The Official Publication of the Western Music Association Pure Cowboy – COWBOYS In the Studio and IN CHICAGO Out on the Range BY DON CUSIC PAGE 8 PAGE 26 Johnny Western Receives Noted Honor PAGE 16 Founder Bill Wiley Officers From The President... Steve Taylor, President Rick Huff, Executive V.P. Robert Fee, Howdy all: V.P. General Counsel Diane Tribitt, Treasurer Belinda Gail, Secretary I have an addition to add to my letter in the last issue. Executive Director “AMBASSADORS!”You can request additional compli- Marsha Short mentary copies of the Western Way from Marsha Short , Board of Directors John Bergstrom WMA Executive Director. Do you go places that have a Joe Brown Richard Dollarhide waiting room and find outdated reading material? With Robert Fee Juni Fisher permission, place some copies of the WW in places Belinda Gail Jerry Hall Steve Taylor where people sit, wait and look for something new Rick Huff WMA President Robert Lorbeer and refreshing to read. It is a very subtle way to boost Marvin O’Dell Theresa O’Dell membership and get the word out about the WMA. Michael Roehm We are all about the membership and the networking that goes into it to support David Rychener Steve Taylor the music and poetry of the American West. The office has been busy sending out Diane Tribitt additional issues of the WW and we have seen new members added to our ranks Board of Advisors Rex Allen, Jr., Chairman from all of us being “ AMBASSADORS.” Keep up the good work. Hal Spencer, Co-Chairman Cheryl Rogers Barnett Do not forget our Web site www.westernmusic.org. This is the place that you Ray Benson Tom Chambers or anyone will find the most current information about the WMA. Alvin G. Davis Don Edwards By now you have received and returned your nominations ballot. I would Douglas B. Green Mike Mahaney encourage all of you to complete and return your ballot. It is your nomination/ Suze Spencer Marshall Gary McMahan vote that determines the category award recipients. Jon Messenger Michael Martin Murphey We have some great workshops that are lining up for the Convention this year Rusty Richards Roy “Dusty” Rogers, Jr. and fantastic music and poetry for your listening and enjoyment. O.J. Sikes Red Steagall Thank you all for your continued support and remember to mark your calendar Steve Taylor for the 2015 WMA CONVENTION - NOVEMBER 11-15 IN ALBUQUERQUE, Marilyn Tuttle Johnny Western NEW MEXICO. Russ Wolfe Contributing Writers Les Buffham, Buck Helton, Rick Huff, Hope to see you there. Marvin O’Dell, Theresa O’Dell, Marsha Short, O.J. Sikes, Steve Taylor Contributing Photographers Steve Taylor, President Multiple photographers. Western Music Association t Images used by permission. The Western Way The Official Quarterly Publication of the WMA Deadline for next issue: September 1, 2015 Managing Editor Theresa O’Dell [email protected]; 805-551-7763 Graphic Design PricelessDigitalMedia.com Production Coordinator Sharp Management 615-397-0359 Advertising Director Lindalee Green [email protected] 1-310-342-0032 Western Music Association P.O. Box 648, Coppell, TX 75019 Cell Phone 505-563-0673 [email protected] www.westernmusic.org 4 | Summer 2015 The WESTERN WAY CONTENTS FEATURES Cowboys in Chicago 26 19 Don Cusic 8 Johnny Western B. Rhyan Cole 16 In the Crosshairs: 26 Daron Little ARTICLES, UPDATES, AND MORE 4 President’s Message 6 Editor’s Insight 7 Executive Director’s Message 14 From the Trail 18 Wrappin’ It Up – Tucson 19 Wrappin’ It Up – Santa Clarita 20 In The Spotlight 22 Penned by Lantern Light 24 Buffham’s Buffoonery 8 28 In Memoriam – Kobal 28 Education Corner 16 29 Chapter Updates 32 Golden Nuggets 33 Western Air REVIEWS – CDs, DVDs, & Books 35 A Musical Note Jack Trey Allen ..................................... 39 Jim Jones ............................................. 40 39 Best of the West Reviews Rex Allen Jr ......................................... 36 Royal Wade Kimes ............................... 40 43 Western Charts 44 Playlists’ Reporters Gene Autry DVD .................................. 38 Richard Martin .................................... 40 45 In Memoriam – Gimble 46 WMA Membership & Subscription Form Ryan Ellett and Kevin Coffey ............... 37 Rick Pickren ........................................ 40 Buck Helton ......................................... 39 Lew Preston & His Men of the Range ... 36 Randy Huston and Hannah Huston ..... 39 Rich Price ............................................ 41 Riders in the Sky ................................. 36 The Official Publication of the Western Music Association Texas Jim Robertson ............................ 37 COWBOYS DARON LITTLE IN CHICAGO Pure Cowboy – BY DON CUSIC In the Studio and PAGE 8 Carson Robison & His Pioneers ........... 37 Out on the Range PAGE 26 Johnny Western WMA member, Daron Little, Receives Well-Deserved Recognition Cindy Smith ........................................ 