CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sends greetings to NDAC
National Day of the American Cowboy recieves letter from the California Governor
July 26, 2007
Read the letter sent to Bill Garrels, publisher of American Cowboy magazine, by CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on the National Day of the American Cowboy website news. - Go there now.
posted by: RG
Wanted by ABC TV: Family of Wild West Enthusiasts for Wife Swap!
ABC's Wife Swap looking for cowboys & cowgirls!
July 25, 2007
Howdy!!
I'm a casting producer for ABC TV's Wife Swap. We are looking for moms and/or families who are devoted to keeping the spirit of the old west alive! We’d love to feature a family of Wild West Reenactors/Performers, Cowboys & Cowgirls, and other Wild West Fans for our 4th Season.
Wife Swap is beginning its 4th Season on ABC! The premise of Wife Swap is that one parent from each household swaps places for a week to experience how another family lives. It is an incredible family experience and opportunity to both learn and teach different family values.
Wife Swap is a fascinating story of what happens when two married couples see themselves and their spouses in a whole new light. The New York Post says, "It should be called ‘Life Swap’ because it's not just the wives who learn something here. It's the families."
All families featured on the show receive a $20,000 honorarium. If you refer a family that we feature on the show, you receive $1,000.
Potential families can live anywhere in the United States, but we ask that families applying for the show consist of two parents and have at least one child, age 5 or older, living at home.
To submit for the show please call: 646-747-7948, or email a family photo and description to: Rachelle.Mendez@rdfusa.com
More information is available at: http://abc.go.com/primetime/wifeswap
Thank you, kindly!
Rachelle Mendez
Casting Associate Producer
ABC Television's "Wife Swap"/RDF Media
1790 Broadway, 11th floor
New York, NY 10019
Rachelle.Mendez@rdfusa.com
posted by: RG
American Cowboy and Las Vegas Events partner for WNFR
American Cowboy Partners with Las Vegas Events for Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Promotions & Contest
July 19, 2007
Boulder, CO—American Cowboy Magazine, a Western lifestyle publication, and Las Vegas Events (LVE), the producer of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR), have partnered to promote the world’s richest rodeo with special magazine sections and a contest where two lucky people the chance of a lifetime to attend the quintessential Western event.
In the November/December issue of American Cowboy, a special section will be dedicated to the WNFR. The American Cowboy Official Guide to the WNFR will showcase information surrounding the event including biographies, interviews, event statistics, special events, concerts, history and more. The Cowboy Christmas Gift Guide section will highlight the best of Western fashion and home décor and also provide readers with shopping ideas for the Christmas lists of any cowboy or cowgirl, including where to shop--either at the WNFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show in Las Vegas, or online for those folks unable to attend the event. This special section will also be distributed separately from the magazine in specific venues in Las Vegas during the WNFR.
In an integrated print, email, and online campaign, American Cowboy and LVE will promote the “NFR Grand Prize Presented by American Cowboy” contest, where a lucky winner and a guest will win an expenses paid trip to Las Vegas, hotel accommodations, and tickets to the rodeo. In addition, American Cowboy will provide free magazines, which include the American Cowboy Official Guide to the WNFR & Cowboy Christmas Gift Guide, to select local hotels and the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show.
“This type of integrated promotion hasn’t been done with the WNFR before. By linking our strengths with those of LVE, we can really accomplish a lot in promoting the WNFR and the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show while bringing a service to our readers who are attending the WNFR or just wish they were going to Las Vegas” says Bill Garrels, publisher of American Cowboy. “By offering the contest, we hope that someone who normally wouldn’t be able to attend will be able to enjoy the WNFR.”
American Cowboy celebrates Western travel, personalities, homes, entertainment, history and fashion. The magazine is owned by Active Interest Media, a publishing group that encompasses a variety of publications focusing on art, home, healthy living and enthusiast sports, including: Southwest Art, Log Home Living, Backpacker, Vegetarian Times, Yoga Journal and Yachts Magazine. American Cowboy magazine is the home of the National Day of the American Cowboy. For more information, visit www.americancowboy.com.
