Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter

Home , Classics II, Darrell McCall, Leona Williams, Lloyd Green, Lone Star State of Mind, Mel McDaniel

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

Joe Baker The Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter is sent to over 700 email subscribers periodically and is growing every day. There are DJs, artists Publisher and fans whose interest are Western Swing, Cowboy Poetry, Cowboy Heritage and Texas Honky Tonk music genres. We solicit your comments, suggestions and ways we may better serve you. If you do not want to receive this newsletter and want to be removed from our mailing list, reply to this email by entering “UNSUBSCRIBE” in the subject box of the email. ______Published by Joe Baker 7. Gil Prather, Last Of The Border Cowboys, 8. Rich Flanders, Ride Away Cowtown Society of Western Music Heroes 9. Chuck Cusimano, Wind, Blow My Blues Away Academy of Western Artists Disc Jockey of the Y ear 10. Belinda Gail/Curly Musgrave, Forever West Cowtown Society of Western Music Disc Jockey of the Year 11. Ray Doyle, The Emigrant Trail, Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest Hall of Fame 12. Willie P. Richardson, Live At The Ritz Membership Director—Cowtown Society of Western Music Board of Directors—Cowtown Society of Western Music 13. The Buckarettes, Cowgirl Serenade Seattle Western Swing Music Society POWS Hall of Fame 14. Sons Of The San Joaquin, Live WJW Backforty Newsletter—CSWM‘s Publication of the Year 2009 15. Bob & Johnny Boatright, Lost Trails The Western Swing Society, Sacramento CA Hall of Fame 16. Cowboy Slim Rinehart, King Of Border Radio 17. Jim Jones, Different State Totsie Slover, Editor 18. Cora Rose Wood, Cora‘s Cowgirl Yodel 19. Chuck Maltsby, Western Medleys Joe Baker's Top 20 – August, 2009 20. Backforty Roundup Vol.#41 —————————————————————— Western Swing Artist: Saddle Cats Album: Herdin' Cats 1. Saddle Cats, Herdin‘ Cats Produced by: Saddle 2. The Desperados, Lucky 7, Cats 3. Tom Houston, Tuxedo Country Released 2009 4. Johnny Lyon, Wynn Stewart Favorites Vol.#2 I had the honor of shak- 5. Cornell Hurd, Songs Of Moon Mullican ing hands with Richard 6. Hillside Records Country Song Roundup, Chon several years ago C. Potter/D. McCall/K. Seratt/J. Trevino/J. and then he really im- Inman/R. Sanders pressed me with his fid- 7. Jerry Webb, There‘s A Song In That dlin' style and showman- 8. Rebecca Linda Smith, Timeless ship. What a performer he was back then! Now, here 9. Brady Bowen, In My Spare Time Vol.#5 comes Herdin' Cats. West Coast Swing has been 10. Johnny Bush, Lillie‘s White Lies around the industry for a long time but has really sur- 11. Shoot Low Sheriff, The Best Of faced to public awareness in the last six or so years. 12. Hank Stone, Somewhere In Texas ―Western Swing is so naturally associated with Texas 13. Richard Wolfe, Country Music Turns Her On and Oklahoma that we often forget some of its most 14. Hot Club Of Cowtown, The Best Of brilliant practitioners and spectacular recorded docu- 15. Darrell McCall, A Way To Survive/All She Did ments originate from the West Coast,‖ quotes Saddle Was Fall In Love Cats and goes on to say, ―many of these musicians 16. Leona Williams, New Patches were emigrants, blown like gold dust across a parched, 17. Willie Nelson, Lost Highway distressed Southwest, but here in California they found 18. Wild Oats, Classic Country Music sweet water and laid down roots. And who could blame 19. Liz Talley, More Than Satisfied them? California remains the Golden State. 20. River Road Boys, Houston Herdin' Cats is a tribute to those players who established a California beachhead of western swing, here on Western Music/Cowboy Poetry the Barbary coast, down in sunny Los Angeles, out in the scalded, hard scrabble Central Valley, whose crazy, Academy Western 1. Ken Cook, Cowboys Are Like That, yearning, knocked out sounds resonate to this day.‖ Artists 2. Chuck Woller, Desert Moon Some of the finest West Coast players in the world 3. Bar D roundup, Vol.#4,Various Poets make up the Saddle Cats with the likes of Richard Chon 4. Prescott/Masterson/Hollenbeck, Ranchlife on the fiddle, Bobby Black on steel, Bing Nathan with 101 the bass fiddle, Gordon Clegg on guitar. The Texas 5. Daughters Of The Purple Sage, Best Of Playboy's Drummer Boy himself, my dear friend Johnny 6. Stephanie Davis, Western Bling/Bliss Cuviello on drums and some great guest musicians

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

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

1 Laura Porter, David Bell, Rich O'Brien and LEESWINGS TOP 12 CDs Billy LaBeef. A few tunes sure to make you Kountry Korral Magazine, Bennerstigen wake up and listen are ―Oklahoma Stomp,‖ 120, Sala, Sweden ―You've Got The Right Key But The Wrong

Keyhole,‖ ― Roly Poly,‖ ― What‘s the Matter With The Mill‖ and ―Along The Navajo Trail.‖ TOP TWELVE CDs And there are eight more great tracks. 1. Bobby Koefer - Thumbin´ It To purchase ―Herdin' Cats‖, please visit; 2. Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys - Live www.saddlecats.com or email them at: @ Boeing Aircraft , Witchita, KS [email protected] -Joe Baker 3. Gaylynn Robinson - Love & Heartache —————————————————- 4. Jeff Woolsey & the Dancehall Kings Listen to Joe Baker’s Saturday radio show, 5. Kelli Grant - Swing Like That Backforty Bunkhouse. You will hear the best in Western Swing, Honky Tonk, Classic 6. Leon McAuliffe - Tulsa Straight Ahead Country, Cowboy Music and Cowboy Poetry 7. Liz Talley - More Than Satisfied on KWMW 105.1 Live 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8. Louise Rowe - My Time With Bob On the internet...ANYTIME! 9. River Road Boys - Houston BackfortyBunkhouse.com 10. Stephanie Davis - Western Bling ------11. Stardust Cowboys - Honky Tonk Cowboy & Desert Flower "Swingin' West"- Mike Gross 12. Texas Playboys - Live @ Pawhuska `99 WVOF-FM August 1, 2009 TOP TWELVE SONGS Songs 1. Blue Guitar Stomp - Leon McAuliffe 1. Over the Hill- River Road Boys 2. Boogie Woogie High Ball - Texas Playboys@Pawhuska ‘99 2. Brownsville- John England & Western Swing- 3. Don´t Change the Rose of San Antone - Pap Hamel & the ... ers 4. Don´t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes - Louise Rowe 3. Are You Teasing Me- Bobby Flores 5. Honky Tonk Cowboy Blues - Stardust Cowboys 4. Southern Hospitality- Cornell Hurd Band 6. I´m A Tired Cowboy - Genuine Cowhide 5. Feelin‘ Blue for Texas- Marshall Ford Swing Band 7. Keeper of the Flame - Gaylynn Robinson 6. Crystal Canyon- Patty Parker 8. Lillie´s White Lies - Johnny Bush 7. Swingtown- Andrew Dean & The Farm Machine 9. Me, My Truck and God - Ambrogio Gaigher 8. Heartless Lover- Cornell Hurd Band 10. Pecos Bill - Rich Flanders 9. Driving Lesson- Don Burnham 11. South - Bob Wills His Texas Playboys at Boeing Aircraft 10. I Can Almost Tell- Rich Lester 12. Talkin´ `Bout You - Stephanie Davis Albums 1. Houston- River Road Boys Lillies Ohlsson— [email protected] 2. This is Tommy Duncan- Billy Mata & Texas Tradition 3. Open That Gate- John England & Western Swingers ——————————————————————————— 4. Now Playing! Willie and the Wheel- Willie Nelson & Honorees To Be Inducted Into Asleep at the Wheel The Western Swing Hall Of 5. Western Bling- Stephanie Davis Fame 6. Last Call for Heartaches- Price Porter on Sunday, October 4th, 2009 7. Favorite Requests- Don Sulesky in Sacramento, CA. 8. Something Old, Nothing New- Dennis Ivey 9. American Shadows- The Songs of Moon Mullican- Cor- Darrell Anderson, Renton, Washington nell Hurd Band 10. Bluebonnet Lane- River Road Boys Joe Baker, Ruidoso, New Mexico Swinginwest.com —————————————————————————— Bob Bone, Weatherford, Texas

