May, 2016 - Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association

Roundup of News from the Alberta Cowboy Poetry Associa:on-­‐ ACPA R-­‐E-­‐S-­‐P-­‐E-­‐C-­‐T, Not Aretha, But from the Mind of Ol’ Ugly He sat quietly beside me as a cowboy poet performed on
stage. He hardly moved; hardly breathed. He just sat back in the
shadow watching as she went through her poetry routine.
There was no doubt he was the star of the set. Probably the
star of the show. Heck his name is Gary Fjellgaard! But it could
have been Ed Peekeekoot, Doris Daley, Horse Crazy Band,
Kristyn Harris. Anyone of them could have been that person.
I have been so fortunate to have been on stage with this
calibre of entertainer over the years and to be able to get a
glimpse of what it takes to really become a star.
The main thing I see in each and every one of these
entertainers is a thing called respect. Respect for themselves,
respect for their audience and respect for the other entertainers
around them.
I watch these people in the green room getting their guitar
tuned, getting their cheat sheets ready, getting ready to go when
called.
I watch them sitting behind the entertainer in the spotlight.
They are not picking at their guitars, talking to the person beside
them or making noise in the background. They are sitting quietly
watching the other entertainer perform. They are being respectful.
Being respectful to the other entertainer, being respectful of the
audience and being respectful to the people who have brought
them out to the function.
That doesn't mean they are not getting ready to hit the
spotlight when introduced. They know when it is their turn to be in
the spotlight. You can almost hear them revving up. First it is a
little bit of idle of their internal generator that gets stronger as the
other entertainer winds down and the MC introduces them. Then
they hit the stage with lights blazing and the audience in mind.
They know where the guitar plug is and they plug in as quickly
as possible. The mic is set and away they go with all their lights
on high beam. Then when they are finished they step back still
aglow at the audience applause.
Ol’ Ugly But as soon as the next entertainer
steps to the spotlight they turn off their
lights. Sit quietly as the next
entertainers performs.
That is called respect, folks. It is
called using their 'on / off' switch.
You don't think it means anything,
but it does. When your name comes
up, others may not compliment you for
being quiet, but they'll sure remember
you when you disrespect them by
talking or picking a tune on your guitar
while they are trying to be their best in
the spotlight.
www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com Page 2 Kamloops Cowboy Gathering It’s pretty safe to say that the Kamloops
Cowboy Festival lived up to its claim “We've
gained the reputation of being the Biggest and
Best Festival of its kind in Canada as well as
one of the best in North America!” All guests,
performers, vendors and volunteers will have
come home with treasured memories.
This was the 20th Annual festival and
featured many of the performers from the 1st
Festival stage including Butch Falk, Terri Mason,
Shirley Field, Frank Gleeson, Gary Fjellgaard,
Don Wudel, Rob Dinwoodie, Bryn Thiessen and
Hugh McLennan. Head on over to the Festival
website http://www.bcchs.com/festival.html for a
list of all of the performers.
Several of our Alberta Cowboy Poetry
Association Performers were in attendance
including Mike Dygert, Gary Fjellgaard, Frank
Gleeson, Jackson Mackenzie, Hugh McLennan,
Mag Mawhinney, Robbie Robertson and Harold
Webber (as a spectator).
A number of other Alberta performers made
the trip over the Rocks! Including Terry Mason,
Don Wudel, Bryn Thiessen, Jim McLennan, Ryan
Fritz & son Hoss, Ol’ Ugly, and Tim Hus.
As always this festival included performers
from both Canada and the United States. Our
friends Kristyn Harris, the Cowgirl band “Horse
Crazy”, Jinny Lowe and Dave Mclure made the
trek up from the south. Unlike other years, most
of the Main Stage Evening Performers were
by Mike Dygert Canadian – proving WE can HOLD OUR OWN with
the big people from the States.
The festival had some new faces both on the
main stages and in the Rising Star competition.
