Volume 31 Issue 4 Winter 2021 $5.95 THE The Offi cial Publication of the International Western Music Association CROSSHAIRS: BAXTER BLACK with lifelong friend JIM SHAFER SHOOTING ARROWS IN THE SKY IWMA AWARDS PAGE 6 reative onnections ecognition C C PAGE 28 R __WW Winter 2021_Cover 2.indd 1 12/21/20 1:04 PM __WW Winter 2021_Cover 2.indd 2 12/21/20 1:04 PM Consider a Legacy Gift e International Western Music Association a 501(c)3 nonprofi t An end of life donation to the International Western Music Association will live into THOMAS perpetuity. Please consider a donation to the SCOTT WIKLE OF IWMA Endowment Fund. Consult with your MY KIND OF COUNTRY MKOCRADIO.COM fi nancial planner. Contact Marsha Short for SAID OF BOB THOMAS more information on the Endowment Fund. “THE BOB DYLAN OF WESTERN MUSIC” [email protected] BOB 505.563.0673 iwesternmusic.org AVAILABLE AT MY WEBSITE BOBTHOMASMUSIC.COM, AMAZON, ITUNES AND CD BABY Notice Closed Until Further __WW Winter 2021_Interior.indd 1 12/21/20 12:19 PM FOUNDER From The President... Bill Wiley OFFICERS Robert Lorbeer, President Jerry Hall, Executive V.P. Marvin O’Dell, V.P. Belinda Gail, Secretary Diana Raven, Treasurer EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Robert’s Marsha Short BOARD OF DIRECTORS Juni Fisher Ramblings Belinda Gail Jerry Hall Robert Lorbeer I am having had a hard time writing this Marvin O’Dell Theresa O’Dell message! As I write, we all should be in Diana Raven Albuquerque, renewing friendships, playing LeeLee Robert Robert Lorbeer Dennis Russell IWMA President music, learning, listening, and having a great Tom Swearingen time. But this dawg-gone virus prevents that. 2021 BOARD INTERNS Last August our Board of Directors had a long discussion about whether Bobbi Jean Bell Leo Eilts or not to cancel our gathering for 2020. We ultimately voted to cancel the Roger Eilts gathering for 2020. Did we make the right decision? Well I can tell you for Carol Markstrom sure that we did. I had a conversation with Ray and Bonnie Rutherford in BOARD OF ADVISORS Rex Allen, Jr. early November, and they informed me that Albuquerque is locked down. Cheryl Rogers Barnett The virus has raised its ugly head again and any visitors coming to the city Ray Benson Tom Chambers have to quarantine for 15 days. Don Edwards The Board made the right decision, but it still hurts not to be with our Robert E. Fee, Esq. Douglas B. Green musical family and friends. Mike Mahaney Last spring, when the virus first materialized and everything started shutting Suze Spencer Marshall Gary McMahan down, the IWMA Board members divided up our membership roster and Michael Martin Murphey called all of our members. Those “care calls” turned out to be a good experience Rusty Richards Roy “Dusty” Rogers, Jr. for not only the members we contacted, but for the Board members as well. O.J. Sikes And we are doing it again this fall. But it occurred to me that phone calls (or Red Steagall Steve Taylor even an email) can also be made by our members to other members. So I am Marilyn Tuttle suggesting that since you are not going to be able to visit with your IWMA Johnny Western family at the Albuquerque event this year, how about you pick up the phone or CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Les Buffham, Rick Huff, Bryan Kuban, open up your computer and reach out to your musical family. Dakota Livesay, Marvin O’Dell, Due to the lack of anything being “normal,” the Board agreed to extend the Theresa O’Dell, Ollie Reed, Jr., Marsha Short, Tom Swearingen terms one year for those Board members (Robert Lorbeer and Theresa O’Dell) O.J. Sikes, Jim Wilson whose terms were to expire at the end of 2020. They will be on the ballot next THE WESTERN WAY year when we are able to come together for an annual meeting. The Official Quarterly Publication of the IWMA Also, the Board is pleased to welcome four new Interns for 2021. They are Deadline for next issue: March 1, 2020 Bobbi Jean Bell, Leo Eilts, Roger Eilts and Carol Markstrom. They each bring MANAGING EDITOR/ADVERTISING Theresa O’Dell expertise, passion and new ideas to the board that we are sure will benefit the [email protected]; 805-551-7763 organization. GRAPHIC DESIGN Be safe, take care of your family and friends, and hopefully our musical Kim Tappan/Tappan Design family will be back on stage soon. [email protected] PRINTING Modern Litho, Jefferson City, MO Robert Lorbeer President, IWMA INTERNATIONAL WESTERN MUSIC ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 648, Coppell, TX 75019 Cell Phone 505-563-0673 [email protected] www.westernmusic.org 2 | Winter 2021 The WESTERN WAY __WW Winter 2021_Interior.indd 2 12/21/20 12:19 PM CONTENTS FEATURES In The Crosshairs 6 Baxter Black Echoes of 6 24 Past Conventions 