November 21, 2013

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Cowboy Times

NOVEMBER 21, 2013

OfďŹ cial newsletter of the BC COWBOY HERITAGE SOCIETY

Features It's that times of year, think of someone special 2014 Cowboy Festival Tickets now on sale ~ Page 2

Book and CD reviews ~ Page 3

Keith Dinwoodie ~ Page 4

It's that time of year again when everyone's looking for that special something, for that special someone, for Christmas, and I hope in reading through this newsletter you'll find something that fits the bill. There's reviews on a couple of new CDs, there's a new book, and quite a few choices of tickets - everything from a $15 stocking stuffer Cowboy Concert ticket to a $4500 package on a Cowboy Cruise!

Please check out our sponsor hotels if you're coming to the Kamloops Cowboy Festival and make sure your hotel is on the list before you book - they support us, we'd appreciate it if you support them. There's lot else about the Festival in this newsletter, too, including a full list of entertainers.

The next issue of the Cowboy times will be coming out on February 13 and it'll be the program for the Kamloops Cowboy Festival. Hope you all enjoy this issue of the Cowboy Times. Merry Christmas to you all and all the best in 2014, ~ Kathy & Mark McMillan, Editors msprings@bcinternet.net

Join us on the Spirit of the West Panama Canal Cruise January 30 to February 15, 2014. We start out in Fort Lauderdale, head to the Panama Canal and end up in Los Angeles. There will be stops in Aruba, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

The 14th annual 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert This year we're having the concert in January instead of February ... for a few reasons, but the main one is we'll be away for a good part of February (see the article about the Spirit of the West Cruise :-). This year we'll feature a guy who's definitely become one of the Kamloops Cowboy Festival's all time favourites, Tim Hus! Tim had one Saturday open between now and April, and that was Janu-

ary 18th, so that's the day we picked. Tim hasn't been part of this concert since 2009.

Joining Tim this year is one of our favourite Cowboy Poets, a lady we've tried to get to this concert in the past but have never been able to, Mag Mawhinney. Mag will travel from Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island.

The other performer for 2014 will be Jeremy Willis, a cowboy raised in the Cariboo (his fam-

ily owns Anchor Ranch at the Chasm) and now living in Kamloops. Jeremy has been a part of numerous concerts that we've put on over the years and he always goes over well with his big baritone voice.

Opening the show this year we'll have a special treat, especially for the guys :-). Anyone remembering back to 2007 will remember the high energy act that started off the shows that

year! This year it'll be a different group, but the same type of performance.

Tickets are on sale now in 100 Mile House at 100 Feed and Ranch, Work N Play, and the Log House Western Wear, and are still only $15 each. There will be two shows to choose from again this year, a 2:00 p.m. matinee and a 7:00 p.m. evening show - they are the same show just at a different time.

BC Cowboy Heritage Society • www.bcchs.com

NORTH THOMPSON FALL FAIR AND RODEO MARK YOUR CALENDAR Aug. 30, 31 Sept. 1, 2014 Fun for the whole family Vendors welcome

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2 November 21, 2013 COWBOY TIMES

Cowboy Christmas Concert Join us for a fun filled evening of Christmas music and song Thursday, December 12 at the Calvary Community Church. It'll be all Christmas music sung by the guys you see at our other Cowboy Concerts and at the Festival; Gordie West, Matt Johnston, and Hugh McLennan ... plus ... we've added a new face this year, Country 103's very own Louis "Big Rig" McIvor. Louis will bring an added touch

with him, too ... his banjo!

The Annual Cowboy Christmas Concert in Kamloops has gone over well the last couple of years and the favourite part is the audience driven sing-along. That's the second half, after the intermission, when the crowd is asked to pick a Christmas Carol. We put the words to the carol up on the big screen, the entertainers sing it, and the audience joins in!

The evening will

start out with free photos with Santa Claus at 6:00 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:00 p.m. We ask folks to bring along a donation to the Kamloops Food Bank.

Tickets to the Concert are $20 each and kids 16 and under get in free when they're accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available at the Horse Barn in Kamloops or, if you're not in Kamloops, by phone from us at 1-888-763-2221.

Hope to see you there!

