|
Scroll down for information,
photos, and links showcasing several of your favorite cowboy music
artists. |
 |
|
Ian Tyson |
|
Ian Tyson
at The 24th Elko National Poetry Gathering
 Ian
Tyson, the legendary Canadian songwriter and singer, once again came
out of the frozen north riding an “Alberta Clipper” to perform at
the 24th Elko Poetry gathering January 30 to February 2,
2008. Tyson has only missed one year performing at the Elko
Gathering since it began. That one year, he sang at the Winter
Olympics in his home province of Alberta, Canada.
This year, Elko was frozen in ice and snow with bad roads, but this
did not deter Tyson fans from all over the country coming to hear
”their kind of music.” All three of Ian’s concerts during Poetry
Week were sold out.
Tyson says about his 23 years of performing at Elko “"My
success over the past 24 years (since 1983) all came as a result of
having just released 'Old Corrals and Sagebrush' and I received an
invitation to the 1984 Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Nevada had a
state-hired folklorist who organized the event. Even though I was a
pro, they invited me to be involved. The festival was for amateur
cowboy poets: so they had me perform outside the venue. They had
about 50 chairs put out for the event and were worried they would be
embarrassed by having set too many chairs out; anyway it turned into
a crowd of over 400 real 'honest to God cowboys' who traveled from
all over North America to be part of this one-of-a-kind event. I
performed at the Stockmen's Casino to an endless full house, night
after night. And things just kinda took off on their own after
that.. I was not expecting a career resurgence on such a scale. But
it turned out to be the beginning of the second part my career on a
wonderful scale and in the directions I most wanted it to go: the
roots of real country music as I felt it. I write the music and
lyrics that come from my heart, that come from really living the
life of the cowboy I always wanted to be - a cowboy, not a singer."
In his earlier years, Ian rode broncs in amateur rodeos throughout
Canada, ranched, and raised and trained cutting horses.
Ian says his most favorite songs that he has been involved in
writing and singing are ”M.C. Horses, Summer Wages, and Somewhere in
the Rubies Tonight.” Will there be another Ian Tyson musical CD
released in the future? He performed several new songs during his
recent Elko shows, so we will just need to stay tuned.
 To
say the least, Ian Tyson remains a center of attraction at the Elko
Cowboy Poetry Festival. For a few days each year, he's been called
the "King of Elko, Nevada.”
Noted Western Artist, William Matthews, who introduced Ian at his
traditional Saturday morning Elko show, summed it up the best, “What
all of us in this room, who have come from all over the country,
have in common is that we all have Ian Tyson CDs in our pickups,
feed trucks, and horse trailers. His songs are part of our daily
life.”
When Ian was asked if he would be back to Elko next year he said,
“I’m closing in on three-quarters of a century. If I don’t win the
lottery, I’m coming back.” And his many music fans hope he will.
For more
information and appearance-dates, visit Ian Tyson’s official Web
site
www.iantyson.com.
For information on the 2009 Elko Poetry Gathering contact:
The Western Folklife Center
www.westernfolklife.org
Story by
Mike Laughlin, Photos by Lee Raine
|
|
|
Mike Beck
www.mikebeck.com
Mike Beck is internationally known; doing horse clinics and concerts
in the United States and Norway, Sweden, Finland, and England. Mike
has a confident and patient approach with a horse that teaches a lifetime of
horsemanship skills. Riders of all levels can benefit from Mike's
expertise. His music speaks of the years he spent on the
ranches of the west, including the great Spanish Ranch in Nevada and
Bill Dorrance's Mt. Toro Ranch.
One of the high points of the Elko Poetry Gathering week each year
is Mike and his group's appearances at the Stray Dog Saloon.
Listen to a few:
Download Mike Beck Songs Here |
|
|
|
The Trail Less Traveled by Mary Ann Kennedy |
| Maybe this ain't
country, but if you like a great voice, a great guitar, and love
your horse, this is for you. The
title song The trail Less Traveled was used to open the award
ceremony at the Ray Hunt Appreciation Banquet April 2, 2005 in Fort
Worth, Texas.
