Who's new, who's not
|
|
Making their Cochise Gathering debut are singer-songwriters T.J. Casey, Joyce Woodson, Joni Harms, humorist Andy Nelson, and poets Les Buffham and Brenda "Sam" DeLeeuw. The main stage mix of solo performers, groups, newcomers, and old-timers is always a topic of conversation, criticism and Monday-morning quarterbacking (no Super Bowl references intended) among fans.
This 15th annual Gathering at the Buena Performing Arts Center is likely to provoke the usual debate about which is the "best" performance to attend - and which is the most likely to deliver that satisfying blend of musical excitement with poetic chuckles and pathos.
"We could showcase more headliners each performance, but they'd be on stage for less time. Or we can do what we're doing, and give audiences a rich depth at each show," said Steve Conroy, event co-chair.
Check the line-ups for each performance and pick one - or all three shows.
T.J. Casey- Billings, Mont.
T.J. has spent much of his life in the saddle on ranches in Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Oregon and Arizona. He also has over 30 years experience as a singer/songwriter and cowboy poet. His travels take him from his beloved Blue Montana Skies to venues all over America. T.J. also works with schools in several states teaching cowboy culture and cowboy poetry to students as part of the Artists-in-Residence program of arts councils.
Buckshot Dot - Payson, Ariz.
Dot is an Arizona native who grew up on the Navajo and Hualpai reservations and has been writing and singing about the West since childhood. By her own admission, she is younger than springtime and older than dirt! Since retiring as an educator, Dot has recorded albums that feature her truly unique style and published two books. Her performances celebrate the Old West way of life with traditional cowboy songs and original poems. In other words, she tells it like it WAS!
Sally Bates - Chino Valley, Ariz.
Sally was born in Prescott and raised on ranches in Yavapai County. She comes from five generations of "root stock" in the Southwest on both sides of her family tree. Her father worked on ranches in the area for more than 50 years. Sally has earned a living at different times in her life as a camp cook, rider of drag, and substitute mother to orphaned calves and donkeys.
Brenda "SAM" DeLeeuw - Manti, Utah
"Sam" was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, just off the lackfeet Indian Tribe Reservation. She grew up riding the tributaries of the Snake River and hills and reservation in that region. She was married for 20 years to a man who ranched sheep and cattle in Manti, Utah. She can keep a sense of humor and make a good story out of any of the happenings experienced with the stock. She was voted the 2001 and 2002 Female Poet of the Year by the Utah Chapter of the Western Music Association.
Les Buffham - Castaic, Calif.
Les was raised on a family ranch in the remote northwest corner of Colorado. He kicked around the western slope of Colorado for many years, breaking and trading horses, announcing rodeos, and working as an auctioneer. Today, Les is widely recognized as one of the best cowboy entertainers in the business and performs at venues throughout the West. He has won awards for both his music and poetry, which range from humorous to poignant. Les was the the Featured Performer at last year's Tombstone Western Musical Festival.
Call of the West - Strang, Okla.
Call of the West is Jeanne Cahill and Jerome Campbell. They specialize in helping to recreate the spirit of the Old West by bringing back the songs made famous by Hollywood's singing cowboys, along with Western swing and traditional cowboy music. A bit of light-hearted poetry and some trail humor is thrown in! Jeanne and Jerome also write songs utilizing classic styles. They have performed together since 1989 at festivals around the country.
Daughters of the Purple Sage - Valley Glen, Calif.
The Daughters of the Purple Sage have won international acclaim for their smooth vocals and airtight harmony. They specialize in songs of the Golden West and were voted "Rising Star of the Year" by the Academy of Western Artists. Their music has garnered them a legion of fans around the United States and in Canada. Their music is played on radio stations all over North America. The three members of the group are Californian Carolyn Baker on mandolin, Arizonan Audrey McLaughlin on guitar, and South Dakotan Judy Murbach on bass.
Peggy Godfrey - Moffat, Colo.
Peggy has ranched next to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado for more than 30 years, living 40 miles from the nearest Safeway or Wal-Mart! Since 1991, with a somewhat aggressive/progressive feminine perspective, she has told of her own experiences, reflections and impressions in stories and poems. Being a woman in a predominantly male line of work lends itself to lots of adventures!
Royce W. Hodge - Fairplay, Colo.
Royce was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and has been working around cattle since he was six years old. After a tour in the U.S. Navy, he drifted into Arizona. During his 30 years here, his fame as a cowboy poet spread. In 1994, Royce became involved with the National Festival of the West, where he gained the title "The Voice of Rawhide." From working cows, to rounding up wild mustangs, to being a professional rodeo cowboy, Royce has embraced the cowboy way of living and continues to do so.
Bud Strom - Hereford, Ariz.
Bud was orphaned at the age of fifteen and found a home near Red Lodge, Montana, as a working cowboy. He entered the Army in 1955 and wrote his first "war" poetry during a lull in combat in Vietnam in 1973. Bud retired from the Army while stationed at Fort Huachuca and returned to the cattle business.
He and his wife, Joan, own the Single Star Ranch in Hereford. His published works include Dry Lightning and Cowboys and Angels. He has also recorded CD's and tapes.
Comments