Notably the group “Mac Station” – who ‘wowed’ to
audience last year and out did themselves this year.
Our own Shelley Goldbeck did us proud as a Rising
Star Cowboy Poet.
A few amazing memories: amazing guitar players
Nathan Tinkham, Ed Peekeekoot and Jim
McLennan, the harmonies of Horse Crazy, Tim
Huss’s tribute to Stompin’ Tom Connors, the ever
entertaining Terry Mason, the captivating stories of
Don Wudel, Bryn Thiessen and Mag Mawhinney,
and the clear, polished voices of Tom Cole, Alan
Moberg and Kristyn Harris.
AND it wasn’t all “sit and listen”, the trade show
was full of stuff to take home and there was a ‘quiet
time’ opportunity to enjoy amazing works in the art
show.
A HUGE THANK YOU to the ever-present, everhelpful volunteers that welcomed everyone, pointed
us all in the right direction, made sure we were in the
right place at the right time and got us all around
from the Convention Centre, to the Church, to the
Horse Barn, to Riversong Guitars, to our hotels and
for some of us, to and from the airport. A big thanks
to Mark & Kathy McMillan who work tirelessly for
many months to make this all happen. Together
these people make the festival an excellent event!
See you in Kamloops next year!
2015 Rising Star winners, Mack Sta:on www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com Page 3 Kamloops Cowboy Gathering Tom Cole Gary Fjellgaard Kamloops Gathering Rising Star Compe:tors The Barbwire Dispatch is the official NewsleQer of the Alberta Cowboy Poetry Associa:on (ACPA). Authorized by the ACPA board, the Barbwire Dispatch Editor is Shelley Goldbeck. (Cell phone: 403.606.1379) Submissions for any features, sugges:ons for content, may be sent to [email protected]. The Board and the Editor cannot guarantee that any or all submissions will be published. Submissions should be in keeping with the ACPA mandate and be of interest to members and fans. Deadline for July 2016 edi:on is June 25, 2016. www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com Page 4 WESTERN CANADA AS I SAW IT
by Barbara White
From former ACPA President, Iven Bryant: My sister came to visit us in 2004, while I was s<ll performing, and we took her to the Maple Creek Gathering. She thoroughly enjoyed the prairies, the gathering and the people. Among other highlights of her trip was riding horses at Bryn Thiessen's with Chris and Sharky Schauer as guides and on another ou<ng, Al Collins serenading us with his song, "Packing Sharky's Bible”, as we rode horses across the parklands of central Alberta. She will be 84 this month and has lived in our home town all her life. The tone of her wri<ng is directed at family and friends, who don't know anything about western Canada and the cowboy life. What I get out of her piece is how the prairies and the people have made a such a great connec<on with her. September 7, 2004……..Anticipation was high
as I arrived at Edmonton Airport in Alberta,
Canada, to visit my brother and sister-in-law.
Behind me stood a modern city, but no amount of
reading or looking at pictures could prepare me for
the flat expanse of land or incredible sky in front of
me. The experience was breathtaking. In the next
two weeks I saw awe-inspiring mountains,
waterfalls, glaciers and wild animals, but
experiencing the prairies and those who live on
them was good for my soul. If signs of modern
development were removed, it would have been
like entering a time warp.
If you thought working cowboys were shadowy
figures in history, you’ll have to reconsider. The
cowboy is alive and well, at least in western
Canada. There they love the beautiful wide prairies
and even wider sky. Sometimes conditions are
harsh, but the dedication shown by cowboys,
stockmen, and their families is enduring. The
western women are undoubtedly as sturdy as the
men.
Today’s westerners may look and dress like a
hundred or more years ago, but they take full
advantage of modern innovations. To tend their
herds and fences they may drive an old “fencing
truck” or an ATV across the plains as often as ride
a horse. Computers and modern scientific methods
are put to full use.
