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8th Annual Stagecoach & Freight Wagon Meeting by Gerry Groenewold

WEST YELLOWSTONE, MT-President’s Report on the 8th Annual Conference of the NSFWA Members of the National Stagecoach & Freight Wagon Association (NSFWA) held their 8th Annual Conference June 19 – 21, 2015, in West Yellowstone, Montana. The theme of the event was “1915: The Twilight of Stagecoaches in Yellowstone.” Seventeen original Yellowstone coaches and mountain wagons were on display at the event venue. On Saturday, June 20th, the vehicles were displayed on the lawn of the Yellowstone Historic Center Museum. All the touring companies licensed in Yellowstone National Park in the early 20th century were represented in the display. This was probably the most comprehensive assemblage of original Yellowstone coaches gathered for public viewing in the past 100 years. Tourists from around the world had the opportunity to view and marvel at … Read entire article »

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15th Annual Country Bluegrass Festival by Bob Kisken

1-A Big Welcome to all to the Lincoln County Fairgrounds 2-The 15th Annual Bluegrass stage NORTH PLATTE, NE-The 15th Annual Country Bluegrass Festival was held Apr. 23-25, 2-05 in North Platte, NE. A good time was had by all. 1-2-3-4 Some of the jammers who came out just to strut their stuff 1-One last jam before the show 2-One More River 3-Lindsey Family 4-Grascals If you like bluegrass, look it up on the web and plan to go in 2016. You will hear music that will tickle your fancy. Kudos to Courtney Ewald and her volunteers who put on this show. I am always very appreciative of these people. 1-Mixed  Arrangement   2-Homeward Bound  3-High Plains Tradition   4-Philip Steinmetz & The Sunny Tennesseans Beside the three days of performances, there were workshops on dulcimers, kettle and campfire cooking, … Read entire article »

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Win This Gun Rig

APPLE VALLEY,CA–SILVER SCREEN LEGEND XVIII, DEDICATED TO THE COWBOY STARS, OF THE SILVER SCREEN-  Silver Screen Legend XVIII is dedicated to the cowboy stars of the silver screen. This year we have done something spectacularly unique. Through the years, many single-action revolvers have been engraved with famous cattle brands. However, to our knowledge, no guns have ever been engraved with the brands of the Hollywood cowboy stars. Our Silver Screen Legend XVIII Colt single-action six-shooters are engraved with the brands of 13 famous cowboys of the silver screen. Included are the brands of: Rex Allen; Gene Autry; Hopalong Cassidy; Wild Bill Elliott; Monte Hale; Buck Jones; Joel McCrea; Tom Mix; Monte Montana; Dale Robertson; Roy Rogers; and two for John Wayne. This magnificent matched pair of consecutive serial number Colt .45 caliber … Read entire article »

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Colorado Midwinter Bluegrass Festival By Bob Kisken

FORT COLLINS, CO-Thirty years ago Ken Seaman started the Mid Winter Bluegrass Festival in his house in Fort Collins, Colorado. Over the years, it has grown so that now it is held in the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Northglenn, CO. Lasting three days with multiple bands, workshops, kids jams, band scrambles and constant jam sessions, there was round the clock music. When I checked out Monday, the young lady at the desk told me that it was the first time in 3 days that there was no music. Some people just came to jam and never did get to hear one of the performers. Ragged Union                                                           Ed Davis Trio Barefoot Movement                                           Old River Road Bluegrass Band Acoustic Mining Company                                         Fox Run Out of Nowhere                                                        Kantankerous Brad Folk & the Bluegrass Playboys                                         Claire Lynch … Read entire article »

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Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering by Rex Rideout Photos by Bob Kisken