41 PAGE 16 is cowboy from his hat to his boots and in the music Larry Wilder ........................................ 41 he writes and the songs that he sings. Content and opinions expressed in articles and reviews published in the Western Way are On the Cover... those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the WMA or the Western Way. The WESTERN WAY Summer 2015 | 5 Editor’s Insight Reaching the Goal…Fulfilling the Mission When meeting and talking say? Yep –it takes a lot of hands and hours to give you this with successful people, marketing tool! There are regular writers who take time to I’ve noticed common buzz “tell the stories”, those who do product reviews (any idea of words woven throughout the hours dedicated to listening to CDs and reading books?), their response to “How did those who create and submit charts and statistics (very time you become so successful?” consuming), a full-service production house and graphic Words like focused, hard designer (many hours, deadlines and dealing with a sometimes work, motivated, passionate, cranky editor!), a sales director who works to help you and enthusiastic, etc., pop-up others “sell” yourself and your wares and works to expand frequently. They all seem circulation, and yes, there’s me. I’m the funnel for all the “stuff” to be forward thinking and and the decision maker on how best to create a new and fresh to have worked toward tool each quarter that can be used by you to further the mission a distant goal or mission of preservation of the western culture to which we have all throughout their careers. subscribed. All of this goes on behind the scenes between each They have been creative issue…not just the week before publication! thinkers; to have made Nope – the Western Way is NOT a “newsletter,” despite what sacrifices along the way; I’ve had some tell me. It’s a magazine and it has a purpose – Theresa O’Dell and, to have taken the “path to be a face and voice for the Western Music Association. To less trodden” at times to reach the pinnacle. let the world know that we are committed to preserve the life, It was easy for me to translate these thoughts in “our lyrics and lore of the west – past and present. There are some mission” for the WMA. Those who have made an impact of any who want to make a living while doing this, but others are just significance are those who make investments in themselves. truly committed to the cause and want to do whatever to keep They have set goals and worked hard to reach each one. They it going. Both motives are admirable; both have a place in the are motivated, focused, passionate, and enthusiastic. And, it’s organization. As Editor of this publication, I want to provide a not only performers…I see this in the WMA board members, tool that can be used by all to help reach YOUR goal…whatever our Executive Director, most of the chapter presidents and that is. Until next issue… officers, and the fans! And, yes, even those who work hard to put one of the best marketing tools for the organization into For all things western, your hands every quarter – the Western Way crew! Crew, you Theresa t Western Music Association Advertise in The Western Way and reach the people Founded in 1988 by western music performers you need to know! and fans, the WMA supports and promotes the historic, traditional and contemporary Don’t wait – reserve your space today! music of the American West and the Ameri- Rate/Issue 4X Rate/Issue can Cowboy. A non-profit organization, the B&W or Color B&W or Color Western Music Association strives to bring Full Page $800 $750 ideals embodied in the “Code of the West” Full Page Inside Cover $900 $850 to everyone living in today’s society. The Back 3/4 Page Color $900 $850 American Cowboy represents honor, integrity, Half Page $500 $450 respect and a love for mankind and the world Third Page $450 $400 in which he lives and works. Quarter Page $400 $325 Sixth Page $300 $275 The Western Music Association is a non- 1/12th Page (Logo with text only) $150 $135 profit 501 (c)(3) Corporation, funded through the generous support of the western music For more information on deadlines and how to submit your ad, industry. Donations are tax-deductible as a Email Lindalee Green at [email protected] charitable donation. or Call 310-342-0032. 6 | Summer 2015 The WESTERN WAY From The Executive Director... One of the really great things Based on popular demand, we’re kicking off with anoth- about being WMA’s Executive er Chuck Wagon Extravaganza on Wednesday night and Director is being able to watch this year, we’re including a brisket dinner. Thursday night’s the steady growth of member- Crisis Fund Dinner will include “A Cowboy Celebracion!!” ship and hear first-hand reports created especially for WMA. It will feature stellar mariachi about the exciting things going performers, dancers and starring the charismatic recording on in Western Music.