February 4th, 2010
One of my poems, “Chopin’s Minute Waltz,” appears in a new book, Chopin with Cherries: a tribute in verse, ISBN 978-0-9819693-0-5, published by Moonrise Press and available through Lulu as well as other online and local booksellers.
Sorta unusual, but real nice for an old cowboy to be featured along with an impressive array of modern poets. But it’s understandable ’cause Chopin’s music transcends time and was much appreciated in the salons, saloons, and opera houses of the American West.
The book, an anthology of contemporary poetry edited by Maja Trochimczyk, will be officially presented during the 3rd International Chopin Congress (an event celebrating the 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth) in Warsaw, Poland, February 24-March 1, 2010.
A second edition of the collection, planned for release next fall, will be bilingual and will include Polish translations by Polish-American poets: Leonard Kress, Maja Trochimczyk, Janusz Zalewski, and others.
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February 2nd, 2010
Three new poems written in late January have now been posted on my website.
Jinglin’ Spurs Things can get pretty eerie when you’re riding on a moonless night.
Western Wife This is a tribute to the wives of those who dared move into the unknown territory of the American West. Somehow many survived, some thrived, and some died along the way.
Waltz of the Weeds The tumbleweed, the weed of the west, is also somewhat a weed of mystery. A variety is said to be a native of North America while another variety is said to have “immigrated” as a stowaway in loads of grain received from Europe in the late 1800s. The young plants are even edible and supplanted the pioneer diet. But you’ve seen nothing until you’ve seen the Waltz of the Weeds.
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January 23rd, 2010
Westerners
We’ve just previewed Westerners, a newly released album of western and cowboy music by Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue (Bruce and Sue Matley of Prescott, Washington). They offer some of their own compositions as well as a generous touch of traditional songs for a total of seventeen tracks.
Their selection of music and their unique renditions make it easy to understand why they are in such great demand on the Northwestern fair circuit, serving up nearly 175 performances in 2009. Fans will love this album which concludes with a thirty-eight second flashback to years of yore as 4-year-old Slim sings his own composition, “Buddy and Me,” and new listeners will certainly become fans.
My own bias leans toward “Border Affair” which is a musical rendition of a poem by a 1940 acquaintance of mine, Charles “Badger” Clark, the classic cowboy poet who was then Poet Laureate of South Dakota. Then, too, my wife and I especially enjoyed “Don’t Fence Me In” which was our junior class theme song in 1944-45. Great stuff!
The tracks are: I Ride the Range the Modern Way, Show Me Mister, Cattle Call, The Cowboy That Made Me Blue, They Call The Wind Mariah, Common Wisdom, Border Affair (Spanish is the Loving Tongue), Don’t Fence Me In, Coyotes, Home to You, The West, I’ve Got Spurs, Waitin’ For Ice Cream, The Ranch That I Can’t See, Happy Trails, and Buddy and Me
The album can be previewed and purchased at CD Baby and there’s more about this dynamic western duo on their website.
Posted in Contemporary, Historic, Music | No Comments »
January 21st, 2010
I’ve just been confirmed for appearances at the 7th Annual Columbia River Cowboy Gathering & Music Festival in Kennewick, WA on April 9 through 11.
There’s quite a lineup of other talent: Stonewall Jackson, Jimmy Fortune, Sourdough Slim, Sage Keifer, Smoke Wade, B. J. Smith, Sam Deleeuw, Zac Grooms, Joshua Crosby, Shiloh Sharrard, Rod Erikson, Bodie Dominguez, and Coyote Joe Sarton.
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January 9th, 2010
Previews of my western and cowboy poetry book contents are now available on the web at Google Books.
The books are: Where Horses Reign; Sun, Sand & Soapweed; Western Images; and Views from the Saddle. Western Images was the 2008 winner of the Will Rogers Medallion Award for Cowboy Poetry.
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December 5th, 2009
Three new poems have been posted on my website
At Rest Which was inspired by the wonderous, ever-changing landscape of our western lands.
Cowboy Luck Which was inspired by a sort of challenge on CowboySyndicate.com.
Western Moon Which was inspired by a Texan, Honcho Crouch (1916-1976), who wrote “Luckenbach Moon”.
» Latest poem: At Rest
» Latest book: Views from the Saddle
» Chapbook: Eight Viewpoints: western poetry
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November 3rd, 2009
Entertaining western and cowboy poetry readings are available to Northwestern organizations…guaranteed entertainment even for folks who say they don’t like poetry! We especially welcome the opportunity to appear at nursing and retirement homes.
Although honoraria are welcome, there is no charge except for reimbursement of actual expenses.
Information about recent appearances is posted on my website.
» Latest poem: Prairie Land
» Latest book: Views from the Saddle
» Chapbook: Eight Viewpoints: western poetry
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October 29th, 2009
We’re gonna have to change our clocks early Sunday morning because some idiots think you can put daylight in a savings account. It’s pretty silly…tryin’ to save daylight is like cutting a foot off of one end of a blanket and sewing it on the other end so you’ll have a longer blanket! Out on our ranch our way of handling time was to get up at dawn and go to bed at sunset.
» Latest poem: The Lonely Asterisk
» Latest book: Views from the Saddle
» Chapbook: Eight Viewpoints: western poetry
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October 29th, 2009
Some news folks on TV have gone overboard since they discovered Twitter and other social networks. They invite comment and opinions from the public about news stories. In return, they get uninformed gut reactions from a lot of Twits, many of whom haven’t the foggiest idea about the subject or any of the related social, legal, or technical issues.
The result reminds me of the little first grader who took his pet rabbit to school for show-and-tell. One kid asked, “is it a boy rabbit or a girl rabbit?” No one had an answer so one suggested “let’s vote on it!”
» Latest poem: The Lonely Asterisk
» Latest book: Views from the Saddle
» Chapbook: Eight Viewpoints: western poetry
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October 15th, 2009
We recently returned from a tour in Wyoming. The highlight was a Cowboy Dinner Show sponsored by Open Range Magazine in Glenrock, WY on September 24.
It was my pleasure to be on stage with Michael Martin Murphey, the top western and country singer in the U.S. Other performers at the event were cowboy poets Mason Tibbs, DJ and ranch manager, and Dave P. Fisher, award-winning author and poet.
Photographs taken at the show by Amanda Smith, internationally renowned western photographer,are posted in my Photo Album.
Other events were appearances for Senior Associations in Glenrock and Torrington, WY. Seniors are always a great audience!
» Latest poem: The Lonely Asterisk
» Latest book: Views from the Saddle
» Chapbook: Eight Viewpoints: western poetry
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