GOLDEN, COLORADO…..The 2015 Colorado Cowboy Gathering is wrapped up. The shows were  well attended and some actually sold out. Thanks to everyone who put so much into making this happen. Especially Liz Masterson who has been promoting this event every year since it first began.    1-The sign welcoming everyone to Golden, Colorado 2-The originator and the one and only, Liz Masterson 3-Deb Carpenter 4-John Cunningham and Eli Barsi What a lineup:  Dave Stamey, Eli Barsi (& John), Doc Mehl, Andy Nelson, Bill Barwick (& Mac), Sam DeLeeuw, Bob Bovee, Carol Heuchan, Deb Carpenter, Sid Hausman, Gary Allegretto (& Ian Espinoza), Liz Masterson, Susie Knight, Tim Nolting, Mike Hurwitz, Mikki Daniel and Pipp Gillette.   I sure hope everyone of these performers will be coming back. Their humor,  quick wit and at times, heartbreaking stories and songs … Read entire article »

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Win This Classic Hollywood Saddle

HAPPY TRAILS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION Proudly Presents the Legendary Classic Hollywood Saddle   APPLE VALLEY,CA-Legendary comic book cowboy Red Ryder was a fictional American hero to millions of boys and girls for almost three decades. He was created by noted cowboy artist Fred Harman and his marketing partner, Stephen Slesinger. Red Ryder first appeared in print on Sunday, November 6, 1938, eventually appearing in more than 750 newspapers with more than 14 million readers, in 10 languages. Slesinger soon embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign of merchandising and licensing with an endless array of comic books, Big Little Books, novels, radio programs, rodeos, powwows, and numerous licensed products including the legendary Daisy Red Ryder BB gun, the longest continuous license agreement in history. It was inevitable that Red Ryder would make it to … Read entire article »

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Cowboy Crossings at National Cowboy Museum

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK-For those of you not familiar with Cowboy Crossings, it is a combination of the very best in western art from the Cowboy Artists of America combined with the very best in custom gear with the Traditional Cowboy Artists of America. This event was opened Oct. 4, 2015 with a gala dinner with the exhibition going on for an extended viewing to the general public.  It is definitely worth your time to see this fabulous event. Both groups have samples of their best work at the National Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City at the Cowboy Crossings for exhibition, but all of the works are for sale.  The opening of the event was held on Saturday evening with MC Red Steagall and some top country talent.  After the dinner, folks were … Read entire article »

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South Dakota Wild Horse Sanctuary by Bob Kisken

HOT SPRINGS, SD-There are many reasons I enjoy going to these cowboy gatherings: 1 I hear lots of good music, poetry and prose about a life-style I knew little about until I moved out west from Michigan a few years ago and 2-I get to meet some new friends and hear some great stories (not all of them true?) about cowboy culture. Last year, at Hot Springs, someone told me about Dayton Hyde, who at one time was a rodeo bronc rider, clown and bullfigthter. This year, I went out to his horse sanctuary and met him and took a tour of his sanctuary. He told me stories about Slim Pickens, Zeke Bowery, Felix Cooper, Homer Holcomb, Bull 29 and other rodeo greats.   His book, The Pastures of Beyond, detail his life from … Read entire article »

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Chris LeDoux Memorial Park by Bob Kisken

KAYCEE, WYOMING-The readers of Rope Burns are well aware of Chris LeDoux’s contributions to art, western music and rodeo. In June, 2010, the Chris LeDoux Memorial Park was dedicated in Kaycee, WY. In it is a beautiful monument created by D. Michael Thomas of Buffalo, WY. For those who won’t ever get to Kaycee, WY, here are some photos of the monument and the park. If you get a chance, someday, go there and see it. It is a most beautiful memorial. … Read entire article »

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17th Annual Badger Clark Poetry and Music by Bob Kisken

An empty stage soon to be filled with a whole lotta talented cowboy poets and singers HOT SPRINGS, SD-Where can a woman recite a poem about a prolapse and get laughs and applause. The Answer is easy, at a cowboy poetry and music festival. 1-Jess Howard     2-Chuck Larsen    3-Trinity Seely    4-Robert Dennis The 17th Annual Badger Clark Cowboy Music and Stories was presented by the Hot Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, Sept 26-27. A great time was had by all. I heard the worst joke I’ve ever heard in a while, will not tell you who told it, but I will tell it for the next few years. The event started with a cowboy supper Friday followed by Bunkhouse Tales and open mic. This allowed people to get to know old and new friends … Read entire article »

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Learning the Ropes by Tom Kisken Photos by Joseph A Garcia/Star

