National
National Day of the Cowboy News - May 2008
By
May 19, 2008, 10:28

From the Publisher

The scope and momentum of the national Cowboy Day campaign increased considerably when Arizona’s U.S. Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords, agreed to sponsor the National Day of the Cowboy resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her staff coordinated efforts with Wyoming U.S. Senator Enzi’s staff, so they could introduce the resolution in the U.S. Senate and House at the same time on the same day. Both resolutions were introduced on February 13. Congresswoman Giffords has reiterated her commitment to achieve passage in the House by July 1. Prior to introducing the resolution, she paid us a visit here in Willcox in order to talk about the national effort to see the Cowboy Day passed permanently. Although the resolution was previously sponsored in the House by Congressman Joel Hefley in 2006, it was not brought up for a House vote that year.

As of Wednesday, April 16th, Giffords had already garnered fifty-three co-sponsors. She
needed only fifty for a go ahead to bring it up for a vote. The House vote could take place as early as the first week in May. Click here to check the status of her resolution. If you don’t see your state’s representatives on the co-sponsor list, please send them an email or give them a call and ask them to support Giffords’ National Day of the Cowboy Resolution. As I’ve mentioned in the past, no petitions are neceded (nor have they ever been necessary) in this quest. However, if you are so inclined, you could contact friends whose state representatives are also missing from the co-sponsor list, ask for their support as well, and encourage them to contact their U.S. Representative. The more congressional votes we can muster, the stronger the message we send that the level of national support for a permanent Cowboy Day continues to grow. Wouldn’t it be great if it passed unanimously in the Senate AND the House this year, just as it did in the Senate last year?

Don’t forget to send a copy of the resolution to your Governors too, along with a request for a Day of the Cowboy proclamation. We encourage folks to insert the name of their own state in the first “Whereas” in the resolution, before they ask their governor to issue a proclamation. For example, our request to Governor Napolitano reads, “Whereas Arizona pioneering men and women known as “Cowboys”....etc.” Also, we always appreciate receiving an original or a copy of each proclamation. Now that we have a store and museum, we’re creating an archive and a display of the many Cowboy Day resolutions acquired in the past three and a half years, including those from numerous cities and counties.

On an additional campaign front, we’re asking supporters to request a proclamation from each governor declaring July as their state’s Cowboy Heritage Month. If you’d like to help with that in your state, send me an email. Ed Leroy is taking care of Kansas, Vi Tara is handling California and Gloria Duncan is taking care of Maine.

We want to acknowledge Congresswoman Giffords’ Sierra Vista staff members who were kind enough to have the Cowboy Day resolution framed and sent to us for display in the store and museum. It certainly makes it easier to tell visitors about the campaign with the actual resolution sitting right there on a shelf.
by Bethany Braley



National Day of the Cowboy 2008 Hatch





What's New?

Our Desert Cowboys
Russell Anderson and our esteemed Desert Cowboys were deployed to Afghanistan in January. Russell reports that a few members of the group mustered out once they got home safely from Iraq, but those who remain are sticking together. We thank “Western Horseman Magazine” for sending the Cowboys subscriptions to their great publication. The soldiers and DOD civilians over there truly appreciate having something quintessentially Western to hang on to. Also, when Russell mentioned that their internet access is extremely sketchy (thus limiting communication with their friends and family), the Leanin’ Tree immediately obliged our request to send our Cowboys a supply of the Tree’s Western stationary so we'd like to thank the Leanin' Tree for supporting our Cowboys as well.

It seems that the Cowboys' internet issues are related to a need for more satellite dishes for our military in Afghanistan, so we at the National Day of the Cowboy organization have begun exploring ways to remedy that problem for them. We’ve identified a potential dish donor and Congresswoman Giffords’ staff is working to help us determine what’s involved in getting a dish to them once we have it donated. We also need to make sure the one we get will work with the internet service provider in the Cowboys' region of Afghanistan. Won’t they be surprised if we can make this happen for them?