MaryAnn Kennedy says,
"i am a passionate western horseman, and have been all my life.
couple that with the country music biz and my ranch here outside
of Nashville and we could have a viable story. i have been
seriously studying Ray and the like since '99,and it has SO
changed my life. I am now sharing the good news with others here
in Nashville, trying to help share the 'better way' for the
horses and humans here."
Happy Trails, Mary Ann
www.MaryAnnKennedy.com
 "The
Trail Less Traveled"
Click on
underlined song tracks to sample
Intro
1.
The Trail Less Traveled
2. I Wish I Had A Horse
3. Blue Heeler
4. Gotta Go Feed
5. Choy's Song
6. Barn Cat
7. Goodbye
8. Paso Fino
9. Mares
10. Ride My Pony
11. We Share The Earth |
|
|
|
Ol' Cowboys and Dreamers |
 DVD/Video:
DVD $19.95
produced and directed by Peter Lippman of Lippsync, Inc. Nashville,
TN -
Starring:
Charlie Daniels- Cowboys and Engines
Ian
 Tyson
- Eighteen Inches of Rain
Becky Hobbs - Pale Moon
Will Dudley - Four Winds
Fletcher Jowers - A Cowboy Lullaby
This DVD and other
cowboy favorites available for purchase at
http://www.fletcherjowers.com/
CLICK TO WATCH Video
of Fletcher Jowers singing "A Cowboy Lullaby" from the musical film
"Ol Cowboys And Dreamers" starring Charlie Daniels, Becky Hobbs, Ian
Tyson, Will Dudley and Fletcher Jowers. |
|
|
|
Will
Dudley: Western
singer and guitar player
|
|
Will
Dudley plays real western
music. He summers in
Walsenburg, Colorado and
sometimes winters in Wickenburg,
Arizona. Will enjoys
singing and playing for
small or large groups and
writes much of what he
sings. Will has worked
with such stars as Ian Tyson
and Tanya Tucker. He
is knowledgeable about music
and entertainment. Will has four
CD albums currently on
sale. You may listen
to some of his music and can
buy his albums at http://www.songs.com/willdudley
. Will can be reached
by e-mail at will.dudley@msn.com.
Be sure to check out Will's CD:
Corridos and Love Songs.
Featuring our favorite
"Colorado Horses."
True Lies and Other Legends CD by Will
Dudley. Order today from Will Dudley, PO Box 683, Walsenburg,
Colorado 81089
|
|
|
|
Dave Stamey, Cowboy Entertainer |
|
Classic & Contemporary Western Folk Music.
www.davestamey.com
 Dave
Stamey's music reflects the fact that he has "been there and done
that." He evokes the flavor of the real cowboy west in many of
his original songs.
Dave has been awarded
the Male Performer of the Year by the Western Music Association, is
a three time nominee for Songwriter of the Year, and is rapidly
becoming one of the most popular Western entertainers working today.
Dave’s fifth CD came out in April of 2004, the result of a year’s
hard work. “If I Had A Horse” contains 12 original songs, all
written or co-written by Dave. |
|
|
Ken Overcast
popular Montana cowboy poet,
songwriter, radio host, and recording artist. |
 Ken
Overcast, The Cowboy Show
Ken Overcast is the real deal. Ken strives very
diligently to just be himself. His music, writing, and public
performances are characterized by a down home connection that is
indeed rare. He’s a third generation Montanan, and is truly making a
mark on America’s entertainment. Both Ken’s recording and writing
have been very prolific. “The Cowboy Show” with Ken Overcast,
features both contemporary cowboy music and interviews, and a look
back into the past with memories from a few old time cowboys.
K en has been
teamed with Nashville Producer, Russ Ragsdale for many years, and
together they have seven CD recordings under their belts. National
recognition was just a matter of time. Besides a host of
nominations, Ken was crowned the Western Music Association “Yodeler
of the Year”, and was awarded the coveted “Will Rogers Award” by the
Academy of Western Artists. |
|
|
|
|
|
