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Cowboy Poetry
Saturday, October 1, 2011 |
The Cowboy, horses, cattle, wide open spaces, the howl of a coyote in the night, times when a handshake was a contract, songs and stories around a campfire: there are places in the west where all these things are still alive and well. Coulterville California is a true Western Town. Many towns can be found in the American West; ones that exemplify the spirit and dedication of the people who founded and built them up over the years. But according to True West Magazine, 10 of them stand out—and they are the True Western Towns of 2011, (in the January/February 2011 issue). The top four are Pendleton Oregon, Prescott Arizona, Dubois Wyoming followed by one of California’s best kept secrets: Coulterville California
“This year the competition was very tight,” explains True West Executive Editor Bob Boze Bell. “But these towns really stand out. If you’re into the history and the heritage of the West, you need to go visit each and every one of these towns.” Coulterville has preserved its history through old buildings, museums, events and promotions of historic resources such as Cowboy Poetry. Travelers discover Coulterville on their trek to Yosemite National Park via Hwy 132 or Hwy 49. Since the founding of this town beginning in 1850, Coulterville has persevered. The town has survived three major fires in the 1800s—plus a flood! Today, the town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada’s, is doing more than just getting by; Coulterville is moving ahead, using its history as a springboard to the future with Coulterville Cowboy Poetry!
In the good ol' days the cowboy was the glue that held the West together. Ranchers would hire cowboys to keep a watchful eye over the herds on the wide open range. Although the addition of fenced in herds has removed some of the need for cowboys, today’s cowboys still have the skill of the olden days. They are still using the lasso, and roping, tying steers and telling stories. As the written word was scarce, the rhyme of a Cowboy’s story helped him to recall the tale. Complemented with instrument and song, Wendy Brown-Barry (and her dog Flash), Keith Keenom, Dan Routh, Madison Seamans and John Silveria will transport you to the old western campfire reminiscent of the era when cowboys told stories.
Cowboy Poets 2011
Wendy Brown-Barry, a noted and well-traveled cowboy poet in her own right, will share her words of the West as she focuses her spotlight on her Aussie, “Flash”. Wendy is a fired up poet, to be sure; one who sees cowboy poetry as the voice of the real working West. Wendy has played on many Cowboy Poetry stages, made many trips to the National Cowboy Poetry gathering in Elko, where she gathered information and inspiration; and shared in the open mic performances. “Wendy has been an advocate and a knowledgeable go-getter that has done a world of good for the whole genre,” said the co-founder of the Elko festival and one of Cowboy Poetry’s biggest stars, Waddie Mitchell. Her love of the High Sierras and her camping trips on horseback inspired her to compose poetry and publish her first book, Mountain Majesty and other poems. She coordinated the Cannonball Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Mariposa for 7 years and the first Arts Council’s Coulterville Cowboy Poetry. She has performed with well known poets such as Pat Richardson and Waddie Mitchell.
Keith Keenom is a cowboy musician extraordinaire and the 2011 Master of Ceremonies! One can’t help but be touched by Keith’s genuine and loving persona. What separates this mountain of a man from others is his integrity, humility and his steadfast faith. Retired foreman from the Mariposa County Road Department, Keenom’s true passions are cowboying and music. At the age of twelve, Keith began his personal journey with his guitar. His roots are firmly planted with his family, his father and brothers, who were accomplished musicians. Keith emulated his older brother Stanley who was an outstanding guitar player and taught Keith his finger picking style with a lot of his “hot licks”. With his guitar, fiddle, banjo, piano and mandolin, Keith captures his audiences. He has taken part in bands such as “Shades of Country”, “The Grizzly Mountain Boys”, the “Mountain Fever Band” and the Gospel group “The Bunkhouse Boys”. Keith sings genuine cowboy music and represents authentic bluegrass and country western. His rich soulful voice embraces his audiences, and Keith acknowledges his thankful heart as gifts from Heaven that he so eagerly shares with others as he sings from his heart!