Two other soldiers in the National Day of the Cowboy family were also sent to Afghanistan recently; Will Ward from Arizona and Christopher Hill from Nevada. Will is the husband of Jennifer Ward, an artist who has been supporting our efforts almost since we began. Jennifer's art is the centerpiece of our 2006 Hatch Show Print. Christopher Hill's wife, Cheryl Harvey Hill, created and manned our Myspace until she became critically ill in March. Christopher has been home on leave since then, helping Cheryl in a fight for her life. We are extremely relieved to tell you that, against all odds, Cheryl was finally released from the hospital, and with Christopher's help, is back at home slowly improving day by day. If you usually communicate with us through Myspace and you're wondering why you've not heard from us lately, it is because Cheryl very generously took care of ALL the work for me in that area and I’m still a lowly novice when it comes to navigating Myspace.

2008 National Day of the Cowboy Hatch
New Mexico artist, Zane Mead, completed the art for our 2008 commemorative Hatch which we now have in stock. Zane’s 2008 work features a steer roping based on an image by photographer Jason Cupp, taken at Horse Lover's Park in Cave Creek, Arizona. This is the fourth Hatch in the official National Day of the Cowboy series. The theme for this year is “Catch the Cowboy Spirit.” The trick roper art for the 2007 Hatch was drawn by Texas artist, Teal Blake, while as I mentioned previously, the cowgirl in the 06 poster was drawn by Arizona’s Jennifer Ward. With the exception of the 2005 Hatch, all of our Hatch posters showcase original art created by Western artists exclusively for the National Day of the Cowboy. We feel lucky to be able to support them in their work in this way and we appreciate their artistic contributions to the National Day of the Cowboy as well. Send us an email if you'd like to order the 08, 07, or 05 Hatch ($13 each). A set of any two is $25 and a set of three is $36. Except for a few we're holding for auction, the first edition of “Saddle Up and Ride 2006” is now out of print. Should we decide to reprint it in the future, it will be annotated "restrike.”

Senator Barrasso
Here's an important note we received from Senator John Barrasso, April 18th, “The opening of South Korea’s borders to U.S. beef, is welcome news to Wyoming beef producers and the state economy. U.S. beef producers set the standard for excellence. Today’s decision is a victory for Wyoming ranchers. South Korea is an important export market for Wyoming beef. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I will continue to work to open more markets for Wyoming products.”



Cowboys at Heart - Photo by Charles Phillips



On the Event Trail

Cowboys at Heart
Our first 2008 National Day of the Cowboy fundraiser, Cowboys at Heart, turned out to be a very special event. The crews of John Sullivan’s Arizona chuckwagon and Wayne Calk’s Texas chuckwagon did a superb job of cooking and sharing their knowledge of the wagons and the history of the chuckwagon tradition, and generally entertaining the supper guests who arrived at Railroad Park for tender beef tips, biscuits, mashed potatoes, cowboy beans, and peach cobbler. Besides the perfect supper they prepared in the afternoon, they also turned up the breakfast heat. Words could not begin to describe the tender biscuits and creamy gravy they served up with a steaming hot cup of Arbuckles’ campfire coffee at sunrise Saturday morning.
Katy Creek Band drove down from Maricopa to entertain our guests, mixing in a "Bit" of poetry from Catherine Devine. Kip Farnsworth’s reenactors performed skits for the folks who watched intently from their hay bale seats. “Let er Buck” producer, Lance Valdespino, was gracious enough to attend our event and speak about his experiences in researching and making his Emmy nominated documentary, before we aired it for the crowd in the historic Rex Allen Theater. Friends and supporters came from as far away as Show Low and Cave Creek and all agreed they had a truly wonderful day. Thanks to photographer Charles Phillips for allowing us to use one of his loveliest images as a commemorative print for the first Cowboys at Heart. The universe gifted us with picture perfect, 70 degree weather for the entire day. Even the Willcox winds cooperated by settling down to a slight breeze in deference to our festivities. Next year Cowboys at Heart will take place Saturday, February 14.

