Cowboy Poets of Utah
Newsletter
May - June, 2006
CPU Board: Curly Syndergaard, Don Kennington, Terri Taylor,
Presidency: Sam DeLeeuw, Val Carter, Jo Lynne Kirkwood, Rod Miller
Newsletter distributed five times annually. PLUS SPECIAL EDITIONS! For information or suggestions, contact Jo at (435)896-1856 or jolynne.kirkwood@sevier.k12.ut.us / jo@seviervalleyroundup.com
Presidents Message
As my term(s) as President of the Cowboy Poets of Utah is coming to a close, I have cause to reflect over the past several years since CPU was reactivated. A handful of tenacious hard working poets/musicians dug in their heels and refused to let the CPU go by the wayside. Many meetings were held, if only to meet and visit, share new poems, songs and talk, or inform each other where the next "gig, gathering, show or program" was happening.
We all agreed that "the more the merrier" philosophy was needed, so Area Representatives were created and assigned. This brought in the talents of many good folks around the State who then hosted new venues for the CPU. We then were introduced to new members, new participants and those who just enjoyed being a part of eh CPU activities.
This August the members of CPU will be electing a new President and other officers to continue this work of having CPU progress, grow and bring in new talent and venues. I would encourage everyone to get involved with pushing the growth of cowboy poetry and music. It is not an easy task, it is time consuming, without monetary reimbursement and oft times with much comment from onlookers. Bit it is very much worth it!!
We have a strong Western Heritage to uphold and to promote. Therefore, we need strong, dedicated people to continue to work in the CPU. The people you vote into the leadership of CPU should represent these values and be willing to go more than that extra mile in their elected positions. If you are willing, step up and be a part of this great organization.
I am proud to have been the CPU President for these many years and will continue to support the organization in any way I can. We have so many great poets and musicians in Utah. In my performances around the West, I have not seen or heard anyone better than people in our membership! We have much to be proud of as we look at the CPU organization, its members and the venues that it supports, and its tremendous growth and development of the past few years. I have no doubt it will continue to grow and develop in the years to come. Thank you for letting me be a part of it all!
Sam DeLeeuw - CPU President
Start thinking now about nominations for our CPU Elections! Ballots will go out with the next newsletter, first part of JULY. You may nominate any active member you believe would do a good job. You may nominate on-line, OR you may complete the form in this newsletter and mail it to Jo at PO Box 570207 - Sigurd, Utah 84657. There is NO LIMIT to the number of candidates you may nominate in the first round. Open positions will be: Vice Chairman of the Board (currently Don Kennington) President (currnently Sam Deleeuw) and Vice President (currently Val Carter)
Please note that Sam Deleeuw CANNOT run for President again, and Don Kennington CANNOT be re-elected Vice Chairman. Those officers have succeeded themselves for three terms now. However, either can be nominated for another position! Please read the excerpt below from our by-laws, governing elections. PLEASE NOMINATE!
Board of Directors:
Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. will be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and three at-large Board members. All Board Members must hold and maintain Active Membership in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. throughout their terms of office. Any Active Member of Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. is eligible for service on the Board of Directors upon nomination and election and/or ratification by the Active Membership.
Selection of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be by nomination and election of the Active Membership.
The Chairman and Vice Chairman will select three at-large Board Members from among the Active Membership. The selection of Board Members is subject to ratification by the General Membership. If a candidate selected by the Chairman and Vice Chairman fails to win ratification, Active Members will nominate candidates and fill the seat by election.
The Chairman of the Board will serve a term of two years, and cannot succeed himself or herself in office.
The Vice Chairman of the Board will serve a two-year term and cannot succeed himself or herself in office.
The terms of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall overlap, with terms expiring in alternating years. The initial term of the Chairman will expire in advance of the initial term of the Vice-Chairman.
At-Large Board Members will serve two-year terms. The terms will coincide with the term of the Chairman of the Board. Board Members can succeed themselves in office a maximum of three consecutive terms subject to nomination by the Chairman and Vice Chairman and ratification by the Active Membership, or upon nomination and election by the Active Membership to fill an open seat.