With wide-brimmed hats squarely set, boots
and big belt buckles in place, the 21st century
cowboys face life as their ancestors did, with
independent spirit and love of their spacious land
undiminished but, when the work is done, there’s
church, stringed music and fun. These figures,
seemingly from the past, may be tanned, callused
and tough as a leather saddle, but catch one in a
reflective mood and he’s quite likely to free your
tears with his poetry, songs, and stories.
Hospitality shown to me was unlimited. I don’t
believe I would ever have the courage to invite nine
virtual strangers to stay for three days and feed them
enormous breakfasts, as one family did. This was not
a bed and breakfast business, but an ordinary
ranching household on property owned by their family
for 120 years. Sunday morning found our hosts, in
town by 8 a.m., leading two hours of worship music,
playing guitar and singing.
I met so many individuals, but they all seem to
have a connection of spirit and love of life. Maybe it is
the frosty-haired, elderly gentleman whose eyes
absolutely sparkled while showing us his huge pet
Percheron horses or the sheep dogs he was training.
His wife is a tiny gentle lady, at one time
professionally known in Nashville for her yodeling and
singing and who still performs. Or the younger man
gradually losing his sight, but retaining a love of God
as he and his wife struggle to stay on the land. I can’t
forget the couple who listened as God gave them a
mission to spread the gospel through music.
Some live in remote areas, as one family does, but
their children are well-rounded and happy being
home-schooled by their mother as they grow up close
to God, enjoying working with horses and cattle in the
beautiful mountains. Their father is a quiet, taciturn
man who is a major composer of cowboy poetry and
a preacher. Another gentleman travels to third-world
countries helping improve their educational systems,
but melts your heart with his songs. And then there is
the man who struggled until he overcame a stuttering
handicap and now recites his and others’ poetry from
the stage, or the young man with MS who refuses to
speak from his wheelchair, but grips the podium to
stand erect while giving a heart-breaking memorial
tribute for his wife.
A few of those I met have little education, others
have numerous degrees, but they all live close to God
and show it in their lives, music, stories, and poetry.
www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com Page 5 Feedback Feedbag Empty Saddles Thank you so much for placing the no:ce of Clay Switzer’s passing in the Barbwire Dispatch. I hadn’t heard, and it was with great sadness that I read it. We all had great fun together at the Stampede and would oden run into each other off the “grounds” for a nice visit. He was a kind and fun loving man. Member reac<on to the updated Barbwire Dispatch has been posi<ve. You've done it again! I con:nue to be impressed with your work with the Barbwire Dispatch. Your ar:cle on Buddy Gale was great. Buddy is one of my many poetry heroes. As have many others, I always found him inspira:onal. How fitting it is to have this Charlie Russell painting in the cowboy poetry
newsletter.
Charlie did this chuckwagon campfire scene just one year before he
passed away in 1925. They say Charlie loved bringing back the good old
days of the open range, the Montana he came to in the late 1800’s. I’ve read
Charlie admitted himself, he wasn’t that much of a cowhand but every outfit
loved him, he was such good entertainment!
Even in the light of only the campfire flame the sense of amusement is
obvious on the cowboys faces. Charlie said he was the cowhand standing at
the right and no doubt telling a “windy” as the tales were called.
The most important story told in this fine painting titled “Laugh Kills
Lonesome” is to me it illustrates what we might call “Ground Zero” for
cowboy poetry. Here is where it was born, on the open range, when the day’s
work was done and time for a little fun.
