Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter - Backforty Bunkhouse Productions

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 Joe@BackfortyBunkhouse.com
www.MySpace.com/BackfortyBunkhouse
Joe Baker
Publisher
The Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter is sent to over 700 email subscribers periodically and is growing every day. There are DJs, artists
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___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Published by Joe Baker
Cowtown Society of Western Music Heroes
Academy of Western Artists Disc Jockey of the Y ear
Cowtown Society of Western Music Disc Jockey of the Year
Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest Hall of Fame
Membership Director—Cowtown Society of Western Music
Board of Directors—Cowtown Society of Western Music
Seattle Western Swing Music Society POWS Hall of Fame
Backforty Newsletter—CSWM‟s Publication of the Year 2009
Totsie Slover, Editor
__________________________________________________
Joe Baker's Top 20 – June, 2009
Western Swing
TM © 2008 Texas County
Line Productions, LLC
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Academy of
Western Artists
18.
19.
20.
Tom Houston Orchestra, Tuxedo Country
The Desperados, Lucky 7
Brady Bowen, In My Spare Time, Vol.#5
Johnny Lyon, Wynn Stewart Favorites Vol. 2
Stephanie Davis, Western Bling
Jerry Webb, There‘s A Song In That
The River Road Boys, Houston
Rebecca Linda Smith, Timeless Renewed
Billy Mata, This Is Tommy Duncan,Vol.#1
Johnny Bush, Lillie‘s White Lies
Cornell Hurd, American Shadows, Songs Of
Moon Mullican,
Hank Stone, Somewhere In Texas
Bobby Flores, Eleven Roses
Dick Hammonds, Love Letters
Dottie Jack, With Every Heartbeat
Curtis Potter, When The Neon Lights Come
On
Amber Digby, Passion, Pride & What Might
Have Been
Liz Talley, More Than Satisfied
Red Kilby, Keepin‘ It Real
Backforty Roundup Vol.#40
Western Music/Cowboy Poetry
1.
2.
Ken Cook, Cowboys Are Like That
Chuck Woller, Desert Moon
3.
4.
5.
6.
Bar D roundup, Vol.#4, Various Poets
Chuck Cusimano, Wind, Blow My Blues Away
Daughters Of The Purple Sage, Best Of
Prescott/Hollenbeck/Masterson, Ranch Life
101
7. Gil Prather, Last Of The Border Cowboys
8. The Buckarettes, Cowgirl Serenade
9. Stephanie Davis, Western Bliss
10. Cora Rose Wood, Cora‘s Cowgirl Yodel
11. Ray Doyle, The Emigrant Trail
12. Forever West, Belinda Gail/Curly Musgrave
13. Willie P. Richardson, Live At The Ritz
14. Jim Jones, Different State Of Mind
15. Sons Of The San Joaquin, Live WJW
16. Sourdough Slim, Classics II
17. Bob & Johnny Boatright, Lost Trails
18. Cowboy Slim Rinehart, King Of Border Radio
19. Eli Barsi, Darn Hard To Tame
20. Eddy Leverett, Old Faded Jeans
—————————————————————20th Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium
is October 9-11, 2009 with a Thursday night concert
on October 8th with the legendary Mel Tillis and the
Statesiders followed by Bob Wills‘ Texas Playboys,
kicking off three days with some of the finest music
In the world. This cowboy symposium has
for many years been tagged the granddaddy of them
all. There will be hundreds of western oriented vendors
throughout Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Billy The Kid
Casino. The infield of the racetrack will be home for
many chuckwagons competing for the big $12,000
prize money. Kid‘s Rodeo sponsored by the Lincoln
County Sheriff‘s Posse, Craig Cameron Horse seminars, food vendors and of course, the music. That‘s
right folks, cowboy music, cowboy poetry, Texas honky
tonk and western swing music every day with concerts
and dancing on Friday & Saturday nights featuring the
best of the best. Our master of ceremonies as always is
the one and only Hall Of Famer and the legendary western music disc jockey, Larry Scott from Terrell, Texas.
Sunday morning from 9am til noon, you can enjoy the
LCCS Cowboy Church for good down home gospel
singing by many stars in the gospel music industry as
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 Broadcasters 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
well as the local Good News Band featuring Pastor Charles Clary
from Ruidoso‘s J-Bar-J Country church. Take a look at who will
be here, Bobby Flores Band, Billy Mata & the Texas Tradition,
Lucy Dean Record, Red Steagall, Ginny Mac, Justin Trevino,
R.J. Vandygriff, the official voice of Bob Wills‘ Texas Playboys the
legendary Leon Rausch, Tommy Allsup, Bobby Koefer, Larry
Gatlin, Liz Talley, Floyd Domino, The Quebe Sisters Band, Call
Of The West, Rollie Stevens, Albert Talley, Neil Butler, Derwood
Strube, Chris York, Brady Bowen, Bobby Baker, JW Beeson,
Jimmy Burson, Billy Dozier, The Flying J Wranglers, Chuck Cusimano, Harlen Kubos, Tuffy Cooper, Pete Laumbach, Mark Lowe,
Rick McRae, Jess Meador, Rich & Valerie O‘Brien, Del Puschert,
Dennis Kubos, Darrell & Mona McCall, Tony Booth, Kimberly
Murray, Tracy Pitcox and many more. Again this year, emcee Joe
Baker will be working the stage inside Billy The Kid Casino with
Brady Bowen & Friends from 10am to 1am on Friday and Saturday as many performers stop by to perform a couple of tunes in
between the act‘s on other stages. There are four stages in all
throughout Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Billy The Kid Casino.
MTD Radio has exclusive symposium coverage and will be
broadcasting 28 hours with live interviews and western swing
music and if you can‘t make it this year, just go to
www.BackfortyBunkhouse.com and hear it live on the internet.
We will have David Stallings and his film crew from Texas County
Line Productions, shooting a lot of film coverage throughout the
LCCS. You can catch previous shows in the archives at:
www.TexasCountyLine.tv Tickets for the 20th Annual Lincoln
County Cowboy Symposium go On sale August 1st, 2009. To reserve your tickets and more information please call 575-3784114. Or visit: www.cowboysymposium.org
- Joe Baker
LEESWINGS TOP TWELVE CDs
Kountry Korral Magazine—Bennerstigen, Sala Sweden
TOP 12 CDs July 2009
01 - Bobby Koefer - Thumbin´ It
02 - Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys - Live at
Boeing Aircraft, Wichita, KS
03 - Cow Bop - Route 66
04 - Gaylynn Robinson - Love & Heartache
05 - Joe Paul Nichols - The Price Is Right
06 - Kelli Grant - Swings & Sings
07 - Louise Rowe - My Time With Bob
08 - Ray Harrison - Scratchin´ The Surface
09 - Rick & The Ramblers - I Rode The Ti
10 - River Road Boys - Houston
11 - Stardust Cowboys - Honky Tonk Cowboy & Desert Flower
12 - Tom Houston Orchestra - Tuxedo Country
TOP 12 SONGS July 2009
01 - Don´t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes - Louise Rowe
02 - Honky Tonk Cowboy Blues - Stardust Cowboys
03 - I Rode the Ti - Rick & The Ramblers
04 - Keeper of the Flame - Gaylynn Robinson
05 - Nobody Kisses Their Horse Anymore - Buckshot Dot
06 - Somewhere in Texas - Hank Stone
07 - South - Bob Wills at Boeing Aircraft, Wichita, KS
08 - Thanks a Lot - Eilen Jewell
09 - This Is Southland - Bob Wills & Les Anderson
10 - Walk Out Backwards - River Road Boys
11 - Waltz Across Texas - Tom Houston Orchestra
12 - When the Neon Lights Come On - Curtis Potter
Lillies Ohlsson—Leeswing88@sheab.net
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All Things Country Top Ten CDs
Rowena Muldavin
1. Owen Temple - Dollars and Dimes
2. Stephanie Davis - Western Bling
3. Dale Watson - The Truckin' Sessions, Vol. 2
4. Liz Talley - More Than Satisfied
5. Price Porter - Last Call For Heartaches
6. Vance Lance - Texas Two Step
7. Johnny Gray - Bama Walk of Fame
8. Rick & The Ramblers - I Rode The Ti
9. Time Jumpers - Jumpin' Time
10. Ruthie & The Wranglers - Americana Express
A-10 Etcheverry, Creative Achievement Award winner
Cowtown Society of Western Music 2009
www.crayolacowboy.com
All Things Country email address
www.hpr.org
————————————————————————
What Folks Are Sayin ’ !
Around the Campfire
1. Western Bliss - Stephanie Davis
2. Cross Halo - Paul Davis
3. The Faraway Look - Daron Little
4. Just in Case - Bill Barwick
5. Come Ride With Me - Dave Stamey
6. One Life to Live - Linda Lee Filener
7. Classics II - Sourdough Slim
8. Cowboy State of Mind - Jennifer Lind
9. Campfire Cowboy Back to the Fire - Fred
Hargrove
10. The Silver Screen Cowboy Project - Various Artists
Marvin O'Dell—Around the Campfire
Heartland Public Radio
meoteo@aol.com
Joe Baker's Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter delivers
up-to-date news of the Western/cowboy music and poetry scene to my in box monthly. I can see at a glance
what's getting air play, who's got a new release, and
follow regional trends.
Jeri L. Dobrowski
Assistant to Wylie & The Wild West
& Author of Cowboy Jam Session
skibaux@wb.midrivers.com
Cowboy Jam Session: Western
Culture News & Reviews
by Jeri L. Dobrowski
Give a listen to "Come with Me" and "The Conversation" at
kencookcowboypoet.com/cds.htm
When Cook says, "A good day spent horseback feels like sittin' in
God's hand," you know it comes from deep within his soul. When
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year he describes rain as "every drop's a gift," you know he's needed it,
prayed for it, rejoiced when it finally fell from the omnipotent sky.
In his world, spurs are worn for work, "never just for show." Here's
Last weekend, business took me on a
a man who finds joy in doctoring sick cattle with the help of his
425-mile loop on either side of the
quartzite monolith-marked boarder sepa- boys, sorting pairs with his daughter, and showing up at a
rating North and South Dakota. The area neighbor's place with four good hands who will make a difference
in the day's work.
received record snow this past winter.
Ranchers and farmers managed the best they could as roads and Cowboys Are Like That is available for $15 from Ken Cook, 23154
Teal Lane, Martin, SD 57551-6601; (605) 685-6749;
corrals clogged, feed-and-bedding inventories dwindled, and yet
kencookcowboypoet.com/index.html
more snow fell. Livestock death losses were high, then the snow
———————————————————————————
melted, causing more agony.
Effects of the bonanza-turned-bane were evident as my husband
and I navigated state highways running alongside the 46th parallel. Neither of us could remember a time when we'd seen the Dakota hills and meadows so green, the cattle so fat, horses so
sleek, and stock dams universally filled to near-overflowing. No
matter which direction we turned, the green rolled on before us.
After a tenacious winter that only begrudgingly released its hold,
we felt that surely this was the most wonderful time of the year.
The drive was as humbling as it was enjoyable. Sitting in airconditioned comfort, I marveled at vital ranch headquarters and
derelict, abandoned homesteads. It took courage, faith, stamina,
and determination-and no small amount of careful planning and
good fortune-to make a go of homesteading on the Plains. When
all those ran low, it helped to have resiliency, ingenuity, and good
neighbors.
Andy and Jim Nelson‘s C.O.W. Radio
4-Week Playlist
6/27/09, Tribute to Stan Murdock
Riders in the Sky: You Are My Sunshine
Bar J Wranglers: Night Herding Song
Carolina Cotton: Yodel Yodel Yodel
Kingston Trio: Shenandoah
Andy Nelson: Hormone Therapy
Roger Whitaker: The Last Farewell
6/20/09, Father's Day
Curly Musgrave: My Daddy's Hat
Terri Taylor: Daddy Hold My Hand
Gene Autry: That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine
More than a century later, we live a life of relative leisure. Much of
Rich O'Brien: Grandfather's Clock
the day-to-day toil for survival has been resolved; as a whole, we
Jay Snider: Of Horses and Men
have grown soft and demanding. Let's reconsider those who setSons and Brothers: This One Belongs to Me
tled the West-and live here yet today-producing food and fiber for
a hungry, and sometimes unappreciative, world.