Dan Routh has the glint of an eye peering out from under a draping hat brim, an array of whiskers and a mustache with personality. The soul of his stories and love of the old west reflect the respect Dan has for the ranching way of life, the preservation of the history of the families who worked hard to chisel out a living, the challenging ranch work in difficult terrain and climate and their love of nature. With a guitar close to his heart, Big Dan’s focus on his music clearly communicates his passion for sharing the cowboy heritage. With a gentleness reminiscent of a peaceful mountain creek the humor in his stories will be pokin’ a little fun at the cowboy way. Big Dan has been performin' both Cowboy Poetry and Music for pret’ near 20 years. He has performed at Gatherings, Wagon Train Rides, Rodeos, Campfires and anywheres else a cowboy can set down his hat. Dan began his career by entertaining his Compadres after a long day of cattle drives or calf brandings. Dan feels that they’re a good bunch to practice on, cuz they can't get away seein' as how they are plumb tuckered from a long day uh punchin'. If ya wanna hear him practice a bit, come on out and pull up a stump!
Madison Seamans How many stories can you think of while working on the caboose end of your neighbor’s favorite mare? Madison is a veterinarian, philosopher, author of bad cowboy poetry and art and a sorry team roper. He rode bronc horses’ till his brains came in and retired from rodeo after a career that lasted either seven and a half seconds or fifteen and a half seconds, depending on who is tellin’ the story. He was a horse shoer and trainer until he got too old and crippled for that. Finally, he went to Texas A & M University when it looked like he was gonna have to get a real job, or go to college. He finally graduated with his Doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1985, artfully squeezing four years into twelve. He now practices veterinary medicine and lives outside of Coarsegold, California with his lovely wife, Sunny Rae, a few horses, a spoiled dog, and variable number of purebred barn cats. Madison masterfully uses his knack of college timing as he dispenses precious morsels of his tale to give his audience time to appreciate the voyage they have traveled.
John Silveira is a 25+ year firefighter-arson investigator. He & his wife have ridden to the top of a mountain just to see the sun rise, where he finds a “connection with the earth in undisturbed nature“. A total disconnect with today’s society and technology, with no distractions. With 5 children, they sometimes light a campfire in the back yard pit in order to gather their children (and grandchildren) to look at the stars, talk, nurture their values, faith and relationships; the kind of family values that build strong ties and fertile memories. John grew up around cows and horses, 4-H, FFA and still works with his brother, a full-time cowboy, on several ranches in the valley where it seems there is little to no flat land. “We are always riding up the side of a hill or down the side of a hill. I’ll take that opportunity to debut a new piece on my brother. If he laughs, I know I have it right!” Nearly every piece retains a bit of reality. It took him five years before he could recite a piece focused on his father. Then he had a poet friend review that poem at an event and was “shamed into going to the mic”. The audience rewarded him with sincere gratitude, appreciation and even tears!
Fred Stepp –on fiddle! My love of Old Time Fiddle and Bluegrass music started when I went to the home of the Smith family. They had family gatherings which my family was fortunate enough to be invited to. Coming home one night I asked my wife if she thought I could play like them and she said “why not, if you don’t try you won’t know.” The next day I called my Dad and asked him if he still had my fiddle and he did. That began my 35 years of playing music that I love! We have a jam at our house every Wednesday night for musicians who love the music as much as I do. We play at the Oakdale Convalescent Hospital, the Alzheimer’s House and other fund raisers that benefit the community. We believe in giving back to our community where we can.
So pack up the kids, and hit the ole dusty trail to Coulterville. The Coulterville Park is located at the intersection of Hwy 49 North and Hwy 132.
If you’ve never experienced this brand of stage work, you owe yourself a taste!
Activities begin at high noon, Performances begin at 6:00 pm
Recommended Donation Adults: $5 Children are free.