It was a wonderful choice on your part, to print this famous Charlie
Russell art work in our newsletter! Thanks again and best regards, Bill Dunn
www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com GRIFF, John Raymond "Ray" David April 22, 1940 – March 9, 2016 Sadly, Ray passed on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Trudy; brother, Ken Greff of Hermitage, Tennessee; nieces, Brenda (Terry) PaQon and family, Kathy (Mike) Fuller and family, Holy (John) Frost and family, and Susie (Roger) Radford and family all living in Tennessee; Ronald (Wendy) Hankel and family and Donald (Cindy) Hankel and family. Born in Vancouver, Bri:sh Columbia, Ray moved to Nashville as a young man to fulfill his musical dreams. Ader living and working in Nashville for many years, he finally returned to Canada seQling in Calgary. Ray and Trudy relocated to Vancouver Island in December of 2015. Page 6 Barbwire Dispatch on Facebook ACPA Member and musician, Mike Dygert has stepped up to manage our Facebook page. Find our page at hQps://www.facebook.com/search/top/?
q=barbwire%20dispatch&em=1 or search Barbwire Dispatch on Facebook. To share your news, contact Mike at [email protected] Site Refresh ACPA Web Update The Alberta Cowboy Poetry Associa:on is moving forward on an ini:a:ve to refresh the ACPA web site. Poets and Pickers are urged to submit new photos and biographies for the site as soon as possible. Send your submissions to [email protected]. If you need assistance in wri:ng your bio, I am happy to help. The ACPA now accepts adver:sing for the Barbwire Dispatch as more revenue is required to cover costs. Your ad should be of interest to our readers. ¼ page for $60. For more informa:on or to place your ad, contact Dispatch editor, Shelley Goldbeck at [email protected] www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com Page 7 Membership Report The ACPA welcomes these new members: Dale Mailand, poet, Harlem, MT Ed Tokarchik, storyteller, Prince Albert, SK Mary Ellen Goslin, musician, Okotoks, AB Edwin Friesen, musician, Claresholm, AB Save the Date Gatherings The following Gatherings have announced their 2016 dates. Mark your calendars so you don’t miss any of the fun! Posters for gatherings appear later in this issue of the Barbwire Dispatch. Trail’s End, High River, AB, Sept 30 to Oct 2, 2016 www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com Willow Creek Cowboy Gathering Stavely , AB, June 17 to 19, 2016 www.wccowboygathering.com Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Fergus Performing Arts Center Lewistown, MT August 11 to 14, 2016 www.montanacowboypoetrygathering.com Is your ACPA membership current? Of the 194 members in ACPA , 133 are presently sustaining the costs of running the associa:on. There are s:ll a number of members who have not sent in their 2015 fees. The 2016 membership fees are due now. (Only $25/per year or $15 for life:me members). The ACPA is a non-­‐profit organiza:on with limited income opportuni:es. Your membership dues are needed to put on our gathering. For those on the Entertainer’s Page on the website, your fees must be current to maintain your presence. If you are not sure if your membership dues are current, please call Harold and Yvonne at 403-­‐638-­‐5125 or email [email protected] . If your memory has been jogged send a cheque to ACPA c/o Harold Webber, Site 109, Box 18, RR 3, Sundre, AB. T0M 1X0. Hoping to hear from you soon. Harold Webber, Membership Chair. Maple Creek Cowboy Gathering Maple Creek, SK, September 16 to 18, 2016 www.maplecreekcowboypoetry.com
Trail’s End Camping: George Lane campground advised that unless they get at least ten campers for the Trail’s End weekend, they can’t keep it open for us. If you are interested in staying at the campground, you are advised to register by Sept. 1 Former ACPA President, BJ Smith was the winner of the Alberta Wilderness Associa:on's Louise Guy Memorial award for poetry for 2016 at a presenta:on at the Calgary Tower on Saturday, April, 23rd. BJ Says, “It was an honour and I also enjoyed seeing Nora Maidman who was part of the entertainment with her fiddle group”. Congratula:ons, BJ! www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com Page 8 Prairie Mountain Fiddlers Barn Dance Wednesday, August 10, 2016, 7:30 to 9:30 PM Strathmore Civic Centre $10 per person or $25 per family For :ckets contact Claudia: Day: 403.934.3900 Night: 403.934.5966 Email: [email protected] DAVID THOMPSON RESORT
Canadian Rockies
11 th al
Annu
2016
FOR TICKETS CONTACT 1.888.810.2103 / www.davidthompsonresort.com
Danny & Susan Gibson
Travelling Mabels
Flatbroke
Gary Fjellgaard
AM Radio
3 MustySteers
In support of Children’s Wish Sunday Dinner
and Show
Featuring
Dwain Sands
The Carolines
Naomi Bristow
MC
BJ Smith
Sunday Guests enjoy 50% off Camping and Motel
Volunteers for Trail’s End:
Organizers
Promoters
Fundraisers
Picture Takers
Cookers
Book/CD Sellers
Membership Hawkers
Cleaner-Uppers
No criminal record required!