  VENTURA,CA-My knees snaked together when I walked. My Texas belt bore no flashy buckle. I carried a canister of Hubba Bubba in my back jeans pocket, but on the weekend, I was supposed to act like a cowboy at the Ventura County Fair. I was done in by my big feet. I couldn’t find size 12 boots to borrow. I was too cheap to buy, so I showed up at the arena where cowboys herded and roped cattle in hiking shoes. The cowboys call them tennis shoes. It wasn’t a compliment. “A cowboy is always with his boots,” said Lupe Lopez, who was perched on top of a red fence next to his quarter horse, Monty. When Lopez was 19 his father gave him $200 so he could take a bus from their home in … Read entire article »

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Casper, WY Cowboy Poetry by Bob Kisken

CASPER,WY-A good time was had by all at the Casper, WY Cowboy Poetry Gathering.  I hope you will enjoy the faces of the participants.            Dr. Joe and Buffalo Bill                                     GT Hurley         Jerry Bell                                      Thatch Elmer                                   MC Gordy Pratt Tina Willis                                Billy Browning and Anna and Rachael Merchant … Read entire article »

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Cimarron Cow Camp & Poetry by Patty Wright

STILLWATER,OK-The Payne County Expo Center in Stillwater, OK, was the site for the Cimarron Cow Camp  and Poetry Gathering on August 30, 2014. Lots of good food was had from the 5 chuckwagons During the day, the audience enjoyed the performances on stage of Jay Snider, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Lavern “Straw” Berry, Gary Pratt and a few others. Gary Pratt and Jay Snider combined their talents on one number. Always popular, get a ride on a real stagecoach A stagecoach and carriage were available for folks to have a ride around the grounds. This appeared to be a popular feature as both stayed busy a good part of the day. Yvonne Hollenbeck and Gary Pratt and Jay Snider entertained the crowd during the day Five chuckwagons provided the evening meal. Despite the hot weather, there was some … Read entire article »

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27th Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering by Nika Nordbrock

  PRESCOTT, AZ-The Gathering had no theme this year, but rather it and used the artwork Cowboy’s Journal by Marliss Fellows. Poets, musicians, and audience certainly had a marvelous time during this fantastic weekend at the 27th Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering in Prescott, Arizona, on August 7, 8 and 9, 2014. The weekend weather was cooperative until Saturday afternoon when the skies opened to drench us with a beautiful much needed rain. We always like rain as it brings grass for the pastures. Deanna and Dave McCall, Paul Bliss, Mary Kaye and Jay Snider  This year over 56 poets and musicians celebrated the twenty-seventh gathering with the multiple day sessions and three evening shows. The evening shows were held in the Performing Arts Center at the Yavapai College Prescott Campus.The all-volunteer Gathering crew … Read entire article »

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Tongue River Wins Texas Ranch Roundup

The winning Tongue River Ranch WICHITA FALLS, TX-Every year the third weekend in August, the best in Texas Ranches gather to see which ranch will come out on top.  Competition is not only in the arena, but the chuckwagon, talent, artists, craftsmen and other categories.  It gives the entire ranch family a chance to help with the win.  This is also the “Grandaddy” of all ranch rodeos.  Without it, there would be no ranch rodeos of today.  They came up with the concept and made it happen and for that we salute them. Second place went to the Swenson Ranch and also included the Swenson’s Mark Boss being named the Top Hand In the arena competition, the top ranch was the Tongue River, with second being the Swenson Land & Cattle Company and … Read entire article »

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29th Montana Cowboy Gathering by Bob Kisken

LEWISTOWN,MT-The 29th Annual Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Western Music Rendezvous was held in Lewistown, MT, Aug. 14-17 2014. It is the second oldest gathering (behind Elko) in the US. The Sons of the San Joaquin entertaining the large crowd First of all, I send kudos to the volunteers who must put in hours to set up this gathering. Without their efforts, there would be no gathering. Thank you folks. 1-Mary Kaye           2-Joe Charter          3-Jerry Laskody         4-Dusty Trail Thursday night started the whole thing with a buffet and an open mic show where some of the performers gave an inkling o what was ahead. 1-BK McCafferty           2-Dale W. Mailand         3-Dave Joppa          4-John Ulhberg Friday and Saturday, there were 46 hour sessions where four or five entertainers did their thing. There was (I think) more poets this … Read entire article »

