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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: (From Sam DeLeeuw)

Leaving Manti on the morning of February 1, found me leaving eight inches of snow on the ground and more snow falling as I drove south to hopefully better weather. The event was the Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering in Sierra Vista, Arizona. February 3-5, 2006. The weather did improve as I neared Kanab and from there on it was smooth sailing.

I arrived in Phoenix for the 5:00pm rush hour and at 6:30pm, I reached the south end of town and decided to call it a day after ten hours of driving. Arriving in Sierra Vista the next day, I met my host family, Bill and Linda Pattison, was taken to lunch after they helped me get signed in and registered. That night everyone involved with the Gathering headed for Tombstone and Big Nose Kate’s Saloon where we all got a turn to take the stage for our favorite poem or song. It went on for three hours and the crowd was great!!

Several of Utah Poet’s friends were there; Dave Stamey, Mike Dunn, Jim Dunham, with Suzy Killman was looking great and feeling even better. She was singing that weekend with one of her daughters and they sounded wonderful.

Friday found the “artists” as we were called, in the many school in and surrounding Sierra Vista. Jim Dunham and I teamed up to do three shows in the Apache Middle School. Winners of the youth poetry contests, presented their poem at the Friday and Saturday night performances. Over 2,000 entries were received in the three age groups. There are some very talented kids at the schools in Sierra Vista with very

supportive teachers who have make this a part of their poetry curriculum.

Saturday was host to the “theme sessions” with eight stages going on simultaneously with poets and musicians from all over the West, Canada, Alaska and Australia.

Each night after the shows, the jam sessions lasted for hours for not only the “artists” , but anyone who wanted to come join in the fun. It was a fun filled weekend and Sierra Vista is the place to visit in February amidst the cold temperatures of Utah. It is only 16 miles from the Mexican boarder with very mild temperatures ranging in the sixties and seventies this year.

Unfortunately, Sunday came way too fast and I had to leave my host family their dog, Red, and desert turtle

(legally kept) Genie! I said goodbye to all my old friends and to the many, many new ones I made over the three days of the gathering. I had a great time and I have pictures to prove it!!!!

Had a great time in Elko again this year, saw lots of fantastic shows and ran into some old friends and CPU members! Michael and I arrived late afternoon Thursday, missing most of the events at the Convention Center, but managing to find enough entertainment at the Folklife Center that we couldn’t worry about what we might have missed. We ran into Margo Metegrano almost immediately, then found Brooksie just heading into a show. We managed to buy tickets for the Ian Tyson show in the Convention Center auditorium, and

bumped right into Shannon Wrango from Kansas Saddlery - and old friend we just made last summer at the roundup - and still were able to be there for Tyson’s performance. The days do blur together in retrospect, but some of the highlights for me this year were Brooksie’s on the- big-stage-performance (she was wonderful!) at the convention center, a little outside the music building tete-a-tete with Milton Taylor (the best of the best Australian poets) all the fun of Pat Richardson’s Roast at Stockman’s (no body can tell an insulting story like Glen Orlin. We laughed until we were sick!) EVERYTHING Tom Russell did (What an artist!) and the highlight of the entire weekend, the Don Edwards, Curly Musgrave, Kip Kalahan show at the Folklife Center - the final official event of the day Saturday, a show so good it would have justified the trip just by itself. Colen Sweeten once again showed up on stage with Michael Martin Murphey, our buddy Brooke Turner was there with his two young ‘uns, we kept running into Val and Keri Carter, Bimbo Cheney, Rod Miller. Doug Keller and Pam were in town, Doug Brewer, CR and Jeane Wood, Kenny Hall... Saw so many people I’m probably forgetting to mention someone who is a great friend, but I’m sure all of you who attended will agree we had a ball. AND, if you weren’t there,... why not??? - jo

As President of the Board of Directors, Curly Syndergaard would conduct this meeting. In his absence, Sam Deleeuw, President of CPU, conducted. She welcomed everyone in attendance, and Don Kennington offered an opening prayer.

Thanks were given to Rusty Salmons for her efforts in organizing the Western Stars Gala Event and for hosting our meeting today.

Sam reminded everyone that communication with each other is vital in maintaining our group.

JoLynne asked those who have attended other gatherings to submit a report to her and she will include it in the next newsletter. She asked Rusty to submit a report from an organizer’s point of view.

Sam reported on her visit to Sierra Vista schools and encouraged everyone to work on helping children be creative. She was also involved in a panel discussion.

Kenny, Mike and JoLynne, Val and Keri, and Brooksie attended the events in Elko. Brooksie attended as an invited guest and performed at several sessions. Val, JoLynne and Kenny performed at some of the open mic sessions.

Mike suggested that when a fund raiser is attached to a gathering, it helps the community and involves more people.