What folks are sayin’... Tink Cariker, Sacramento, California

Gene Carter, Muskogee, Oklahoma Hello folks, this is Jerry Webb and I would like to say a great big THANK YOU to my friend Joe Baker and his Bill Compton, El Cajon, California staff for all the hard work they do at the Backforty Bobby Lee Dwillis, Shady Point, Oklahoma Bunkhouse. I look forward to getting their newsletter each and every month and I sincerely appreciate their Tony Grasso, La Mesa, California support of traditional country and western swing music. Howard Higgins, Big Spring, Texas Keep up the good work. Jerry Webb Bob Meeks, Rancho Bernardo, California

Albert Talley, Cleburne, Texas www.JerryWebbMusic.com

2 GRAND OLE OPRY STAR what it used to be. In 1984 Mel enjoyed the only # 1 song of his MEL McDANIEL career; BABY'S GOT HER BLUE JEANS ON and joined the Recently I heard that Mel McDaniel had Grand Ole Opry in 1986. suffered a heart attack in June and was now One of Mel's albums had a song which I thought should have in a Nashville Hospital having problems been a single for him but Capitol didn't agree. It was the story of a staying alive. That was very sad news in- singer/songwriter, who like most, knew poverty, heartbreak of lost deed, for me to hear this very nice man and love and tough times, all of which he wrote about and recorded his family were having to deal with this. what he wrote. His songs made him a superstar and landed him The first time I heard of Mel McDaniel was in the lap of luxury. Well, this new found fortune didn't work for in 1976 when I received his first Capitol record called HAVE A him either. He was no longer miserable and couldn't write songs DREAM ON ME. It wasn't a smash hit but Capitol Records held the way he had in the past. He decided to just give it all up. Get on to Mel and kept the releases coming and I continued to play rid of the houses, the cars, the money, the fancy women and go them on the radio. I played everything he released whether it was back to his old life because he discovered, YOU CAN'T SING a hit or not. Five years after his first release he made it to the top THE BLUES IN AN AIR CONDITIONED ROOM. I loved that ten with LOUISIANA SATURDAY NIGHT in 1981. I was really song. Even learned it and started doing it on stage with my band. proud to see that happen. Record labels won't do that sort of thing Mel has been moved from his hospital room to a rehab center and anymore. Thirty plus years ago labels were dedicated to making from there will go home later to continue his healing. Please keep careers. Today, if you don't make it to top five with your first re- Mel and his wife Peggy in your prayers. Hang in there my friend. lease, you're history. Lots of folks love you. One of my favorite songs was HELLO DADDY, GOOD MORNING -Dugg Collins DARLING. I think Red Steagall wrote that but at my age, my duggcollins.com memory isn't

3 Knowing When It’s Time To Quit Graham Lees Top 10 Songs and Albums Cowgirl Sass & Savvy By Julie Carter HWD Radio—United Kingdom

John Wayne taught about every cow- Top Ten CDs boy I know how to be fearless. It's the movies, but they believe it any- 1. Stephanie Davis - Western Bling way. They will fight to get on a horse 2. The Cornell Hurd Band - American Shad- that clearly has blood in his eye and ows rope wild cattle that would love noth- 3. The Stephanie Davis - Western Bliss ing better than to run a horn through 4. California Cowboy Band - Riding Catalina Again them or their horses. They will climb 5. Willie Nelson & AATW - Willie & The Wheel windmill towers in a blizzard wind 6. Desperados - Lucky Seven and track cougars through the snow, 7. Dugg Collins - Looking Back …1977 fly crop dusters like a wild man, and generally undertake most 8. Various Artists - Hillside Records Country Song Roundup any dangerous activity they can dream up. On occasion, they will 9. Rich Flanders - Ride Away even go so far as to order their wives around. When not endan- 10. Charles Woller - Desert Moon gering themselves, they love nothing better than to help their pards out along those same lines. Top Ten Songs Button was running a big working crew and had already put in a full day. With great concentration, sitting astride his cowpony, he 1. Carolyn Martin - Exactly Like You was counting cattle out the gate. "Button," came a voice from 2. California Cowboy Band - Fence Rider behind him. Button went on counting; ignoring the idiot that would 3. Brady Bowen/Durwood Strube - Take Back Your Old Love dare interrupt. "Button," came the voice again and getting the Letters same response as before. This continued, but Button just kept 4. Gil Prather - Rio Grande Sand counting. 5. Bill Hearne - Come Back To Old Santa Fe When the last cow got through the gate, Button turned and said, 6. Peggy Malone - The Old Chisholm Trail "What do you want, Reese?" Reese tossed a big rattlesnake onto 7. Curtis Potter, Ray Sanders, Darrell McCall - New Heartache Button's lap and the wreck was on. When the horse was back 8. Saddle Cats - Oklahoma Stomp under control, the snake shaken off and his heart rate back below 9. Bobby Ray Spears - So Used To Loving You the critical stage, Button rode over to Reese. He gave him a 10. Les Gilliam - Supper Time mean, squinty-eyed look and said, "I might not could whup you, [email protected] but I can surely hit you up side the head with this saddle gun." ——————————————————————————- Reese took this statement under thoughtful consideration. The next week Reese was horseback counting cattle while Button was slowly driving the feed truck along and putting out feed. What folks are sayin’... Reese tossed another big snake in the front seat of the truck. Button bailed out the other side, the truck continued on, and I just wanted to say a few words about this great news- Reese beat a cowboy-retreat for parts afar. During the rather col- letter and Joe said he thought it would be ok. orful discussion that followed somewhat later, it was determined that Reese would not give Button any more snakes, no matter the The issues from the very beginning have everything I circumstances. At the next cattle working, Button seemed to have misplaced his gloves. Nobody would admit to anything, even with like to see. News about Western Swing music and art- Button's threats about what he'd do if he found out someone had ist, Cowboy things and real country music. I also like assisted the gloves in going missing. At the break, Reese brought seeing some of my favorite radio people in here each out a Banty rooster he had brought from home and carefully put month as well. Put it all together and it's unbeatable him in the large cardboard box full of ear tags. When the cowboy plus it's current unlike some newsletters I have read crew started working again, he fessed up to Button about his and had to pay for. gloves and told him they were in the ear tag box. The flapping, squawking rooster moment when the box was opened was not The Newsletter has a new editor and I know Totsie will nearly as good as the rattlesnake chaos, but it would do. be doing an excellent job. I also want to thank my dear The next day Button told Reese to saddle up the new bay colt and put some miles on him. He specifically told him to ride across friend Howard Higgins for the hundreds of hours he the tank dam and show the colt how to do that, get him used to it. put into this great work of art for all of us in the music Reese rode the skittish, scared colt onto the dam - fence on one business. side, water on the other - when a big Canadian goose, whose nest was disturbed by this intruder, raised up, flapped her wings I'm headed for the bunkhouse, 'cause these boots are and hissed loudly at Reese. You can break a colt to a lot of killing me. things, but a mad momma goose on the fight is not one of them. It had taken awhile, but it was in this moment that Reese had an Dugg Collins epiphany. He was thinking, maybe it was time to give Button a duggcollins.com break. ------www.julie-carter.com The Real West from The Old West —————————————————————————— KOTS AM1230 – Totsie Slover Herdin‘ Cats - Saddle Cats Viva La Cowboy – Dan Roberts Backforty Bunkhouse Productions congratulates Still Ridin‘ – Jim Jones our friends in El Paso, Texas for making the Top Desert Moon – Deborah Live Johnson/Chuck Ten nominations at the Inspirational Country Music Woller (ICM) Awards in Nashville, Tennessee on In My Spare Time Vol 5 – Brady Bowen October 12-16, 2009. One Life To Live – Linda Lee Filener Rebecca Linda Smith Female Vocalist of the Year Lucky Seven – The Desperados and Robert Frank Smith for Songwriter of the Year. This Is Tommy Duncan Vol. 1 – Billy Mata Our hats off to you both for loving what you do. Best of - Hot Club of Cowtown [email protected]

4 Album: Country Song Roundup Ken Bass KALH—Variety 95.1 FM Artists: Curtis Potter, Darrell Serving McCall, Justin Trevino, Kenny Alamogordo—La Luz—Holloman AFB & Tularosa, NM Seratt, Ray Sanders & Jerry

