Smith even one with a cow on top (I wonder why). Thanks, Leon, we love • Dave Stamey—Jingle in my Jeans them! What a Hero! • Juni Fisher—Goodnight Good Pony • Ian Tyson—Leaving Cheyenne Our third acquisition, is a liquor card that belonged to Luther (Luke) • Don Edwards—Longside the Santa Fe Trail Wills donated by Robin Deeter, an accomplished western swing talent, • Virginia Bennett—As You Ride whom I sure some, if not all of you, know. Robin contacted Joe Baker, • Lorraine Rawls—Through Her Eyes CSWM Membership Director, and told him about the card and asked if we would like to have it for the museum. Of course, we jumped on that 8/4/07, Things That Make a Cowboy Cuss idea. I just received it yesterday in the mail from Robin. It is from the • Jon Chandler—Black Horse State of Oregon and dated 1959. Evidently, in order to buy alcoholic • Border Radio—Playin' Cowboys • Sons of the Pioneers—Cool Water beverages in the State of Oregon, a special card purchased from the • Back at the Ranch—Little Red Wagon state was necessary. The card has Luke's height, weight and coveted • Sam DeLeeuw—Harley's Helper signature on it. It's a wonderful addition to our museum. Thank you • Wylie and the Wild West—Where Horses are Heros Robin for being such a sweetheart and donating this historic item. We “Clear Out West” Radio Show appreciate your generosity and support of western music. PO Box 1547, Pinedale, WY 82941

I also want to remind everyone that on Saturday, October 13, 2007 CSWM will have the Grand Opening of the Cowtown Society of Bill McCallie’s Cowboy Jubilee Radio Show Classical 90.5 WSMC-FM Chattanooga, TN Western Music Museum and Hall of Fame. The party starts at 11:00 A. M. and goes til 5:00 P.M. with refreshments being served throughout We will be starting our 15th year at Public Radio the afternoon. Location of the museum (for those of you who don't 90.5 and the Cowboy Jubilee Show in October. know) is 600 North Oak Street, the North Oak Community Center, in In Nov. we will be celebrating with our 14th Mineral Wells, Texas. We expect to have some live western swing annual live broadcast of the Cowboy Jubilee music playing that day (since we have a few musicians as members). Radio Show with our live show in the Ackermann We would like to invite everyone to come and be a part of western Auditorium with Fletcher Bright and all the music history; shake a few hands, see the museum displays, and take Dismembered Tennesseans and yours truly and a walk through time. Mineral Wells is also having the Crazy Water In Cahoots. Show starts at 5:30 pm and will go live on the radio from Festival complete with parade, live music, and food vendors on the 6 pm to 7 pm and wind up at 7:30 with a reception in the lobby. same Saturday, so this would be a fun-filled day for the whole family to Cactus Jack will be serving his famous "Cathead" biscuits and attend both events. Hope to see ya there! homeade pear preserves. Everyone is invited, it's all free. Seating is

If you need more information, contact Gary Beaver (817) 558-7580 or e-mail limited so call 423-236-2905 to reserve your seat.

Joyce Miller at [email protected]. This past month we did a tribute to our station Bassett Hound, Franlkin the Wonder Dog Sr. who passed away. We played some

New CD Titles At Backforty CD Chorale dog gone music for his tribute including Walter Brennan's Old Shep, Ramblin Jack Elliot's Ole Blue, the Cedar Hill poignant rendition of Jill Jones - New Day "Pearl" and wound up the tribute show with Red Steagall’s "One Jill Jones - Too Young For Heaven Empty Cot In the Bunkhouse." Chuck Cusimano - We Were Cowboys Mack Abernathy - Fire On The Line That's it for August. Be listening this month at www.wsmc.org for "The Best of New Mexico's Western". Promises to be a great show. www.BackfortyBunkhouse.com Bill’s Playlist for August

