I have celebrated the heritage of the west at the National Cowboy Symposium in Lubbock, and I have joined a group honoring western tradition at the YO Social Club in Mountain Home, Texas.

"The Cowboy Symposium, held in Lubbock September 6-9, is built around the heritage of the Old West and the people who love the life," says Alvin Davis, chairman of the event. In 1996 the Cowboy culture Awards program was re-named The American Cowboy Culture Awards Program, and it is designed to honor those who had, as individuals or institutions, contributed significantly to western heritage and cowboy culture. Tom Ryan, member of the Cowboy Artists of America, supplied the painting of a working cowboy that served as a model for the design.

The event includes a trail ride, horseshoeing clinics, exhibits of Western items, a chuckwagon cookoff, a fiddlers contest, a longhorn show, the nation's largest chuckwagon breakfast and ongoing performances on several stages at one time of western music.

Mickey Dawes, president of the Western Music Association (WMA) hosted an awards ceremony, and Craig Chambers won the music award. Craig, along with Tommy Morrell and the Texas Tophands, plays in Kerrville each year in a fundraiser for the Ingram school district. Larry Mahan received the All-around Cowboy award, and Apache Adams, from Alpine, won the working cowboy award.

Our own (Bandera) Dusty Britches entered the chuckwagon cookoff, and his outfit will be on display at the September 28, Living History Day, in Louise Hays Park.

One highlight for me was the discovery of Andy Hedges, a young cowboy poet from Brownfield, who reminds me of Buck Ramsey. Jeff Gore dedicated his rendition of "I'd Like to Be in Texas for the Roundup in the Spring" to Buck, then Andy took the stage. My imagination was filled with Buck (and my eyes were filled with tears) when Andy started reciting. He must come to Kerrville for a showcase or house concert, perhaps in conjunction with something at the Cowboy Artists of America Museum.
I listened carefully to Craig Chambers sing some swing in his set, and Jean and Gary Prescott thrilled me, inspiring me to buy their, "Old Pards," for my parents anniversary gift. When I asked Gary about a song he'd written about his grandmother-a rock between the Brazos and the Jordon-he replied, "I didn't write that song. It came through me." This beautiful duo also needs to be performing in Kerrville! They will be at Red Steagall's gathering in Blanco on September 22 at Mo Ranch on Highway 281 four miles south of town, from noon until 1:00 a.m. Call 830-833-4706 for information.

A great publication for keeping up in the cowboy world is Bobby Newton's Rope Burns. Write PO Box 35, Gene Autry, Ok, 73436, for subscription and advertising information.

I was thrilled to discover The Larry Chittenden Cowboy Celebration, held December 15, at the Anson Opera House in Anson, Texas, will be dedicated to Buck Ramsey. Buck became famous in Kerrville after playing a tribute to the cowboy at the Cowboy Artists of America Museum, after paying tribute to the cowboy at each Jimmie Rodgers day in September, and after being part of a writing conference at Schreiner University. He is much-loved and remembered in Kerrville. (So. Let's get Andy Hedges here-out of memory of Buck!) Andy told me that once Buck called him out of the audience to perform when a panel he was on started slowing down a bit.

As I talked to the cowboy performers, I started tracing threads and connections. At the YO Social Club Party, I experienced the same kind of discovery. Upon arriving,I first heard the music of Ed Burleson, and he played a song by Bruce Robison and one by Charlie Robison. I was then told that Ed loved Alvin Crow and Doug Sahm. Then I heard Charlie play, and he, too, sang a song by his brother, Bruce.

After the show, listening to Ed, an enthusiastic fan of Charlie's, tell stories, I heard how he started singing "Bar Lights" off a demo that Charlie had given him. Now Ed was playing the song in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area when Charlie had a hit with the song. His friends said, "Ed, who's that guy doing your song." Both Ed and Charlie were thrilled. Ed is young, and his band played tight dance music at the party. I loved his rocking version of a Willis Alan Ramsey song, "Northeast Texas Women."

I can't rave enough about Charlie Robison's show. He was sensitive to the week's events, and he delivered his strong songs backed by an equally strong band. After taping an American flag to the microphone, he told the crowd, "I do have something to say, and I'm saving it to the end." He closed the show by dedicating his favorite song, "My Hometown," to those who were still out working through the night. He was greeted by a sea of candles, glowing to show the world we care. Beautiful.

Then out came Bob Phillips, of Texas Country Reporter, to introduce a show put together to honor Charlie Schreiner, as the last cowboy. This was the first YO Social Club Party without him. His death last April left a hole in the fabric of the western tradition. We were all missing him, and this tribute, was a beautiful tribute to all he represents. The show ended (blown up bigger than life on huge video screens flanking the stage) with a shot of Lupe Ortega, a man who worked for Charlie for 37 years. He stayed after the funeral, held on the highest hill on the ranch, and just paid homage.

As I left the party, a lone man walked silently in front of me. Head down, he seemed deep in thought. I said, "Are you Lupe," to which he replied, "Yes, I've worked for Charlie 37 years, and he's not coming back."

I left this party, deep in my own thoughts-our country, our heritage, our traditions. Hard to believe a party could be so serious. I'm glad to be part of a group of people who honor tradition. The YO Social Club is far more than just a party. We saw that Saturday night, September 15. Mark Chesnutt delivered a set of traditional dance music, but I stayed caught in the story of a football player from Bandera, Texas, who stood proud waving the American flag. Charlie Robison played the Cabaret on September 21.

Bruce returns to the area to participate in a fundraiser on September 23 for Travis Bohnert to be held in Comfort, Texas. Jay Boy Adams, Jimmy Cribb and a host of local musicians join together to help out. Isn't that what often happens in this country?

Let's free Leonard. Down the road. (Don't forget the Living History Day on September 28. Free to the entire community in Louise Hays Park, another chance to celebrate our heritage.)

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

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