The level of community support for this our first local fundraiser was heartwarming. There were numerous donations to the silent auction and Valley Telecommunications filmed the event and aired it on our local TV station a number of times. Sincere thanks go to Arizona Range News & Carol Broeder, Bill Nolan, Tina and the gang at the Rex Allen Theater, Arbuckles' Coffee, the Arizona Beef Council, Amy Ganley, Ben Martin, Best Western Plaza Inn, Bonita Beans, Carol Wien, Catherine Devine, the Center for Cowboy Ethics, Charles Phillips, City of Willcox, Katy Creek, Corene Schwab, Days Inn Willcox, Darlene Rodriquez, Dave Bonner, Mike McGee, Eurofresh, Friends of Marty Robbins, Gail Dudley, Hector Figueroa, Vi Tara of Highway 50 Wagon Train, James P Owen, Robert Dawson, Jean & Ferrell Anderson, the Rex Allen Days Committee, Joshawa Cloud, Kip Farnsworth & his Reenactors, Charles Phillips, Lance Valdespino, Maggie Bryce, Maid Rite Feeds, Marg Nelsson, Margo at the Bar-D Ranch, Tom Schoolcraft, Michelle Mullins, Mike Kevil, Radio Shack, the Rex Allen Museum, Rob Bandhauer, Robin Dubois, Sharon Wysocki, Summit Safeway, Ted Arnold, Ted & Kathi Fuchs, Tom Paul Schneider, Zia Bischoff, Western Horseman Magazine, Willcox Safeway, and the Willcox Chamber of Commerce & Events Committee.

Marty Robbins Memorial Weekend
March saw the first Marty Robbins Memorial to be held in Willcox. The Friends of Marty Robbins event included two concerts with over twenty performers in each show, and a full day of bull riding and barrel racing at Quail Park. The famed Owen Washburn brought some of the best bulls to be seen in these parts in a long time. The bulls won in the bullriding contest, but those T5 Rodeo guys really know how to put on a first class event. All of the activities made for an entertaining weekend overall.

Pistol Packin' Paula
A fundraiser was held at the prestigious Bison Museum in Scottsdale, Arizona, in April to benefit Pistol Packin' Paula (a premier performer for Rawhide Theme Park for 13 years). While the event was highly successful, Paula still needs help with the astronomical medical expenses she’s accumulated as a result of the accident she suffered. If you would like to help her out, contact Buck Montgomery

T-Bone Brands
Thanks to Debby and John, of Scottsdale’s T-Bone Brands, for arranging our attendance and participation at the Scottsdale Parada del Sol. They shared their booth with us and arranged to have the world renowned Hashknife Pony Express, carry the National Day of the Cowboy flag in Scottsdale’s illustrious parade. Since meeting up with them at the event, they’ve also designed a “Day of the Cowboy” brand for us, which is available on a set of leather coasters or as an individual branding iron for your steaks.

The biggest National Day of the Cowboy event in Arizona is taking place in Pinal County's Apache Junction at Goldfield Ghost Town. Congresswoman Giffords and I have been invited to be the Grand Marshals of the Saturday morning parade. For more information on the Pinal County National of the Cowboy event contact the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce.

Robin Brekhus, owner of the fabulous historic Gadsden Hotel in Douglas, sent us a reminder about the May 3rd Border to Border Run! The poker run registration starts at 8 AM. The event and route include the Bike Show, Poker Run, raffle, Car Show & Shine, a performance by Western music’s own Kip Callahan and a street dance, Proceeds from Border to Border benefit local charities.

Willcox Western Heritage Days, in conjunction with the National Day of the Cowboy, is scheduled for July 11 & 12. Friday evening features a dinner theater to which Congresswoman Giffords has been invited. Saturday's activities will include a country fair.

I’m finally getting an opporutnity to attend Ride for the Brand in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on 4th of July weekend. I’ve been wanting to go to this event since it was started several years ago, but the timing was never right. This year I’m determined to join the fun (along with friends from Western Jubilee Recording Company), which includes a ranch rodeo, loads of great entertainment and a longhorn parade down Nevada Street.

Murder on Music Row
Famed Nashville hit songwriter and CMA Song of the Year Award winner, Larry Shell (co-writer of Murder on Music Row), is offering his highly acclaimed music business seminar in Willcox, Arizona, on June 7. A group session will be held Saturday June 7, 9:30AM – 12:30PM. Private sessions with Shell are available Friday afternoon, June 6, and Saturday afternoon, June 7. Email info@nationaldayofthecowboy.com if you’d like to register for this fantastic music business workshop and songwriter seminar. All participants are invited to bring a song for critiquing.