2020 Creative 28 Connection Awards 24 ARTICLES, UPDATES & MORE 2 President’s Message 4 Editor’s Insight 5 From the Executive Director 11 Penned By Lantern Light 39 12 Tales of the West – Jim Wilson 13 The Western World Tour – Rick Huff Classic Reviews 14 Ensuring The Legacy 15 Chapter Update 16 From the Trail 18 In Memoriam 20 In The Spotlight REVIEWS – CDs, DVDs & BOOKS 30 Behind the Studio Door – Bryan Kuban 31 Chronicle Of The Old West – D. Livesay 34 Gene Autry 36 Richard Elloyan & 33 Buffham’s Buffoonery 35 Walter Brennan Steve Wade 34 O.J. Sikes Musical Note and Reviews 35 Clint Eastwood 37 Tom Poley & Dharmapoke 36 Huff’s Best Of The West Reviews 35 Elton Britt, Sons of the 37 Prairie Moon 38 Patron Members Pioneers, Dale Evans, 37 Tallgrass Express 39 Classic Reviews by Rick Huff The Ames Brothers, String Band 41 Music – Priceless Therapy Prairie Chiefs, Jimmy 38 Doc Mehl (Book) 42 Reed’s Reading – Book Reviews Wakely, etc. 39 John Hargett (Classic) 44 Mailbag 36 Lori Beth Brooke 39 Rod Taylor (Classic) 45 Western Charts 36 The Cowboy Way 46 Western Playlists – Reporters 48 IWMA Lifetime Membership Volume 31 Issue 4 Winter 2021 $5.95 THE ON THE COVER... The Official Publication of the International Western Music Association Baxter Black sometimes failed but didn’t give up. From cowboy to veterinarian to poet to entertainer, his colorful journey, most often with his friend Jim Shafer at his side, CROSSHAIRS: has spanned decades and moved audiences gure BAXTER from laughter to tears. Truly an iconic fi BLACK with lifelong friend in preserving the western way of life! JIM SHAFER Cover photo courtesy Dennis Anderson SHOOTING ARROWS IN THE SKY PAGE 6 IWMA AWARDS Content and opinions expressed in articles and reviews published in onnections Recognition Creative C PAGE 28 The Western Way are those of the authors and do not necessarily refl ect the view of the IWMA or The Western Way. The WESTERN WAY Winter 2021 | 3 __WW Winter 2021_Interior.indd 3 12/21/20 12:20 PM Editor’s Insight Out with the Old; In with the New; Expect the Unexpected 2020…What a year! Businesses closed their doors. The halls of Hotel There isn’t a lot to say about Albuquerque went silent as IWMA2020 was cancelled. Theresa O’Dell it except that I am relieved But will 2021 be better? At this writing, it is difficult Editor that it is behind us. There to predict, so I won’t. We can have hope (and maybe, was so much uncertainty surrounding the pandemic if you are so inclined, pray a little) that there will be and politics that provided an emotional and physical brighter skies tomorrow. We can anticipate the return rollercoaster-type ride filled with sadness, anger, illness, of music to our lives and the return of opportunities tears, cheers, reflection, loss, elation, unemployment, to experience it with our friends again. We can plan financial hardships, sparks of creativity, and frustration. some trips and vacations for later in the year. We There were new experiences, too, like virtual learning, can look forward to spending happy hours with our Zoom® meetings, wearing masks and social distancing. extended families for birthdays, reunions, graduations, There was learning to stay home and stay in (a lot!) which weddings, and even share sorrowful tears and hugs provided both challenges and opportunities. Some had to at funerals. We can have expectations of coming work from home while teaching school lessons to their together soon. kids and juggle housework and meals. Others used the There are those who tell us that a positive attitude time to write and compose songs and poetry, or dive into is essential to good health and physical well-being. those often put-off projects like clean closets, drawers, the We also have been told that music heals. So, as we garage, or in my case, tackle some remodel projects. And reflect on 2020, think of the positive and good things it was a good time for some to see that “honey-do” list that may have happened. Dig deep, if you must, but whittled down. acknowledge the blessings of 2020. It may seem like a But there was also a silence that was deafening. The short list this year, but don’t be discouraged. The writer, stages in music halls, festivals, gatherings, community Robert Tew, said: “The struggle you are in today is theaters, senior centers, restaurants, and parks were developing the strength you need for tomorrow.” Maybe empty. Talented entertainers of all genres were sidelined. the strength we need tomorrow will be to rebuild what Recording studios were unused. Communities that we lost in 2020, to feel refreshed because the new day depended on the tourism created from the attractions looks brighter, and the positive things are back…maybe of live performance venues suffered economically.