6/13/09, Free Grazers
Ace Canadian poet, emcee, and church pianist Doris Daley honors her great-grandmother with "Mary's Window" from her Beneath a Western Sky CD. The introduction alone is fascinating. In
it, Daley tells of the diary that pioneer and ranch wife Mary Daley
kept, of her marrying an Irish-born Canadian Mountie, and settling
down to ranching and raising a family 18 miles from Fort Macleod,
Alberta, Canada. In the diary, Mary confesses if it weren't for the
knowledge of winter coming and all the rivers she'd have to cross,
she would have headed back to Ontario.
Another of Daley's stand outs on the album is "100 Years from
Now," in which she addresses those who will come after us in the
next century. Read it at cowboypoetry.com/dorisdaley.htm
There are two songs on the 18-track album. "Riding Home to
You" and "Shades of the West" are collaborations written with,
and performed by, Eli Barsi. The latter is exceptional, a fine example of Daley's mastery of words. In it she describes green:
"Green is the sweet smell of April, green runs the frost from the
ground, green is the jingle and jig in your step when beef brings a
dollar a pound."
Stephanie Davis: Bronco Buster's Ball
Red Steagall: How Green was the Grazin' Back Then
Roy Rogers: Don't Fence Me In
New West: The Wire and the Rail
Gail Steiger: Gail Gardner's "The Dude Wrangler"
Cowboy Celtic: Wind in the Wire
6/6/09, Town Names
Johnny Cash: I've Been Everywhere
Kerry Grombacher: Rock Springs
Marty Robbins: Streets of Laredo
Dave Alexander: Tango in Durango
Georgie Sicking: Housewife
Dave Stamey: Tonopah
cowboypoet@wyoming.com
——————————————————————————-
It‟s only been 39 years! Time flies when you ’ re having fun!
To order Beneath a Western Sky, send $18 US ($23 Canadian) to
Doris Daley, Box 103, Turner Valley, AB TOL 2AO; (403) 9334434; dorisdaley.com/ cowboypoetry.com/images/
kccd3cover144.jpg
Jack Blanchard
Ken Cook's new CD, Cowboys Are Like That, is drawing quite a
bit of attention, and rightly so. Cook and his wife, Nanc, raised
their family horseback, working on ranches in southern South
Dakota. Besides being a better-than-average poet, it's obvious
that this cowhand knows what he's talking about. It comes
through in the original poetry Cook writes, as well as the pieces
penned by others that he selects for recitation. (Read examples of
his poetry at cowboypoetry.com/kencook.htm
3
Kids and Horses
Cowgirl Sass & Savvy Julie Carter
International Country by: MD/PD/DJ
Bjarne Christensen Hesselbjerggaard,
Ugiltvej 900 Loerslev
9800 Hjoerring, DENMARK.
Phone: +45 9896 3105 IP Phone:+45
8816 4591
Mobile: +45 5057 4043 – 6061 4372
"Best of Texas Award 1999 & 2000" ‖Golden Music Award 2000”
Playlist
I was a kid once and yes, I had a
horse. Only for a very few, and very
short, periods in my life have I been
without a horse. There is nothing like
that kid-with-a-horse experience.
Loving horses isn't something you are Country-Action Show
afflicted with by choice. You don't just Country-Action Show is syndicated on: Radio Sindal, FCMR,
wake up one day and think, "Today
Radio Tøsen, Radio K, Radio Humleborg, Radio Aktiv, Radio
I'm going to love horses." Somewhere
Sydvest, Radio Djursland, Radio Amager, Radio Randers,
in the human genetic makeup is a
Frederik 7. Kanal, Radio DNR, Radio Øst, Radio Globus Guld,
signal switch that gives us a heart for animals and one more click
Radio Rønde, Radio Kattegat, Radio 1049, Radio Halsnæs
of the switch focuses our love toward dogs and horses. That's not
Radio Jet FM, Radio Lollands in DENMARK
scientific you understand, just my theory based on experience.
I hosted a 4-H Horse Show Clinic last week, and to my delight, a
dozen kids on horses that showed up to learn. Most of them had
never seen a horse show, let alone been in one. A number of
them were relatively new to riding and those that weren't, were
new to show ring disciplines. By the end of the day, thanks to the
steady instruction of a great "coach,‖ the entire bunch morphed
into riders with a plan and horses with the same goal. Kids are
very adaptable and horses teach them as much as kids teach a
horse. Put a kid on a horse and there is basic communication that
rivals anything the high-tech world can provide. There is an understanding between the horse and the child that defies description but with the naked eye, one can see the horse evaluating his
rider while the rider thinks he is the one in charge.
Album of the Month: In my spare Time by Brady Bowen
Single of the month: Talking to Ghosts by Helen Mateki
Peter Borup—Big foot Bop
Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe - Baby‘s Single Down in San Antone
Bellamy Brothers /w Bacon Brothers - Guilty of the Crime
Vince Hatfield - I‘m Gonna Let You Down
James Lann - Honky Tonk Two Step Queen
Jeremy Crady – The Tougest Ride
Brady Bowen – Maiden‘s Prayer
Brady Bowen – Raining in My Heart
Helen Mateki – Talking to Ghosts
Billy D Hunter – Wild Ones
Billy D Hunter – Old Five and Dimers
Allen Karl – My Final Rose
As with people, the personalities of horses either jive with their
rider or have no connection whatsoever. A horse may, quite obvi- Allen Karl – Put Another Log On The Fire
ously, like his kid immensely, but won't be anything but a brat for Sylkie Monoff – Steal Your Crown
Charley Conor – That Just About Does It
an adult. It is a common personality grind that keeps mothers
gritting their teeth and fathers determined to outlast it. I'm not sure Hermann Lammers Meyer – Marie Jolie Coeur
Joy Adams – Waltz Across Texas
exactly what makes my heart swell more - a tiny girl on a big
horse determined to do anything and everything the "big kids do," Dianna Watson-Kiwi Kate – The Good Old Twizel Outhouse
Ian B McLeod – Indian Love Call
or a young boy who lopes off to meet the challenges of the day,
Carlene Carter – To Change Your Heart
riding his new best friend in the whole world.
Mike Aiken – Bottoms Up
In my distant youth, living very remotely from any real civilization,
horses were my best and only friends. My only alternative was
brothers. I whiled away long summer days, always with a horse
as my company. I'd sit on the top rail of the fence and tell my
horse the burdens of my heart. I'd often slip a bridle on him, slide
onto his back and take off in a lope up through the meadows toward the looming mountain range with no particular destination in
mind. This four-legged best friend and I explored the world
around us and watched Mother Nature in her rawest form. It was
freedom at its finest.
E‑mail: bjthedj.dk@gmail.com
dj.000space.com
————————————————————————
Western Heritage Show
Friday Mornings – 10:00 to Noon
1350 AM KRLC – Lewiston, Idaho
Host - ―Toe Tappin‖ Tommy Tucker
Songs
Shiloh Sharrard.....Don't Make Me Go To
School
It wasn't until many years later that I fully understood how much
Patty Clayton.....4 Rode By
having horses in my life had taught me. Love, trust, forgiveness,
Brenn Hill.....Simple Things
patience, understanding, happiness, loss, confidence are all part
Ken Overcast & Joni Harms.....Lily Dale
of owning a horse ... and living a fulfilled life. As I watched the
Daughters of the Purple Sage.....Wagon
horse clinic kids riding around the arena, my heart smiled. I knew
Wheels
something they didn't. I knew that this day, and every day, with
Daughters of the Purple Sage.....Wind
their horses, mattered in their lives in ways they had no idea. Mat- Daughters of the Purple Sage.....Out Wickenberg Way
tered more than the fun they were having, mattered more than the Barbara Nelson.....Slow Poke
lessons they were learning that day. In all that, they were shaping Don Edwards.....Master‘s Call
their hearts for living and I was privileged to watch it unfold.
Les Gilliam.....Hank Was His Name
Julie can be reached for comment at
Chris LeDoux.....This Cowboy's Hat
Ian Tyson.....Navajo Rug
www.julie-carter.com.
Wylie Gustafson.....Branded
——————————————————————— Sourdough Slim.....Westbound Freight
Joe Baker‟s Backforty Bunkhouse show is on the Richard Elloyan.....Rodeo Bones
Stephanie Davis.....Texas Blue
internet at http://backfortybunkhouse.com
Poets
Saturday morning from 6AM til 9AM (MDT)
Susan Parker.....She Rode A Wild Horse
Linda Kirkpatrick.....The Ranger
tommy@idavend.com
Graham Lees Top 10 Songs and Albums
HWD Radio—United Kingdom
Top Ten CDs
The Cornell Hurd Band - American Shadows
Willie Nelson & AA - Willie & The Wheel
Devon Dawson - Keepin‘ Your Head Above
Water
The River Road Boys - Houston
Sweethearts In Carhartts - Ranch Life 101
Don Edwards - Master‘s Call
RW Hampton - Oklahoma – Where The West
Album: Lucky 7
Artist: The Desperados
Label: Rio
It has been five years
since Ted Scanlon and
The Desperados have
released their last album. It was a long wait
for a fan of theirs but
definitely, again, worth
Begins
the wait. This new isJohn England & Western Swingers - Open That Gate
sue is comprised of 12
Charles Woller - Desert Moon
super tracks of WestBarry Ward - Whispers Of The West
ern Swing arrangeTop Ten Songs
Devon Dawson - Cute Boot
ments of Western
John England & The Western Swingers - Don‘t Be Ashamed Of
Swing, Texas dance
Your Age
hall, country and pop
Johnny Johnson - Lillie‘s White Lies
standards. In the vocal
Willie Nelson - You Don‘t Know Me
spotlight
is
group
bass
player,
Ted
Scanlon.
Dave Alexander - You‘re From Texas
This super album of 12 winning tunes opens up with Soft Rain
Dave ―Pappy‖ Hamel - One In A While
Sid Hausman/Washtub Jerry - Miss Molly
from the Ray Price pen and library and then moves to a complete
Don Berkshire - I Love You Because
change of pace to Francis Craig's pop standard Near You. Then
Prickly Pair - Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
of course are the Western Swing classics like Billy Jack Wills and
Curtis Potter - Sugar Moon
Tiny Moore's Lily Dale from the library of both Bob Wills and
graham@grahamlees.co.uk
brother Billy Jack. Other Western Swing memories are Adobe
——————————————————————————Hacienda from Louise Massey and the Westerners and Gloria, an
Hello everyone at the Backforty Bunkhouse! This is Larry
old Mills Brothers pop standard that Hank Thompson and the BraLange of the Lone Star Troubadours from
Wichita Falls, Texas. I just thought I'd drop a zos Valley Boys introduced to Western Swing. The Desperados
line or two to all of Joe's viewers. Man have go to the Eddy Arnold book for both Last Word in Lonesome and
we been busy since about March this year
the Cindy Walker masterpiece, for which Eddy suggested the title,
with the WSMSS showcase at the Elk‘s
You Don't Know Me. Two other Texas dance hall items both come
Lodge in Wichita Falls, Texas to the CSWM
from the Faron Young library, Congratulations and Jeannie
Heros Banquet in Mineral Wells, Texas.
Seely's Leaving and Saying Goodbye. Then there are other priceThese two events each year are great fun
less pop memories in the album. There is Cry which was a big
and folks that love true Western Swing and
Honky Tonk music just have to put these
early 50s pop hit for Johnny Ray and brought back 20 years later
events on their calendars. There are some
in the country world by a young Lynn Anderson. Then there are
of the best musicians in the Southwest voltwo others born in the pop music field. Over the Rainbow is synunteering their time and efforts to entertain all the folks that come
onymous with the late Judy Garland and There I Said it Again,
out. Both events were huge successes and I'm sure the 2010
was a huge hit for the very recognizable voice of Vaughn Monroe
shows will be even better.
and his big band.