A note from the president November 2013

The time is flying and we'll be setting up in the lobby before we know it - yike! Things are looking good for Festival so far - we sold $600 worth of passes on November 1st, the date tickets went on sale so hopefully this trend keeps going ...

Entertainers are mostly all in place for the 18th Annual Festival and the schedules will be done as soon as this newsletter is finished (check the web site soon). A big thanks to all our sponsor hotels, too, for supplying rooms for the entertainers and for giving special rates to our guests - you, the audi-

ence! Have a look through the list of sponsor hotels and please support them.

We have our new 2014 posters - a big thanks to Liz Twan for supplying us with her photo! Tickets are ready, too, so you can order yours any time. We have the new pins, too, and they're all ready for you when you get to the door on Thursday, March 13th.

This month we'll pick the recipient for the Joe Marten Memorial Award and the inductees to the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame. We've had some great new nominations in both and I'm looking forward to seeing who is picked.

Tickets now on sale - the toll free line has been ringing pretty steadily for ticket orders. Ticket prices have remained the same - only $65 for a weekend pass, $30 for either Friday or Saturday feature (which includes daytime), $30 add on for the dinner theatre Friday or Saturday and $25 for the dinner add on Sunday. Daytime only tickets are $15 at the door for Friday and Saturday and $10 for Sunday. As always there will be no admission fees for Cowboy Church Sunday morning.

The schedules aren't quite put together yet but will be soon, and will be posted on our web site. The entertainers list is complete with what looks to be a great line up. Here the list: Tom Cole, Frank Gleeson, Matt Johnston, Terri Mason, Ed Peekeekoot, Steve Taylor, Gordie West, Brian Salmond,The Hanson Family, Rae-Lee Fraser, The Mountain Saddle Band, Butch Falk, Ed Wahl, Mag Mawhinney, Marshall Veal, Dick Warwick, Horse Crazy, Ol' Ugly, Diamond Doug Keith, Jess Lee, Allen Christie, Ryan Fritz, Lone Prairie, the Louisiana Hayride, and (tentatively) The Mill Girls Follies CanCan Dancers (new this year).

The Art of the West Show and Sale look to be very promising again this year with some awesome talent being shown. The Festival Tradeshow is getting lots of booth bookings and a few new faces will be there, including two new saddle makers.

All the above plus workshops and seminars, the Rising Star Showcase, entertainment at Satellite venues, the Thursday night dinner dance, and so much more. It'll definitely be another great weekend in Kamloops! Keep an eye on our website as we'll be updating it in the near future, or if you have any questions about the Kamloops Cowboy Festival give us a call toll free: 1-888-763-2221.

On our web site you'll find a list of sponsor hotels with their special Cowboy Festival rates and a brief description on their location in relevance to the Festival.

Cowboy Poet of the Cariboo Chilcotin

NOW AVAILABLE IN BOOKSTORES

A Louisiana Hayride Christmas The Louisiana Hayride rolls out their Christmas special featuring the music of Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, and Loretta Lynn. These performers will put you in the Christmas spirit when they sing songs such as Silver Bells, Pretty Paper, White Christmas, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Silent Night, Oh, Holy Night, Away In A Manger, Joy To the World, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas and many more. And for those who just can't get enough of the classic country music the Louisiana Hayride is known and loved for, they're even adding in a few songs from their regular shows such as Ring of Fire, Tumbling Tumbleweeds, Sweet Dreams, A White Sport Coat, and Hound Dog. This music extravaganza, performed with a live band, re-creates the ambiance of those early days when music meant something and you could hear and understand the words. The show features songs made famous by some of the greatest music stars of the 1950's and 60's.