Inman 1. Starla Queen & Jazzabillies - I'm Be- Produced by: Dave Franer ginnIng To See The Light Label: Hillside Records - 2009 2. Desperados - Leaving & Saying Good Bye One of the finest albums released 3. Texoma All-Stars - Don't Fence Me In this year is the Hillside Records 4. Tracy Lawrence - Up to Him Country Song Roundup. The front 5. Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe - Baby's Single Down in San Ant... 6. Cliff Douglass - Jake & Mary's Colorado Club cover displays the coveted Will Rogers statue designed by the 7. Stephanie Davis - Soon Academy Of Western Artists and presented to the owner, Dave 8. Ray Sanders - One More Memory Franer of Hillside Records for the 2008 "Independent Record La- 9. Bellamy & Bacon Brothers - Guilty of the Crime bel Of The Year." Rightfully so, Franer works with the best in the 10. Mel McDaniel – Jukin‘ business today and I quote Dave, ―WARNING If you don't like 11. Charlie Daniels - Back in the Saddle Again steel guitars and fiddles and Texas-style, honky-tonkin' dance hall 12. James Payne - Jesus Saves music, then this is not the CD for you. If you do like country music 13. Jim Stricklan - Hey Good Lookin' 14. Cornell Hurd Band & Brad Moore - Cherokee Boogie the way it's supposed to sound, played by the players who can 15. Traves Andrews - This Honky Tonk's Home play it and sung by the singers who can sing it, you will love this 16. Vince Gill - Oklahoma Hills CD.‖ 17. Darren Kozelsky - Seven Vern Gosdens Ago Kenny Seratt, Curtis Potter, Ray Sanders, Justin Trevino, Darrell 18. Dottie Jack - With Every Heartbeat McCall and Jerry Inman....What a lineup of award winning per- 19. The Springs - I Didn't Find Jesus (Gospel Version) formers. Each of these artists, lives and breathes country music 20. Dolly Parton - Backwoods Barbie and has pleased thousands of fans over the years. To list all the [email protected] ——————————————————————————- awards and achievements of these performers would fill a large From the Messenger…Rhonda Craig book. Just listen to "Country Song Roundup" and these great artists will let you know why they are so well liked. Hi, dear western swing music family. Anyone who knows country music and western swing will recog- 1. Hall of Fame Showcase: We just attended nize the "The Players who can play it" on rhythm guitar; Ray Ed- another wonderful WS event in Yukon, OK ington, Justin Trevino and Steve Chapman. On lead guitar; Jimmy (Suburb of OKC) July 16, 17, & 18. The music Capps, Phil Baugh, Billy Sanford and Levi Mullin. On pedal steel; was wonderful. All those Hall of Fame musi- Buddy Emmons, Weldon Myrick, Lloyd Green, Sonny Garish, Jim cians were wonderful…as were all the musi- Loessberg, Gary Carpenter and Dicky Overbey. On fiddle; Buddy cians who come at their own expense to play Spicher, Dale Morris Jr. and Bobby Flores. On Gut-String Guitar; for no pay. Magnificent! The Event Palace was not only beautiful Bobby Flores and Dale Morris Jr. On Bass; Jake Hooker, Justin but had a huge wonderful wood dance floor that is a dancers Trevino and Bob More. On Drums; Buddy Harmon, Jim Loess- dream! The outdoor temperature was 103 but inside it was cool burg and Smiley Reynolds. On Piano; Pig Robbins, Tim Alexan- and filled with so much fun and warm camaraderie. der, Tony Migliore, Randy Reinhard and Debra Hurd. On Tic-Tac Bass; Leon Rhodes. Background Vocals; Jannie Brannon and 2. Camaraderie….Why? I‘ve been trying to figure out why this Dottie DeLeonibus and Darrell McCall Harmony on "The Other intense bond of brotherhood comes to exists among this group of Woman." From singles to duets, there are twenty-one tracks in people who follow western swing music. It doesn‘t seem to mat- all, such as "Hank & Lefty Raised My Country Soul" to "Mama ters from which profession we come, we are all drawn together by Was The Rose Of San Antone" to ―Mansion On The Hill.‖ After my a common thread. Why does it happen so spontaneously every first review of this latest from Hillside records, I sincerely agree time we go to a new event and meet new people who become with Dave Franer, who has been producing country music for 35 lifelong friends? I can‘t speak for the musicians…because I‘m not years, "This is his best album yet." one and I can‘t speak for the ones who come only to listen… To purchase ―Hillside Records Country Song Roundup,‖ visit because I‘m not one of them either. But I can speak for the danc- www.hillsiderecords.net . Just $16.99. This price includes ship- ers…because ―I ARE‖ one! These folks are the friendliest most ping and handling. Also check out other CD‘s and artists on the loving, unpretentious people I have ever met. Hillside Record Label while you‘re there. That wonderful spirit of ―Reunion‖ which always permeates the "Mama Was The Rose Of San Antone" from the Startex CD; Cur- atmosphere at one of these events is incredible. Larry Lange of tis Potter "Walking On New Grass" Produced by Jim the Lonestar Troubadours mentioned it in his July BB article as Loessburg, www.startexrecords.com Tracks 4,10,17 & 20, pro- did I. It‘s always there. We can‘t wait to see each other. We hug, duced by Justin Trevino. kiss, exchange dances, laugh, play pranks on each other, eat Justin Trevino appears courtesy of Heart Of Texas Records. together, and very often shed a few tears when we part company at the end of the event, always planning the next reunion…down -Joe Baker the road. Old and new friends alike maintain contact long after the ——————————————————————————— event is over, calling, or emailing, and even exchanging prayer Listen to Joe Baker’s Backforty Bunkhouse radio show on needs. KWMW 105.1 FM, from 6:00 AM til 9:00 AM Saturday or on the Why is that? Why are the people so accepting and reluctant to internet at BackfortyBunkhouse.com. If you can’t make it at pass judgment, often lending more support than we feel from a that time the show is now streamed for your convenience. church family? Why is it that I feel safe leaving my purse unat- Listen when you want! Click on ―Listen Here.‖ tended for hours while I flit around socializing and dancing know- BackfortyBunkhouse.com ing that the contents will never be touched?

5 I believe some of the reasons could be the general age of the and receive regional updates and prayer requests just let me group. Those of us who follow western swing either grew up lis- know and I will be glad to add your name to the ever growing list. tening to it during childhood and young adult years or were raised [email protected] . by parents that did (before it became almost extinct.) Those of us raised during that era were products of the great depression. We I look forward to meeting you down the road…on the dance floor! were either born and lived through it or came on the heels of it. I For me that will be Madill, OK at the Texoma Shindig the third believe those unshakable values taught by our parents of that weekend of September, 17-18-19, at the Pacesetters Ballroom, time period, at least here in the southwest, still shape our lives then on to Amarillo for the WSMSS Showcase the last weekend in today. In a nutshell those values were: September,24, 25, 26. Sure hope to see you there.  Belief in a supreme loving Almighty God. If you see me on the dance floor come get acquainted, that‘s what  Belief in treating your neighbor as yourself, loving each it‘s all about. other like God loves you. Love to all, The Messenger…Rhonda  Belief that everyone is equal. There is no need for pre-

tentious, arrogant behavior no matter one‘s economic [email protected] status. ——————————————————————————— Belief in our Country, The USA…our America. We  were taught that it was a blessing to be a citizen of the United States of America and that it had come at great human sacrifice. We were taught to be very Patriotic and still are. Love, as expressed in The Golden Rule, ―Do unto others as you would have them do unto you‖ was the standard…and for most still is. At the WS events almost everyone has these same values and it shows in everything we do. Occasionally you might run across someone who isn‘t kind or friendly but that is the exception, not the rule. So yes, we love the western swing music, that‘s what drew us to the events in the first place. But oh…the wonderful people that follow it are such a blessing…one we didn‘t expect. It keeps us going back to the trough for more.

3. Something New and Exciting: Sharing our pictures I mentioned earlier that I have become ―the messenger‖ for so many of these friends through emails. Tom Lee of Seymour, TX, A-10 Etcheverry, Creative Achievement Award winner sent me a brilliant suggestion a couple of weeks ago. He had an Cowtown Society of Western Music 2009 idea about creating a place where all the pictures everyone takes CrayolaCowboy.com at our events could be displayed and shared. So…with the help of my grandson, Jason, I created a ‗myspace‘ web page where you ------can go and upload your photos and videos or just go and view all All Things Country Top 10 CDs of them. Currently there are almost 1000! It is wonderful! I invite you to go there and see for yourself. You will probably see some Rowena Muldavin folks that you know but couldn‘t remember their names…imagine that!!! 1. Lisa and her Kin - Two Weeks in Texas Here is how you do it: On the internet go to: myspace.com/ 2. Liz Talley - More Than Satisfied 3. Owen Temple - Dollars and Dimes themessengerspictures 4. The Silver Screen Cowboy Project - Produced by Marvin You will need to log-in using this information: O'Dell Email: [email protected] 5. Li'l Mo & The Monicats - Hearts in My Dream Password: welovews09 6. Miss Leslie - Drunk Dialer Once you are logged in, you may click on ―edit‖ photos to view 7. Vance Lane - Texas Two Step them or ―upload‖ to add some pictures of your own. If you add 8. David Serby - Honkytonk & Vine photos please create an album with your name on it so everyone 9. Stephanie Davis - Western Bling 10. Stephanie Davis - Western Bliss will know who contributed them and what event they are show- casing. It‘s really not hard to do, so go and enjoy! [email protected]