Watch for information on upcoming National Day of the Cowboy fundraising events at the historic Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, Arizona, the elegant Gadsden Hotel in Douglas, Arizona and Cowboy Doug’s Tombstone Livery in Tombstone, Arizona. For those of you who love to shoot, you might want to check out the Tombstone Livery’s single action shooting range and their cowboy mounted shooting arena.



Cowboy flag over the Western Trails Ranch in the UK



International Day of the Cowboy
NASA Astronaut, Commander Mark Kelly, is taking the National Day of the Cowboy flag on his mission in May. It's possible the flag will be going to the International Space Station and back. This prestigious event substantiates our growing conviction that the National Day of the Cowboy becomes more of an international event with each passing year. This is exciting news! It’s as if our old frontier is meeting our new frontier. Commander Kelly is a real life Space Cowboy.

Adding to our international celebration is the fact that our Cowboy pards from England wrote that they wanted to attend a National Day of the Cowboy celebration in America this year. When Jim Coplin at the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce learned of their request, he promptly invited them not only to attend the National Day of the Cowboy celebration in Goldfield, Arizona, but to ride in the parade as honored guests. Those English Cowboys from the Western Trails Ranch are beside themselves with excitement and anticipation at that prospect. By the way, they’re also looking for other cowboy adventures while they’re in the states, especially if it involves riding or working on a cattle ranch. They have plenty of experience, so let me know if you’d like to host them at your place, or put them to work as hired hands (whether in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona or Colorado)!

Texas Radio of the Netherlands
Rides with Royal Wade Kimes
Texas Radio of the Netherlands has chosen Royal Wade Kimes new CD "How The West Was Sung" as a featured album of the week, scheduled to air May 18, 2008. Eddy & Ria Veldkamp, the show’s hosts, had this to say about Wade and his newest CD, "Royal Wade is truly one of the best latest original cowboys on this entire planet and his music makes sure that the American history will never be forgotten. His album will receive lots of airplay on Texas Radio in the Netherlands.”

Royal Wade, who records for Wonderment Records, is also a spokesperson for the National Day of the Cowboy organization, so we're always heppy to see him get the added exposure he so deserves.



Montana Silversmiths 2008 NDOC Buckle



Western Mercantile
Montana Silversmiths has already created the official 2008 National Day of the Cowboy buckle. The buckles are not yet available, but we can accept advance orders if you’d like to be the first in your arena to own one. If you’re looking for a special gift for your favorite Cowboy or Cowgirl, this would definitely be it. Price for the 08 buckle is $145. It’s also not too late to order a 2007 National Day of the Cowboy Montana Silversmiths belt buckle as a few do remain in stock. Both of the buckles are spectacularly beautiful, heavy silver buckles. The 2007 sterling buckle is still only $140. Email info@nationaldayofthecowboy.com if you’d like to order either buckle. Montana Silversmiths donates a portion of the sale proceeds to our organization.

We’ve had so many requests to bring back the original National Day of the Cowboy bumper sticker that we’ve finally re-ordered. The 3”X 10” stickers, which feature our logo, are $2 each or 3 for $5.

Don’t forget we also have the official 2005, 2007 and 2008 National Day of the Cowboy limited edition Hatch Show Prints, signed prints of Zane Mead’s Cowboy Keepers, ladies tank tops, the limited edition NDOC silk tie made by Rockmount Ranch Wear and two styles of the National Day of the Cowboy flag. Our cost for the flags took another jump this year, so we have had to increase the price. The fringed flag is now $148 and the grommet flag (no fringe) is $138. Our nylon, silk screened flags measure 5 feet by 3 feet. They are Made in the USA. We will have National Day of the Cowboy flags in stock the second week in May.

Any of our promotional products would make great gifts for your favorite Cowboy or Cowgirl. We auction some of them on ebay, but if you can’t find the one you want there, just send us an email. Product sales help defray costs for printing brochures, office supplies, event expenses, bank fees, phone bills, internet charges, newsletter services, utilities, etc.