We just completed the June Western Swing show in Snyder,
Texas and what an exciting show it was. The River Road Boys,
The Desperados are the working band that plays live in the Las
The Texas Playboys, The Lone Star Troubadours, Kelly Spinks,
Cruces, New Mexico area and not studio personnel used just for
Justin Trevino, The Mavericks, and Jody Nix just to name a few of this project. Besides Ted, you will hear the terrific steel guitar
the bands that performed that week. All the groups did an outplayer and standard guitarist, Jim Tomlinson. Gordon Butler is the
standing job and the crowds just seem to be getting better each
year. The fans that come to these events really come for a good fantastic fiddle player. Joe Seltzer is found deep in the rhythm
section playing the drums and Ruben Gutierrez is the pianist. This
time and the bands try their very best to give them just that.
album can be obtained from Ted Scanlon, PO Box 683, Mesilla
Wichita Falls, Texas was the next week and another good show
was on the books. One problem came about with Ray Price get- Park, NM 88047. The cost of the CD is $18 which includes postting ill and not able to perform. Gloria Meyers learned a long time age and handling.
ago when life deals you lemons make lemonade. She did just
Mike Gross, WVOF-FM, Fairfield, CT and
that by calling in Tommy Allsup and Leon Rausch with the Texas
www.swinginwest.com
Playboys to open up the show. They put on possibly the best
———————————————————————————
show I have ever heard them perform to date. Their energy on
stage poured out on both the listeners and the dancers. I'm lookWhat folks are sayin’…..
ing forward to another great show next year.
July the 16th. through July 18th. will bring the WSMSS "Hall of
If you want to know what‘s happening in the world of Western
Fame Show" to Yukon, Oklahoma and again we will be looking
Swing, Texas Honky Tonk and Cowboy Poetry just grab the latest
forward to a wonderful time. Every year this show gets bigger
issue of Joe Baker‘s Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter. It has it
and better with all the officers and their wives working their tails
off ensuring every detail is covered. This is an event you don't
all! Whatever you may want to know from the latest tunes to inforwant to miss.
mative articles on the artist and events. Once you read your first
I just want to thank all the participants, both bands and fans, for
issue you will not be able to live without it.
their untiring love for the music. It seems to be almost a religious
event every time we get together at these shows. All the neck
huggin', hand shakin‘ and true friendship for one another is shown Pam Felix
healthycowgirl@yahoo.com
throughout. I'm just so happy to be a part of all this fun.
Larry Lange , VP Cowtown Society of Western Music
langewel@aol.com
5
Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree DVD "Live From Texas"
This two hour
DVD was recorded by David
Stallings Productions and recorded live at the
Ed Davenport
Civic Center in
Brady, Texas, on
March 13, 2009.
This DVD captures the "live"
feel of an Ernest
Tubb Midnight
Jamboree show featuring the finest in great Traditional Country
Music!
This DVD is also available at the Ernest Tubb Record Shopsalong with all of the great traditional country music items from
Heart of Texas Records.
This special DVD is only $14.95 including shipping and handling!!
www.heartoftexascountry.com
Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree "Live From Texas"
Justin Trevino-"Two Empty Glasses"
Dave Simon-"Waltz Across Texas"
Leona Williams-"Yes Mam" "Nobody's Darlin' But Mine"
Ferlin Husky-"Gone" "Wings Of A Dove"
Kim Murray-"Your Good Girls Gonna Go Bad"
Rance Norton-"Wine Me Up"
Bobby Marquez-"Thats Life"
Heather Myles-"Nashville's Gone Hollywood" "One Man Woman
Again"
James Hand-"It's Just My Heart"
Robert Mizzell-"Race Is On" "Today I Started Loving You Again"
"Thanks A Lot"
Frankie Miller-"Family Man" "Waltz Across Texas" "Blackland
Farmer"
Mona McCall-"Keeper Of My Heart"
"Sweet Lips" "French Song"
Big Bill Lister-"Take Me Back"
Darrell McCall-"Home In San Antone"
"I'll Break Out Again" "The Other
Woman"
Amber Digby-"Here Come The Teardrops" "Take Me Back Again"
Justin Trevino & Amber Digby-"How‘s
The World Treating You"
Bonus Footage-Tracy Pitcox Interviews David McCormick
The Musicians:
Dickey Overby-Steel Guitar, Justin
Trevino-Bass, Charley Walton-Lead Guitar, Smiley ReynoldsDrums, Randy Lindley-Lead Guitar, Hosts-Jennifer Herron &
Tracy Pitcox .
I love summer, shared with lots of different friends and fun experiences. This
has been one of those...so much so that I
have neglected some of my own most favorite pastimes, like writing this article! But
I can't stray for long, because the music
won't let me! I have been listening to Joe's
latest compilation and I am focused right
now on just that one, Volume 40, June
2009. I liked all 10 songs!
I especially love the swing arrangement on Jim Stricklan's "Hey
Good Lookin‘" and also the vocal arrangement on #1. Both sound
fun to record. Selection #2 was written by Leon Payne, who
comes from our neck of the woods in Texas. I'm glad that Hank
Stone chose one of Leon's masterpieces in "This is the Cross I'll
Have to Bear". The next two are by Stephanie Davis. She takes a
cute spin on the range tune "Montana Cowgirl" and she simply
swings 'ole Gershwin in "Soon." Good listening! Johnny Lyon uncovered a diamond on #5. This Marty Robbins treasure comes out
very danceable.
Rebecca Linda Smith owns a warm rich voice. #6 ―Old El Paso‖
has that softly galloping pace and colorful lyrics that bring the
Spanish town to life. There's hurt in his voice, but Jerry Webb isn't
crying over the recognition he's getting on his original, "Wall to
Wall" which is #7.
Pretty harmonies multiply the talent of Deborah Liv Johnson's
clear expressive voice in the recording of Desert Moon. Listen
also to ―Cold Blue Steel,‖ # 10, by the same writer.
A listen to #9 will take you on a long ride on a very fast horse.
"Pride on the Wind" is a musical history of the American Quarter
Horse.
On cut # 11, Joe hires someone to remind you about Ruidoso in
October. It bears repeating that the annual Cowboy Symposium
there, blazed a trail for other Cowboy gatherings! I'm going to put
this PSA to work on KSST tomorrow morning!
Speaking of tomorrow, it's already here! Together we've sat up
into the wee hours again, lost in the music. Gotta go. 6am sign-on
time comes earlier and earlier!
Your radio friend, Enola Gay
enolagay@ksstradio.net
————————————————————
Ken Bass KALH—Variety 95.1 FM
Serving
Alamogordo—La Luz—Holloman AFB &
Tularosa, NM
1. Russ Murphy - America's Hero's
2. Darren Kozelsky - Seven Vern Gosdins Ago
3. Jim Stricklan - Hey Good Lookin'
4. Bellamy Brothers & Bacon Brothers Guilty of the Crime
5. Travis Andrews - This Honky Tonk's
Home
6. Cornell Hurd Band & Bill Kirchen Don't Ever Take My Picture Down
7. Darren Kozelsky - Old Has Been
8. Jake Hooker - The Outsider
Backforty Bunkhouse Show On The Internet
9. Dottie Jack - Eyes, Don't Come Crying to me
10. John Reinhardt - As Far as You Know
Joe Baker‘s multi-award winning Backforty Bunkhouse Radio
11. Johnny Bush - Lillie's White Lies
Show can be heard on the internet broadcasting live every Satur- 12. Darrell McCall - Set Me Down Where the Country Music
day morning from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM (MDT) from the MTD stuPlays
dios located in Ruidoso, New Mexico on KWMW, Regional Radio 13. Brandon Kinney - Hicks
14. Josh Turner - Everything is Fine
W-105. Listen to some of the best Western Swing, Cowboy/
15. Tracy Lawrence - Up to Him
Western Music, Texas Honky Tonk and Cowboy Poetry any16. Dottie Jack - With Every Heartbeat
where. Just go to the opening page of Joe‘s website, scroll down 17. Liz Talley - My Heart Ain't Helping
18. Justin Grant - That's All She Wrote
and click on the black ―Listen Live‖ logo and you‘re there.
19. Doc Watson - What Would Jimmy Buffett Do
You can also listen to previous shows archived on Joe‘s website
20. Dottie Jack & Johnny Bush - Texan in a Stetson
BackfortyBunkhouse.com.
kalhlp@earthlink.net
heartoftexascountry.com
————————————————————————————
LeMars, Iowa.....An authentic cowboy from Billings, Montana,
will take home the prestigBelow are the final five nomiious RRMC "Countrynees in Western Music, WestWestern CD of the
ern Swing Music and Pure
Year" Award this year, it
Country Music. Sources for the
has just been announced
final nominees came from many
by the Rural Roots Music
areas, each familiar with that
Commission. The award
music form. Every attempt was made to verify the dates of the
goes to T.J. Casey, a long
material, but because of release dates and other information, it is
time cowboy singer, poet,
difficult. The final winners will be announced September 22, 2009
songwriter, performer, and
at the Granville Theater in Garland, Texas at the 14th Annual
recording artist. The name
Academy of Western Artists Will Rogers Awards. Two tickets will
of the CD is "Pure ‗D‘ Cowbe furnished to all nominees, including individuals in groups or
boy."
more than one songwriter.
According to the Rural
This year's host hotel is the Hyatt Place, 5101 N. President
Roots Music Commission
George Bush Highway, Garland, TX 75040, phone 972-414president, Sheila Everhart,
3500, Jennifer Rochet.
"We have been nurturing
upper midwest traditional
Western Swing Final Five 2009
and old-time music for over 35 years now, through the CommisMale
sion, and through our annual fund raising festival in LeMars,
John England, Jake Hooker, Billy Mata, Jody Nix, Curtis Potter
Iowa. Our goal is to preserve the music of our settlers, homeFemale
steaders, and pioneers, and we were very happy to find a musical
Mary Allen, Kelli Grant, Carolyn Martin, Dottie Jack, Pinto Pammy project as definitive as this project by T.J. Casey. His career has
Instrumentalist
spanned an incredible amount of experience and adventure in the
Bob Baker, Buddy Emmons, Buddy Hrabel, Dicky Overby, Reggie cowboy and country-western field of music.‖
Rueffer
The award will be made at the 34th Annual National Old Time
Duo/Group
Country, Bluegrass, and Folk Music Festival, August 31Brady Bowen-Swing Country
September 6, 2009, at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds in LeDesperadoes
Mars, Iowa. The festival, a fundraiser for the National Traditional
John England Western Swingers
Country Music Assn., is held annually the week just before Labor
Jake Hooker-Outsiders
Day, and has ten sound stages operating from 9am to midnight,
Saddle Cats
every day for seven days to accommodate the many acoustic and
Western Swing-Album
old-time musicians that attend. According to Bob Everhart, FestiBrady Bowen-In My Spare Time #5
val Director, "There are well over 600 performing artists at this
John England-Open That Gate
event, and they come from around the world. We even have 32
Dennis Ivey-Something Old, Nothing New
musicians and dancers coming from Greece this year to share
Billy Mata-This Is Tommy Duncan
their rural music. That's not counting the international aspect of
River Road Boys-Don't Ever Take My Picture Down
artists coming from Canada, Korea, England, Holland, New ZeaWestern Swing-Song
land, Australia, Georgia, Slovakia, and Ireland. It's amazing that
Mary Allen-Let's Make Music In The Country
all these foreign performers are so adept at America's traditional
Chuck Cusimano-My Last Word To You
and rural country music."
