Performers

THE WEST IS DEAD MY FRIEND? NO, THE WEST HAS SURVIVED
By Mike Puhallo

One Hundred and fourteen years ago, the great Cowboy artist Charles M. Russell included the following short poem in a letter to a close friend;

The West is dead my friend,
But the writers hold the seed.
and what they sow,
will live and grow
Again for those who read!

Well, I think Ol' Charley would be pleasantly surprised to see how much of the West has survived. Writers and Artists of all genres have played a huge part in preserving the culture and heritage of the Ranching Industry and the West. On the other hand the long term survival of Cowboy Poetry, Western Music and Western Art also depend on a healthy Ranching Industry. I believe the Writers and Artists of the West still have a vital role to play in preserving our industry and livestyle. Art is a natural bridge between cultures and we desperately need to build bridges of understanding between the Rural and Urban cultures in todays society. Urban Societies have lost touch with their rural roots and seem to be easily stampeded by special interest groups on issues affecting agriculture and the environment. In their zeal to "preserve everything natural", those living in a totally artificial habitat are blissfully unaware of the issues faced by those of us on the land.

It is crucial that we bridge those gaps, to foster an understanding of the depth and value of our Western Heritage and the importance of our Ranching Industry. As Charley said, "The writers hold the seed!"

Baxter Black - "Baxter Black can shoe a horse, string a bob wire fence and bang out a Bob Wills classic on his flat-top guitar. Cowboy poet, ex-veterinarian and sorry team roper, he has more hair around his lip than on his head. Raised in New Mexico, he spent his workin' life in the mountain west tormenting cows. Now Baxter lives in Arizona and travels the country tormenting cowboys."

Ben Crane - "From the Alberta ranchlands just east of Rocky Mountain House, comes western country singer Ben Crane. His love for the west country and the outdoors comes through not only in his music, but in his artwork as well. The western cartoonist and Leanin' Tree artist says "What I do beats the hang out of a real job! Ben performs at a variety of functions from gatherings and festivals, to private and corporate functions, from county fairs to churches, and just about anything in between."

Butch Falk - Butch sings, and records, the songs of the working cowboy. Quite often written by real working cowboys themselves, or people with a direct connection to them, they are songs of inspiration, good and hard times, as well as songs of understanding. Nominated for the AWA Rising Star Award in '98, and nominated in 1999 & 2000 for Male Vocalist of the Year, Butch has performed all over western Canada and the U.S including the Cowboys Heroes & Friends Western Festival in Branson.

Mike Puhallo Cowboy Poet - Mike has been a working cowboy, a saddle bronc rider, a packer and horse trainer. He currently ranches in partnership with his younger brother, as well as writing and painting western oils. Mike's poetry will reach out and touch western people where they live, through the experiences and feelings that are shared by those who live close to the land. The reason his poetry is so "real" is simple; this cowboy has "bin there an' done that".

Now accepting listings!