Las Vegas Events is a not for profit organization funded by the Las Vegas room tax and serves as the exclusive major special events agency in the city. LVE is responsible for bringing world class events to the city of Las Vegas including: the WNFR, NHRA drag racing, Budweiser World Cup Equestrian Jumping, NASCAR, Las Vegas Bowl and more. For more information, visit www.lasvegasevents.com.
posted by: RG
CMT's new Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge, hosted by Ty Murray
July 3, 2007
Rapper-musician Vanilla Ice and actor Stephen Baldwin were among those in Nashville over the weekend to tape an episode of CMT's new series, Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge. The taping coincided with the Professional Bull Riders' Jack Daniel's Invitational which took place Saturday and Sunday (June 16-17) at the Sommet Center. Others intending to make the eight-second ride included former NFL player Rocket (Raghib) Ismail, Moto X rider Kenny Bartram, actor "Nitro" Dan Clark (American Gladiators), Survivor's Jonny (Dalton) Fairplay, UFC fighter Josh Haynes and actor Francesco Quinn (Platoon, 24). The participants trained at Murray's ranch in Stephenville, Texas, before the competition in Nashville. The series is scheduled to premiere Aug. 10.
Visit CMT.com for more info.
posted by: RG
Wanted: Season Two
May 31, 2007
Season two of "Wanted: Dead or Alive" will be released on July 17 by BCI, a Navarre Corporation Company. The three-season series features legendary star Steve McQueen playing the iconic character of Josh Randall, a gentleman bounty hunter. With "Mare's Leg," a sawed-off Winchester rifle, hanging from his belt, he rounded up criminals and helped the wrongly accused. An early philanthropist, he donated much of his bounty rewards to charity.
McQueen went on to star in "The Magnificent Seven," "The Great Escape," and others films. This four-DVD set retails for $39.98 and includes 32 episodes with Western stars like Lee Van Cleef and Warren Oates, as well as a special featurette on the women of "Wanted: Dead or Alive."
posted by: Natasha Gardner
America's next top cowboy?
Alpine, Texas
May 19, 2007
CMT is looking for the next great American cowboy. On Saturday, May 19th the country music station will air “America’s Top Cowboy,” a competition seeking the best cowboy in the nation. Singer-songwriter Trent Willmon will host the two-hour event.
The show was taped at the CF Ranch in Alpine, Texas, with participants from all over the country demonstrating their skills. The one-time competition includes a slew of cowboy activities, including riding and roping, with the winner taking home a $50,000 cash prize.
Tune into CMT at 9 p.m. EST for this cowboy showdown!
Visit www.cmt.com for more details.
posted by: Steve Graff
42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards Winners
Las Vegas
May 17, 2007
If you missed the 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, you missed quite a show.
Kenny Chesney took home “Entertainer of the Year,” while crowd-favorite Carrie Underwood received awards for “Top Female Vocalist,” “Album of the Year,” and “Video of the Year.” Perennial winners Brooks & Dunn picked up honors for “Top Vocal Duo,” “Vocal Event of the Year,” and “The Home Depot Humanitarian Award.”
The most moving moment of the night came as Tim McGraw sang a song narrated by a dead soldier. As the lights came up, men, women, and children were standing behind McGraw, under a “Families of Fallen Heroes” banner. The crowd rose for a long standing ovation.
A complete list of winners can be found on www.acmcountry.com.
posted by: Natasha Gardner
Wyoming sheep rancher and governor candidate dies at 90
Casper, Wyo.
May 11, 2007
M. Joseph “Joe” Burke, who helped build up Wyoming’s sheep industry, died this past Sunday at age 90. Burke was a prominent political figure in Wyoming, serving in the state House and running for governor back in the 1960s.
Burke was born just outside Casper, Wyo., where he grew up on a sheep ranch. He lived in and around Casper his whole life.
Burke served on the boards of the state woolgrowers and stock growers associations and was elected to the Wyoming House as a Republican in 1963, where he served two terms. He ran against Stan Hathaway for governor in 1966, but was defeated.
Burke suffered from Parkinson’s disease during the latter part of his life. He is survived by his 10 children.
posted by: Steve Graff
Sand Creek Massacre Site Dedicated
Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, Colo.
May 4, 2007
In the early morning of November 29, 1864, about 700 members of the Colorado militia attacked a peaceful camp of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians along Sand Creek. By the end of the day, approximately 160 Cheyenne and Arapahoe were killed and most of the victims were women, children, and elderly.
More than 140 years later, around a thousand people gathered in Kiowa County to dedicate a memorial on the site of the massacre. The dedication on April 28, 2007, was attended by descendants of the victims, former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, and Governor Bill Ritter.