John England-Old Town
There is other activity as well, going on during the 7-day
Billy Mata-Stay All Night
event. Workshops are available to beginners through accomGaylynn Robinson-Call Back My Heart Texas Moon
plished musicians. There are six nights of old-time dances. There
Western Music Final Five
are 'showcases' for aspiring performers. "We had one act last
Male
year that landed a $1,000 40-minute gig. We think that's pretty
Bill Barwick, Daron Little, Gary Pratt, Dave Stamey, Ian Tyson
good," says Everhart. There's also a large "Corps of Discovery
Female
Tipi Village" with emphasis on Native American music and life
Eli Barsi, Stephanie Davis, Devon Dawson, Belinda Gail, Jean
style, and there's also over 35 contests for amateur performers in
Prescott
as many categories. "We like the Band Scramble" says Everhart,
Yodeler
"there are just so many really great musicians, a lot of them get
Judy Coder, Karen Gogolick, Carin Mari Lechner, Janet McBride, involved, simply playing with strangers, because the music is simGary McMahan
ple, it is heartfelt, it is sincere, and it is honest. That's quite a bit
Duo/Group
different than the music we are force-fed on radio these days. We
Buckarettes
even have one stage dedicated and devoted to Christian Gospel
Journey West
music only."
Rocking HW
Celebrities show up for induction into America's Old Time
Flying J Wranglers
Country Music Hall of Fame. According to Everhart, "We were so
Diamond W Wranglers
pleased to learn that Patti Page may be with us this year. She is
Western Music-Album
the lady who recorded "How Much Is That Doggy In The Window"
Eli Barsi-Tribute To Wilf Carter
and "The Tennessee Waltz." She's 81 years old now, lives in San
Ray Doyle-The Emigrant Trail
Diego, and has a new book out as well as a new CD, so we're
Liz Masterson-Roads to Colorado
anxious to meet and get to know such an accomplished country
Journey West-Driftin' West
music artist. Also on tap this year, Terry Smith from Nashville,
Keeter Stuart-Ghost Riders, Searchers & Cowpokes
Tenn., who wrote the song "Far Side Banks of Jordan" for Johnny
Western Music Song
and June Carter Cash. Valarie Smith, from Bell Buckle, Nashville,
Bob Davidson-Western Sky
the leader of Liberty Pike Bluegrass Band is also on tap for
Rick Pickren-The Call
awards. Jim Ed Brown has been on the list for induction into the
Dave Stamey-Cowboy Moon
Hall of Fame for several years, and even Warren Buffet has been
Barry Ward-Whispers Of The West
nominated. He plays a mean ukulele. One of the really nice
Diamond W Wranglers-Trail Dust
things we get to do this year is proclaim Clayton McMichen
"Fiddler of the Century." His daughter Juanita McMichen will be at
the festival to accept for her dad, and she will be bringing along
(Continued on page 18)
Slim Bryant, the guitar player for McMichen. Mr. Bryant is 100
2009 Academy of Western Artists Music Nominees
7
years old this year, still plays and teaches guitar. He is one of
the only living musicians that performed with Jimmie Rodgers."
The CD, T.J. Casey recorded, was auditioned by Tradition
Magazine to glowing reviews. He will receive the award at the
annual convention of the RRMC on Saturday, September 5, at
4:30pm on the Main Stage, where he will also be performing.
There is RV camping with electric hook-ups available at the
Plymouth County Fairgrounds at $12 per day with electricity, $8
per day without, and six full-menu food stands on the
grounds. The main stage area is air conditioned, with nine other
stages functioning at the same time. Admission is $15 per day
for adults; $12 per day if over age 70; under 18 is free. There is
a 7-day pass available for $55 without further discounts.
www.orgsites.com/ia/oldtimemusic
Jacques DUFOUR
Rockin'Boy Saloon
Every Sunday 1:00 pm—3:00 pm on Lyon 1ère 90.20 FM
www.lyonpremiere.com
CHRIS WATSON-End of the road
DAGMAR & THE SEDUCTONES-As
long as I'm moving
MELISSA WRAY-Little bit shy
ARTIST ROBINSON-Chasin' Willie
TRENT TOMLINSON-One wing in
the fire
TONYA KENNEDY-Anything for you
CHRIS GILL-Don't walk away
BRADLEY WEST-All we did
RICH MC CREADY-What's coming
over me
ALEX PANGMAN-It's all your fault
CURTIS POTTER-San Antonio medley
CHUCK CUSIMANO-My last word to
———————————————————————————
Bill McCallie‘s Cowboy Jubilee Radio Show
Classical 90.5 WSMC-FM Cahttanooga, TN
Well we just had our 24th or so annual River
Bend Festival here in Chattanooga and I saw
everything from ZZ Top to Three Dog Night
but no cowboy music this year. Last year we
had Juni Fisher and The Sons of San Joaquin. Ole Willie Nelson did open the festival
this year and I got down front to see his
show. He's an Icon for sure and put on a great show...and
speaking of a great show...I found an old Flying Fish CD of four
masters of swing and jazz music. The CD is called "S Wonderful" and featured Joe Venuti on violin, Eldon Shamblin, long time
Bob Wills guitarist and arranger and a master of the guitar,
Curley Chaulker, widely regarded as one of the best jazz steel
guitarist in the country and Jethro Burns, a master of the jazz
mandolin. Jethro Burns is best remembered for his days with
Homer and Jethro. "It's Wonderful", "Limehouse Blues", and
Duke Ellingtons "Caravan" were really nice cuts for the show. I
remember once at the Nashville DJ convention, years ago, stopping off at the Maxwell House Hotel and visiting a hospitality
room with Jethro Burns and Red Rector of "Cass Walker" TV
Show fame doing twin mandolin arrangements with Grant Boatwright and the Red White and Bluegrass Band. It was a special
music moment I will never forget. Also this month I did a segment on Leon Rausch and his tribute CD to Cindy Walker CD
"Close to You"...I played "Close to You", ―In the Misty
Moonlight", You Don't Know Me", "You're From Texas", "Don't
be Ashamed of Your Age" and ―China Doll." Tommy Morrell and
the Time Warp Top Hands kicked off one show this month with
"All of Me,‖ ''Butter and Egg Man," and "Good Bye Lisa
Jane." Jean Prescott's "Road of Dreams," "One Cowboy Left,"
and "Too Many Irons" from the CD "Sweethearts in Carharts"
made a nice segment for the show as well. My friend Doug
Flowers sent me a great gospel song called "Born Again" and it
rattled the phone in the bunkhouse. Folks really liked that one
for sure. He's got it recorded on an album that Earl Scruggs‘
friend, Lizzy Long has recorded along with gospel great Roy
Lewis of the Lewis Family. The Quebe Sisters continue to be a
mainstay when I do a segment of fiddle music. "One More
Time" and ―Black and White Rag" are favorites with our Public
Radio audience. Barbara Lamb did a nice waltz on the fiddle
with "Tonight I Feel Like Texas"...Don Edwards scored this
month with three cuts from the Western Jubilee two CD set
called "Saddle Songs." "What's Become of the Punchers," ―The
Long Road West" and "When the Work‘s All Done This Fall"
were three of the songs featured. Red Steagall's "Born to This
Land" and "Panhandle Wind" were also featured this month.
That's about all the news that's fit to print. Next month I plan to
play some of my favorite Bill and Bonnie Hearn music from Warner West. Hope you can tune us in either @ 90.5FM in the
Chattanooga Tennessee area or at www.wsmc.org Sunday evenings at 6pm EST. We are 100,000 watt radio station broadcasting from beautiful downtown Collegedale Tennessee...where
the air always smells like a big oatmeal cookie.
You can contact Bill at: bill.mccallie@gmail.com
Sundays at 6:00 pm—wsmc.org/webstream.html
you
G.STRAIT/P.LOVELESS-House of Cash
EUROPEAN HIGHWAYMEN-NO-Highwayman
RICK SHARP-I'm goin' to heaven on my Harley
STONEWALL JACKSON-Muddy water
MIRANDA LAMBERT-Famous in a small town
KRISTIN HALE-Get a little closer to me
BRYNN MARIE-Start now
RANDY ROGERS BAND-In my arms instead
VINCE GILL-Workin' on a big chill
SHARMIAN-I drank myself to bed
CHRIS WATSON-Blue moon of Kentucky
WILD HORSES-Not pretty enough
HAMAC-Proud Mary
CONNIVING-Cadillac cowboy
DIERKS BENTLEY-Sideways
MARLA RATLIFF-Heavens got a well
BYRON HILL-Stay a while
JODY LYNN--Friday night
Merci pour l'écoute - Thanks for listening
country@lyonpremiere.info
——————————————————————————Wyn Machon
Oamaru Heritage Radio 88.3 & 107 FM
5 Lowther St. Oamaru 9400
Whitestone City, New Zealand











Erin Hay & Perley Curtis , His and
Hers.
 Tommy Cash , Give My Love to
Rose.
 Dolly Parton , Better get to livin'.
 Gary Loyd , Hitch Your Wagon to a
Star.
 Graham Rogers , The First Lady of
Country.
Jerzy Group , I'm Waiting For You.
Makky Kaylor , You Make Our House A Home.
Zona Jones , Bluer Than Blue.
Steff Nevers , Keep It Up.
Johnny Lyon , Angel Suzy
Rebecca Smith , Old El Paso.
Stephanie Davis , Montana Cowgirl
Tony Vice , Pride On The Wind
George Longard , The Engineers Child
B Z N , Blue Eyes
Contact Wyn at: wynjoy@orcon.net.nz
Cowboy Poetry at the BAR-D Ranch
Margo Metegrano, CowboyPoetry.com
July and August
bring a host of
events: the 22nd
Annual Arizona
Cowboy Poets Gathering in Prescott
(August 14-15), the
22nd Annual California Rodeo Gathering
in Salinas (July 12),
the Calgary Stampede (July 3-12), the National Folk Festival in
Butte, Montana (July 10-12), the 7th Annual Grand Encampment
Cowboy Gathering in Encampment, Wyoming (July 17-19), Cheyenne Frontier Days (July 18-25), the 29th Annual Texas Ranch
Roundup in Wichita Falls, Texas (August 13-16), the Montana
Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Lewistown (August 14-16) and so
many more.
Another big July celebration is the National Day of the Cowboy
(July 25), which spawns many events around the country, including at CowboyPoetry.com, where there is a special "Art Spur." Art
Spur invites poetry submissions inspired by original Western art
and photography. The 2009 National Day of the Cowboy Art Spur
offers an impressive photograph by Tucson photographer Lori
Faith Merritt (www.photographybyfaith.com), known by many for
her great images from cowboy poetry and music gatherings and
her CD design work.
Though she is blind, now, she still sees
what some refuse to see
for her soul was borne of nature
and her spirit's proud and free
She was born to be a cowboy
and there ain't any doubt,
When most old hands are headin' in
they'll meet her, headin out
© 2009, Diane Tribitt, All rights reserved
Diane's poem, "Half the Hand," also inspired by Georgie Sicking,
is on "The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Four (2009)" from CowboyPoetry.com. Diane is a popular performer, who has been featured
at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, the Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering, and many
other events. She's also the Senior Executive Editor of "I.M. Cowgirl" magazine (www.imcowgirl.com). Her latest CD is "Ranchin'
Rhymes." Read more about Diane Tribitt and her poetry at
www.dianetribitt.com.
You'll find hometown cowgirl Cora Wood at the 7th Annual Grand
Encampment Cowboy Gathering in Encampment, Wyoming (July
17-19). Cora has earned a reputation for her confident stage presence and her poetry, singing, and yodeling...at age 7. And when
time permits, she's out working cows with her father.
Here's one of Cora's poems:
Chester
The featured photograph, titled "Heading Out," is an image of
octogenarian "cowboy" (the term she prefers) poet, and Cowgirl
Hall of Fame honoree Georgie Sicking and Minnesota rancher
Sam Scott. Minnesota poet, writer, and rancher Diane Tribitt was
present when the photo was taken; Sam is her fiancé and Georgie is her good friend. Diane had written a poem about the day
well before the Art Spur was planned:
Giddyup Chester, We're gonna be late.
We're helpin' Dad move cows today,
And he's waitin' at the gate.
Chester is my good pony.
Kind of short, but really fast!
Today, he'd move a whole lot faster
If he'd just get his head out of the grass!