What Folks Are Saying… · Bobby Hicks...... Commanche Hit and Run · Bobby Hicks...... Lilly Dale The Cowboy-Western, Cowboy Poetry and Western Swing · Gary McMahan...... Getting Natures Way CDs utilized in support of "The Real West from the Old West" · Jill Jones....………...Plains of St Augustine program broadcast from KOTS/1230 AM Deming, New Mexico · Quebe Sisters...... One More Time are received from three different sources. These three · Jr...... Ballads of the Hills and Plains sources are Backforty Bunkhouse Roundup Compilation and · Red Steagal ...... One Empty Cot in the Bunkhouse their CD promotions, direct purchases and a few received as a · Walter Brennan...... Old Shep result of inquiries directed to singers and poets found on the · Joel Nelson...…….....A Breaker In the Pen Western Music Association website. · ...... Old Red · Butch Martin.… ...... The Ballad of William Sycamore Howard Staub You Can Contact Bill at: [email protected] Sundays at 6:00 pm—www.wsmc.org/webstream.html WESTERN NOTES…(etc.)… people call and say they’ve given up their satellite radio because By Rick Huff they’re listening to us!!! That’s just amazing!!” Columbus, Portland

There’s something happening in Jackson Hole!! and all points in between will be happy to hear www.RangeRadio.com and www.1037TheRange.com are both “streaming” right along now! No, that’s not the banner line from some chamber of commerce travel brochure. For So! How many more times must it be proven? How much more must watchers of Western Music’s hard fought be shown before it becomes inescapable fact for Country radio that struggle to regain footing on America’s Western Music is a viable resource…and that stations like Wichita’s airwaves, it may be the dawning of a whole new KSDI and other broadcasters who profit by including Western are not day! just rural throwbacks or middle America aberrations?? I’ve had it!!

Despite receiving extensive airplay in other Pardon me while I go “full frontal!!” YO! CONSULTANTS!! countries and Internet specialty sites, COUNTRY PROGRAM DIRECTORS!! BROADCAST performers from the Western Music MEGALOPOLIES!!! TODAY’S WESTERN MUSIC WORKS!!! WHEN Association, the Academy of Western Artists, the Roots Music PEOPLE OF ALL AGE GROUPS HEAR THIS STUFF, THEY Association and others have generally only found broadcast exposure RESPOND TO IT! THEY WANT IT!! THEY’RE NOT SATISFIED on scattered U.S. stations that are predominantly from the categories UNTIL THEY GET IT!!! YOU’D BETTER WISE UP AND QUICK! of Non-Commercial, Public Access or Low Power. True, there are a EITHER SEE THE LIGHT, OR YOU MIGHT JUST SEE YOURSELF SLIDE TOWARD GOING “DARK!!” slew of shows out there (estimates of more than 200 have been made)! But it’s still spotty half-hour-here-two-hours-there coverage, I feel better. with not enough constant visibility to really help our genre fly up into radar range. That may be about to change…thanks to “something SEATTLE WESTERN SWING MUSIC SOCIETY UPDATE happening in Jackson Hole!” By Lou Bischoff

First, of course, Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a hugely popular ski, Another Success for Pioneers of tourist and conference destination for people from all parts of the Western Swing Music Festival country and all walks of life. And now, thanks to Station Manager Bruce Pollock and his partner in the Jackson Radio Group Steve Eight inductees were present to Silberberg, these people get to hear (and take home memories of) a receive their awards for preserving, remarkable 24-hour 50,000 Watt radio station! KVRG-FM, a.k.a. promoting and performing western “103.7 The Range,” programs Contemporary Western and Western swing music. Eight incredible bands Swing artists alongside people from Classic Country and the Austin put on an exciting show with there polished musicians. We had some sound. It’s not a stab into space from some wild-eyed dreamer! And excellent country music also for those folks who enjoy that part of the the Jackson Radio Group doesn’t intend to build just one Western- program. We can’t thank these musicians enough for volunteering friendly station! These folks are thinking “chain!” their time, talent and expertise for us each year. The crowds were great, people had to be turned away at the door for 3 nights in a row. “I’ve built three stations from the ground up and now we’re building Board members were each honored with kind words and awards for two here,” Bruce proudly says of his current frequencies. Over the their devoted assistance to the Society for the past year. They were all course of nearly thirty years, Pollock has been involved in every area most deserving. of the broadcasting business…management, software, brokerage, consulting, sales…the works. In other words, he ain’t in this just for Our “Emcees”, LeRoy King, Lloyd Hooper and Ray Shawley made the grins! His decision to program the music he uses was made with a job look so easy. All the volunteers, from admissions, Concessions realistic and focused vision of commercial success! As he puts it: and Jam hosting did an admirable job, ticket sellers were good enough to sell their grandmother a new sports car if only they had the chance. “Mixing Contemporary Western and Western Swing in a tempo-driven format with Classic Country like Merle, Willie, Dolly and Johnny, some A number of special guests were present, including Gloria Miers from of the Austin Sound like Lyle, Jerry Jeff and Pat Green, some ‘Roots’ Plains, TX, who is labeled the “Grand Lady of Western Swing,” and her from Alison Krause, …even throw in Roy and Gene! daughter Melinda made the trip with her. Tommy Thomsen was the That’s giving listeners something they can’t get somewhere else! “Awards Presenter” and we are so fortunate to have him do those That’s a sales story!” honors (he’s made for the job).