4. Prayer network for our friends… A contagious blessing ——————————————————————————- The evolution of our email network has included becoming a supreme prayer network. Most of my email partners are probably not religious zealots but do believe in the power of prayer, and will Go to www.demingradio.com to listen to Totsie Slover’s stop when they receive a prayer request and pray for that person The Real West From The Old West...best in Cowboy Music, even if they don‘t know them. I can‘t tell you how many folks have Western Swing and Cowboy Poetry. ON KOTS AM1230 had unbelievable answers to their prayer needs. I am delighted to Deming NM. see a prayer column being established for the Backfortybunk- house family. Way to go Joe! If you would like to be a part of ―the messenger‘s‖ email network

6 Well, Howdy again, from down in Somebody's got to do it Austin where Bob Wills is still the King! or we won't have a damn bush left in the territory. I don‘t want to sound braggadocios, but Once I thought about getting a pickup truck we‘ve received great response to our and starting a low priced taxi service for hobos. Bob Wills Radio since it premiered on The good thing about picking up the homeless July 4th. We hope you logged in, but if is that you can drop them off anywhere. you missed any of the programs there‘s no need to worry…they are all archived on the website so you won‘t miss any- Jack Blanchard thing. I‘m real proud of the lineup we have for © 2009. our listeners in August. We‘ll begin with -- a two part interview my old friend, Jay Singleterry, did with Johnny Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan... Lee Wills in Tulsa back in 1980. At that time Johnny Lee was Grammy Nominees... Billboard's Duet of the Year. operating a western clothing store in Tulsa. We‘re fortunate to have this interview, as Johnny Lee passed away shortly thereaf- HOME PAGE: http://jackandmisty.com ter. MySpace: http://myspace.com/jackandmisty Next comes an interview I did in Mineral Wells this year at the ——————————————————————————— Cowtown Society of Western Music annual Swingfest. It features one of Bob Wills‘ great steel players, Bobby Koefer. Bobby‘s a hoot and fortunately for his fans, he‘s still quite active today. Another show will feature the man I believe to be one of the most famous and successful of all of Wills‘ fiddle players, the person- able Johnny Gimble. I‘ve had the pleasure of playing with Johnny many times over the years and consider him to be the greatest Western Swing fiddler of all time! We‘ll devote a program to the man Leon McAuliffe called, ―the natural successor to Tommy Duncan,‖ Leon Rausch. Leon sings as good today as ever before and he‘s always fun to be around. Don‘t miss it. Also in August we‘ll feature my favorite Texas Playboy steel player and good friend, Herb Remington. Herbie and I have played in each other‘s bands for over twenty-five years and he‘s still my hero today. It should be a great month for Western Swing! I hope you‘ll log in often and be sure and tell your friends about Bob Will Radio on www.bobwills.com Adios for now…Jim Gough [email protected] ——————————————————————————— River Road Boys Other upcoming events for the next few months: Saturday - August 29, 2009 Schulenburg, Texas - Sengelmann Hall - 531 N. Main For Information, go to Website www.SengelmanHall.com Dance at 9:00 PM Don't miss this one! September 15, 2009 Pasadena, TX - Pasadena Civic Center Bill Bailey's Annual Dance and Gumbo Gala 52,000 intelligent good-looking readers. 5:00 - 8:00 PM

September 19, 2009 Houston, Texas - ALL HAT AND NO PICKUP TRUCK. SPJST Hall - Chandelier Ballroom

1435 Beall Street I've worn a cowboy hat and boots, 8:30 - 12:00 PM but I've never worn chaps... For Reservations: 713-869-5767 except in certain private situations. Watch for more dates at this location next year! I drank beer and cussed and sang country songs, September 25, 2009 Tomball, Texas - Main Street Crossing but I've never had a pickup truck. 111 W. Main Street I've had station wagons and sports cars, 8:00 - 11:00 PM but I didn't wear my cowboy hat while driving those. This is a really nice venue. Great atmosphere and good food! It would be like wearing socks and sandals. October 9, 2009 No offense. Conroe, Texas - Conroe Catfish Festival 6:00 PM Nobody ever thought I was a real cowboy anyway, With Mary Allen-Keating except one Indian in South Dakota.

He said "Got a cigarette, cowboy?" We now are taking reservations for our 3rd Annual River Road I liked him right away. Boys' Christmas Ball. It will be held on December 5 at the Nava- Cowboys in the old western movies never had trucks either. sota VFW Hall. Call Clyde at 281-356-7174(home) or 713-829- I always wanted to be in a western. 8729(cell) for reservations. Pass the word around and bring your I would whistle, friends out to this great fun dance! and my horse would run right over to me and say "What?"

A good name for a western movie would be this: As always check our website for additional schedule additions "Pickalong Cavity, Frontier Dentist". and updates. There's a lot of exciting things on tap for the near I would ride into town and ask where I can locate that there fron- future and next year. Hoping to see you soon! tier dentist.

Gabby Hayes would tell me "Just over yonder, stranger, Check out our website www.RiverRoadBoys.com where you see that palomino wearing dentures." As sheriff I would go after them bushwhackers.

7 The Cowtown Society Of Western Music and Friends of Bob Bone will be having a benefit with silent, live auctions and a western dance from 2- 6pm on Sunday, September 20th, 2209 at the Finish Line Club in Fort Worth, Texas As most of us know, Bob is a current member of the Board Of Directors with the CSWM, has Leukemia and has just recently had a mild stroke. We are asking for $10 per person at the door or a donation that includes Beans & Cornbread meal. Dance to Dick Bridges, Buddy Hrabal, Chuck Cusimano, Dick Hammonds, Albert Talley, Brady Bowen and Friends with a few surprise guest musicians. The Finish Line is located at the Linkcrest Exit off I-35 West. South Access Road in West Fort Worth. 817-244-9966 or call Joe Baker 575-808-4111.

All proceeds from door, auctions and donations go to Bob Jay Riley,Steel; Bonnie Crabbe, Piano; Gene Carpenter, Guitar; Bone For medical expenses. Al Deaton, Vocals; Bob Bone, Fiddle; Frank Casey, Bass.

8 and asked ―What about that calf yonder?‖ ―Well there‘s a problem

Cade's Cadence with that calf‖ said Pete. The boss shook his head and said ―I (watch yer step!) thought we talked about that boys, I‘m sure there‘s no problem Cade Schalla you just need to look at it from a different angle.‖ ―Well boss,‖ in- terrupted Pete ―I‘ll admit at first I was a little doubtful about some ―It’s not the what, but the of your ideas but you‘ve made a believer out of me and to tell you how‖. The very first time I the truth, Margie and I seem to be getting along better than we heard this said I quickly pulled ever have before‖. ―However,‖ he continued ―I‘m not much of a out a pad and pen and wrote it Smart Alec and the good Lord knows I‘m no cowboy poet but…. down. That‘s not uncommon for me though, many times an idea It‘s not about the what will strike me and the first thing I do is put it on paper. Sometimes It‘s not about the how it will hit me while I am driving and I will pull over along the side of There‘s nothing to cut the road and I‘ve also been known to wake up in the middle of the For that there‘s a cow!‖ night to write down a paragraph or two about an idea that just [email protected] happened to drift into my dreams. I heard this first from my boss ——————————————————————————— and I truly believe it is a logic he lives by and I think it has served him well in both his professional and personal life. Maybe this logic can benefit us all whether you‘re a plumber, a fireman or a businessman and certainly if you work in customer service. It can also help you in your personal life and is perhaps something both husbands and wives should consider closely. It‘s about how we approach things, how we treat each other and how we come across. An example is working with co-workers. We all know Waxahachie, Texas, Texas Music Nights what we‘re supposed to do to treat each other with respect. But www.TexasmusicTheater.com we don‘t always do the how part very well. I think maybe even Singer/Songwriters some tried and true cowboys could benefit from this type of think- Who knew there was this much talent in Ellis County. ing. *Ellis County Songwriters Circle* Jeremy Walker, Mason Reeves, Tyler Derryberry, Buddy McRae and Pete Blevins had been cowboys all their lives. Matt Jackson, Mikey Terry & Greg Mathers