Headin' Out
Throughout her life she'd been condemned
for havin' cowboy dreams
But she fulfilled her destiny,
enduring all extremes
She lived for ropin' cattle, and
she roped 'em with be best
Tied 't burrows, cows and mustangs,
surpassing every test
She's thankful God has blessed her with
the opportunity;
for cowboys who had taught her and
a mom who'd set her free
© 2007, Cora Wood, All rights reserved
You'll also find Cora featured at the Arizona Cowboy Poetry Gathering in August, performing with her mother, singer and musician
Laurie Wood. Cora Wood has a new CD, "Cora's Cowgirl Yodel" (with a design by Lori Faith Merritt). Find more about Cora
and the CD at www.woodwesternmusic.com.
There's poetry and information about hundreds of cowboy poets
and Western musicians at CowboyPoetry.com. It's an on-going
gathering, with continuous news, features, event calendars, the
best in classic and contemporary cowboy poetry and Western
music lyrics, and an e-newsletter. CowboyPoetry.com is a project
of the non-profit Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry.
Margo@CowboyPoetry.com
to live the life she dreamed of
with horses, cows and rope
as a lady and a cowboy,
on horizons brimmed with hope
——————————————————————————The Real West from the Old West
KOTS 1230AM—Totsie Slover
She taught her kids to understand
the only life she knew
and blessed them with the gift of being
"you, and only you"
Each time she passed the reins to them
she made sure she was near,
yet far enough away from them
they wouldn't sense her fear
She has loved some horses dearly
and disliked quite a few
She has lived by cowboy ethics
Honest, loyal, tried and true
Still Ridin‘ - Jim Jones
In My Spare Time Vol. IV—Brady Bowen
BAR-D Roundup Vol. 4
One Life to Live—Linda Lee Filner
Billy Mata—This is Tommy Duncan Vol. 1
Desert Moon—Deborah Liv Johnson/Chuck
Woller
Oklahoma ...Where the West Remains—R.W. Hampton
Festival Favorites—Bobby Flores
The Emigrant Trail—Ray Doyle
totsieslover@hotmail.com
9
Swingin‘ West—Mike Gross
WVOF—FM, Fairfield, CT
Top 10
Songs
1. Brownsville- John England & Western
Swingers
2. Over the Hill- River Road Boys
3. Southern Hospitality- Cornell Hurd Band
4. Are You Teasing Me- Bobby Flores
5. Crystal Canyon- Patty Parker
6. Feelin‘ Blue for Texas- Marshall Ford Swing
Band
7. Heartless Lover- Cornell Hurd Band
8. Swingtown- Andrew Dean & The Farm Machine
9. Driving Lesson- Don Burnham
10. I‘ll Take the Blame- Price Porter
Albums
1. This is Tommy Duncan- Billy Mata & Texas Tradition
2. Houston- River Road Boys
3. Open That Gate- John England & Western Swingers
4. Now Playing! Willie and the Wheel- Willie Nelson & Asleep at
the Wheel
5. Last Call for Heartaches- Price Porter
6. Favorite Requests- Don Sulesky
7. Western Bling- Stephanie Davis
8. American Shadows- The Songs of Moon Mullican- Cornell
Hurd Band
9. Something Old, Nothing New- Dennis Ivey
10. Bluebonnet Lane- River Road Boys
Mike Gross—swinginwest.com
——————————————————————————Hugh McLennan‘s ―SPIRIT OF THE WEST‖
Kamloops Country Radio 103—Kamloops, British Columiba
MUSIC LIST
1. Cowboy Camp Meeting- Sons of the Pioneers
2. Set Apart - Ben Crane
3. 16 Hands -Wylie & The Wild West
4. Cowboy Morning Church - Fred Duberstein
5. Every Cowboy Knows - Eli Barsi
Poems - Jeff Hildebrandt
MUSIC LIST
1. When Cowboys Didn‘t Dance -Bill Barwick
2. The Ranch Sale -Prickly Pair
3. Bill Kane - Ian Tyson
4. Cowboys are a Girl‘s Best Friend -Belinda Gail
5. Diamond Joe - Allen Christie
6. The Hands of Time - Brian Salmond
MUSIC LIST
1. Runnin‘ The Wild Bunch-Gary Prescott
2. Arizona Sunset -Tom Lewis
3. Prairie Lullaby - Al Young
4. Still Ridin‘ - Ryan Fritz
5. Sierra Nevada-Belinda Gail
POEM: True American Cowboy - Bob Kilgore & Tom Lewis
MUSIC LIST
1. Arizona Rain -John Hargett
2. Tumblin‘ Tumbleweeeds - Rhythm Pals
3. Down on the Upper Pine - Tom Cole
4. Navajo Trail - Don Edwards
5. Salt River Valley - Due West Trio
Poem Lazy Double S - Bob Kilgore
www.hugh-mclennan.com
Academy of Western
Artists
Sunset Network Top Ten
Western/Western Swing Music Charts
Western Swing-Album
1 Willie Nelson/Asleep At The Wheel-Now Playing Willie & The
Wheel
2 Billy Mata-This Is Tommy Duncan
3 Stretch Dawson-Celtic Swing
4 Chuck Cusimano-Wind Blow My Blues Away
5 John England-Open That Gate
6 Dennis Ivey-Something Old Nothing New
7 Price Porter-Last Call For Heartaches
8 River Road Boys-Houston
9 Cornell Hurd-American Shadows
10 Don Sulesky-Favorite Requests
Western Swing-Song
1 Billy Mata-Stay All Night
2 John England-Brownsville
3 Marshal Ford-Feeling Blue
4 Cornell Hurd-Heartless Lover
5 River Road Boys-Over The Hill
6 Patty Parker-Crystal Canyon
7 Chuck Cusimano-The Girls Showed Up
8 Marshal Ford-Feeling Blue
9 Don Burham-Driving Lesson
10 Bobby Flores-Are You Teasing Me?
Western Music-Album
1 Dave Stamey-Come Ride With Me
2 Syd Masters-Frontier Cowboy Songs #1
3 Bill Barwick-Just In Case
4 Nancy Thorwardson-Something In The Air
5 Wylie & The Wild West-Hang 'N Ratttle
6 Sweethearts In Carhartts-Ranch Life 101
7 Darren Little-The Faraway Look
8 Ian Tyson-Yellowhead To Yellowstone
9 Buckarettes-Cowgirl Serenade
10 Janet McBride-Still Loving The Ride
Western Music-Song
1-Syd Masters-Old Bo
2 Dave Stamey-Used Rough
3-Buckarettes-Slowpoke
4 Wylie Gustafson-I Got High
5 Bill Barwick-Bill Jones General Store
6 Sweethearts in Carhartts-Little Green Valley
7 Nancy Thorwardson-The Longhorns
8 Janet McBride- Prairie Schooner
9 Silver Screen Cowboy Project/Les Gilliam-Upon The Silver
Screen
10 Ian Tyson-Blaino's Song
www.ropeburnsonline.com
“ S outhen-isms ” submitted by Dugg Collins
Southern women appreciate their natural
assets:
Clean skin
A winning smile
That unforgettable Southern drawl.
Southern women know their manners:
"Yes, ma'am..."
"Yes, sir."
"Why, no, Billy!"
Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions:
"Y'all come back!"
"Well, bless your heart."
"Drop by when you can."
"How's your Momma?"
Southern women know their summer weather report:
Humidity
Humidity
Humidity
Southern women know their vacation spots:
The beach
The rivuh
The crick
Southern women know the joys of June, July, and August:
Colorful hi-heel sandals
Strapless sun dresses
Iced sweet tea
Southern women know everybody's first name:
Honey
Darlin'
Shugah
Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:
Fried Green Tomatoes
Driving Miss Daisy
Steel Magnolias
Gone With The Wind
Southern women know their religions:
Baptist
Methodist
Football
Southern women know their country breakfasts
Red-eye gravy
Grits
Eggs
Country ham
Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with momma's homemade
Jelly
Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:
Chawl'stn
S'vanah
Foat Wuth
N'awlins
Addlanna
Southern women know their elegant gentlemen:
Men in uniform
Men in tuxedos
Rhett Butler
Southern girls know their prime real estate:
The Mall
The Country Club
The Beauty Salon
Southern girls know the 3 deadly sins:
Having bad hair and nails
Having bad manners
Cooking bad food
More Suthen-ism's:
Only a Southerner knows the difference between a
"hissie fit" and a "conniption fit", and that you don't "HAVE" them,
you "PITCH" them.
Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip
greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess".
Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder".
Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, as in:
"Going to town, be back directly".
Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a
request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a
pretty little bowl in the middle of the table.
All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not
use the term, but they know the concept well.
Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of
solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried
chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin'!
Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right
near" and "a right far piece.."
They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20.
Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference
between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash.
No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.
A Southerner knows that "fixin'" can be used as a noun, a verb, or
an adverb.
Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines .... and
when we're "in line"... we talk to everybody!
Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover
they're related, even if only by marriage
In the South, "y'all" is singular and "all y'all" is plural
Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.
Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and
coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.
When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you
know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!
Only true Southerners say, "sweet tea" and "sweet milk..."
Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not
like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want
buttermilk.
And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little
old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say, "Bless
her heart" ... and go your own way.
To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southerness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call
me in the morning. Bless your heart!
11
And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I hear they are
fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language!
And for those who are not from the South but have lived here for
a long time, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'all's front porch that
reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here as fast as I could."
Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are
fahevah.,
cobbler (mentioned earlier). My buddy, and the funniest cowboy I
know, Pat Richardson will be on the bill. True to their mission of
promoting and perpetuating Western Culture, The Visalia Cowboy
Cultural Committee has also organized for me to visit the local
schools to teach the kids Western songs on harmonicas.
Saturday, October 24th ~ The Grand Annex. The nice folks from
the Grand Vision Foundation recently saw me at a show and
asked me to play at The Grand Annex. The incredibly talented
singer/songwriter/guitarist Ian Espinoza joins me to play for the
Roots music series at this historic venue.
Now...... Shugah, send this to someone who was raised in the
South or wish they had been! If you're a Northern transplant,
November 19-21 21st Annual Western Music Association Festival,
bless your little pea pickin' heart, fake it. We know you got here as Albuquerque, NM. Last year was my first year to attend this wonfast as you could.
derful gathering. What a great time! It's a great opportunity to
duggcollins.com
meet some fine folks, jam, and witness so much incredible talent.
————————————————————————————
Happily, I've been invited back again to perform and host a showcase as well as give my Harmonicowboy harmonica workshop
Howdy friends! From
again.
Gary Allegretto
Since the summer disappears
faster than the Cowboy Cultural
Committee's peach cobbler at a
Western gathering, I'm sending
out this gig update in advance to
my friends. This also helps me
remember where I need to be...
Hope to see you at one of these fine gatherings. Also, I'd like to
kindly thank all my WMA friends that nominated me for a couple of
this years‘ WMA Awards... didn't see that coming and I am humbly
honored.
Gary Allegretto
2009 Best of the West Award Winner
2009 WMA Best Instrumentalist Nominee
2009 WMA Crescendo Award Nominee
Please come by and say hi at one
of these events. A couple of them will even have the cobbler...
Gary's new CD is available at his shows or at www.cdbaby.com/
while it lasts.
harmonicowboy. It's already a "million cellar"... he's got a million of
st
Thursday - Saturday, August 20th - 21 , Big Bear Cowboy Gath- 'em in his cellar.
ering, Big Bear, CA. I'm happy to be invited back to both perform
and give workshops at this wonderful gathering right on beautiful
Big Bear Lake. Last year my harmonica workshop sold out within
minutes following performance. This year I'll be performing along
with friends Belinda and Curly, Dave Stamey, Les Buffam, Nancy
Lee and more.
Saturday, August 15th 2-4 PM - Gary's Cowboy Campfire Harmonica Workshop, Autry National Center, Griffith Park, CA. Join
me at this WMA event in the prestigious Autry Museum and you'll
learn to play songs in less than five minutes. NO EXPERIENCE
NECESSARY. If you've always wanted to learn to play your favorite Western songs on the harmonica, this fun class is for you! It's
designed for the complete novice, although experienced players
will enjoy and learn from it as well. HARMONICAS ARE INCLUDED (along with museum admission), or bring your own in
the key of "C". All ages, 5 and up... great fun for the whole family!
