Cowboy Poets of Utah
Autumn Newsletter
October 2006
CPU Board: Curly Syndergaard, Sam DeLeeuw, Terri Taylor, Gene Jones
Presidency: Val Carter, Kenny Hall, Jo Lynne Kirkwood, Rod Miller
FRONT PAGE NEWS!!!
Just in case you haven’t heard through the grapevine or on the website, the ballots have been cast and counted - and we do have new CPU Officers! The results of our official poll (ballots were tallied at the September meeting in Sandy) are:
CPU President: Val Carter
CPU Vice President: Kenny Hall
Jo Lynne Kirkwood will continue as CPU Secretary, and Rod Miller as CPU Treasurer. Keri Carter will continue as Membership Assistant.
Sam DeLeeuw was also re-elected to the Board of Directors, this time as Vice-Chairman of the board. The term is for two years. Other elected offices are for a term of one year. Other board members are nominated by the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board, and ratified by the membership. This takes place with the election of Chairman of the Board, which will take place once again in the summer of 2007
We are pleased to tell you that this year the return on CPU ballots was very high. Thanks, everyone, for participating in the election process! Based on the response, it’s very easy to see that these officers are strongly supported by our members.
We’re sure everyone will want to shake hands with our new officers and wish them well, and the next official CPU event where you’ll be able to do that will be October 21st, in Farmington. Read more about this gathering inside the newsletter!
President’s Message
What a “Marvelous Predicament” I find myself in as I try to fill the boots as the new president. The Cowboy Poets of Utah is such a wonderful, happy family that has been growing steady for several years. Though I’m not sure of all of its early beginnings, I do know that many have helped to create and keep this organization growing. I think what makes the Cowboy Poets of Utah special is the love and respect we have for others in the group. We are a family. There is a willingness of members to help and encourage others that may be getting starting with cowboy poetry, whether they are new members or potential youth poets at schools. Many times I have heard some of the “more seasoned” poets’ offer their spots in a gathering to someone who may be new to cowboy poetry and has not had many opportunities to perform.
In our by-laws it states that part of our purpose is to, “… provide forums for their presentation, performance, and publication; and afford opportunities for members, youth, and other interested parties for education and improvement. “
As we continue to grow as an organization we hope to see new venues open, with new opportunities to “perpetuate the cultural traditions of poetry, storytelling, music, and other folk arts of the American West and the cowboy life” with the people of Utah. I would like to see some CPU get-togethers that would be forums to exchange ideas on putting together a gathering, or discuss helpful hints for when you are performing. We have a couple of members who have held sessions on writing better poetry. All of us have something to contribute, and most of us have things we would like to improve on.
But also with growth comes the expanded reputation of an organization. Right now we are looking really good, but we still need to be aware of our actions and voiced thoughts when we are being identified with the Cowboy Poets of Utah and strive for professionalism as we write, as well as perform. I’m glad to be part of this family, and look forward to working with you the “Cowboy Poets of Utah,” to help this organization to continue to grow.
Val Carter – CPU President
Message from the New Vice President:
To the members of the CPU,
I just wanted to let each of you know how honored I am to be elected to serve as Vice President of the Cowboy Poets of Utah. I am humbled as well. I have served in other positions for other organizations and above all this one truly is an honor.
There is so much talent in the CPU, as well as a true and sincere friendship. My Goal is to help promote Cowboy Poetry and Song, and to represent each of the members of the CPU. I encourage anyone who has some input or suggestions to contact me in regards to keeping this great association heading in the same direction that the previous leaders have taken it.
I feel that I understand the intent and purpose of the CPU, at least how I feel about the preserving and the promoting of my Western Heritage. It is something that I actually live every day of my life. I am blessed to be able to ride and care for my mules and other livestock each day. To use my hands to take a piece of leather and build a beautiful and also very useful saddle or pair of chinks. To take some steel and wood, then turn them into a livable warm Cowboy Camp Wagon. Then be blessed enough to pick up my guitar and stum out a chord and sing a tale of some old Cowboy from the past. I live for today, and the responsiblity is on my shoulders to pass on and keep alive this heritage and way of life that has been handed down to me by my family and those gone before me.