Being a cowboy and cowboy work is all they knew. They had Waxahachie Music Review August 22nd worked for the Circle Y Ranch for sometime now under the same ranch foreman. That was until last fall when the ranch foreman Walt Wilkins August 27 retired. Now ―retirement‖ is normally not a word found in the cow- San Antonio-born Walt Wilkins has been called a genius, more boy vocabulary but the ranch foreman just happened to have a than once, and a writer the caliber of John Steinbeck and his rich uncle who had recently passed and had left his fortune to his voice as comfortable as a pair of old blue jeans and he is, and only nephew. So after 30 plus years of being a cowboy he retired has, all of that. If you've managed not to hear of Walt Wilkins by and took to a life of leisure. That left the Circle Y without a fore- now, you more than likely have heard his music. He was respon- sible for the pen that wrote the career launching "Songs about man and neither Buddy nor Pete wanted the job so the ranch Texas" for fellow Texan, Pat Green. His songs have also been owner brought in a new foreman, Tom Gentry. Now Tom was a recorded by Cory Morrow, Ricky Skaggs, Pam Tillis and Ty Hern- true cowboy right down to the marrow but he had a slightly differ- don. ent way of looking at things. This forward type of thinking, if you www.waltwilkins.com will, is something Tom wanted to instill into Buddy and Pete. When he first introduced the concept of ―It‘s not the what, but the Vince King-Elvis Impersonator August 29th how‖ both Buddy and Pete were little skeptical ("he's crazier than an outhouse rat" remarked Pete) but it wasn‘t long before they The Tejas Brothers September 3rd Tejas Brothers sound is genuine Texas Music. Imagine listening became believers. Pete had even applied it to his love life with his to traditional Texas blues from T-Bone Walker and Freddie King, long time courtship of Ms. Margie Ann Maple. Things took a the rock and roll of Buddy Holly, the country soul of Buck Owens slightly different turn though when it came branding time or more and the Tex-Mex sound of The Texas Tornados, all at the same specifically castration time. time! www.myspace.com/tejasbrothers Buddy and Pete had separated the bull calves from the heifers Billy Ewing & Texas Rose September 4th Ellis County talent at it's very best. Real Country Music. and unlike the previous year they were heavy on the bull calves ______and had a quite a few to brand, tag and cut. This was a full day‘s Texas Theater Grand Opening September 5th work for two top hands and a good horse but they figured if they Bugs Henderson and the Shuffle Kings. started early and took a short lunch they could be done before "Some of the most exciting rock & roll of the era, driven by sear- dark and could maybe even have an oyster fry that evening. The ing solos that sound like Henderson cutting his way out of a mon- day went by without a hitch and as the shadows started growing strous tangle of guitar strings." longer they were finally down to the last calf. Buddy roped the calf -Texas Music Magazine- "Bugs Henderson certainly has his voice, both in his songwriting and kept the rope tight so Pete could get a holt and then he dis- and his mounted and helped Pete wrestle the calf to the ground and that‘s guitar playing, an amalgam of roots rock and Texas blues." when they noticed something was missing. They checked twice -Blues Review Magazine- and then checked again to make sure and when satisfied they bugshenderson.com turned the calf loose. They were done. About that time the boss myspace.com/bugshendersonblues rode up and asked how it was coming. ―We‘re done,‖ replied ______Buddy. The boss looked at the last calf standing there in the pen Ed Burleson September 10 Chet Flippo commented in Billboard magazine that Burleson's 9 music is "the purest-sounding country I've heard in a long time." Andy and Jim Nelson’s C.O.W. Radio Other journalists have lauded him for being, in the words of the Dallas Observer's Rob Patterson, "too country for Nashville, but 4 - Week Playlist not for Texas." edburleson.net

FastLane-Eagles Tribute September 12th Wrangler Award Winner for the Best Composition of 2008 at the Western Heritage Celebration Awards in Oklahoma City. 7/25/09, National Day of the American Cowboy Dan Roberts September 17th When Dan teamed up with Garth Brooks and Bryan Kennedy to Sons of the San Joaquin: Great American Cowboy write the #1 smash "The Beaches of Cheyenne", Roberts was off Butch Faulk: Just Can't See Him from the Road and running. Garth signed Roberts and Kennedy to a two-year Montana Slim: I'm a Rootin' Tootin' Cowboy deal to open his world tour in 1996-97. The duo opened more Garth Brooks shows than any other opening act in Garth Brooks' Jean Prescott: Women of the West career. J.B. Allen: I'd Like to be in Texas for the Roundup in the Spring oldbootsmusic.com Donnie Blanz: Paint Her Real

Tommy Alverson Saturday September 19 7/18/09, Powder River Sheepherder's Fair Alverson's been making music with a Lone Star state of mind - and sound - for decades, yet his popularity is still growing. When Del Shields: Caballo Diablo he won the 2007 Best Country and Western Music Award from Daughters of the Purple Sage: Adobe Hacienda Fort Worth Weekly, the paper declared, "If there is such a thing as Cowtown country music's elder statesman, he's it." Slim Critchlow: The High Tone Dance tommyalverson.com Hank Cramer: Diamond Joe Jessie Smith: The Black Beauty Midlothian, Texas hometown boy about to make it Big! Carin Mari & Pony Express: Always a Road TONY PIERCE October 1 myspace.com/tonypierce 7/11/09, Going to Town

blacktopGYPSY October 8th Craig Chambers: I'm Going to Town **WINNERS- 2006 B.W. STEVENSON'S SONGRWRITERS COMPETITION** Dave Stamey: Jingle in my Jeans **FINALISTS- 2006 SHINER RISING STAR COMPETI- Rowdy Wright: I'm a Jolly Cowboy TION** Michael Martin Murphy: Tyin' Knots in the Devil's Tail blacktopgypsy.com Larry McWhorter: The Red Cow Cowboy Celtic: Bucking Bronco Doug Moreland October 15 My name is Doug Moreland. I'm a west Texas fiddler, songwriter, 7/4/09, Independence Day and chainsaw artist. I currently reside near Austin Texas, and travel throughout the state and abroad with my swingin', country & western band. I received a Will Rogers Cowboy Award for West- The Statler Brothers: More Than a Name on a Wall ern Music Male Performer of the Year at the Academy of Western R.W. Hampton: For the Freedom Artists Awards show in August 2007. I also won Entertainer of the Woody Guthry: This Land is Your Land Year at the Texas Music Awards in April 2007. D.W. Grothe: That Ol' Red, White, and Blue dougmoreland.com Yvonne Hollenbeck: The Flag Out on the Ranch Belinda Gail/Curly Musgrave: America the Beautiful Ray Wylie Hubbard October 22 From "Redneck Mother" to "Snake Farm" [email protected] Relive your wasted youth with The Texas Music Legend. raywylie.com ------Open Date October 29 Around the Campfire

Davin James December 10th Western music has seen some nice re- ―This boy‘s a high energy, guitar pickin‘ fool‖ said Gary Don Jost. leases this year. In no particular order, I ―Davin James totally grasps the unique groove of the Gulf Coast, believe these CD's to be the best 10 I've and one of the sweetest voices in Texas allows him to range ef- received recently: fortlessly from George Jones country to the closest thing a redneck is ever likely to get to Otis Redding.‖ 1. Ride Away - Rich Flanders davinjames.com 2. Come Ride With Me - Dave Stamey 3. Western Bliss - Stephanie Davis 4. Just in Case - Bill Barwick For Booking contact: 5. Romance With the Range - Prickly Pair Mark "The Cobbler" Miller 6. Classics II - Sourdough Slim 972-435-5013 or 972-921-1509 7. Echoes of the West - Del Shields 8. Life - Love - Legends - Carin Mari & Pony Express 9. One Life to Live - Linda Lee Filener [email protected] 10. Cross Halo - Paul Harris www.TexasmusicTheater.com Marvin O'Dell, Around the Campfire HeartlandPublicRadio.com