Friday, Sept 4th, 7PM ~ The Coffee Gallery Backstage, Altadena,
CA. This is one of the most popular and respected venues for
acoustic music in Southern California and rightfully so. Earlier this
Spring I was honored to be invited to open for my friend, the
amazingly talented Juni Fisher there, as well as have a dual CD
release with my buddy Gary Robertson shortly thereafter. Those
of you who attended these shows know how much fun they were
and what a great venue this is. Well, I'm happy to say Bob Stane
has invited me back. Joining me again will be the incredible
singer/songwriter/guitarist Ian Espinoza.
www.westernmusic.com/performers/california
www.myspace.com/harmonicowboy
gallegretto@eartlink.net
——————————————————————————Hi, I‘m Rhonda Craig….better known to my Western Swing
and Country Music email friends as …‘The
Messenger‘.
My husband, Dick, and I live in Enid, OK. I
am a retired ‗ bossy old‘ first grade school
teacher. (I think that‘s how Dick would describe me). Dick has not retired yet
(probably fears 24/7 with the Messenger).
He is the Plant Manager at an oil reclaiming facility.
I don‘t know how I got started or became
known as the ‗The Messenger‘. I guess it
was because I started sending news that came my way to all my
friends we have met on the dance floor in Oklahoma, Texas, and
Arkansas. Many of my WSMSS friends relied on me to forward
news about health conditions of our mutual friends…a prayer network if you will, but it has developed into much more than that
and expanded to include folks every where in the southwest.
We are fairly new in this wonderful music circuit. It all started several years ago by accepting an invitation to honor a new friend we
had made in the Valley (South Texas). We agreed to attend a
Saturday, September 26th ~ Annual Vinton Cowboy Poetry and
WSMSS (Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest) Hall of
Old Time Music festival. The Vinton event has been held for 23
Fame Showcase in Yukon, OK where he was being inducted into
years, and is the longest running event of this type in California.
It's my first time there, and I am happy to sharing the bill with my the Hall of Fame. We had no idea to what we were about to be
introduced. When we walked into the ballroom I was stunned at
friend and multiple Cowboy Music award winner, Dave Stamey.
what I heard! I had no idea that my beloved western swing music
Should be a great time.
was still alive or that there was anyone who could play it! Not only
Saturday, October 9th, 10th, 11th ~ Visalia Cowboy Cultural Com- was it alive but it was being played even better than I remembered
it from my childhood and early teenage years. This was the music
mittee's Fall Roundup. I'm happy to be returning to Visalia and
perform in the Ritchie Barn for these great folks. There'll be great I grew up on and I thought it had ceased to exist! And now here it
entertainment, good friends and of course their famous Tri tip and was… ALIVE, exhilarating my soul just as it always had. That
wonderful toe tapping music beckoned us to the dance floor with
a new energy that can only be found in this music! From that
moment until this we have been hooked! We are avid supporters
of this wonderful music and its circuit of friends, that are sometimes closer and more supportive than family. Whenever we arrive at an event it is like ‗old Home Week .‘ We spend the first few
minutes hugging and embracing the folks we only see at these
places. We have arranged all our vacations and trips to coincide
with these music festivals. Interestingly enough, the more we
travel the more we discover an even wider range of music, all of
which has its roots in our western/southwestern /country heritage.
It reminds me of the Olympic Rings that represent the Olympic
Games. Each is different but has an element of commonality that
links them all together in this chain. Music styles and artists are
like the dance floor… there‘s room for all of us. When you watch
the folks on the dance floor you see tons of different styles all
dancing to the same song and we are all out there together just
having fun. So …we keep growing and going to all the various
events …but love them all…even though my personal favorite
music is still western swing…there is room for all.
The San Juan Healthcare Foundation is the major sponsor and
the fund-raiser proceeds will go to Caring Friends Fund for patients at the San Juan Cancer Center.
For more information go to www.sjwesternfestival.com,
fsmiles@bresnan.net , or call Francie Smiles, (970)-252-2814.
——————————————————————————Howdy from here in Austin,
the live music capitol of the
world! It's great to be included
in this month's newsletter. Many
years ago when I played character parts in the CBS TV series, "Dallas," I met a talented
young assistant director named
Dwight Adair. We talked a lot about music, my western swing
band and Bob Wills. I could quickly tell that Dwight was fascinated with Wills, as I've always been, and had done much research into his life and career.
Dwight and I have remained friends over the years and often
talked about doing a radio show devoted to the influence of Bob
Wills' music. Thanks to the Internet and both of us being in the
Austin area, it's finally happened. We are thrilled to have James
White, the owner of Austin‘s legendary Broken Spoke on board as
well as the Quebe Sisters' Band and Backforty Bunkhouse Productions.
Can‘t wait till the next one. For us it will be the WSMSS Hall of
Fame Showcase in Yukon OK...then the Fiddlers…then who
knows! Life sure is good in this music circuit with all our friends.
Can‘t wait to meet you …down the road…on the dance floor!
The Messenger...Rhonda
rhondacraig@suddenlink.net
I know you'll enjoy our programs for July. We begin with a twopart interview I did with the great Leon McAuliffe, pioneer steel
guitarist. There's also a two-part interview with Bob's brother
Johnny Lee Wills. In the weeks to come, look for programs featuring James White, Alvin Crow, Bobby Koefer and Dayna Wills to
name a few. Dwight and I are very excited about bringing these
programs to you and we hope you'll log in often. Listen to Bob
Wills Radio on www.bobwills.com.
Publisher‘s note: We are pleased to have Rhonda Craig as a
contributing writer in the Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter.
Joe Baker
——————————————————————————-
San Juan Western Heritage Festival &
National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo.
As Bob would say, "we didn't come to stay, we came to play...so
let's do it!"
Montrose, CO: The San Juan Western
Heritage Festival will be held September
11 and 12 at the Montrose Pavilion ,
1800 Pavilion Drive in Montrose, Colorado. The Festival will feature the 12th
Annual National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo,
live entertainment and western Colorado
arts and specialty products.
Jim Gough
jimgoughmrtexas@aol.com
—————————————————————————-
Hey fans,
Friday, September 11, highlights the world's only Cowboy Poetry
Rodeo from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Thirty Cowboy poets from 13
western states and Canada will compete for $6000.00 in prize
money, silver buckles, trophies and a year's worth of bragging
rights. Poets compete, on stage, in a stock rodeo format.
With numbers on their back, judges and a rodeo announcer, the
poets spur their "rides," (their poems), as they compete in 9 different events. There will be a Friday night show featuring cowboy
poets and musical acts, many from western Colorado.
Shelly Lee Alley
You may or may not have heard of
Shelly Lee Alley.
He was a true western swing music pioneer and also the father of River Road
Boys band member Shelly Lee Alley, Jr.
He was also Clyde Brewer's step-father
and was very instrumental in developing
both of their musical careers.
Chad Alley, Shelly, Jr.'s son, has created a
very interesting and historical website that
includes a biography about Shelly Lee
Alley, Sr., his friendship with the famous
Saturday, September 12, the top 50 percent of the competing
"Singing Brakeman", Jimmie Rodgers, some great music vidcowboy poets advance to the final round starting at 8:00 a.m. at
eos, and other incredible memorabilia about his history-making
the event center. Following the finals, a Cowboy Poetry Shootgrandfather. Just click on this link www.ShellyLeeAlley.com and
out will be held, as top ranked cowboy poets compete for the
open some of the website pages to read and learn how western
title, "Best in the West." Poets interested in registering for the
swing music began, and how our band has its roots tracing back
NCPR may contact Sam Jackson, last2camp@kanab.net (435) to the early 1900's.
644-5459 or (435) 899-1100
RiverRoadBoys.com
A headliner and awards show will take place on Saturday evening
________________________________________________
featuring the winners of the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo along
with country singer, Gary Lear and his Nashville Band.
New CD Titles for CD Chorale
www.garylearmusic.com
While in Montrose, participants will enjoy the Western Colorado
Experience ( Black Canyon, Ute Indian Museum, Ouray - Switzerland of America. Many will take home memories and local hand
made products. There will be a raffle on a Western Quilt. And no
rodeo or western festival would be complete without taking home
a hand made stick horse made and painted by a local artist.
13
The Desperados
Stephanie Davis
Stephanie Davis
Rich Flanders
―Lucky Seven‖
―Western Bling‖
―Western Bliss‖
―Ride Away‖
BackfortyBunkhouse.com
Man‘s Best Friend versus the Cell Phone
In today‘s high tech world it seems
almost everyone has a cell phone and
some have more than one. Call me old
fashion, say I need to get with the
times but I got my first cell phone
when I was 32 years old and it was
given to me by my employer. I don‘t
have a personal cell phone and I really
can‘t see any reason why I would
need one. So why do I see people
talking on their cell phones everywhere I look? They talk while
they are in the store, while walking to their car, while driving, while
eating, etc. What is so important that they feel the need to be
glued to their phone 24/7?
or more of your friends and neighbors, check out concertsinyourhome.com for how too tips. If you‘d like me to entertain in your
home or at your party, call me at 661-296-6835.
Regular and Special Events:
The WMA jam at El Trocadero Steak House in Newhall, CA, at the
corner of Main and Market in Newhall takes place on the first and
third Wednesday of the month from 7:00-9:00 PM; 2nd and 4th
Thursday of the month at Las Rocas Mexican Grill, Castaic 7:009:00 PM.
Exciting November is on the horizon!
Three special festival events are on the calendar for November:
Tombstone on the 6th,7th and 8th. I was just confirmed for the
Arizona Cowboy Symposium at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Sonoita, AZ for the 13th, 14th, and 15th. Of course,
Albuquerque and the WMA national event the 18th thru 22nd.
None or very few of our grandparents had cell phones and they
managed all right yet many are convinced they couldn‘t do withhttp://www.johnbergstrom.net/
out one. I have some friends and both of their kids have cell
——————————————————————————The Big Fred Walker Show
phones ages nine and eleven. Why does a nine year old kid need
WOES 91.3 FM Mid-Michigan
a cell phone? It‘s ridiculous! My oldest child is only five but I‘m
sure about five years from now she will be coming to me asking
MY TOP TEN SONG‘S
for a cell phone to which I will calmly reply ―No‖. Now she might
whine a little and tell me it is unfair because all her friends have
1. James Hand – Here Lies A Good Old Boy
one but at ten years old I don‘t think she will raise too much of a
2. Jody Nix – Texas Fiddle Man
fuss. When she turns fifteen however it will probably be a different
3. Billy Mata – Closed For Repairs
story and she will most likely throw a huge fit and pout for weeks
4. Ginny Mac – Cheek to Cheek
on end until I finally give in.
5. Dale Thomas – Hang Your Heard in Shame
6. Glenn Lenderman – My Texas Lady
That makes me think of my childhood and what I thought I
7. Bobby Flores – Jealous Heart
needed more than anything in the world, a dog. When I was a kid 8. Pat James – She‘s Kind
I asked my parents for a dog and the response I got was ―No we
9. Jeannie Kendall – Timeless and True Love
don‘t have time for a dog‖. Well needless to say I threw a huge fit 10. Paul Alan Coons – Ever-thing She Touch‘s
about it and went as far as saying ―If you don‘t get me a dog I
never want anything from you again for as long as I live‖. Kids
MY TOP TEN CD‘s
make ultimatums like that not really realizing what they are saying 1. James Hand – The Truth Will Set You Free
but guess what it worked and I got a dog. She was a yellow lab
2. Billy Keeble – Sings Wynn Stewart
and I named her Sarah and she was at the time my best friend.
3. Stephen Pride – Pride On The Wild Side
We went everywhere together, we explored the woods next to the 4. Jerry Webb – There‘s A Song In That
river, we went pheasant hunting, duck hunting, swimming, hiking 5. Electa Winter – Heart to Heart
and in her older years when I was a teenager I would load her up 6. Chuck Cusimano – Wind, Blow My Blues Away
in the back of the truck and take her with me wherever I went.