Thank you again for the honor to represent such a fine bunch people.
Yours Truly, Kenny Hall
CPU Members with BRAGGIN’ RIGHTS!!
The Academy of Western Artists (AWA) has announced this year’s winners, and BROOKSIE took top honors! Congratulations, Brooksie! We’re dang proud!
Female Poet of the Year - Jerry “Brooksie” Brooks
Also, the WMA is counting down the days to their festival. Sam DeLeeuw is a top contender for Female Poet of the year, and will go to the award ceremony in New Mexico in November. Don Kennington is up for Male Poet of the Year with the WMA, as is CPU’s good friend Andy Nelson from Wyoming. Stampede is also up for major honors, both as a group and as indivudual members in the group. Looks like they’re just about up for everything there! Be sure to wish them good luck when you see these folks! Steve Taylor is President of the WMA, and Terri is a board member, and they’ve worked long and hard to make the WMA a great organization.
Don Kennington was honored with a special award at the joint WMA/CPU party at Craig Johnson’s house of September 9th. Lu Middleton, President of the Utah Chapter of the WMA, presented Don with the Larry Sandburg award, given annually by the chapter in rememberance of a long time fan a supporter of music, poetry and all things western - Larry Sandburg!
COWBOY POETS OF UTAH
MEMBERSHIP MEETING
SEPTEMBER 9, 2006
This meeting was held at the Willow Creek Park in Sandy. Thanks were given to the outgoing officers, and Sam encouraged everyone to keep up the momentum of the Cowboy Poets of Utah.
The ballots were counted for the offices of Vice Chairman of the Board, President and Vice President of the CPU organization. Sam Deleeuw was elected Vice Chairman of the Board, Val Carter was elected President and Kenny Hall was elected Vice President. JoLynne Kirkwood will continue her role as Secretary and the Newsletter Editor, Rod Miller will continue his duties as the Treasurer, and Keri Carter will continue as the membership assistant. There is one vacancy on the Board of Directors that still needs to be filled.
Val thanked Sam for her service and example to the organization. He also stated he would be using e-mail and the website (www.cowboypoetsofutah.org) as a means to send reminders, etc., but hard copies of information will also be mailed to the membership.
Kenny suggested that a membership meeting be held in Tropic. Val and Kenny will work together to set up a meeting schedule for the next year.
It was the consensus of the group to continue the yearly tribute held during Cowboy Poetry week in April.
Please send Val dates of upcoming events and your bios and he will post them on the website.
Bill Gubler discussed the Special Olympics fundraising event to be held in Park City on October 21. He has had an excellent response for participation and would like to see it expanded to two days next year. A few open mic sessions are still available. Bill said he was also in need of some bleachers. Bill will send out a map and an itinerary to all performers. Contact Bill for more information on this event.
Winners at the Cowboy Poetry Rodeo in Kanab included Sam Deleeuw, Van Criddle, Smoke Wade and Doug Keller. Congratulations!
Rod Miller reported that CPU donated money to Cowboy Poetry.com.
We would like to spotlight our members in the newsletters. Please e-mail Jolynne with the information. jolynne.kirkwood@sevier.k12.ut.us
Upcoming Events:
October 21st - Farmington Event - Utah High Country Gathering (Bill Gubler)
November 8th -11th (Week Of...) HEBER CITY
* HOLIDAY EVENTS *
January ELKO
February Moab Gathering
March Cedar City Cowby Gathering (Curly Syndergaard)
April National Cowboy Poetry Month
April Cowboy Poetry Proclamation signed with Governor Huntsman.