Author and former Wall Street stockbroker, James P. Owen, donated a signed copy of his popular book about the code of the West, Cowboy Ethics, to our organization. Send me an email if you’d like to purchase this autographed copy, or if you'd like one of the regular copies we keep in stock. Photography for Cowboy Ethics was all shot byfamed western photographer, David Stoeckliein.

We also have two tickets for passage on the Highway 50 Wagon Train for sale, donated to us for fundraising, by Vi Tara. Vi is the Highway 50 Wagon Train Event Coordinator. Retail value of the tickets is $540. We are offering them to the first caller for $425 (that’s a savings of $115!). The wagon train is a bi-state event, leaving from Zephyr Cove, Nevada on May 31, arriving in Placerville, California on June 7, 2008. The fun and educational family oriented week includes campouts, barbeques and street dances.

Our good friends and supporters from Lakeside, Arizona, the Watson family, brought us some beautifully embroidered National Day of the Cowboy baseball caps. We’ve got three versions and three colors of these 'designer' ball caps. One hat features bull riding, one features team roping and one features stampeding horses.

Email info@nationaldayofthecowboy.com for information about our promotional products, or to order any them. Sorry our website is “temporarily out of order!” Product photos can also be found at www.myspace.com/nationaldayofthecowboy



National Day of the Cowboy Flag




National Day of the Cowboy Projects
My brother, Dan Braley and I, rolled up our sleeves to work on the restoration of the National Day of the Cowboy storefront. Since the block we are located on is on the Historic Register, we had to get approval from the Historical Committee before we could make any improvements. Once our plan was accepted, we went to work and transformed our new headquarters by painting it in National Day of the Cowboy red, white and blue. Dan repaired the porch cover a bit and removed some broken benches too. Everyone agrees our fresh new face adds to the esthetics of the historic block. Keeling Schaefer Vineyards is moving in just a few doors down, with an elegant wine and cheese store expected to open in September. They own their building, so they’re investing in historically accurate restoration, both inside and out.

The Cowboy flag will soon be flying at Michael Martin Murphey’s Rocking 3 M ranch in Wisconsin! We also have an order for a flag to go to Indiana, bringing the number of states where it flies to twenty (and four countries). We’re almost halfway to our goal of fifty states! The National Day of the Cowboy flag is now proudly flown in, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. It has been carried around the world with a group of Western performers, and our soldiers, the Desert Cowboys, proudly fly their National Day of the Cowboy flag in Iraq and Afghanistan, while our cowboy pals in England fly it over their Western Trails Ranch. Kelsee Brady Bradshaw and The Cowgirl Historical Foundation carry it in numerous parades around the country and Royal Wade Kimes displays his Cowboy flag at his many persona appearances. We’ll have more National Day of the Cowboy flags in stock in mid-May if you, your state, your organization, or your country does not yet have one. (Don’t forget – NASA is also taking it up in space next month!)




Embroidered NDOC Baseball Cap



Volunteer Ranch Hands
Like so many nonprofits, we are blessed with a number of dedicated volunteers, but there is always a need for more. Current opportunities include a website photo editor, help a few hours a week in our new headquarters, a public relations expert, folks to help with publicity, marketing, Western heritage education projects, technical support, legal counsel, fundraising wizards, grant writers, a bookkeeper, people with radio affiliations, TV and photography personnel. Email info@natioaldayofthecowboy.com if you’d like to volunteer your skills, services or expertise, even if only for a few hours each month. We have a growing volume of work to do as this effort continues to gather momentum.

I have collected hundreds of photos which reflect the rich history of our organization and the people who’ve been involved in the National Day of the Cowboy effort, but those pictures are all on my computer, so Cindy Watson volunteered to put together a photo album for us. We’ll make the photo album available in our museum and take it to events so others can enjoy our whole story visually.

Thanks to Zia Bischoff for the great rodeo curtains she made for the store & museum. She also brought her expertise to bear in setting up shelves and arranging the front window display.