Bruce Pollock is getting ready to prove something the WMA, AWA and We thank all those who are responsible for the 2007 success of our others in the field have known for years but sedentary, complacent, Festival. Thanks Joe Baker for all you do for Western Swing Music. blinder-wearing Country program directors cannot believe is true. Contact Bill Bailey—[email protected] Even based on the interviews I have conducted over the years with www.SeattleWesternSwingMusicSociety.com Western Music hosts and programmers from coast to coast, Western Music shows invariably become the most popular and biggest HeartlandPublicRadio.org’s Top Ten Playlist for August donation-generating programs their listener supported stations offer!! It’s not bridging much of a logic chasm to state that Western Music is 1. Three on the Trail—Riders in the Sky commercially viable. Bruce also knows firsthand from his still- 2. The Ballad of Little Aubry—Les Gilliam operating Internet station RangeRadio.com that Western Music 3. Waitin' for a Train—Prickly Pair listeners are devoted. As of last summer the average time spent 4. Goodbye Old Paint—Jimmy Wakely listening was 88 minutes and it’s up from that now. Since then his 5. Comanche Moon—Red Steagall multi-hundred thousand hits per month has been upped another 6. Northern Wind—George Dickey couple of hundred thousand when dallypost.com made RangeRadio. 7. Ridin' Single—Larry Gibson com its online soundtrack! So now throw the “Jackson Hole” element 8. You're From Texas—Laura Lee into the mix, and guess what’s happening over at his newest “Range” 9. Death Rides a Horse—Ennio Morricone incarnation! 10. You've Got to Take the Bitter With the Sweet—Gene Autry

“They’re calling from all over,” Bruce grins. “A guy came here and had Marvin O'Dell The Range on in his rental car for four days. He called me from his HeartlandPublicRadio.org law office in Columbus, Ohio saying ‘I miss it…when will you start streaming it??!’ Nine people from Portland were here skiing—they What Folks Are Saying… called from back home saying ‘there’s nothing like it here, when will you stream it?!!’ Absolutely never do we get calls asking why we Joe Baker is that rare breed' of a promoter who actually does what he says he'll do and he's a true friend. Most of all, he's Western and don’t play Pop Country! No interest there at all! We’ve even had Western Swing's biggest fan!" Jim Jones All Things Country Top Ten CDs for August, 2007 The Big Fred Walker Show