Cousin Jack's Mariposa Evenings
Cousin Jack’s Mariposa Evenings is a unique blend of music performed by regional artists. The Mariposa County Art Park is located in historic downtown Mariposa at the intersection of Hwy. 140 and 4th Street. Planted with native plants and trees, and terraced for comfortable viewing, the Arts Park is a beautiful setting to enjoy music throughout the summer. The setting is family friendly and performances are free of charge. The Mariposa County Arts Council strives to collect tips for performers to motivate them to keep coming back year after year for your listening pleasure. Friendly local businesses and restaurants support Mariposa Evenings, cater to requests and appreciate your business. So enjoy an evening in a beautiful park amid Sierra old world charm and enjoy Cousin Jack’s Mariposa Evenings! |
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Mariposa Art Park Friday, July 8•The hotel Family Band-Young teachers from the school in Y.N.P. delivering their own Americana. Saturday, July 9•The String Slingerz-Old-timey music played on traditional instruments w/old radio show flair. Friday, July 15•The Figments-Choice original music in the vein of Mellencamp, Springsteen & other American singer/songwriters. Saturday, July 16•The Trespassers-High lonesome gypsy and bluegrass originals from the pride of the High Sierras. Friday, July 22•De Witt & Franklin-Originals and classic covers from a group led by Glenn Franklin (Cousin Jack’s son) & Billy De Witt. Saturday, July 23•Good Medicine-Cousin Jack’s favorite group; self-described as “folk-a-delic,” this is the band’s 19th appearance at Mariposa Evenings. Friday, July 29•Steve Johnson & Those BobTones-International blues recording artist from N.Y.C. in a rare left coast appearance – still holds both tips and attendance record for Mariposa Evenings. Saturday, July 30•Mike Hammar & The Nails-Homegrown Native American playing original electric blues with his tight & powerful band. Friday, August 5•Green Machine-The very best and authentic Reggae/Jam band in California. The light show effects & sound-bytes mix make their show an experience. Saturday, August 6•The Well-On Neil Young’s favorite bands list- this original group defies easy classification. Listen & see for yourself. Friday, August 12•Queso Fresco-Jazz, in the Afro-Cuban style, featuring famed recording artist Eddie Senegal on reeds. Saturday, August 13•The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit-Nearly indescribable fun- are they Country, Americana, Rock? Ask the folks who’ve seen them at Carter Ranch, Strawberry, Great American Music Hall & other venues and festivals-this will be a memorable show. Friday, August 19•Timberline-Traditional bluegrass featuring tight & sweet vocal harmonies. Saturday, August 20•No Borders Blues Band-Hard driving, Texas style blues from a band making its Mariposa Evenings debut- there are no borders to the blues. Friday, August 26•Santa Cruz Cats-The blues from Santa Cruz (a hot bed of music) featuring the energized playing of the Hagar Bros. Saturday, August 27•The Adams Burns Band-An Englishman in the Sierras leading his band in performing his rhythmic compositions- a Mariposa Evenings favorite. Park Seating- bring a blanket or low-back lawn chair. |
Sponsors
Performances are made possible by support from Mariposa County, the California Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts and the following loyal sponsors:
| Foster True Value Hardware | |
| Sierra Telephone | |
Chris Hutcheson, D.C. |
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Mariposa Lodge #39 IOOF |
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Pony Espresso |
Who is "Cousin Jack?"
Known as a "One Man Happiness Festival", Cousin Jack Franklin was a minstrel, street musician, promoter, "tuistinairist" and beloved by the community! Born in Iowa in 1929, Cousin Jack came to San Jose in the late 30's. He played big band trumpet in the late 40's and 50's, owned the famous "Jack's Record Cellar" in San Francisco, he was a long-time member of the "Marsh Flat Ramblers", a folk singing group in the Bay Area, and a regular performer with the Harvest Festival for 15 years. In 1989 he opened Cousin Jacks Music/Dolls by Alinda in Mariposa.
Cousin Jack loved Mariposa, and loved making Mariposa visitors remember their trip-sharing samples of gold, coins from all over the world, balloon sculptors and spontaneous performances, Cousin Jack was instantly loved. In gratitude to Cousin Jack and Alinda, for being a positive representative of Mariposa, sharing their smiles, spirit, good cheer, support, energy and expertise so generously, Cousin Jack was named "Honorary Mayor" and Good Will Ambassador for Mariposa.
Cousin Jack's birthday celebrations were a time of year to gather the community, play some music, have fun, and raise funds in support of organizations such as the SPCA. This free-spirited musician, who picked a 1920s Montgomery Ward Parlor acoustic guitar, dulcimer, harmonica and that throwback banjo, played for anyone who would listen! Cousin Jack could play "Mary had a Little Lamb" on virtually any instrument for local youth. He spent many hours volunteering in the schools giving free music lessons to children, and supported many local organizations.
Cousin Jack and a group of business owners influenced the County to purchase vacant land on Hwy 140 and 4th Street to become an Art Park. Cousin Jack's dream became a reality in 2004 with the new Mariposa County Art Park. It is a beautifully landscaped natural amphitheater with a small stage. For the 2005 celebration for Cousin Jack, the Mariposa County Arts Council was pleased to dedicate our Summer Music series in his honor. Mariposa Evenings is well known as:
"Cousin Jack's Mariposa Evenings!"
A blanket or a lounge chair provide the best seating for performances. Ample parking is available on 5th Street. A short stroll along the Mariposa Creek walkway also provides handicapped access.
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