A show you don't want to miss. Here's a look at their up-coming schedule: Fri Nov. 22 7:30 p.m. Clark Theatre Mission BC 250-833-0003 Sat. Nov. 23 Chilliwack Xmas, 604-391-7469 Sun. Nov. 24 Kamloops TRU Hall Xmas, 250-374-5483 Fri Nov. 29 7:30 p.m. Salmon Arm Xmas, 250-832-1149 Sat. Nov. 30 7:30 p.m. Williams Lake, 250-833-0003 Sun. Dec. 1 100 7:00 p.m. Mile House, 250-833-0003 Thurs Dec. 5 7:30 p.m. Vernon Xmas, 250-549-7469 Friday Dec. 6 7:30 p.m. Penticton Xmas Show, 250-276-2170 Fri Dec. 13 7:30 p.m. Okotoks Xmas Show, 1-866-311-1011 Sat. Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Olds Xmas Show, 403-556-1322 For more Show and Date Information go online www.ticketseller.ca or call 1-866-311-1011 or email: gohayride@live.ca Gil or Lori Risling at 250-833-0003

359 Borthwick Avenue Box 1020, Barriere B.C. V0E 1E0

14-74 Young Rd, Brookfield Mall Clearwater, BC V0E 1N2

Phone: 250-672-5611 Fax: 250-672-9900

Phone: 250-674-3343 Fax: 250-674-3410

CMCA AUDITED

Here's a list of the hotels that have committed to sponsorship at this point in time - they support us, please support them.

The Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre Canada's Best Value Inn and Suites Ramada Kamloops Hampton Inn Four Points by Sheraton Kamloops Travelodge Mountview Hotel Five540Forty Best Western Plus Kamloops Hotel Scott's Inn Howard Johnson Inn Downtown Kamloops Sandman Inn and Suites Riverland Inn & Suites Howard Johnson Inn on the Hill

Presented by The Louisiana Hayride Show

Corky Williams

Newsroom: news@starjournal.net Visit our web sites at or advertising@starjournal.net www.starjournal.net or ofce@starjournal.net www.clearwatertimes.com Web Page: www.starjournal.net

The 18th Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival

NOR TH

THOMPSON

The Times The North Thompson Star/Journal and North Thompson Times are published each Thursday by Black Press Group Ltd. in Barriere, B.C. We welcome readers’ articles, photographs, comments and letters. All contents are copyright and any reproduction is strictly prohibited by the rightsholder.

Cowboy Times November 21, 2013 3

Corky Williams - Cowboy Poet of the Cariboo Chilcotin

By Sage Birchwater with Corky Williams Many of you will remember the very humorous little cowboy poet we had at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival in 2009 and at the 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert in 2010 named Corky Williams.

Or you might know of Corky from the movie industry, seen him in movies, on TV, or on stage, or run into him in the ranching world somewhere, probably out in the Chilcotin or maybe in Williams Lake. Anyway, if you have met him or seen him before you'll most likely remember him!

This new book by Sage Birchwater (an author from Williams Lake) is written with Corky and his wife Jeanine, and tells the story of Corky's life ... from Texas to Los Angles to Anahim Lake to Albiene (Fort Langley), back to Texas and fi-

nally to Williams Lake.

I haven't had time to read the book yet as I just received it but the stories inside sound pretty interesting. I read the first couple of pages and didn't want to put it down.

When they walked into the store when they first moved to Anahim Lake Jeanine says it was like stepping back in time 50 years, "There was a wood stove with a half a dozen men sitting around it and we were fascinated by them and they were pretty interested in us. We didn't realize how completely strange we seemed to them with our cowboy boots, brightly coloured nylon jackets, dark glasses and Texas accents. They couldn't have been more amazed and amused if a pair of flamingos had set down in their midst."

You can bet I'll be

Western Star A new CD by Tim Hus Tim Hus has been a favorite at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival since 2003, his first appearance. All of his past CDs have been great, and he is a top seller of CDs at the Festival every time he's there. This new CD, Western Star, could be one of his best yet - definitely a top seller!

Tim celebrates a Decade on what he refers to as the "Never-EndingHighway-Tour" with 12 tracks of totally western songs ... songs about just about everything you could imagine ... truck driving, fishing, hunting, drinking, sailing, pickin' apples, mining, rivers, history, romance, barrel racers, even church ... oh ya and

burying myself in this new book right away and I'll let you know a little more about it in the spring issue of this newsletter. In the mean-

a waltz ... about Alberta, rodeo, and Tim, although there's no song about hockey, had to get in a mention of the sport. All are original Tim Hus songs.