WOES Owosso, MI All Things Country is one of the specialty programs on the Internet station, Heartland Public Radio. The show is a mix of new, old and “THE BIG FRED WALKER SHOW” has some alternative, which means that sometimes the Top Ten lists include been on the air for the last five years. The albums that might have been recorded a few years back. If it's the "real 1st. hour is "The Best In The deal," you'll hear it, not only on this show, but on the entire schedule. Country" (Traditional Country) and the 2nd. Maybe Time doesn't change everything! Hour is "The Best Of The West" (Western Swing & Cowboy Music). 1. Donna B, The Ebony Cowgirl—Got Dang Country Song Songs 2. Mike Clifford—The Heartbreak Grill & Bar 1 It’s Time To Cross That Bridge—Liz 3. Billy Keeble—Billy Keeble Sings Wynn Stewart Talley 4. Pat James—Some Like It Country 2 I’ll Save Some Blues For You—Dottie Jack 5. Jake Hooker—Faded Lights 3 You Are The One—Dusty Owens 6. Becky Hobbs—Best of The Beckaroo 4 Our Lovin Place—Terry Sumsion 7. David Serby—Another Sleepless Night 5 What A Little Moonlight Can Do—Lost Weekend 8. Joey Allcorn—50 Years Too Late 6 Dragging The River—Glen Whitaker 9. Leona Williams—Honorary Texan 7 Faded Light’s—Jake Hooker 10. Carolina Cotton—Yodeling Blonde Bombshell 8 Darkness On The Face Of The Earth—Bobby Flores The station can be heard either via Shoutcast or at either of its two websites: 9 Gailvantin’ Galveston Gal—Belinda Gail & Curly Musgrave www.classicheartland.com (where the schedule and guest book are), and www. 10 Bury Me Under The Wal-Mart Parking Lot—The River Road Boys heartlandpublicradio.org All Things Country email address CDs [email protected] 1 Steel Rails—Mike Headrick 2 Texas Dance Party—Jim Gough 3 Red’s Place—The Starline Rhythm Boys KGAF 10 Most Requested Songs Cass Reasor 4 Western Boogie—Dave Alexander 5 Harbor Lights and Cowboy Blues—Lost Weekend During the month of August, I had as special 6 Them Old Honky Tonk’s—Curtis Potter guests on my Cowboy Hour Radio program, 7 Domino Effect—Billy Mata Joe Green and Lanny Jo Burnett with Royce 8 Too Many Heartaches—Justin Trevino Smithy. Joe Green now resides in the 9 Swing-Time in The Rockies—Open Range Nashville area, but was in our area doing 10 Red Lips and Honky Tonks—Jerry Webb some gigs and had time to come by the radio [email protected] station. We played several selections from his new CD "Back to the Good Old Days". O. J. Sikes’s Western Music Time Lanny Jo Burnett and Royce Smithy are from the Bonham, Texas area. Lanny has done cowboy poetry for several years and recently Hear stories about, and recordings by Roy teamed up with Royce Smithy, who plays guitar, and they sing cowboy Rogers, the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry songs together. Great interview. and others from the days of the silver screen cowboys. Request Line: 1-800-400-1503 1. Everybody's Hocked A Saddle—Dan Roberts 2. Lonesome Road To Dalhart—R.J. Vandygriff • Yonderin’—Rich Flanders 3. One Less Than You Think—Les Gilliam • Swing—Carolyn Martin 4. Old Chisholm Trail—Scott R. Taylor • Last of the Border Cowboys—Gil Prather 5. Rancher's Lullaby—Jean Prescott • Music of the Wild West—John McEuen 6. I'm Sleeping In My Leggings Tonight—Red Steagall • Here we Go Again—Red Steagall 7. Prairie Lullaby—Seth Kelly • Western Harmony & Hot Swing—Sons of the Pioneers 8. Back To The Good Old Days—Joe Green • Painters of the West in Song—The Reinsmen 9. Good Fittin' Saddle—Ryan Fritz • Trail of Memories—Robert Wagoner 10. Stick Horses—Terry Sanders • Call of the Rollin’ Plains—Andy Parker & the Plainsmen • Tumbling Tumbleweeds—Foy Willing & the Riders of the Purple KGAF is on the internet at www.kgaf1580.com. Sage www.BostonPete.com/ojsikes Backforty Bunkhouse Trivia

Congratulations to April Priebe for the correct answer to July’s Trivia LEESWING88 TOP TWELVE CDs Kountry Korral Magazine—Bennerstigen, Sala, Sweden Question. She will be receiving Dugg Collins’ ”Looking Back 77” CD. Favorites September 01 2007 Question: Who Am I? I was billed in movies and records as the “Yodeling Blonde Bombshell”... • ELANA JAMES—Elana James • GAYLYNN ROBINSON—Songs By A West Correct Answer: Carolina Cotton Texas Songstress

This Month’s Trivia Question for the late Clay Lindley Cowboy Poetry • GIL PRATHER—Last Of The Border Cowboys • JIMMIE RIVERS & the Cherokees—Brisbane CD “Cowboy Nerds.” Bop Question: Who Am I? I Am Known As The Voice of Bob Wills. • JOHNNY JOHNSON—Angels Don´t Lie

Answers only accepted by email through Joe’s website trivia form. Go • JOHNNIE LEE WILLS & the Boys—Reunion to www.backfortybunkhouse.com and on the opening page click on the • KELLI GRANT —Swing Like That link to “Trivia.” It will take you to a page where you can enter your • TOM MORRELL & BOBBY KOEFER—Let's Take A Ride answer/s through a preset secure form. The winner will be determined • TOM MORRELL & BOBBY KOEFER—No Peddlers Allowed by an independent drawing from a list of all correct answers. • TOM MORRELL & the Time-Warp Tophands—Pterodactyl Ptales Remember to enter your answers by the form on Joe’s website. • STEPHANIE DAVIS—Crocus In The Snow • WAYNE GLASSON —Just As I Am Personal emails not accepted as entries. Lillies Ohlsson—[email protected]