10 Story behind the song... on July 3rd, 1993. IBMA Entertainer of the Year in 1991 & 1995. IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995. Shannon Brown, recording artist, born 1973. Loretta Lynn says she had the idea to write a song about her Alabama debuts on the charts with "I Want To Be With You To- youth in Kentucky for several years before actually starting the night" 1977. project. And she actually began working on ―Coal Miner‘s Daugh- The Oak Ridge Boy's "Fancy Free" album certified gold 1981. ter‖ in the dressing room of a Nashville, Tennessee TV station "Pancho and Lefty" went to #1 for Willie Nelson and Merle Hag- while waiting to perform. While sitting in the dressing room, she gard 1983. soon came up with nine verses for the song. Since a nine verse David Ball's single "Thinkin' Problem" debuted on Billboard's Top song was obviously too long, she cut out the three verses that 40 Chart 1994. mentioned her home‘s decorating scheme, the family hog-killings Liberty Records released Suzy Bogguss' "Give Me Some Wheels" and the Kentucky floods. 1996. According to Loretta, record producer Owen Bradley questioned Audium released Charlie Daniels' album "Redneck Fiddlin' Man" her use of the word ―borned‖ in the first line of the song as ―I was 2002. borned a coal-miner‘s daughter.‖ Courtesy Bill Morrison She didn‘t want to release ―Coal Miner‘s daughter‖ as a single, thinking it was just too personal. The song was recorded, along NUMBER ONES ON THIS DATE with ―Wings Upon Your Horns,‖ ―Woman Of The World‖ and ―You 1948 Bouquet of Roses - Eddy Arnold st Wanna Give Me A Lift‖ on October 1 1969. ―Coal miner‘s Daugh- 1956 I Walk the Line - Johnny Cash th ter‖ was not released until October 5 1970, and was at the top of 1964 Dang Me - Roger Miller th the charts the week of December 19 . 1972 It‘s Gonna Take a Little Bit Longer - Charley Pride th ―Coal Miner‘s Daughter‖ was Loretta‘s 27 charted song and was 1980 True Love Ways - Mickey Gilley on the charts for 15 weeks. 1988 Set ‘Em Up Joe - Vern Gosdin ——————————————————————————- QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS QUESTION: Do you have any updates on Ferlin Husky? ANSWER: At last report, Ferlin was resting at home after being Folks who need our prayers... released from the hospital and hopes to be back on the road shortly. QUESTION: Have you ever heard of a song about ―The Hardest Bob Bone Jim Cox and family Easy Thing.‖ my dad says it was on the radio years ago. ANSWER: ―The Hardest Easy Thing‖ was the flipside of Jack Mark Giles Darci Hahn Greene‘s 1966 # one, ―There Goes My Everything.‖ Leslie Harris Briggs Hill and his family QUESTION: My grandmother had some sheet music with the Earl Hill Ray Hunter name, ‖Al Dexter‖ on it. Do you have any information anyone by Dennis Ivey Norma Johnson that name? Mel McDaniel Curly Musgrave ANSWER: Al Dexter (real name: Clarence Albert Poindexter) Joe Paul Nichols Beverly and Joel North was a country music biggie in the 1940‘s, placing 16 songs on the Johnny Patterson Lyall and Donna Paulson country chart between 1944 and 1948 including seven number ones. He died in 1984 at the age of 81. He wrote "Pistol Packin' Louise Rowe Ronona Sellars Mama". Connie Stom Buddy and Darlene Thornton- QUESTION: There was a song played on radio back in the 70‘s Charlie Watkins by a guy singing about ―Loving On Back Streets.‖ Do you know his name and whatever happened to him? ANSWER: ―Lovin‘ On Back Streets‖ scored a # 5 hit for Mel What folks are sayin’... Street in 1972. Mel died from a self inflicted gunshot wound in 1978 at the age of 45. ------QUESTION: Do you know if Carl Smith recorded the Merle Hag- gard hit song ―Strangers?‖ My dad says he heard Smith sing it on Joe Baker's Backforty Roundup newsletter really gives us radio. radio people in the Western Swing and Western Music worlds ANSWER: ―My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers‖ was the the opportunity to report on what we are playing. We also are flipside of Carl Smith‘s 1975 # 32 hit, ―She Called Me Baby.‖ given the opportunity to help the artists that our listeners are QUESTION: Do you remember a song on the radio many requesting and that deserve the print that is given. years ago about ―A Blackland Farmer?‖ It also includes our reviews of the new material in these mu- ANSWER: ―Blackland Farmer‖ was a # 5 hit for Frankie sical genres so that we can share ideas with each other. Miller in 1959. He re-released the recording in 1961 and it made it Mike Gross to # 16. “Swingin’ West” KVOF-FM swinginwest.com

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY ------by Bill Morrison Eva Overstake of "The Three Little Maids", born Decatur, IL 1918. The Real West from The Old West Paul Rice, of "The Rice Brothers", born Gainesville, GA 1919. KOTS AM1230 – Totsie Slover Ralph Peer of Victor Records, was interviewed by a reporter from Herdin‘ Cats - Saddle Cats the Bristol Herald Courier, about the reason Peer came to Bristol Viva La Cowboy – Dan Roberts in 1927. The historic 1st Bristol recording sessions would begin Still Ridin‘ – Jim Jones two days later. Desert Moon – Deborah Live Johnson/Chuck Johnny Darrell, born "Eddie Rae White", Hopewell, AL 1940. Woller Tony Joe White born Oak Grove, LA 1943. In My Spare Time Vol 5 – Brady Bowen The Gene Autry Show debuted on CBS-TV 1950, and ran through One Life To Live – Linda Lee Filener August 7, 1956. Lucky Seven – The Desperados Marty Robbins released "Not So Long Ago/I Hope You Learn A This Is Tommy Duncan Vol. 1 – Billy Mata Lot" 1963. Best Of… - The Hot Club Of Cowtown Columbia Records released Marty Robbins' "Old Red/Matilda"

1965. Realwestoldwest.com Allison Krauss, born Decatur, IL 1971. Joined the Grand Ole Opry 11

Ruidoso, New Mexico

12 2009 Hall of Fame Inductees Red Wagon.‖ That song always reminds me of "Pugnose" Wade Northwest Western Swing Ray. I met him on Lookout Mountain at Pyramid Recording Stu- Music Society dios doing a session with "Hall of Famer" steel guitarist Herbie August 9, 2009 Wallace. Wade Ray actually recorded "Ride in my Little Wagon" on that session with Herb. Meeting someone like that really is a

magic music moment and you just never forget those things. Chuck Milner's "Doan's Crossing" and Red Steagall's Gerry Andal—Arlington Washington poem "The Fence That Me and Shorty Built" sorta wound up the Dean Armstrong—Tucson, Arizona month with some Dave Stamey thrown in for good meas- Melvin Bevenue—Tulsa, Oklahoma ure. Folks around here are really fond of Dave's music. His Gary Campbell—Forest Hill, California "Going to the West" and "Wheels" paired up with Butch Martin's Vicki Campbell—Forest Hill, California "Ballad of William Sycamore" and Butch's rendition of John Marty Davis—Medford, Oregon Mitchem's poem "All the Pretty Horses" made a nice segment. Hardy Day—Kenmore, Washington I got some good news from our local Fox network affiliate in Chat- Olen Dillingham—Lincoln, California tanooga. I'm hosting a three part travel series called "Tennessee Ronnie Elkan—Roseville, California River Vacation." Each of the three segments will air 7 or 8 times a month over the next three to four months. The series involves Kevin Healy—Milwaukee, Oregon some travel around the area and allows folks to "Explore the pos- Ron Hohweiler—Woodward, Oklahoma sibilities for that perfect affordable family vacation on the Tennes- Pat Jacobs—Burleson, Texas see River." The series is first class and I'm proud to be a part of it Marty James—New Bern, North Carolina and talk about our great Tennessee River. My director put me on Bob Meeks—Rancho Bernardo, California TV but told me I actually had a great face for radio…don't know Lew Packwood—Onalaska, Washington what she meant. Gordi Panchyson—Aldergrove, BC, Canada That's about all the news that's fit to print for today. We are John York—Vancouver, BC, Canada 100,000 watts at 90.5 fm and cover a 90 mile radius and stream ------to the wide world of sports at www.wsmc.org every Sunday eve- Bill McCallie’s Cowboy Jubilee Radio Show ning at 6pm EST. We broadcast from beautiful downtown Col- Classical 90.5 WSMC-FM Chattanooga, TN legedale, Tennessee...where the air always smells like a big oat- Cowboy Jubilee started off the month with Bill meal cookie. You have a great month and we'll catch you next and Bonnie Hearn on Warner West. I've just month. Remember…you can have your cat neutered...but that about worn out the CD listening to it in my pickup and on the show. Roger Miller's won't stop him from staying out all night and becoming "Invitation to the Blues" is an audience favor- a ..."consultant." RIDE SAFE! ite, as well as "Going Back to Georgia,‖ "Sweet Desert Rose," "Wild Geese," "Grapes on the [email protected] Vine" and "Every Drop of Water." I've seen Bill Sundays at 6:00 pm - wsmc.org/webstream.html and Bonnie perform and if you get a chance to catch them…"DO ------YOURSELF A FAVOR." The River Road Boys did a great job with some western swing on the show as did Bobby Flores and Jody Cowboy Jam Session: Nix…but the Saddle Cats get the star this month with their new Western Culture News & Reviews CD "Herdin‘ Cats" and the tune that got the most comments was - by Jeri L. Dobrowski Hogy Carmichael's "Stardust"…must have brought back some memories with the listeners. I did another one of those "Pickin‘ On" series shows with that great acoustic CMH CD series. This series has some of the best musicians playing acoustic renditions Hay Days of some of the great artist…this month I did "Pickin‘ On"…Reba McIntyre, Rascall Flats and some really nice Brooks and Dunn No matter which direction you travel in acoustic tunes as well. Great thumb and finger style and dobro our neighborhood these days, you‘ll find on "How Blue." I've got a CD from Grady Lee years ago and my haying equipment running full tilt. Follow- public radio audience seems to really like "Saturday Morning with ing on the heels of last year‘s dismal crop—fed down to the last Dreams of Dale," "The Road to Paris" and "Texas Sunset". I leaf during a Plains winter that would not go quietly—producers talked to Grady via email and he's cut another CD and promises are reveling in record-setting yields. Alfalfa, tame grass, barley, to get me one and I know it'll be just as good as the last one...he oats ... balers are churning out compressed bundles that polka- does a really nice job. We did a "Horse Show" this month and dot the landscape from creek to ridge; borrow pit to backyard. featured MMM and "Running Shadow," "Pony Man," "Wildfire" Hay was nonexistent in Hollywood‘s romanticized West. A movie and my favorite MMM song "Ponies." Buddy Emmons and Ray cowboy spent his day in the saddle fighting the bad guy. No Pennington hit the deck this month with "Boggs Boogie," "It's thought was given to what his horse or the cattle might eat. All Wonderful,‖ ―Shiny Stocking" and Rex Griffin's "Ride in my Little was well as long as the hero was horseback and could ride off