JoLynne stated she had been contacted by someone in Park City who had a barn, but she wasn’t sure if he was offering the barn as space or if he wanted to host an event. She will get more information and forward it to the area representative.

The membership renewal application will be revised to reflect Rod’s correct address (1665 East Julho Street, Sandy UT 84093) and the correct renewal date (March 1, not March 31).

Todd Nail has moved to Texas. Brooksie was selected as the area representative to replace him.

Val suggested that CPU sponsor an open mic session at Heber. He will contact Tom Whittaker for more information. It was also suggested that a packet be prepared for promoters with guidelines for a show.

Val suggested that CPU purchase a sign to display at gatherings. Val and Don Korth will get bids for vinyl banners. JoLynne offered to silk screen a banner if the bids were too expensive.

Val suggested that CPU sponsor a gathering with CPU members as the performers. JoLynne suggested that it be held in October. Val was asked to work on getting more information and putting it together.

My name is Dallas McCord and I just started a new radio show “Cowboy Culture Corner” on KNND 1400 AM in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Two hours that will soon grow to four hours of cowboy poetry, western music, and my own hammy humor. My show is getting rave reviews and it’s been very rewarding to bring western music and cowboy poetry to people who have never heard it before. The show airs Sunday afternoon from 1 to 3 PM. I need more material. If entertainers can send me their cd’s I will surely get them some air time. I plan to show case an album every week and talk about the artists. I’ll be having on air interviews with

the performers also. Folks can send their cd’s to:

Dallas McCord

240 Blue Jay Lp.

Creswell, Oregon _97426

In harmony, Dallas (Information sent by Carol Edison, Utah Arts Council.)

The following is a recap of a panel discussion that took place at the Moab Western Stars event during Presidents’ Day weekend. The notes were compiled by Sam DeLeeuw, and we would ALL love to hear input from our members regarding any of these issues! Please send your comments and responses to jolynne.kirkwood@sevier.k12.ut.us OR Jo Kirkwood - PO Box 570207 - Sigurd Utah 84657 - And we’ll put them in the May newsletter!

Moab’s Western Stars!!! What a great weekend! Thanks Rusty! One of the activities of the Gathering was the panel discussion on PERFORMING COWBOY POETRY. The panel was a diverse one to say the least! Jerry Brooks, the queen of reciting classics, Barbara Hall, cowgirl who” has been there done that”, writing her own as well as reciting others, and Sam DeLeeuw, who writes her own, usually humorous, poetry of the rancher’s wife.

Questions came from the audience gathered to hear what these three ladies had to say from selection of pieces to be recited, to stage presence and eye contact.

It was a common consensus that when giving another’s piece of work, that the author MUST be given credit, and that the work not be altered in any way in the rendition. If the reciter is not prepared to repeat certain words contained in the piece, the reciter should not do it at all. It must be given as it is written.

In a primarily male genre, it was discussed that the female poet should concentrate on giving pieces attune to her and her knowledge of material. That a female must watch the tone of her voice in order to be pleasing to her audience. That a “ continued high pitched voice” tends to “turn off” an audience.

Also, discussed was the presentation style of each poet, male or female. Some poets are highly animated and “entertain” audiences, while giving their poetry. This same poet, when giving a more serious piece, should attempt to exhibit the emotion that the author intended.

All this takes study of the piece to be given, and a sincere attempt to interpret the true meaning of the poem to the audience. Brooksie, said it best, “ Giving poetry is not about me, I am not an entertainer, it is all about the story, the poem!” Athough we must all admit, she does entertain any audience she performs before.

Barbara Hall talked about adding music to pieces of poetry as she has done several times when reciting BRONCO TWISTER’S PRAYER, with a sweet sounding guitar played behind her.

Sam DeLeeuw mentioned that the crowd has become invested in our presentations, either by love of the poetry or merely by paying an admittance to see the poets and musicians. Therefore, the artist should be as prepared as they can possibly be when they perform. They should strive to have the material memorized (although we have all taken a turn at forgetting a line). Eye contact with the audience brings them into the story, the poem and makes them a part of the program.

Not to say that we can’t try out our “new stuff” before a smaller intimate group, as many of us did in Moab, using a cheat sheet in case of emergency! But this should never be attempted before a large audience.

Those in attendance said they learned much from the panel and the comments that were made. There is always something else to be learned, so given an opportunity to sit in on a workshop or panel, give it a try!

-Note from Jo: Rusty Salmon for the third year put together a dang fine event out in the red rock country of Moab. It’s a great way to spend Presidents’ Day weekend, and all of us who were there would LOVE to see more CPU members in attendance! There’s plenty of opportunity to perform, and folks are friendly. Mark that weekend on your calendar right now, and let’s see you there in ‘07!