Howard Staub’s KOTS—1230 AM Deming, New Mexico The Arizona Cowboy Symposium August Top ten on "The Real West from the Old West" PRESERVING OUR WESTERN HERITAGE (Freeze) IN THE HEART OF COWBOY COUNTRY Songs As the hot summer sunshine beats down on 1. Gil Prather—Back On the Border our beautiful San Rafael Valley, and the 2. Ian Tyson—The Rodeo’s Over summer monsoons build each afternoon, we 3. Eddy Harrison—Ballad of Julio Robledo know big doings are coming to The Santa 4. Dave Stamey—Spin That Pony 5. Nevada Slim & Cimarron Sue—Bessie the Heifer Cruz County Fairgrounds. The rodeo, the 6. Luke Reed—If That Old Saddle Could Talk county fair in September, and The Arizona 7. Sand Sheff—Tijuana Cowboy Symposium in November certainly 8. Bill Barwick—Cowboy Standard Time. makes for a lot of good family entertainment. 9. Kip Calahan—Al Valle de Animas 10. Juni Fisher—Ghost of del Cielo The Arizona Ranch Hands are going full speed preparing for this year’s Symposium. Albums Two fundraising Western Swing Dances are 1. Juni Fisher—Cowgirlography. scheduled during August. Ted Scanlon and the Desperados will be 2. Corb Lund—Hair in My Eyes Like a Highland Steer. featured at the Elks Club in Willcox, Arizona on August 11 from 8 3. Les Buffham—Writes & Co-Writes. until midnight. Tickets are $10.00 for singles and $15.00 per 4. Dave Stamey—If I Had a Horse. couple. The Ranch Hands will host a dinner dance at the Sonoita, 5. Bill Barwick—Cowboy Bill & Other Stories. AZ fairgrounds featuring the Wild Oats Band on August 25th from 6. Nevada Slim & Cimarron Sue—Herds, Horses & Song. 7. Wylie & the Wild West—Bucking Horse Moon. 7:00 –10:30. Dance tickets are $ 10.00 per person. The brisket 8. Open Range—Springtime in the Rockies. dinner will be served from 5:30 until 7:00. Dinner tickets are $ 7.50.

9. Will Dudley—True Lies & Other Legends. There are still a few vendors booths left for the Western Tradeshow Poetry Albums at this year’s Symposium and a minimum of ad space is also available in the program. 1. 2007, Bar D Roundup—Various Artists. 2. 2006, Bar D Roundup—Various Artists. For information on any of the Arizona Ranch Hand events and 3. Les Buffham—Below the Kinney Rim. activities contact John Payne at 520-743-9328 or tcmr@cybertrails. 4. Yvonne Hollenbeck—What Would Martha Do? com 5. Geff Dawson—110% Cowboy. 6. Woody Woodson—Woody Woodson. 7. Andy Nelson—Full Nelson Shoeing. Bobby Koefer - Steel Guitar Legend By Dugg Collins 8. Red Stegall—Dear Mama I'm A Cowboy. 9. Original Cowboy Poets—Various Artists. BOBBY KOEFER and I were having a 10. Booher Brothers—Ride. conversation in the Turkey Hotel during a Contact Howard at [email protected] Bob Wills weekend a couple years back, discussing a tune he had cut with Tom Morrell called "Stardust." During the course of that conversation, he said something that caught my ear. He stated Morrell was a genius on steel guitar and that he was nothing more than a salesman. Well, one could not disagree on the genius of Tom Morrell and one could not disagree that Bobby Koefer sells the steel guitar better than anyone I have ever seen on stage. If you have ever heard that version of "Stardust," you will quickly note that Bobby Koefer is much more than "just a salesman." He is an excellent musician all others in the business greatly admire.

A former band member of Koefer’s and a friend of mine of almost forty years, Eddie McAlvain introduced us in Turkey, Texas at one of the jam sessions Eddie loves to put together. Bobby was there strictly as an observer. He and Eddie once had the hottest band in Wichita, Kansas at the Hi-Ho Club where they called home for five years. After meeting this gentleman, I had to learn more about his history.