Former ACPA President, B.J. Smith was the emcee for the David Thompson Resort’s 12th annual Cowboy Fes:val. B.J. spent years riding in the mountains and returns to the David Thompson Resort year ader year to introduce the performers. Between sets he sneaked in cowboy poetry, exposing the crowd to our favourite art form. Naomi Bristow wowed the audience with her fabulous singing and incredible yodeling. She is merely 18 years old and has already recorded ten albums. If you get a chance to see her, do! Over the Moon is a husband and wife duo with sweet harmonies and so deep in love it’s palpable from the audience. Another impressive group was the Carolines, three young women from Edmonton, none of whom are named Caroline. The sezng was magical in the shadow of the mountains and there is no cell service which made the weekend that much more sa:sfying! www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com Page 9 16th Annual
NEW
DATES IN
2016
Stavely, Alberta,
in the arena.
Father’s Day Weekend
June 17, 18 & 19, 2016
Friday & Saturday Performances - 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sunday Morning - Cowboy Breakfast and Church
Live Western Entertainment
POETS: Shelley Goldbeck, Bryn Thiessen, "Dusty Trails”(Dominic Farrenkopf),
Mag Mawhiney, and Morgan Wilson.
MUSICIANS: Noel Burles, Charlie Ewing, Fiddler Breanna Lizotte, Jim & Lynda McLennan,
Blue Heeler (Dave Loree & Kevin Simpson), Up the Creek (Dana Connelly, Dan Skierka,
Joanne White), Vadnais/Orange Blossom Express (Dale Vadnais, Lorraine Gladue & Friends),
Jim Beaudoin, George Blake, The McRae Sisters (Danielle & Erin), and Joanne & Merv Leitz.
Campfire Jam session following evening shows
Concession On Site
OPEN 9 am to 8 pm
Homestyle Suppers FRI. & SAT.
Free On-Site Dry Camping
Trade Show All Weekend
Bring the WHOLE Family!
ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS Free Admission for 16 & Under
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR
Weekend pass $60 • 1 Full Day $35 • 1 Evening $25
Info: Audrey 403-549-2453 or Charlie 403-625-2157
www.wccowboygathering.com
www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com Page 10 31st Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Western Music Rendezvous Other events at the Montana Gathering: Award winning, Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Western Music Rendezvous has announced the selec:on of Fergus High School as the Day Headquarters for its 31st Annual Gathering, August 11-­‐14, 2016. As Day Headquarters, Fergus High School will be the hos:ng venue for the Gathering on Thursday, August 11th, for cowboy poet and musician registra:on, and opening of the Gathering’s consignment cowboy poetry & music gid shop. On Friday, August 12th, mul:ple mini-­‐
show listening sessions will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the FREE Western Art & Vendor Show will be held from noon to 6:00 p.m.. On Saturday, August 14th, more mini-­‐show listening sessions will con:nue in mul:ple areas and the Western Art & Vendor Show will be open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.. A FREE music stage, “ The Back 40” will feature performers all day Friday and Saturday as well. The 880-­‐seat Fergus Center for the Performing Arts, adjoining Fergus High School will host the Saturday night Grand Stage Show at 7:00 p.m. starring na:onally acclaimed, RIDERS IN THE SKY. A variety of food and beverage vendors will be on-­‐site at Fergus High School to provide for gathering aQendees throughout the gathering. Complete informa:on about Cowboy Poetry and schedules can be found at MontanaCowboyPoetryGathering.com. Cowboy Poets and Musicians are invited to contact CharloQe Carroll, [email protected] for details about performing. Ar:st/vendors are invited to contact Karen Kuhlmann, [email protected]. about par:cipa:on in the Western Art & Vendor Show. General admission :ckets for RIDERS IN THE SKY are available online. Reserved and VIP :ckets for RIDERS IN THE SKY and pin-­‐passes can be ordered at 406-­‐538-­‐4575. Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Western Music Rendezvous is 31 years old this August. It is the 2nd oldest gathering in the country...just one year younger than the Na:onal Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. The gathering brings 1,500 cowboy poets, western musicians, ar:st/vendors and western history enthusiasts to Lewistown every August. A crowning glory for Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering was its 2015 induc:on into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering is a non-­‐profit endeavor dedicated to “preserving and celebra:ng the history of the American Cowboy of the Upper Rocky Mountain West.” see www.MontanaCowboyPoetryGathering.com Thurs., Aug. 11th, Welcome Chuck Supper & Mini-­‐Show, Jack’s Hanger, 6:00 p.m. Thurs. Aug. 11th, Official American ReQrement Ceremony, 9:30 p.m. at Jack’s Friday, Aug. 12th, Jam ‘n Dance, 6:30 at Pine Meadows Golf Clubhouse Friday, Aug. 12th, Charlie Russell Chew Choo dinner train – :ckets available at the Lewistown Chamber, 406-­‐535-­‐5436 Friday, Aug. 12th, FREE Starlight Street Dance at The Yogo Inn, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13th, RaUlesnake Jake Re-­‐enactment, Main Street, 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August 15th, Cowboy Church, 10:00 a.m. at Celebra:on Community Fellowship Church ACPA Shirts in Stock The ACPA has a number of shirts in stock, with the ACPA logo embroidered on them: Ladies’: Light blue denim, XL. One. Cream colour, one Med and two Large. Men’s: Dark Blue Denim, one XL, two Small. Cream colour, one Small We can order in your size. Please note: cream colour is discon:nued. (2XL and 3XL available on request.) We stock these shirts for our members and we encourage you to “Wear the Brand”. To purchase these or to order other shirts, contact Wendy Vaughan at 403.946.5482 or by email at Wendy@OBPPromo:ons.com www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com Page 11 www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com Page 12 The 12th Annual
Trail’s End Gathering 2016
September 30th, October 1st & 2nd, 2016
High River Full Gospel Church
1802 - 9th Ave. S.E., High River, AB.
A Gathering of Cowboy Poets, Muscians, Artists and Enthusiasts
Honouring
the History & Traditions
of the West with Over
30 Performers
Friday September 30th
Saturday october 1st
12:00pm - 5:00pm - Free
Performers Displays, CD’s and Book Sales
Feature Evening Performances
7:00pm - 10pm - $15.00
11:00am - 4:30pm - Free
Performers Displays, CD’s & Book Sales
5:30pm
Beef Stew Supper with Pie - $20
Performers and times will be posted
on web early September:
Feature Evening Performances
7:00pm - 10:00pm - $15.00
www.albertacowboypoetry.com
Concession open Friday and Saturday - Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday october 2nd
Cowboy Church - 10:30am
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Open Mic in the park
Saturday Dinner $20
Order by September 28th
Weekend Pass $25
(Meals not included)
Ticket Information
For general ticket ordering contact
[email protected]
403-946-5482
403-649-2701
To Pay By Visa, Mastercard or Debit
Call: 403-652-7156
(Highwood Museum)
Friday & Saturday Daytime
Seniors Groups - Free
Coming for Lunch? Provide No. to
[email protected] or call
403-440-9714
Camping & RV Reservations
George Lane Park - Open
403-652-2529
Edwin Bronsch
www.AlbertaCowboyPoetry.com