Only the Board of Directors can present changes in the Constitution or Bylaws of Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. for a vote by the Active Membership. Active Members may petition or approach the Board of Directors for change, but may not offer motions to enact changes to the Constitution or Bylaws from the floor during any meeting of the Active Membership.
Past and present members of the Board of Directors may serve in other offices or capacities in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc.
Executive Officers:
Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. will be operated by Executive Officers, subject to
supervision by the Board of Directors. Any Active Member is eligible for
Executive Office.
Executive Offices consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Executive Officers must hold and maintain Active Membership in Cowboy Poets of Utah, Inc. throughout their terms of office.
Executive Officers will be nominated and elected from among and by Active Members.
Term of office for Executive Officers shall be one year for both the President and the Vice President. Other officers shall serve by appointment of the President, upon ratification by the Active Members. Executive Officers may succeed themselves in office a maximum of three consecutive terms, subject to nomination and election by the Active Membership.
(If you have any questions, please refer to the CPU by-laws, or contact any officer.)
If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can always e cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with you troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
Then you are probably the family dog...
National Day of the American Cowboy Events Planned
From coast to coast, through the mountains and across the plains, Americans will be celebrating National Day of the American Cowboy this coming July 22, 2006. This marks the second annual day of recognition for the American icon, the cowboy and the legacy he represents.
The US Senate unanimously approved the 2006 day of recognition in April and a companion resolution is currently in the US House of Representatives. Last year, both congressional bodies approved the resolution and President George W. Bush issued personal comments in support of the day.
National Day of the American Cowboy was conceived almost two years ago when readers of American Cowboy magazine responded to the query "Does America Need the Cowboy?" The resounding affirmation spurred publisher Bill Bales to explore the possibilities of establishing an official annual day of recognition. Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas introduced the measure to colleagues in the Senate and 10 senators from Western states sponsored the resolution.
"National Day of the American Cowboy is a day when all Americans can live the dream of being a cowgirl or cowboy and celebrate the spirit of the American west", says Bill Bates, publisher, "It is a day that honors the legacy of the cowboy and those who keep the legend alive today."
A growing number of events are planned for 2006. From courthouse squares to historic forts and public libraries, private ranches, and retail stores, attendees will revel in the spirit of the American west through activities and performances. Trail rides and trick roping, cowboy mounted shooting and storytelling are on tap. A rundown of the events can be found at www.cowboyday.com .
Watch for the JULY newsletter to see how CPU plans to celebrate the day - OR, get in touch with your Area Representative to be part of the planning! But reserve the day - JULY 22nd - for lots of fun, the COWBOY WAY!
Howdy Folks!
The Cowboy Troubadour magazine is hot off the press, covering the Western
Entertainment Industry from coast to coast.
Each issue will profile some of the best and brightest acts in the industry. The
premier issue features Wylie and the Wild West and Utah performers Stampede! and
Don Kennington, plus reports from gatherings around the West. Toe Tappin' Tommy
Tucker reviews some of the latest CDs and rates the top cowboy songs, poems and
CDs of 2005. Commentaries are provided by Rick Huff and Jeri Dobrowski.
With each issue, we’ll spin a few yarns, rhyme a few lines and let you know what
is going on in the world of Western Entertainment. Contributors on board include
Smoke Wade, Toe Tappin’ Tommy Tucker, Kathy and Charlie Camden, Howard Norskog,
Margo Metegrano, Jeri Dobrowski, Rick Huff, Clark Crouch, Vic Anderson, Mike
Puhallo and Woody Woodruff (so far, more to sign on soon).
Cowboy Troubadour is available by subscription to musicians and poets,
promoters, publishers and the friends and fans of the industry. The magazine
will also be freely distributed at the places where the devotees of Western
Entertainment gather, so don’t be surprised to see it in Branson or Nashville,
Ft Worth or Kamloops or anywhere the West lives.
You are invited to receive a complimentary copy of this great new publication by
emailing your postal address to troub@sitestar.net.
Membership News:
With the newsletter, current paid members of CPU will also be receiving an updated address list of our membership. You will notice that the group is growing, and our tribe is now quite large indeed! Thanks to everyone for the continual efforts you make to help us stay together and move forward. It takes us all, and so far we have been working together very well!