Janis Rowe at the Hubbard Museum has again volunteered to update our brochure for us. We should have more available for events and in the store very soon.
Include a copy of the resolution



National Day of the Cowboy Guestbook



Western Connections & Bunkhouse Culture
Texas leather artisan, Brenda Watts, sent us a beautiful handmade leather guestbook for the store. She tooled cowboy hats and boots on the front, painted the tooling and completed it with miniature Swarovski crystals. There’s even a stage coach depicted on the back. Thank you Brenda and Steve for your ongoing artistic support of our organization. I’ll look forward to seeing your new Cowboy carry-on luggage.

Here’s another good reason to demand grass fed beef and forego the corn fed variety -The second ingredient in the original recipe for Necco's Sweethearts Conversation Hearts is corn syrup. Now, we're not positive if this is the awful high-fructose corn syrup that's in so many of our processed foods (and has been linked to the American obesity crisis), but any kind of corn syrup has little to recommend it.

Corn is massively over-farmed and subsidized in the U.S., and this is causing a host of environmental problems right on our doorstep. Grist (www.gristmill.grist.org) points out that corn farmers pour 10 billion pounds of fertilizer on their fields every year, and this junk washes down the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico. The waste creates a giant algae bloom known as the "Dead Zone" that kills fish and marine plants.

“If Congress pulls back support for ethanol, the corn price will likely tumble. Lower prices will mean a windfall for feedlot operators -- and will likely spur a slew of government commodity payments to corn growers under the farm bill. We'll be back where we started: with our government using our tax dollars to prop up corn production.

In essence, we're being asked to choose between low-quality food and low-quality fuel. We should reject both. Let's demand an end to policies that place industrial corn at the center of food and fuel production alike.” (2007 Article by Tom Philpott www.grist.org)

Membership Program
Our new 2008 membership form is available for printing. The membership pins are not in yet, but the membership cards are ready. Member benefits include a new pin each year, a membership card, a 20% discount on all of our products (except the flag), and a 10% discount for subscriptions to Chronicle of the Old West. Memberships expire twelve months from enrollment. Email info@nationaldayofthecowboy.com to join us as an official supporting member.





Bethany Braley, Karen Murphey, Michael Martin Murphey and Mayor Woody Johnson



Musicians' Campfire
Pure Cowboy magic filled the National Day of the Cowboy Headquarters on Saturday, April 26, when Cowboy icon, Michael Martin Murphey, held a group of fans spellbound for a ‘campfire’ concert. Once we dimmed the lamps and Murphey began his performance, people seemed literally transfixed by his music and stories, barely moving or drawing a breath until he strummed the final notes of his final number.

Prior to his show, Murphey, his wife, Karen, and his sidekick Paul, were kind enough to attend a one-hour reception to meet and greet our guests. Murphey chatted easily with each fan, signing autographs and even joking with one or two folks about their shared Irish ancestry. Two Willcox wineries donated their wines to the event, Keeling Schaefer Vineyards and Coronado Wines, while Connie and Dan Finck owners of Bisbee’s Copper Queen Hotel, provided us with bottles of their private label wines. Before arriving at the reception, Murphey and Karen took the opportunity to visit the Rex Allen Museum where Delcie and Larry Schultz gave them a personal guided tour.

National Day of the Cowboy’s Campfire Concerts are limited to 50 people due to the small size of the room, but it's that smallness that lends itself to perfect acoustics and a friendly warm ambience. The store itself is filling up with NDOC posters, trappings, memorabilia, and various other cowboy art and media I’ve collected for the past 25 years, the majority of which came from Murphey’s annual WestFests in Colorado and New Mexico.

While Murphey was singing and sharing his knowledge of the history of the songs and the cowboy, I closed my eyes several times, trying to soak up the moment and save it somehow. He shared personal stories about his adoption into a Lakota Sioux family, his career experiences and a bit of information about his American Prairie Preservation project too. It was a significant moment overall, crystalized in time, reflecting all that the National Day of the Cowboy is and all that it is yet to become.

There is, of course, no one path to achieving permanent passage of the Cowboy resolution, but for me, that’s the whole point! The judiciary committee is looking for a high enough level (and I believe, broad enough level too) of National interest, not just the interests of one or two isolated elements of western preservation. That national interest will have to come from Cowboys, lawyers, ranchers, musicians, artists, accountants, salesman, and actors; people from every conceivable walk of life, every political persuasion and relighous background. All will have their own vision (or version) of the National Day of the Cowboy because perceptions and expectations are indeed individualized. Comparison or competition in this cause is terribly unproductive. Each of us working toward the goal possesses unique talents and experiences that can be utilized to move the campaign to a higher level, both professionally and personally. To be sure, we can learn from those who have already arrived at the heights we seek, but we can adopt those approaches and strategies that serve each of us best in our quest.