[email protected]

13 into the sunset in the end. In reality, all available hands are put to Cowboy Poetry work during haying season. It‘s serious business. How much hay at the BAR-D Ranch you are able to put up for the winter—to supplement pastures and crop residue—determines how many animals you can ―carry‖ or by Margo Metegrano feed. Farmers and ranchers are joined in the endeavor by wives, ―Bucking off‖ takes on a whole differ- sons, daughters, hired hands, nephews, city cousins, former th classmates, retirees, banker friends … ent meaning at September‘s 12 Barry Ward knows a thing or two about annual National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo hay. You sense it, and you hear it in his (www.nationalcowboypoetryrodeo.com). This year the exciting latest album, Whispers of the West. A event takes place in Montrose, Colorado (September 10-12, fourth-generation farmer, stockman, 2009) in conjunction with the San Juan Western Heritage Festival and singer/songwriter, the Kansas- (www.sjwesternfestival.com). raised Ward now resides in Colorado. Poet Sam Jackson conceived the unique National Cowboy Poetry Sound-board guru and musician Butch Rodeo, based on his belief in "excellence through competition.‖ Hause produced the CD, which easily Sam likes to say the competition helps ―make fair poets good and ranks among the year‘s best Western good poets better.‖ genre releases. The title track de- Poets compete—rodeo style—for $6000 in prize money, silver scribes a few of the things that Ward loves about the West, pre- buckles, and trophies. Smoke Wade, a popular poet, writer, gath- sented in a comfortable, soothing style. ―Dance around the Barn‖ ering organizer, emcee, and past champion contends it‘s ―all was written for his wife, Victoria, who favors old-fashioned barn about the silver buckle.‖ This year Smoke will emcee the events dances: ―We‘ll dance around the barn my dear, we‘ll shuffle at the rodeo and festival. through the loft, we‘ll waltz through the hay ...‖ (Listen to audio Smoke Wade grew up in the 1950s and 1960s on a remote cattle snippets at www.barrywardmusic.com/recordings.html) ranch in the Hells Canyon. He tells, ―The lifestyle of Hells Canyon Ten of the 12 tracks are Ward originals. Eli Barsi joins him on the cowboys was a way of life that was often considered to be thirty cover, ―You‘re the Reason God Made Oklahoma.‖ Whispers of the years behind the rest of the world. Lacking other forms of enter- West sells for $18 (postpaid). Order from Flying W Productions, tainment, stories, tall-tales and poetry were standard fare in the 2782 CR 98, Elbert, CO 80106; www.FlyingWProductions.com; cow camp and they helped relieve boredom while on the trail.‖ (303) 648-3605. He says that in writing the following poem, "I was trying to re- Sweethearts in Carhartts: Ranch Life capture the memory of the days when we used to trail large herds 101 is a collection of poetry and song by of cattle out of the Hells Canyon of the Snake River as the herd Yvonne Hollenbeck, Jean Prescott, and followed the seasons. Those days are gone now along with the Liz Masterson. The 18-track album, in- cattle ranches in Hells Canyon.‖ spired by a DW Groethe song, invites the listener into the work-a-day world of the Trailing the Herd ranch wife. The trio‘s offerings capture the beauty, joy, angst, and rewards of They moved often then, the life. Hollenbeck‘s ―Ranch Wife in the From warm winter grounds by the river's mouth, Making‖ was written about her grand- Where mothers gave birth, daughter who helps out on the family‘s South Dakota ranch. Al- On rocky hillsides that faced the sunny south. though less than a minute in length, it says much about the heritage and tradition associated with ranching. ―The Old Felt Hat‖ is Up steep trails, they moved, another of Hollenbeck‘s poems that I find especially meaningful. Through saddles bathed in late spring showers, Prescott (www.jeanprescott.com) does a bang-up job with Randy Above the canyons filled with pine, Huston‘s ―One Cowboy Left‖ (when it‘s time for Sarah to marry). To mountain meadows with purple flowers. It‘s a touching tale of family values and connection to the land. S. Omar Barker‘s ―Ranch Mother,‖ which Prescott set to music, is a Past green ponds, they moved, beautiful tribute to women whose ―sons are horseback men.‖ Through huckleberries on the summit high, Colorado singer and songwriter Liz Masterson Then swiftly down the Devil's run. (www.lizmasterson.com) brings a traditional flare to the ranch To the land of endless sky. tutorial. Her ―Little Green Valley‖ is a delight. For those who enjoy yodeling, she offers ―Cattle Call‖ and ―Wide Rollin‘ Plains.‖ Through rolling hills, they moved, Sweethearts in Carhartts is available for $22 from Yvonne Hollen- Down dusty lanes in August sun, beck, 30549 291st Street, Clearfield, SD 57580, 605/557-3559, To fall pasture with ample room, www.YvonneHollenbeck.com. For cows to rest and calves to run. Andy Hedges and Andy Wilkinson cut right to the chase about citizenship of the Behind barbed wire, now they move, cowboy nation in the title track from Wel- There to fatten and to graze, come to the Tribe. The 12 eclectic tracks The winter grounds sit idle now, are smart with a bit of fun thrown in. Modern times with different ways. Combining spirited originals with time- honored classics, the two Andys serve Yes, they moved often then, up a heapin‘ helpin‘ of principled West- Through sumac gullies and mountain streams, ern music. http://www.andywilkinson.net Before trailing the herd became a part, I was immediately taken with the Texans‘ album when I first heard Of our memories and dreams. it, but couldn‘t quite put a finger on what I was hearing. They de- scribe it as cowboy folk music. Besides being songwriters, poets, © 1991, Smoke Wade, All rights reserved and performers, Hedges (www.andyhedges.com) and Wilkinson (www.andywilkinson.net) are also folk historians. Perhaps that‘s "Trailing the Herd" is included on Smoke Wade's CD, Smoke the source of the energy and depth they bring to the classics. Wade, a Legend in His Own Mind, available for $15.00 postpaid Hearing them sing ―Diamond Joe‖ and ―Old Paint Medley‖ is like from: Smoke Wade, 716 Pear Tree Lane, Mesquite, NV hearing the songs for the very first time. Welcome to the Tribe 89027; [email protected]. It is also on the 2007 volume sells for $18.50 (postpaid). Order from Yellowhouse Music, PO of The BAR-D Roundup, an annual CD of classic and contempo- Box 505, Snyder, TX 79550; www.yellowhousemusic.com. rary poetry from CowboyPoetry.com. [email protected] You can find more about Smoke Wade and his poetry at Cowboy- Poetry.com, which has information about hundreds of cowboy

14 poets and Western musicians. It's an on-going gathering, with continuous news, features, poetry, lyrics, gathering reports, Empty Saddles and an extensive event calendar. Come on by and stay a while.