I learned he was born in Clay Center, Kansas August 18, 1928. I also learned from watching and talking to other musicians that he plays steel guitar in a very unusual style. Bobby uses one thumb pick and no finger picks and a flat rectangular bar instead of the round ones that most steel players use. I also learned that he was self taught and developed his unusual style because there was no one around to show him any other way of playing. That style was comfortable to him then and still is evidently. Bobby grew up listening to the radio which featured a lot of "live bands" back then. He heard a lot of western music, western swing and the popular

"pop" bands of the era.

Bobby went to work for Bob Wills in 1950, replacing Billy Bowman who had been drafted into the Army. He left in 1952 to join the Golden West Cowboys band. When Redd Stewart died Continued On Next Page I sent the news to Bobby via E-Mail. He wrote back to let me know of their families. Storm-generated static electricity shorted out automobile his admiration for Redd and what a great time he had performing with starters. People breathed through masks and sponges and tried in vain that band. They performed on national television shows hosted by the to keep the dust out of their homes. Babies, adults, and livestock likes of Milton Berle, Kate Smith and Perry Como. succumbed to dust pneumonia. And yet, people stayed. With the Depression gripping the country, moving was more frightening than not. Bobby went on to work with Billy Gray and "The Western Oakies." It was a really great band, lots of great experience, but very little money. Egan deftly slips his readers' feet into the shoes of his characters. By the time Rock & Roll took over, Bobby wanted off the road and took Native Americans, cowboys, con artists, hoodwinked homesteaders, a job with "Hap" Peebles booking talent from "Hap’s" home base in compassionate businessmen, students, and government officials tread Wichita, Kansas. across the pages. The reader is helpless but to follow. A fictional plot

could not have been more spellbinding. The time line may be blurred here because of space, But Bobby eventually ended up in Alaska employed as a construction worker in Don Edwards earned his sixth Wrangler for Moonlight and Skies, the Aleutian Islands, staying in that part of the world for a number of named best traditional western music album. The Grammy-nominated years. Bobby returned to the mainland when his Mother suffered a Edwards had me from the start with "My Blue Heaven." I spent hours at stroke at age 94 and after her passing, remained stateside. In 1987 he the piano practicing the tune for a recital when I was in grade school. began contacting some fellow Texas Playboys so they would know he You may wonder how "My Blue Heaven" made the cut on a Western was available for playing gigs. music album. Edwards explains, "It was a monster number one hit in

By no means have we told the complete story of this very talented man 1927 for America's number one pop singer Gene Austin." Austin served I greatly admire. Bobby makes his home in Bend, Oregon and all of us as a significant role model for Jimmie Rodgers-considered the father of far removed from him certainly do not get to enjoy his wonderful steel country music. Rodgers' title track, and his "Land of My Boyhood guitar work nearly enough. Dreams," bring the album back to its Western roots. Others among the baker's dozen that I especially like include "Boots and Saddle," "The I love to lose myself in the sea of people who crowd the bandstand Long Trail," "Coyotes," and "Can't Shake the Sands of Texas from My when the Texas Playboys are working. It’s interesting to note that a lot Shoes." of the conversation happening around me concerns the fellow who considers himself "just a salesman." Bobby my friend, if only you knew A musicologist, historian and author, Edwards is well versed in cowboy how much you are loved and admired by the fans and your fellow lore and musical traditions. The son of a vaudeville magician, he grew musicians. Just keep on selling, cause there’s lots of us out here who up listening to classical, jazz, blues and Western-swing. He was drawn are buying. This year he won Instrumentalist of the Year from the to cowboy life by the books of Will James. Moonlight and Skies, and a AWA. Bobby, you're the best. You just keeps on selling. fistful of other Edwards' releases, are available from Western Jubilee Recording Company, westernjubilee.com. www.DuggCollins.com Submit items for consideration to Jeri Dobrowski, Sure-Fire Western Heritage Winners 1471 Carlyle Road S, Beach, ND 58621; [email protected]. © 2007, Jeri Dobrowski, All rights reserved By Jeri Dobrowski