7. Leland Martin – Truckers For Troops
She was in an essence my equivalent to a cell phone; she was a 8. The Desperados – Lucky Seven
friend, she was my entertainment, she was somebody to talk to.
9. Liz Talley – Road to You
Do kids today get from their cell phones what I got from my dog? 10. Glenn Lenderman – Here‘s To You My Texas Lady
Does a cell phone compare to a wagging tail, puppy breath, a wet
nose, a sloppy kiss, chewed up shoes, soulful eyes, finding someMY TOP TEN GOSPEL SONGS
thing dead in the back yard, the way it feels to hug a soft ball of
1. Justin Trevino – Life‘s Railway To Heaven
wiggling fur, or just plain unconditional love?
2. Ann Brown – The Old Village Church On The Hill
3. Paul Oevrstreet – Mansion Over The Hilltop
I suppose I will probably give in someday and get my daughter a 4. David Cline – Swing Low Sweet Chariot
cell phone, it‘s hard for a daddy to say no to his little girl but when 5. Mike Siler – What A Friend We Have In Jesus
it comes to a cell phone or a dog; I myself choose the dog.
6. The Singing Clarkson – Wings Of A Dove
7. The Dinning Sisters – Turn Your Radio On
Cade Schalla
8. Joe Paul Nichols – Love Is All You‘ll Ever Need
cade@cadeschallacowboypoetry.com
9. Frankie Miller & Jimmy Eaves – Faded Bible
www.cadeschallacowboypoetry.com
10. Belinda Gail and Curly - Place Where I Worship
——————————————————————————What‘s going on with John Bergstrom...
djcountryone@charter.net
I helped celebrate Independence Day with
four of my musical friends on the porch of
——————————————————————————-Rooms and Blooms in Newhall before and
What folks are sayin...
during the Santa Clarita July 4th parade. More Hi fans and friends,
on house concerts: Sunday, Sept. 27, a house
Just wanted to tell you about Joe Baker's Backforty Newsletter. In
concert at the home of Stacy Parnum in Stehere you will find the latest news about good Country Music,
venson Ranch. I‘ll be sending out a flyer with
info on where to call for reservations. Another Western Swing, Cowboy Music, the hot CD'S, top playlists from
concert is planned for October 10 in Newhall. DJ'S from all over the country that are true to the real music, interMore details on that will be published when
esting stories and everything you want. I hope you will enjoy readthey are firm. A third house concert is in the works, depending on ing this as much as I do, and let's all thank Joe for the great job he
a variety of arrangements.
does promoting the many artist's represented here.
House Concerts are a neat way to see some skilled performers
Jody Nix
close up without breaking the bank and burning all your gas. If
www.jodynix.com
you are interested in hosting a concert in your home for 25 or 30 Big Spring, Texas
52,000 intelligent good-looking readers.
INSPIRATION COMES SECOND.
I write a lot of songs and stories,
so I often get asked where my ideas come from.
Ideas are easier to find when you're looking for them.
I keep an eye out all the time.
Everything in my life, every conversation, and event,
is filed somewhere in my head under ―Possible Song or Story
Ideas.‖
Ideas are easier to find if you're looking for them.
I write down a million little notes and lose most of them,
like a crazed squirrel hiding nuts.
Then at a later date,
when I've completely forgotten about them,
my crazed squirrel nuts show up unexpectedly
in an old loose leaf, or in the back of a drawer.
Sometimes they're better, or worse,
after staying away from them for a while.
I had writer's block for a long time. It was terrible!
I even went to a hypnotist.
I read all the self-help books,
and finally found one thing that helped me out of it.
This is what it said: "Inspiration comes AFTER action."
It took a while for that to soak in.
What it means to me is this: Don't wait for an inspiration.
Start writing first and the inspiration will follow.
At first I had to write pages and pages of crappy stuff,
but then it started to come together, if I let it.
I may have to dump my original idea,
and let myself get sidetracked onto something else.
Usually I don't know how the story will end
until it does.
I almost always write the title last,
because I find that sticking to a title idea is confining.
The original "great phrase" often stays somewhere in the song or
story,
but it loses top billing along the way.
I heard that writing every day makes it easier,
and I like easier.
This one turned out to be true.
It helps me.
Back to the original question about where my ideas come from.
Other than having a habit of looking for them,
I have no idea.
(The puns are always intended.)
Every single time I finish a story or a song,
I think it's going to be the last one I'll ever write.
That's because I don't know HOW I do it.
Not a clue.
I just start.
Jack Blanchard
© 2009.
-Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan...
Grammy Nominees... Billboard's Duet of the Year.
HOME PAGE: jackandmisty.com
BROWSE OUR CD CATALOG HERE: elvinsystems.com/jm/
catalog.htm
YouTube: youtube.com/jackandmisty
MySpace: myspace.com/jackandmisty
SoundClick: www.soundclick.com/bands/
page_music.cfm?bandID=69863
Johnny Western Celebrates 60 Years
Congratulations are in order to
the award winning star of television, recordings and the
silver screen, who is celebrating 60 years in radio and
show biz. "Don't know where
time went!" says Western.
"Three guys who owned a
radio station in Southern Minnesota, KDHL, took a chance
on a 14 year old kid and I
never looked back." Johnny
and his wife Jo, will celebrate
in Europe where he will headline the 20th Anniversary Vienna Country Music Festival (July 17-19). Interestingly, Western
was the headliner for the 10th Anniversary Show as well. The Disc
Jockey Hall Of Famer hosts the 11AM to 4PM radio show on
KDFI, 1070AM, The Ranch in Wichita, Kansas. Just last year in
November, Western received two more prestigious awards from
the Western Music Association in Albuquerque, NM for KDFI Radio Station Of The Year and Western himself as Disc Jockey Of
The Year.
Thanks to Loudilla & Kay Johnson from the International Fan Club
Organization www.ifco.org in Nashville for contributing to this article.
jwjw2@webtv.net
From all of us at IFCO and Backforty Bunkhouse Productions, "Our hat‘s off to you, Johnny Western!!"
———————————————————————————
Ol‘ Ugly ‗s Just Funnin‘
e-mail bizwiz1@persona.ca or go to
www.country-comedian.com
Yah, there is some copyrighted stuff here
Summer Issue, 2009
Talegate Talk!!
This summer is gonna be a busy one for
me. I‘m gonna be doin‘ some travellin‘
and doin‘ some shows and a few minor
issues I gotta get took care of. So I ain‘t
gonna be around until the fall.
My upcoming shows start on July 6th in Drumheller, at a company
appreciation function for the Kneehill Soil Service and then on to
Livelong SK for a summerspeil and to Stavely AB for a Cowboy
Gathering and then to the Calgary Stampede for the All Canada
Sheep Classic Banquet and ending the month in Bashaw for their
Seed Plant‘s 50th Anniversary. My August schedule includes the
Elko, B.C. Black Powder Show and the Lewiston, MT Cowboy
Gathering with the likes of Baxter Black. A few odds and ends with
some vacation travel and hopefully and I‘ll be seein‘ ya in September.
Now, here is a helpin‘ hand fer you folks that are so inclined.
Hirin‘ an entertainer? How do I go about it?
First off ya gotta ask yerself, ―What kinda entertainer do I need?
Is my audience a roving kinda audience that is busy doing something like puttin‘ in a bid at a silent auction, or do we got a lot of
kids runnin‘ around?‖ If so then ya best be hiring a musician or
singer so people can be hummin along as they do their biddin‘ or
babysittin‘. A singer or musicians might also be good if you‘re
gonna have more than four or five speakers and a long winded
15
MC. Yer audience sure don‘t need no more talkers up there and
another talker that ain‘t affiliated with ya is just an invitation to
chase em out the door -- You can also describe this kinda audience as a rovin‘ audience and the musicians are better at helpin‘
them rove out the door. At least they‘re hummin‘ and not holdin‘
their ears and got a bazaar look in their eyes.
But now, if yer havin‘ a sit down function, with maybe a speech or
two and ya wanna fill in an hour and send yer audience home
with a good feelin‘, then get some humour, or if ya don‘t mind
some of them people fallin‘ over on the floor in a fit of laughter
then some down right funny country comedy like the Ol‘ Ugly
Show.
Now, a stage or variety show fer an evening will need a combination of the above plus some other kinds of entertainment. If this is
a two hour show I‘d just bring in your acts and have ‗em do a fifteen minute set each to start out and then a break and then have
‗em do ten minutes each to end ‗er. With the introductions and
moving on and off stage, that will fill in about two hours plus a
short intermission.
Now, that ya got ‗er ascertained (that ain‘t a dirty word is it?) what
ya need, how do ya know who to get and if they‘re any good?
Where do ya go to find out who to get?
Well, if ya got yerself an extra $300 or $500 to spend on top of
what ya wanna spend on yer entertainers, then go to one of them
talent agencies. If ya ain‘t, then maybe ya best try and find a web
page or somethin‘ that advertises them entertainers on their own.
No, it ain‘t easy, but with some searchin‘ ya can do it!
I‘ll make this a bit easier on ya: I would kinda hope ya would go to
Ol‘ Ugly‘s website www.country-comedian.com but if yer inclined
towards better entertainment, then take a look on
www.albertacowboypoetry.com. This is all barnyard clean stuff,
some even cleaner than that!
Now, my advise to you is to take a gander at each entertainer‘s
profile or website and to see where these folks have entertained
before and if they got any shows lined up for the future and if they
got anywhere on there so ya can see if and what past clients
have been saying about their show.
If ya like what ya see and ya get a good gut feelin‘ that an entertainer would fit into your function, then give em a call, or e-mail
‗em if ya ain‘t one fer talkin‘ out loud at people. Ask ‗em right out
front how long their show is and what they charge (if an entertainer ain‘t tellin‘ you how much, then you don‘t want them. And
remember, you get what ya pay fer!). If their fees and the length
of show suits ya then get to discussin‘ the wheres and whats.
Some will have a contract and other will just invoice ya up front
and want a deposit. Deposits are normal to show you are serious
about hiring the entertainer. They are not refundable as the entertainer is holding open a date for you that s/he could have sold to
someone else and if you cancel at the last minute then at least s/
he has something for holding that date open for you.
That‘s about all there is to hirin‘ an entertainer!! Hiring an entertainer ain‘t hard. It‘s making sure you have the right fit for your
function that needs attention. About the only other advice I can
give ya on this here subject is to talk to other people who have
done ‗er before. They might have some good dos and don‘ts fer
ya. And good luck!!
Fer you folks who‘ve read this fun letter before, you‘ve read this
next paragraph so just skip over it and go onto the stories.
You know, I take it upon myself to bring some humour into your
lives. That is why my country storytelling comedy has me travelling all over the country. If I can make you feel good then we done
what we set out to do. and you folks feel free to pass these on to
your friends and associates if ya wanna. That goes for you, too,
Mr or Ms Executive. You know as well as anyone else that a
laugh can help ya fight this stressful world. If ya think they might
cheer somebody else up then send ‗em, but enough of my blather
lets get on with ‗er.
Travels Quick
There was a feller who once lived in this area that put on the front
that he was a God fearin‘ man who was a friend to all. A well respected man. In reality he was the kind of fella who stole his
neighbour gas; stole their fuel; and cheated many a man who
twern‘t quick enough. Blue had a run in or two with him and
though Blue comes off as a bit of a fool; he ain‘t quite the fool ya
might think.
I think I told you the tale about Blue catchin‘ him stealin‘ gas from
a neighbour and when the fella called Blue over and said to Blue,
―I‘ll forgive you your debt to me if you not tell a soul about what
you have seen and then take these cans of gas and bury them
behind my barn for me.‖
Blue done that and the guy forgive Blue his debt. As Blue was
leavin‘ he asked the fella what he wanted with his empty fuel
cans.(Blue had poured all his gas into a hole behind the barn)
Well, this fella died a while back. And just as they was lowerin‘ the
fella‘s casket into the ground a terrible crack of thunder and a
flash of lightning lit up the sky.
Blue looks at me and say, ―Well, he got there.‖
Knowing your Man
Aunt Tilley was sittin‘ at the coffee shop when a young wife of a
locale cowboy she knew came in. The woman was weepy eyed
and Aunt Tilley asked her to sit down and tell her what was wrong.