I mention this because an NDOC fan recently copied me on a website ‘disclaimer’ that states, “Bethany Braley is promoting her own version of the Day of the Cowboy.” On the surface, that almost seems like some sort of ‘accusation' but I’ve been reflecting at on it since it was first brought to my attention, and after the completely ethereal quality of Murphey’s Lone Cowboy Concert Saturday night, I've decided it must be a typo. What they probably meant to say was “Braley is promoting her “VISION” of the Day of the Cowboy,” because Murphey’s performance at the NDOC headquarters was everything I’ve envisioned the National Day of the Cowboy could be, and so much more. I’m awestruck by the many, and varied types of people who pitched in time, talent and heart, to make it the special evening that it was. The guests were even happy setting up and taking down their own chairs, while others helped serve the wine and some made sure there were loads of photos taken. One kind person even took it upon herself to stand by the open door the entire evening, and close it each time the train came roaring through town. Murphey himself took the time to converse with each person who approached him, signed endless autographs and graciously posed for photo after photo.

There we were, completely surrounded with cowboy trappings, listening to Michael Martin Murphey himself, the uncontested best and most famous Cowboy singer in the world, connecting with a small group of people who were totally delighted just to be in the room with him. After the show ended, many of the guests spoke about how magical and perfect the evening felt to them. One grateful man nodded emphatically, happily noting, “This is the best concert I’ve ever been to in my entire life.” I think many of the people there would agree with him on that score. For me, the whole night represented a microcosm of the perfect vision or version, of what the National Day of the Cowboy stands for.

Dennis Jay
Dennis Jay, a unique talent from Texas who’s been a guest artist on Austin City Limits, was brave enough to take the slot as our ‘pioneer’ performer in the store. Jay entertained the audience with his brand of western-folk music for us on Marty Robbins’ Memorial Weekend. When his solo set was over, he, Catherine Lil Bit Devine, and Tommy Jenkins, performed rounds of original songs and cowboy poetry for the crowd. Valley Telecom filmed Dennis's set and their round and aired it on our local channel several times during the month. While he was in Willcox, Dennis also did the shopping by phone, for a PA system suitable for the store and Willcox’s Windmill Park, which the City of Willcox then purchased.

Juni Fisher
We were privileged to have the 2007 WMA Song of the Year Songwriter, 2005 AWA Western Female Performer of the Year and the 2006 WMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Juni Fisher, bring her songwriting and singing talents to the NDOC Headquarters on April 21. Juni really knocked the boots off the crowd that night. Valley Telecom also let me film Juni's show with their new HD camcorder, which I see is already airing daily on our local TV channel. Thank you Valley Telecom! We're hoping to get Juni back to Willcox soon.

Also, I appreciate this note that followed from Juni, “Thank you again for the great job you did promoting and organizing the concert. Ya done mighty fine cowgirl.” Juni Fisher.



Hashknife Pony Express Carrying the NDOC Flag




Swing Riders
The ever growing number of supporters who contribute to the quest for an annual day of recognition for our Western heritage is confirmation that the National Day of the Cowboy effort is right on target. With every succeeding issue of the NDOC News, I have more and more supporters to thank, and this issue is no exception!