Former Senator Campbell, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, proposed the memorial by introducing legislation in 1998 that ultimately led to the site’s dedication. Historical documents, oral history, archeology, and other sources were used to determine the location of the memorial.
The site will open on June 1, 2007, and is located about 160 miles southeast of Denver, Colo. The current location covers 920 acres, but the federal government hopes to acquire more land to expand the memorial.
Visit www.nps.gov/sand for photos, history, and visitor’s information.
posted by: Natasha Gardner
Tornadoes hit Texas Panhandle
Cactus, Texas
April 22, 2007
A group of tornadoes ripped through the Texas Panhandle late Saturday night, cutting power to 20,000 and destroying homes and businesses in Cactus, Tulia and Amarillo.
At least 14 people were reported to have been injured, two of them critical. Fifty people were reported unaccounted for in Moore County; however, most likely fled the area after the tornado sirens were set off.
As of Sunday, April 22, Cactus was still without power. The National Weather Service issued survey teams to Texas to determine exactly how many tornadoes hit the area.
To learn more, visit the National Weather Service at www.nws.noaa.gov.com.
posted by: Steve Graff
Johnny Cash’s House Burns Down
Hendersonville, Tenn.
April 12, 2007
The lakeside wooden house that country legends Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash called home for more than 30 years was destroyed by fire on April 10.
The house was located on 4.6 acres in Hendersonville, Tenn., about 15 miles north of Nashville and is a part of country music’s history. The music video for “Hurt,” for which Cash won a Grammy, was filmed in the house. The couple also entertained fellow musicians, fans, and even U.S. presidents at the home from 1968 until their deaths in 2003.
The house was undergoing renovations after Barry Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees, purchased the property in 2006. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
To read more about the fire, visit www.reuters.com and www.nytimes.com.
posted by: Natasha Gardner
Academy of Country Music Awards Nominees Announced
Encino, Calif.
April 9, 2007
Nominees for the 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards have been announced and the list includes legends, newcomers, and old favorites. Reba McEntire is returning to host the show for a ninth time, and the live show will be broadcast on CBS on May 15 at 8:00 p.m.
Country Music Hall of Famer, George Strait, led the pack with eight nominations, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. Brooks and Dunn received seven nominations and Carrie Underwood picked up five nominations.
George Strait and Brooks and Dunn are old pros at this, having won almost three dozen Academy of Country Music awards between them. But young stars, like Carrie Underwood, are chasing them. With two awards under her belt from last year’s show, Underwood is poised to take home some more trophies this year.
Top Male Vocalist nods went to Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, George Strait, and Keith Urban. Sara Evens, Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, and Carrie Underwood were nominated for Top Female Vocalist.
A complete list of nominees can be found on www.amcountry.com.
posted by: Natasha Gardner
Snowbound: An American Cowboy update
Pueblo, Colo.
April 9, 2007
In our March/April issue, we reported on a destructive and deadly series of winter storms that hit cattle ranchers in the Great Plains hard.
In true “cowboy up” style, a benefit concert that raised close to $700,000 was held on March 18 at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo, Colo. Proceeds will benefit ranchers who sustained livestock losses as a result of the storms.
The Operation Blizzard Benefit Concert featured singing and poetry from Michael Martin Murphey with help from Baxter Black, Waddie Mitchell, the Pueblo Symphony, and others. People, like Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, filled the fairgrounds to show their support.
Still, it could take ranchers years to recover from this winter’s losses. Log on to www.nationalcattlemenfoundation.org and www.coloradocattle.org to find out how you can help. Check out “Snowbound” in our March/April edition for more information on the storms.
posted by: Natasha Gardner
Gone Country: Bon Jovi to Play at Frontier Days
Cheyenne, Wyo.
April 9, 2007
Bon Jovi is best known for their arena rock sound and big hair. But lately, the band has dabbled in country music with a lot of success. Now the group is scheduled to open the 111th Cheyenne Frontier Days’ concert series on July 20.
While rock musicians have borrowed sounds and lyrics from country music for decades, Bon Jovi is one of the first non-country groups to top Billboard’s Hot Country chart on their first try. Their song, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” hit number one in May 2006 and won a 2007 Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocal.
Bon Jovi is known for giving great concerts, so the show will be the perfect time to hear their new country sound and dance along to some old favorites like “Wanted Dead of Alive.”