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New Underwood 4th Day of Cowboy by Slim McNaught

NEW UNDERWOOD, SD-Perfect atmosphere, comfortable temperature, great performances, followed by delicious treats afterwards, what a way to celebrate the 4th Annual New Underwood National Day of the Cowboy. Not a large audience but a great audience to perform for. Performers were Robert “Jinglebob” Dennis of Red Owl, SD: Dean Hackens of New Underwood, SD; Mel Anderson and his wife, Dorothy, of Wasta, SD; Margaret Nachtigall of Owanka, SD; and Slim McNaught of New Underwood, SD. 1-Margaret Nachtigall  2-Dean Hackens    3-Dorothy Anderson Robert Dennis sang several songs, some which he has written, and told a story. With a book and CD published, he is well known in the area. He has also attended cowboy poetry/music gatherings in Elko, NV several times, performed from Iowa to California and many events in the western states. … Read entire article »

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Nebraska Women’s Ranch Rodeo by Bob Kisken

CRAWFORD,NE-What has 52 young women with lots of heart and 52 horses? It was the Womens’ Ranch Rodeo Association sanctioned 2nd Annual Cowgirl Swank Classing Women’s Ranch Rodeo held in Crawford, NE, July 19-20. 13 teams of four women each, from Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and South Dakota, competed in 5 events for prizes and the chance to go to the WRRA finals which will be held Oct 17-18 in Loveland, C0. The five events are calf branding, sorting, mugging, trailer loading and calf branding. For more information and results google Women’s Ranch Rodeo Association. This old man was impressed by their determination and guts in doing what they did. Unfortunately the heat got to me and I had to leave early. I want to go to another when when it gets cooler. Look … Read entire article »

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10th Annual Big Horn Festival by Bob Kisken

BUFFALO,WY-Buffalo, WY, is a small town in the Big Horns. It is surrounded by western history such as: Sheridan Inn (home of Buffalo Bill at one time), Occidental Hotel (Owen Wister wrote the Virginian here), Battle of Little Big Horn, Hole in the Wall, Fetterman Massacre at Ft. Phil Kearney, and site of the Johnson County War. 1-Betse Ellis and Kasey Rausch 2-Teaching square dancing 3- Fergus 1-Jacob Groopman and Melody Walker 2-Too Wet To Plow 3-Jeff Troxel Trio 1-Blue Canyon Boys                                    2-Houston Jones Band 1-Fiddle Contest                2-Dancin’                        3-Jammin’ The 10th Annual Big Horn Mountain Festival was held this year, July 11-13 in Buffalo. 1-Horseshoes and Hand Grenades                           2-Foghorn String Band They hold a kids camp for bluegrass music, have various excellent music groups, open mic times, banjo, mandolin, guitar and violin contest, various other events such … Read entire article »

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Prescott Indian Art Winners

PRESCOTT, AZ- AWARDS COMPETITION RESULTS Best of Show: Gerry Quotskuyva Booth 12 Ceramics 1st Place: Lorraine Gala-Lewis Booth 4 2nd Place: Esther Cajero Booth 15 3rd Place: Carlos Laate Booth 81 Jewelry 1st Place: L. Bruce Hodgins Booth 45 2nd Place: Allison Lee Booth 57 3rd Place: Benson Manygoats Booth 16 Sculpture 1st Place: Gerry Quotskuyva Booth 12 2nd Place: Peter Yazzie Booth 17 3rd Place: Tim Washburn Booth 58 Traditional Arts 1st Place: Mona Laughing Booth 60 2nd Place: Rena Begay Booth 96 3rd Place: Jonathan Day, Sr. Booth 8 Two–Dimensional Art 1st Place: Gilmore Scott Booth 55 2nd Place: Mark Silversmith Booth 42 3rd Place: James Tsoodle Booth 77 Judges Choice Ryan Gashweseoma Booth 14 Lyle Secatero Booth 40 Mona Laughing Booth 60 Jimmie Yawakia Booth 61 … Read entire article »

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