March 4 Entrada Cowboy Music and Poetry Festival. Torrey, Utah at the Rim Rock Restaurant. On

the show are STAMPEDE!, poet Dudley Elliott, a local band-Wendy Ohlwiler and friends, poets

The Canyon Country Western Arts Festival has changed its name - AND it has a new director!

Curly (and Cheryl) Syndergaard have coordinated the poetry gathering for years, but now Curly

is head honcho for the entire festival! If you don’t already have this date on your calendar, mark

April National Poetry Month - including COWBOY POETRY WEEK (see info. on front page!

April 6 Cowboy Poetry Proclamation signed with Governor Huntsman. CPU Officers and Board

April 8 CPU meeting in Payson to discuss upcoming gathering information (This is a directors’

meeting, but general membership is of course welcome to attend. Call Val for location info.

April 26 Gathering at the Triple C in Panguitch under the direction of Kenny Hall. This has become an

June 16 Sevier Valley Roundup; CR Wood is coordinating the event this year, in conjunction with the

They are gonna have a little cowboy poetry show up in Yahk, BC this summer and are looking for a few poets. Let me know if you are interested in talking to them and I will pass your information along

The folks here Yahk, BC, are planning a big centennial celebration next July 15 - 16. We are planning on having a lot of things happening on our 100th birthday, and one attraction we would like to offer is a few short readings of cowboy / folk poetry. Our little town is not really a cow town, having its history mostly rooted in logging and railroad industries, but there have always been a few beef growers in the area, and several of our residents travel to Pincer Creek each year to attend the Cowboy poetry presentations there. There have been numerous suggestions to invite cowboy poets to participate.

I met Mike Puhallo at the Creston Fall Fair last year, and he told me I might do well to ask you to give me some names of poets who might be willing to come to our Centennial for a small honorarium.

We are planning a parade, beef bar-B-Q, pancake breakfasts, musical entertainment, historical videos, cowboy poetry, and lots of other good family activities. We would like to feature several poets, for the sake of variety, and would appreciate your advice. We’re hoping you can take the time to help us.

The CPU has a new website! The old one was a little hard to find, so we simplified the name!

Drop by and pay “US” a visit!!! Right now it has the basics, I’m still working on it. If you have any suggestions or want anything added to it let me know, it’s “Our” site. Send pics of any of the events you have been to, any reports of any of the gatherings, any upcoming events or links.

Moab’s Western Stars event was held Presidents’ Day weekend, Feb 17-20, 2006, and it was bigger and better than ever! Opening Night at Star Hall again included cameo performances of poets and musicians who performed during the rest of the weekend. This was open to everyone. T he “Pole Star” art show, featuring invited artist JK Dooley’s western watercolors, opened at the Moab Information Center and was on display all weekend, as well as serving as the inspiration for the poetry contest. Saturday and Sunday featured not only more music and poetry at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center (MARC) but lectures, writing and cooking workshops, panel discussions, and contests for art, poetry, and chili. There were Open Mic times as well as scheduled performances and everyone was welcome to come and participate! Films and their history were spotlighted at Red Cliffs’ Museum of Film and Western Heritage, and evening shows at the Bar M Chuckwagon and the MARC highlighted Jerry Brooks, Don Kennington, Latigo and C.R. Wood. The CPU meeting took place Sunday morning, 8:00 AM at the MARC, right before folks needed to head off to church or sightseeing. It was a great event! (Thanks to Rusty Salmon for this information.)

Mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual Lee Earl Memorial Scholarship Cowboy Gathering ....... February 16-18, 2007 at the Lewiston Elk’s lodge in Lewiston Idaho. The deadline for registration is November 1, 2006. This years event was a huge success. We met our goals for the scholarship fund. The cowboy poetry quilt raffle raised over a thousand dollars and the success of the People’ s Choice awards was outstanding.

The Tall Tales contest alone raised over $650.00. Once again, on behalf of the Lee Earl Scholarship fund, we thank all the performers, vendors, volunteers, sponsors and donors for making this one of the best shows in the Northwest. See you next year. (Smoke Wade)

Utah poet Colen Sweeten is profiled in the Spring, 2006 issue of Range magazine, in the publication's popular "Confessions of Red Meat Survivors" section, about "ranching's old-timers." In the sensitive and revealing piece by Richard Menzies, Colen comments on his age with characteristic wit, "[I'm] Eighty six in the morning, by dark I'm 96." The article tells about the early years of Colen's life, those of his wife of 61 years, Ruth -- full of hardship and hard work -- and about their family. Many of the article's stories show the heart and humor of this well-loved man, a great role model and a national treasure.

(This information provided by CowboyPoetry.com. If you’ve not yet been there, or if it has been awhile, drop by to see what’s new in the world of cowboy poetry. Add your support and be a founder of the organization. Information available on line. Cowboypoetry.com)