CPU poetry week event in Payson
April Gathering at the Triple C in Panguitch (Kenny Hall)
April Orrin Porter Rockwell Gathering in Brigham City
June Elsinore Days (CR WOOD)
June Lehi Round Up (ValCarter)
July CPU Summer Party
(This is a copy of an email from Lu and Bill, which should be read by anyone planning to attend the October 21st. PARK CITY event.) I am sending this email to inform the performers scheduled to perform at the High Country Gathering at the National Abilities Center in Park City on October 21st that due to circumstances beyond our control some fast changes have had to be made. We were recently advised by The National Abilities Center that they could not live up to their offer for our use of their facility at Park City for this event. We felt that their limited and costly new offer at the facility did not provide the quality venue that our performers and the audience deserve and at that point were concerned we might have to cancel the event - The result would have been devastating. But with some fast thinking and great cooperation from some folks in Davis County we now have a new venue with a different recipient for the benefit event. SAME DATE, SAME TIME, SAME SCHEDULE - AT A NEW LOCATION - DAVIS COUNTY LEGACY CENTER 151 SO 1100 WEST IN FARMINGTON UT is a beautiful facility. The recipient’s are YOUTH OF PROMISE - an awesome, dedicated and deserving group of young people who have been working vary hard to raise money to construct a beautiful and meaningful 9/11 Memorial at the Botanical Gardens in Kaysville. You will soon be receiving the location map and info on the new location and recipients.
We sincerely hope that this change will accommodate all performers but if for any reason you cannot be on the show or have any questions or concerns please contact me ASAP at 801-721-4645 or email wmanut@aol.com or Bill Gubler at 801-254-5775 email wild_billgubler@hotmail.com.
We are sincerely sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but please keep in mind these changes were made with everyone’s best interest at heart.
We still plan to do a benefit for the Equestrian Special Olympics next year at a date earlier in the year. We plan to get started organizing that event soon and look forward to your participation at that event also.
Heber City Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Buckaroo Fair
November 8th - 11th
Tom Whitaker has invited a small group of Utah poets to participate in the Heber City Cowboy Poetry Gathering this year. This will be a PURE POETRY event, and will take palce from four until six-thirty on Friday, November 10th.
Mark your calendars now, and plan to attend!
Poets invited this year include:
Curly Syndergaard, CR Wood, Phil Kennington, Michael Robinson, Jerry Brooks, Paul Bliss, Fred Engle, and Jo Lynne Kirkwood
Our incredible Utah Youth Poets will also be featured with their own set. Come and grin as
Caib Brian, Braden Brian, Aubree Brian, Kate Murdock,
Swasey Bliss, and Curtis Probert
remind us WHY we do what we do!
Pure Poetry will be divided into two sessions, each to include four poets, with the youth set between. Please come and support this event! Heber City has rapidly become a major gathering, and the Cowboy Poets of Utah are proud to be part of it! Kenny Hall will provide music before and after the show.
Open Mic time is also available, and Tom is encouraging all of us to participate there.
Come to Heber City and HAVE FUN!
Other CPU members included in the program are
Don Kennington, Colen Sweeten, and Stampede
& friends Red Rock Wranglers, Jeff Carson, In Cahoots
and there will be more entertainment from other folks than you’ll be able to take in. Just a few of the performers scheduled to be at Heber this year are:
Waddie Mitchell Michael Martin Murphey The Sons of the San Joaquin Curly Musgrave & Belinda Gail R.W. Hampton Cowboy BOP Glenn Orlin Eli Barsi Ian Tyson Bar J Wranglers Red Steagall Brenn Hill and MANY MORE!
Visit www.hebercitycowboypoetry.com for information
PONY EXPRESS NEWS (What Folks have been up
to…)
Sam DeLeeuw just got home from Durango, where she once again participated in the annual event there. Sounds like she had a great trip – other than the rain wind and storm that blew through here then headed that direction…
Kenny Hall has been working with the Everett Ruess Festival (Escalante Canyons Art Festival) near Bryce, and performed again this past Saturday, October 7th.
Rod Miller is spending every available moment on his new book, a history of the Bear River Massacre. Says he even sent his wife away for the weekend…
The annual WMA festival is coming up November 15 – 19 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lots of great entertainment planned there. Stampede and Sam DeLeeuw plan to attend.
Don Kennington will be performing at the Spirit of Western Entertainment event in Emmett, Idaho, on November 17th. This is an annual event and I hear it’s lots of fun! There’s an open mic day planned for the 18th, if anyone can make it up.
Cowboy Poets of Utah
c/o Jo Lynne Kirkwood
PO Box 570207
Sigurd, Utah 84657