Thank you so much to; Amy Ganley who donated a new event tent to our organization just in time for Parada del Sol. It has saved me from being burned by the sun and parched by the wind several times since January.…Corene and Clarence Schwab for visiting me on their way back to Texas from Nevada, and also for their generous financial support….Crystal Sands, a rising young country artist traveling with the Schwabs, who left Willcox buzzing after gracing us with a sampling of her incredible singing talent. Since getting back to Texas, Crystal has opened for the legendary Ray Price and the great Gene Watson…Ann Allen and Heather for their PR support, local introductions and donations of ranch items to enhance the museum…Dan Braley for five days of hard work renovating the front of our now striking store…Bran Riggs for donating the paint for the renovation and display cabinets for the store and museum…Larry Schultz for designing and printing such classy tickets for all of our events…Zia Bischoff for making us new cowboy curtains and graciously hosting our wine bar during Murphey's show.…Mom for that incredible electric wine bottle opener…Eurofresh and the Rex Allen Days Committee for their generous financial contributions…Delcie Schultz for steady encouragement…Debby and John from T-Bone Brands for creating that Day of the Cowboy brand for us…the many customers who continue to check into the store and museum to see what’s new and to learn about the campaign….the staff at Congresswoman Giffords’ office who framed the National Day of the Cowboy resolution as a gift for the store…Senator John Barrasso for updating us on good news for the cattle industry…Dakota Livesay for covering the National Day of the Cowboy on Chronicle of the Old West…. Brenda Watts for the spectacular leather Guest Book for the NDOC store …SASS’s Cowboy Doug for showing me his Tombstone Livery set up and offering to host a fundraiser for us at his digs… Rob Bandhauer at Western Horseman for his loyal cheerleading.…Lance Valdespino and Gail Dudley for donating 20% of their Let 'er Buck ebay proceeds to us, Greg Martin for interviewing me for the AG Radio Show and of course, thanks to Cheryl Harvey Hill for inspiring us with her personal courage and showing us what it really means to be a fighter!

All of the above people are testimony to the fact that the National Day of the Cowboy is a heartfelt, grass roots effort! I may have forgotten one or two supporters, but I thank you all so much for keeping this quest moving forward.

Cowboy Keepers
Check out a beef organization which caught Amy Ganley’s eye, R-Calf USA. R-Calf’s mission is to help save our cattle ranches and to address marketing and trade issues in the live cattle industry. Another entity Amy brought to our attention is the Paragon Foundation in New Mexico, which promotes constitutional principles and supports private property rights along with the continuation of rural culture in America. If you’re at all interested in taking a personal stand in preventing the extinction of America’s cattle ranches, don’t forget to read, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” by Michael Pollan.

Skip Gorman
Skip Gorman brings back to life the workaday world of the cowboys of the American West through his music. This is not the music of the Hollywood cowboy, but rather the simple, yet beautifully poignant music that was performed around campfires by cowboys and westward settlers in the 19th century. Gorman brings to the music a scholar's knowledge of the cowboy's Celtic, Spanish and Afro-American roots as well as the personal experience gained by working as a cowboy on a ranch in Wyoming, along with an exquisite touch as a singer, guitarist, fiddler and mandolinist.

Gorman, who takes the music from one of the most romanticized periods of American history-the days of the cattle drives and westward expansion and strips away the Hollywood glitz and Nashville affectations, shows us the beauty of the music as it was sung and played along emigrant trails and in cow camps over a hundred years ago in the American West.
Gorman presents programs which educate and entertain, in authentic cowboy garb while playing period instruments.

American Prairie Partners
Michael Martin Murphey and John Siebenahler have partnered up to offer their services and knowledge to promote tallgrass prairie preservation. Preserving the natural state of the landscape is the goal of their partnership, American Prairie Partners. APP works to make the land profitable for individuals and companies by restoring the American prairie to as close to it's original state as possible. This will be accomplished through the use of Texas Longhorn cattle, elk, buffalo and other grazing animals suitable to the restoration.

If you know of a worthy preservation effort you'd like to see mentioned in our newsletter, please send us an email about the person or the project. The email subject should be "Cowboy Keeper."

Help save America’s cattle ranches,
DEMAND grass-fed beef.

Please forward the National Day of the Cowboy News.

To sign up for the National Day of the Cowboy News, email info@nationaldayofthecowboy.com Or write to:
National Day of the Cowboy, 162 N Railroad Avenue, Willcox, Arizona 85643
520-766-6362

National Day of the Cowboy 501(c)3 2008 Board of Directors
Jane Bischoff, Arizona - Treasurer
Gloria Duncan, Maine - Secretary
Corene Schwab, Texas - 2nd Vice-chairman of the Board
Bethany Braley, Arizona - Chairman of the Board


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