Since the early 60s, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Sunset Network Western / Western Swing Music Charts Museum® in Oklahoma City, has recognized individuals whose work August 20, 2007 preserves the stories of the West. Winning entries in literature, music, film and television are awarded the museum's prestigious Western Western Swing Album Western Swing Song Heritage Award-the Wrangler. 1-River Road Boys-Don' Ever Take 1-Reid Wells-Lost My Baby Blues Our Picture Down 2-Ginny Mac-They Don't Call Me Darlin' This month I'm spotlighting two of the 2007 recipients. (Look for more 2-Time Jumpers-Jumping Time 3-Dottie Jack-Texan in A Stetson in my Christmas gift-giving suggestions.) A complete listing of past 3-Asleep At The Wheel-Reinventing 4-Stardust Cowboys-She Love To winners, interesting in itself, is available at www. The Wheel Dance nationalcowboymuseum.org: "Events & Exhibitions," "Western Heritage 4-Reid Wells-Segovia Road 5-Carolyn Martin-Exactly Like You 6-Cornell Hurd-Texas Eyes Awards." Guidelines for submitting entries are also posted. Should you 5-Dottie Jack-Texan In A Stetson 6-Wild River Band-Old Boots New 7-Brian Burns-The Prettiest Girls In prefer, call the museum at (405) 478-2250, Ext. 221. Texas Steps Timothy Egan, New York Times National Enterprise Reporter, won for 7-Curio Cowboys-Ticket To Albuquerk 8-Jerry Webb-Here In Old Fort Worth nonfiction book with The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those 8-Carolyn Martin-Swing 9-Billy Mata-Gotta Keep 'Em Moving Along Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl (Mariner Books, 2006, 9-Bobby Flores-Neon Lights 10-Brady Bowen-In My Spare Time 10-Carolyn Martin-Texas To A T 352 pages, b/w photos, softcover; ISBN-13/EAN: 9780618346974). It also received the National Book Award and was named a best book of Western Music Album Western Music Song the year by both the Los Angeles Times and Washington Post. The 1-Troy Bateson-Midnight Moon 1-Syd Masters-Buffalo Gal Seattle Times called it "a flat-out masterpiece of historical reportage." 2-English Brothers-Range In The Sky 2-Patty Clayton-Red Buffalo And for good reason. 3-Kevin Davis-Every Horse I Ride 3-Kevin Davis-Adobe Walls 4-Judy Coder-Singin' Down The Road 4-Sisters Of The Silver Sage-I'll Love Egan dug deep for the story buried beneath the disaster, seeking out 5-Jim Jones-The West, Then, Now You Forever In My Dreams. tenacious survivors' firsthand accounts. Focusing on a dozen families Next 5-Wylie Gustafson-Don't Take Your and the communities where they lived, Egan enhanced the stories 6-Brenn Hill-What A Man's Got To Do Guns To Town through diary entries, newspaper and magazine articles, books, and 7-Prickly Pair-Pony Tracks 6-Lynn Anderson-May The Trail Ride museum archives. This is not an account of those who left, rather the 8-Red Steagall-Here We Go Again Up To Meet You tale of those who persevered against all odds and stayed. 9-Patty Clayton-Astraddle A Saddle 7-Lone Prairie-Back On The Dusty Trail 10-Jean Prescott-Sweethearts in 8-Brenn Hill-Meet Me In McCall It's been a long, long time since I've been so totally swept up in a book. Carhartts 9-Gil Prather-Rio Grande Sand From the moment I studied the map outlining the Dust Bowl region, 10-Jim Garling-Traveling Light through the last acknowledgment, it tore at my emotions-just as the dusters themselves tore at soil laid bare by well-intentioned 17th Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium homesteaders and suitcase farmers looking to make a quick buck. Both succumbed to a wheat-farming frenzy, plowing under fragile The 17th Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium is grasslands where cattle once grazed-including the famous XIT. October 11-14, 2007 in Ruidoso Downs, NM. Performances by The Texas Playboys, Tommy Allsup, Red Steagall, Johnny After several prosperous and productive years, weather patterns changed. Rain ceased to fall. Temperatures vaulted well into triple Bush, Lynn Anderson, Bobby Flores, Leon Rausch and many digits. Crops failed. Trees died. And the wind began to blow. Animals more. For more information go to: www.cowboysymposium.com and humans suffocated and went blind from dusters. Farmers fed Joe Baker to Emcee the Larry McWhorter Stage. thistles and yucca to their cattle; farm wives prepared the same to feed