[email protected] Sacramento country music promoter Hickey drew

top acts to clubs ------―Cowboy Bill’s‖ Top 10 Most Requested Songs Sacramento country music promoter Hickey drew top acts to Cowboy fun in Georgia in 2009 clubs Lloyd Hickey, a country music impresario who welcomed George Jones, Buck Owens, Tammy Wynette and other Grand Ole Opry Boy did we have a ball this month at Great legends to his Sacramento-area clubs, died Tuesday at age 80. Oaks Nursing Home. We spent an entire He died of complications related to Alzheimer's disease, said his day entertaining the folks there with gun- wife, Patty. He lived in Madera, where the couple moved two fights, cowboy singing, some old cowboy years ago. movies and of course, a little cowboy hu- Mr. Hickey helped put Sacramento on the music industry map as mor. It was a great day and the truth is, the region's top country promoter from the 1960s to the 1980s. we probably enjoyed it more than they did. Starting with the Lone Oak bar and card room at Watt Avenue It warmed our hearts to see our seniors and Auburn Boulevard, he bought and remodeled the 1819 Club having such a on Del Paso Boulevard as a 250-seat venue for top acts. He great time. renamed it the 40 Grand (for the $40,000 he borrowed to finance Until next month, we want all you pards it) and brought in big names, including Willie Nelson and Jerry out there to stay warm, keep your pow- Lee Lewis. Many also appeared on his weekly TV show, "Forty der dry and keep it cowboy. Just re- Grand Jamboree," which was broadcast live on Channel 40 in member, There's the right way, the the western United States. wrong way and the ...... Cowboy Way!!!! He continued operating the North Sacramento club for two years As always, we continue to get CDs after buying the El Rancho Hotel in West Sacramento in 1975. He from many artists and groups and we revived the faded resort on West Capitol Avenue with a 24-hour welcome them all. If you want to send restaurant, gift shop and 800-seat showroom where cowboys us your CD, we are at: mixed with Capitol politicians. Couples poured in to dance and meet top country artists, including Donna Fargo, Rick Nelson, The Cowboy Way Show Marty Robbins, Tex Ritter and Ernest Tubb. "All the country stars 146 Hwy 139 #230 you can think of from that era appeared at El Rancho," longtime Monroe, Georgia 30565 friend Tom Kenney said. "Everybody knew Lloyd." A big man who wore powder-blue Western suits studded with rhinestone wind- Attached is a couple of photos mills, Mr. Hickey himself was a legend in the country-music world. of Cowboy Bill & Wrangler Marv He treated entertainers lavishly, hosting them in the El Rancho's having fun as always. The biggest suites. Grateful stars – including Charlie Pride, Johnny group shot should be labeled Rodriguez and Waylon Jennings – played at his clubs for free "The Original Homeland Secu- after giving $10,000 shows at Memorial Auditorium. Meanwhile, rity". he went out of his way to support aspiring talent with a well- known venue outside Nashville to hone their craft and meet in- Our top ten playlist for August, 2009 is: dustry legends. He sold the El Rancho after four years and leased a smaller club across the street called Countryland. He 1. Whispers of the West.....Barry Ward booked fewer big acts as line dancing became popular, and he 2. My Saddle Pals and I.....Tumbling Tumbleweeds retired by the late 1980s after West Sacramento acquired the site 3. Kin to the Wind...Jim Garling for its new city hall. 4. America I Love You....Jay Barber Lloyd George Hickey was born in 1929 in Junction City, Kan., and 5. I'm an 1880's Cowboy....Jim Reader moved with his family to Vallejo. He attended junior college and 6. Yodeling Cowgirl...Eli Barsi signed with the Oakland Oaks minor league baseball team before 7. The Wayward Wind...Jason (Buck) Corbett leaving to work as a heavy-equipment operator in Alaska. He 8. Times of a Cowboy....Doug Muchmore moved to Sacramento in 1958 and quit construction work to buy 9. Cowpoke....Keeter Stuart the Lone Oak beer bar. 10. I Wear a Cowboy Hat....Jim Brooks He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Patty. He had two children from a marriage to his first wife, Anna, that ended in divorce. His [email protected] older son, Lloyd Jr., died in 2000. Mr. Hickey retired to a houseboat in Clarksburg and enjoyed fish------ing. Traveling in the United States, he often met country music Did you sleep in and miss the Saturday morning fans who recognized him from his TV show. "Ernest Tubb told edition of me, 'Lloyd, when you're a country music entertainer and you get the Backforty Bunkhouse Radio Show? fans, they stay with you forever.' He was right," Hickey told The You can listen to it now at BackfortyBunkhouse.com. Bee in 1998. "It was that way with customers, too. If they liked Click on the link, you and liked the entertainment, they stayed with you." ―Click on the controls‖ Taken from Sacramento Bee Aug. 08, 2009 [email protected]

15 herself. Multitrack recording is now the industry standard. But Paul likely will be best remembered for the Gibson Les Paul, a Empty Saddles Cont. variation on the solid-body guitar he built in the early 1940s -- "The Log" -- and offered to the guitar company. "For 10 years, I (CNN) -- Les Paul, whose was a laugh," he told CNN in an interview. "[But I] kept pounding innovations with the at them and pounding at them saying hey, here's where it's at. electric guitar and studio Here's where tomorrow, this is it. You can drown out anybody with technology made him one it. And you can make all these different sounds that you can't do of the most important fig- with a regular guitar." ures in recorded music, Gibson, spurred by rival Fender, finally took Paul up on his offer has died, according to a and introduced the model in 1952. It has since become the go-to statement from his publi- guitar for such performers as Jimmy Page. "The world has lost a cists. Paul was 94. truly innovative and exceptional human being today. I cannot imagine life without Les Paul," said Henry Juszkiewicz, chairman Les Paul, whose innovations helped give rise to modern pop mu- and CEO of Gibson Guitar, in a statement. "He would walk into a sic, played guitar into his 90s. Paul died in White Plains, New room and put a smile on anyone's face. His musical charm was York, from complications of severe pneumonia, according to the extraordinary and his techniques unmatched anywhere in the statement. Paul was a guitar and electronics mastermind whose world." creations -- such as multitrack recording, tape delay and the solid- body guitar that bears his name, the Gibson Les Paul -- helped Paul is enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy give rise to modern popular music, including rock 'n' roll. No Hall of Fame, the Inventors Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall slouch on the guitar himself, he continued playing at clubs into his of Fame. He is survived by three sons, a daughter, five grandchil- 90s despite being hampered by arthritis. dren and five great-grandchildren. Until recently he had a standing gig at New York's Iridium Jazz Club, where he would play with "If you only have two fingers [to work with], you have to think, how a who's who of famed musicians. He admired the places guitarists will you play that chord?" he told CNN.com in a 2002 phone inter- and engineers took his inventions, but he said there was nothing view. "So you think of how to replace that chord with several to replace good, old-fashioned elbow grease and soul. notes, and it gives the illusion of sounding like a chord." iRe- "I learned a long time ago that one note can go a long way if it's port.com: Do you play a Les Paul guitar? the right one," he said in 2002, "and it will probably whip the guy with 20 notes." Guitarists mourned the loss Thursday. -Todd Leopold, CNN "Les Paul was truly a 'one of a kind.' We owe many of his inventions that made the rock 'n roll sound of today to him, and he was CNN.COM/Entertainment the founding father of modern music," B.B. King said in a statement. "This is a huge loss to the music community and the world. I am honored to have known him." ------

Joe Satriani said in a statement: "Les Paul set a standard for mu- The Big Fred Walker Show sicianship and innovation that remains unsurpassed. He was the WOES 91.3 FM Mid-Michigan original guitar hero and the kindest of souls. Last October I joined him onstage at the Iridium club in [New York], and he was still TOP TEN CDs shredding. He was and still is an inspiration to us all." 01 Leon Seiter – Nashville Momories In a statement, Slash said, "Les Paul was a shining example of 02 Leon Seiter – In The Shadows of a Honky how full one's life can be; he was so vibrant and full of positive Tonk energy." See how other famous guitarists are paying tribute to 03 Glenn Lenderman – Here‘s To You My Texas Lady Paul. 04 Mike Headrick & Ralph Mooney – WAILIN, Featuring The Steel Guitar Lester William Polfuss was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on 05 Wesley Ialacy – Houston‘s Just Another Word For Blue June 9, 1915. Even as a child he showed an aptitude for tinker- 06 Electa Winter – Heart To Heart ing, taking apart electric appliances to see what made them tick. 07 Arty Hill – Bar Of Gold Watch Paul dazzle on his guitar. "I had to build it, make it and 08 Liz Tally – More Than Satisfied perfect it," Paul said in 2002. He was nicknamed the "Wizard of 09 Chuck Cusimano – That‘s Why There‘s Honks In Texas Waukesha." 10 Mike Headrick – Old Hag‘ Featuring The Steel Guitar

In the 1930s and '40s, he played with the bandleader Fred Waring TOP COUNTRY GOSPEL SONGS and several big band singers, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sina- tra and the Andrews Sisters, as well as with his own Les Paul 01 Rebecca Linda Smith – Redeemed Trio. In the early 1950s, he had a handful of huge hits with his 02 Hank Stone – Who Am I then-wife, Mary Ford, such as "How High the Moon" and "Vaya 03 Dr. Jack Clakson – I‘m Ready To Go Con Dios." 04 Mery Lee – I‘ll Be Going Up 05 Joe Paul Nichols – Faith His guitar style, heavily influenced by jazzman Django Reinhardt, featured lightning-quick runs and double-time rhythms. In 1948, TOP FIVE CDs after being involved in a severe car accident, he asked the doctor to set his arm permanently in a guitar-playing position. Paul also 01 Rebecca Linda Smith – Jesus Grace credited Crosby for teaching him about timing, phrasing and 02 Mary Lee – Rivers Of Life preparation. Crosby "didn't say it, he did it -- one time only. Unless 03 Frankie Miller & Jimmy Eaves – Gospel Music The Country he blew the lyrics, he did one take." Way 04 Leon Seiter – Gospel Memories Paul never stopped tinkering with electronics, and after Crosby 05 Glenn Canyon – Someday I‘ll Walk On A Richer Land gave him an early audiotape recorder, Paul went to work chang- ing it. It eventually led to multitrack recording; on Paul and Ford's [email protected] hits, he plays many of the guitar parts, and Ford harmonizes with