With elections coming up again in just a couple of months, please take a moment now to reflect on how you can help to keep the group strong. There are three elected offices open - Vice Chairman of the Board, the CPU President and Vice President - and we still have an open (appointed) seat on the Board of Directors. These spots should be filled by folks who want to do the job, and who will do the job! If you are such a person, don't be shy, nominate yourself! Or, nominate someone else you know will take the reins and move forward. Best wishes to you all - check the summer schedule, and let's get together somewhere down the trail!
- Jo
A Sad Note:
Rusty Salmon (Area Representative, Eastern Utah) tells us her committee has voted to NOT continue the Moab Western Stars Event next February. This has been a fun show, and many of us have enjoyed the respite in warmer southeastern Utah over President's Day. Please remember to thank Rusty when you see her or when you write. She has done a terrific job, and we want her to know how much we appreciate her hard work.
Thank you Rusty!
Please remember to send in your news about shows, events, etc. Also, we do take suggestions! If you have an idea and would like some help from CPU, contact your Area Representative or another officer.
Kenny Hall had an unexpected honor. He was asked to entertain a group of western states Attorney-Generals at a get-together in Bryce about a week ago. As usual, folks just loved him!!!
And ... There's a rumor that Kenny will be hauling (Hall-in') a strange mix of folks down the canyon on mules this next weekend. More about that after it's done!
Upcoming Events (that we know about!)
June 10th - Windwalker Ranch, Sanpete Co. Ut.: Brooksie, Jo Lynne Kirkwood, Sam Deleeuw, Kenny Hall, food, fun, great place to spend an afternoon or a weekend!
June 16th - 18th - Elsinore Heritage Days - (the Sevier Co. Festival for 2006): CR Wood, Brooksie, Latigo, Bimbo Cheny, Curly Syndergaard, Jo Lynne Kirkwood, Youth Poets, Don Kennington, Phil Kennington, Saddle Strings, more!!! (Contact CR for info 435-527-3808)
June 21st - Lehi Round-up: Don Kennington, Phil Kennington, Stampede, Sam Deleeuw, Kenny Hall, Val Carter
June 23rd - Herriman Town Celebration: Stampede, Don Kennington, Jo Lynne Kirkwood (open mic available for other performers ... Dinner /Show begins 7pm)
July 4th - West Jordon Stampede: Stampede, Val Carter, Kenny Hall, Don Kennington, Jo Lynne Kirkwood and more.
July 8th - Peteetneet Academy Concert: Gordon Thomas, Peteetneet Creek Ranch Hands, Jo Lynne Kirkwood, and more. (Contact Marion Manwill for information)
July 22nd - National Day of the Cowboy: Arrange your schedule so you're free, and watch for party updates in July's newsletter.
August 12th - Private Show on Johnson Mountain Ranch: Stampede, Jo Lynne Kirkwood, Kenny Hall
August 17th - 19th - Sharlot Hall Gathering: Sam Deleeuw, Brooksie, Jo Lynne Kirkwood
August 26th - Kanab Western Legends: More poets than we can name. Lots of fun.
October (1st weekend) - Durango Gathering: Sam Deleeuw
October 21st - Special Olympics Equestrian Events Benefit Gathering and Cowboy Ball: A jointly hosted benefit gathering. The proceeds will benefit the Equestrian Events of Special Olympics of Utah, and the National Ability Center where the events are held.
Please Send Your Information If You Are Influential For, Or Are Aware Of Other Upcoming Events!
Bill Gubler has brainstormed a list of jobs he sees as being part of the Special Olympics Equestrian Events Benefit Gathering and Cowboy Ball coming up this fall. If you have a specialty i.e.. coordinating volunteers, sales booths, advertising, etc. please give him a call.
Call and volunteer to help in any way he'd like you to. They will need help in ways other that entertainment. We all like to perform, but sometime we need to be little red hens too!
Bill Gubler, CPU Area Representative
1375 S. 2080 W.
Riverton, Ut. 84065
E-mail: fss@networld.com
E-mail: wildbill_gubler@hotmail.com
Home: (801) 254-5775
Cell: (801) 455-7883
Colen Sweeten was honored by the Cowboy Poets of Utah April 22, 2006 with the Pioneer Heritage Award. Read more here.