Frontier Days is the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and features ten days of Western celebration. This year, the events start on July 20 and run through July 29. Call 800-227-6336 or visit www.cfdrodeo.com to purchase tickets for the Bon Jovi concert and other events. Visit the band’s site here for information on upcoming tour dates.
posted by: Natasha Gardner
Houston Livestock Show Celebrates 75 Years
Houston
April 9, 2007
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo ended its 75th annual run on March 19 at the Reliant Stadium. Over 20 days, 1.8 million visitors from 57 nations joined in on the contests and entertainment.
RodeoHouston champions included “Codi Baucom” of Carthage, N.C., for barrel racing, who commanded $60,000; “B.J. Schumacher” of Hillsboro, Wis., who brought home $56,000 for bull riding; and “Bobby Mote” of Culver, Ore., who scored a $56,833 prize for bareback bronc riding.
The top 50 cowboys and cowgirls in each of the seven events were invited to participate in the new RodeoHouston Super Series, competing for a share of $1.2 million in prize money. Each event champion walked away with $50,000, a RodeoHouston trophy saddle and a champion buckle.
The High Flyin' Award went to Colin McTaggert from Las Vegas, Nev.
The event also celebrated the “The Year of the Volunteer,” honoring the approximately 18,000 volunteers who donate their time and talent each year for the youth of Texas.
Rock legends, including the band ZZ Top, brought the show home on March 19 at the stadium.
Other RodeoHouston champions included:
Tie-down roping: Houston Hutto - Del Rio, Texas, $52,500
Team roping: Brandon Beers - Post, Ore., and Mike Beers - Phoenix, Ariz., $31,550 each
Saddle bronc riding: Rusty Allen - Lehi, Utah, $55,000
Steer wrestling: Jule Hazen - Protection, Kan., $52,500
For a complete listing of winners and more information on the show visit www.hlsr.com.
posted by: Steve Graff
Bush Speaks to National Cattlemen’s Association
Washington, D.C.
April 9, 2007
President Bush addressed the National Cattlemen’s Association on March 28 in Washington, D.C., blasting Democrats for what he calls an unrealistic timeline for pulling troops out of Iraq.
“The consequences of imposing such a specific and random date of withdrawal would be disastrous,” Bush said to the group. “It makes no sense for politicians in Washington, D.C., to be dictating arbitrary timelines for our military commanders in a war zone 6,000 miles away.”
The senate is proposing a spring 2008 timetable to bring American troops home. In order to get further funding, Democrats, who make up a majority of the senate, say he’ll have to agree to some sort of withdrawal. However, Bush told the National Cattlemen’s Association that he would veto any funding legislation that includes such a timeline.
The President also talked about tax reform, stating that low taxes equals economic strength. He spoke specifically to the group about the estate tax - an issue important for ranchers and farmers, whose most valuable asset is generally their land.
“I really believe Congress needs to pay attention to the effects of the death tax on our farmers and ranchers,” Bush said. “If people are concerned about keeping land in the hands of the family rancher, the best way to do so is to get rid of the death tax for those who ranch the land, once and for all.”
The full transcript of the speech can be read here.
posted by: Steve Graff
Grand Canyon Skywalk Opens
Grand Canyon West, Ariz.
April 9, 2007
The much anticipated glass walkway that juts 70 feet off the rim of the Grand Canyon opened to the public on March 28. The horseshoe-shaped attraction, called the Skywalk, hangs 4,000 feet above the canyon floor - a height that far exceeds even the world’s tallest skyscrapers.
The translucent deck, which is made up of about 1 million pounds of steel and only a 4-inch thick glass floor, hovers over the Colorado River, and offers never before seen views into the deep canyon.
The Skywalk can hold several hundred people and withstand 100 mph winds and an 8.0 earthquake.
Construction of the Skywalk, which was funded by Las Vegas businessman, David Jin, started three years ago and reportedly cost about $40 million to build. It was given to the Hualapai Indians, who own the land, in exchange for a percentage of the profits. The tribe hopes it will bring economic fortune to their reservation.
Future plans for the site include a museum, restaurants and even a movie theater. Visitors pay $25 for the platform experience, including any national park fees.
Visit www.grandcanyonskywalk.com and www.destinationgradncanyon.com for photos and visitor’s information.
posted by: Steve Graff
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