The young woman said, ―My husband walked out on me this
morning after we had a fight." Aunt Tilley says, ―Ah, not to worry.
Men do things like that. He‘ll be back." The young woman said,
No, he won‘t. I can tell because he took his saddle with him.‖
Where‘d ya take this picture, Dear??
Blue told me this story: I ain‘t sure it was true, but if any of you
fellers have a picture you can‘t explain then maybe you was him.
Blue says that a couple of young women came down to the beach
when nobody else was there. They decided they‘d go skinny dippin‘ in the lake and they done that. After they done that they just
lay on the beach in the nude. After a little while this older fella
came along and he never saw nobody on the beach so he
stripped down and went in for a swim leaving his clothes and camera behind a bush. Blue was behind some rocks and he saw the
young women and the older feller and he knew they didn‘t know
each other was there. He said he sneaked down and took the
older guy‘s camera and walked over and took a picture of them
nude women and then took the camera back and put it back in the
feller‘s belongings and left.
Early Stages
Creaky Olson went into the doctor‘s office for an appointment. He
had to wait and wait for what seemed an hour. Finally the doctor
called in Creaky and apologized for the wait. Creaky said, ―I didn‘t
mind waitin‘ Doc, but I kinda wish you hadda wanted to treat this
ailment in its early stages".
―We are all here for a spell. Get all the good laughs you can." Will
Rogers
Usin‘ Yer head
A couple of city fellers, one an engineer and the other a doctor
was going up to the engineer‘s cottage at the lake for some
fishin‘. When they got out of the car and the engineer went to
unlock the cottage he realized his keys for the door were still on
the key chain and that was still in the ignition. He went back to the
car and found he had locked the car door. After looking at the car
for a while he went over and got a rock and was gonna bust the
window. Just then Creaky drove up in his old truck and got out.
He asked the feller why he was gonna bust his car window and
when the feller told him Creaky says, ―Just hold on there‖, and he
went back to his truck and got an old coat hanger. He formed it
into a loop and fished it through the window and pried up on the
button that unlocked the door. He pulled out the hanger and says
to the engineer, ―It just took some brain work and a little bit of
planning‖.
Ruidoso, New Mexico
Calendar of Events
July 24 and 25
July 31 and Aug 1
Aug 7 and 8
Aug 14
Aug 15
Aug 21 and 22
Aug 28 and 29
George Staerkel Trio
George Staerkel Trio
George Staerkel Trio
George Staerkel Trio
George Staerkel
George Staerkel
George Staerkel
For reservations call 575-257-7982
——————————————————————————
Tain‘t no use to us
From the Backforty Bunkhouse Archives
July, 2008
When the community was meeting to discuss new lighting for the
community hall, a gentleman brought up the subject of buying a
new chandelier for the hall. Creaky Olson jumped up and immediately opposed that motion. he said, ―I oppose that motion because first off it‘s gonna take us a long time to figger out who
gives us the best buy on such an item; secondly, it‘s gonna take a
long time to get that thing here and lastly, I have been around
these parts for a long time and I ain‘t never heard of anybody that
could play one of them things.‖
Review - Ray Doyle "The Emigrant Trail"
Before hearing it I made an
assumption about this album
that couldn't have been further
off. Emigrants? Irish? Cowboy Celtic's on hand for the
recording? The Western Folklife Center's Yellowstone Song
Well, I sold a few more of them new CDs, ―Mule Talk by a JackContest winner "The Jewel" is
ass‖ and folks sure wanna get to hear that ―Mule‖ story again and
here, and it's a calming poetic
let their friends and relatives listen to it. I‘d rather they came out to
portrait. I figured sweet Western visions and thoughts of the
my shows to hear it, but that CD is the next best things for them
that can‘t. Oh, by the way, this CD is like the others in that it is just Irish homeland. Wrong. This thing has teeth!
Disarmingly pleasant in its musical presentation, the words
about storytellin‘ and funnin‘ and that is what my business is all
about. Like I say, ―I ain‘t fancy, I‘m just a beat up old country boy sneak up and chew on your conscience! Ray Doyle is a
longtime player with Wylie & The Wild West, but here he
who likes to make people laugh in a good old country way."
takes his distinctive vocal delivery and goes off in directions Wylie never took, tackling a rough Western reality that
If you have a function and need a Barnyard Clean after dinner
comedy show you can contact Ol‘ Ugly at (403) 646-2932 or go to is both dream and nightmare for many. He draws on the
Ol‘ Ugly‘s web page www.country-comedian.com and look under experiences of more than just the Irish as shown in Dave
Stamey's "Vaquero Song," "The Cowboy Life" (also called
―Bookings‖ to see if he is booked for that day.
"The Dreary Life") and Gordon Lightfoot's "Canadian Railroad Trilogy."
Feedback or news on country organizations, shows or humorous
The title track sets things in motion, with the singer heading
stories that happened to you or your friends can be sent to John
out "for a brand new beginning or a desperate end" on a
at www.country-comedian.com
sea that's "a churning, black, bottomless well 'mid the
moaning and screaming..." And yet still "there's hope at
www.country-comedian.com
the end of the emigrant trail" unless you're caught digging
——————————————————————————
the Erie Canal. There "The Jigger Boss" keeps men whisSelectees for Induction into the
keyed-up so they'll shun the cholera-causing water. The
Western Swing Hall of Fame
dancing lyrics that bounce by include "every thirty feet we
on Sunday, October 4, 2009
go, we plant three men six feet below, all down the MoDARRELL ANDERSON
hawk Valley!" For me, the big stunner is "Mick Ryan's LaJOE BAKER
ment," a Robert Emmett Dunlap song done to a dirge-like
BOB BONE
THELMA (TINK) CARIKER
"Garryowen" about a ghostly Irish soldier's horror at what
GENE CARTER
he did under Custer. Ray Doyle's "The Emigrant Trail" is a
BILL COMPTON
courageous, diverse statement and an outstanding
BOBBY LEE WILLIS
achievement. All concerned should be commended.
TONY GRASSO
HOWARD HIGGINS
BOB MEEKS
ALBERT TALLEY
www.westernswingsociety.org/
CDs: $18 ppd from Ray Doyle, Emigrant Trail Records,
P.O. Box 661111, Mar Vista, CA 90066
by Rick Huff
bestofthewest@swcp.com
17
EMPTY SADDLES
BOYD - Clarence , January 20, 1933 - June 22, 2009
One of God's sweetest children and most gifted musicians has
been added to heaven's band of superpickers. A piano in the hands of Clarence
was like a paint brush in the hands of
Rembrandt. Clarence had the God given
ability to make a piano almost talk. The
piano was like an extension of his
thoughts...his feelings...his soul. He didn't
merely play the piano, he spoke through it.
This was one of those rare people who
everyone loved and who had no enemies.
He was a friend and an inspiration to everyone who knew him. Playing piano in
church before he reached the age of 10,
God chose to bless Clarence with more talent than seemed possible. Even having only a grade school education and no ability to
sight read music could not hinder the incredible Gift God gave
Clarence. Clarence's induction into 3 Halls of Fame, The Western
Swing Hall of Fame in Sacramento, CA, The Pioneer Hall of
Fame in Seattle, WA and The Southwest Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, OK, bears witness of his exceptional talent as a piano
player. It was common to see people cry when Clarence would
play a gospel song, usually, before he even finished the first
verse. Obviously, his talent was not something he accomplished
on his own, it was a gift from God...something he often acknowledged. Clarence was one of Leon McAuliffe's Cimarron Boys for
15 years. He also played with Johnny Lee Wills and All the Boys
until Johnny Lee's death. Clarence played behind more artists
than could possibly be remembered...artists such as Jim Reeves,
Porter Wagoner, Patsy Cline, Jack Greene, Webb Pierce and Cal
Smith. However, his greatest joy came from playing music with
his son and daughter Dewayne Boyd and Patty (Cowpatty)
Yocham for six years at the Silver Dollar Ballroom as a member
of the Silver Dollar Band. Clarence loved his kids so much, he
turned down full-time road gigs with Moe Bandy and Ernest Tubb
to stay close to his family. Clarence was born and raised in Kellyville. He was thrilled when the town issued a proclamation proclaiming November 15th be forever known as Clarence Boyd
Day. A billboard was constructed and placed along Highway 66
signifying Kellyville as Clarence's hometown and honoring his
musical accomplishments. A lot of hearts will be hurting, and a lot
of tears will be shed at the passing of this incredible person. Service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Kellyville, 306 East
Camden Thursday, June 25th at 10 a.m. Officiating will be Pastors Ernest Strong, John Coker and Preach McGuire. Pallbearers
will be Claude Clemmons, Gary Sullivan, Danny McBride, David
Thayer, Terry Day and Corky Brummett. Honorary pallbearers will
be Billy Parker, Roy Ferguson, Billy Dozier, Curly Lewis, J. D.
Walters and Bill Lane. Interment will be at the Kellyville Cemetery.
Clarence was preceded in death by: his parents, Mack and Nina
Boyd and a brother, Delbert Boyd. He is survived by: his wife
Louise Richey; her children, Shelly and Jay White, Danny and
Myriam Richey, Steve and Liz Richey, Kelly Carpenter; grandchildren Russell, Shannon, Jason, Dena, Stephanie, Toby, Sara and
Amber; 18 great-grandchildren. Clarence is also survived by his
son and daughter-in-law, Dewayne and Debby Boyd, their children and grandchildren, Brandon and Jodi Boyd, Kyle and Hannah; and his daughter, Patty Yocham, her son and daughter-inlaw, Cory and Whitney Johnson and grandchildren, Stephanie,
Madilyn and Braxton. Services under the direction of Smith
Funeral Home, Sapulpa, 918-224-1313 Clarence Boyd.
A special thanks to Tulsa World News, Rita Edgar and Rhonda
Craig for assisting to provide
this information to The Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter.
——————————————————————————Ron Ullevig June 15, 1947 - June 19, 2009
It is with great sadness...that we tell you of the passing of our
very good friend and former Road Manager, Ron Ullevig, who
died of a heart attack, Friday, June 19, 2009.
It is with great gladness that we
remember how Ron kept us
sane and safe when he was travelling with us and cutting the
trail. Some have suggested that
his career as a San Antonio Police Officer and then the Chief of
Police in Poth, Texas, was what
qualified him to take on our ragtag bunch, ...but we know it was
his true love for Real Country
Music.
Find it, Fix it, Fanagle it! He goter-done. For those of you who
may not know, Ron was even
the master cook behind our very
successful Billy Mata Bar-BQues. It took an amazing effort
to single-handedly (we're not kidding!) prepare enough to serve
1,200 folks for dinner! That's the kind of Road Manager he was.
His hard work and jovial spirit kept our far flung musicians hanging
together on many a long adventure. We will greatly miss him.
It's just another trail to cut. Have a good trip, Ron.
For Billy Mata & the Texas Tradition,
Rocco Fortunato
———————————————————————————
(continued from page 7-AWA Final 5)
Pure Country
Male
Tony Booth, Darrell McCall, Frankie Miller, Rance Norton, Justin
Trevino
Female
Jade Cienega, Leighan Cortes, Amber Digby, Kimberly Murray,
Heather Myles
Duo/Group
Country Night Live
Derailers
Honeybrowne
Landon Dodd-DanceHall Drifters
Miles of Texas
Pure Country Album
Mickey Clark-Winding Highways
Amber Digby-Passion, Pride & What Might Have Been
Bobby Flores-Eleven Roses
Rance Norton-True Country
Justin Trevino-Take One As Needed For Pain
Pure Country Song
Tony Booth-Is This All There Is To Honky Tonk?
Bobby Flores-Double Life
Tommy Hooker-Blue Smoke
Kimberly Murray/Jake Hooker-Living And Learning
Rance Norton/Johnny Bush-Pop Atop
www.ropeburnsonline.com
————————————————————————————
Congratulations to all the “ AWA Final Five ” from
Backforty Bunkhouse Productions!