It's good to hear (and see on the poster that comes with the CD) the usual faces of Tim's band including Riley Tubs and Billy MacInnis. As well as the guitar, fiddle and big bass there's a pile of other musicians on this CD too, playing drums, accordion, steel, dobro, and banjo all mixed nicely behind Tim's unique and entertaining voice.

Find the details at www.TimHus.ca. Good show Tim - ya donner again!

time if you want to get a copy for yourself, or maybe for a Christmas gift, then just visit your local bookstore. It's published by Caitlin Press.

Wind Blown Buckaroo, a new CD by Ryan Fritz Review by Mark McMillan Ryan Fritz's big baritone voice catches you right off the bat in the first track, "Cowboy Cowboy". It doesn't stop there though, as this whole CD is loaded with good stuff - 14 tracks, all of which are written

by Ryan. He plays acoustic guitar too, and there's lots of other instruments played by Bruce Hoffman, Jonathan Black, and Craig Young. John Cunningham engineered, mixed, and mastered the CD and added his own bass and his wife, Eli Barsi's,

great background vocals.

Often when listening to a CD Kathy's comment is ... "all the songs have the same basic sound" - not the case here - Ryan has 14 different sounds on 14 different tracks. Track 8, "Whiskey and Fire", is one that Kathy commented on, "oh I like that" she said as I had it playing on the office computer.

Track 10, "Kids in the Wagon", is one that grabbed my attention. The idea behind the song fits our mandate of preserv-

ing cowboy heritage, and Eli's harmony is fantastic. Track 6 adds some humour to the CD ...

"Where the Hells My Horse" is a song that a lot of us can relate to and if you like fiddle music you might be looking for a dance floor. Track 12 "Five Hundred Dollar Bronco" is another song that a lot of cowboys can probably relate to, if you get a job as a cowboy you need to have a horse or two which might mean you take what comes up for sale.

After listening to, and enjoying this CD so much, I moved Ryan from the 2015 entertainers list to the 2014 list as I thought this new CD should be available at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival where folks can grab one and get Ryan to sign it. If you can't make the Festival for some reason then you can get your copy by emailing Ryan at: ryefritz@gmail.com or go to Face Book and find "Ryan Fritz Wind Blown Buckaroo", and this album is also available on iTunes. Good job Ryan!

Volunteers needed If you like western/cowboy music and cowboy poetry you'll want to take in the Kamloops Cowboy Festival. If you want to help out at the Festival we're always looking for volunteers ... for just about anything and everything.

If you're interested in volunteering talk to Helen at 1-888-763-2224.

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4 November 21, 2013 COWBOY TIMES

A Cowboy in a Number of Different Ways: A working cowboy, a cowboy announcer (rodeo), a horse trainer, and a cowboy auctioneer (livestock).

Keith Dinwoodie leaves his home in Armstrong, BC by truck, plane, and possibly even his wife's car on a very regular basis between March and September.

He figures he can put on close to 50,000 km as he travels to enlighten and entertain the spectators at between 30 and 50 different performances every year. He's been hired as the rodeo announcer for rodeos and bull riding events from Vancouver Island to Manitoba, and just about everywhere in between ... plus Alaska and even Australia!

I've spent a few days in the announcers booth with Keith at the 100 Mile House BCRA Rodeo and at the BC Bull Riding Finals and he ceases to amaze me.

From the very first sec-

ond to the very last second he's a nonstop fountain of information. He obviously puts in many hours doing his homework as he knows all the cowboys and all the stock - which rodeo they placed where, when they got hurt, and which bull or horse should/could bring the most points.

"It's the behind the scenes work, getting my ducks in a row, the stuff folks don't see, that's what make me look good in the public's eye", says Keith. "I dream quite often and my worst nightmare is that I lost my briefcase!" he jokes ... although that would be as far from a joke as one could get.

While Keith is telling the spectators what's happening in the arena in front of them he's also

busy multitasking; he's turning the CD player on and off, getting scores from the judges to repeat, thanking sponsors and volunteers, getting word from the secretary as to what's coming up next, and so much more.

It's no wonder the folks in Kispiox, BC have had him back for 30 consecutive years! It's no wonder he's made the trip to Manitoba 26 years in a row!

In between rodeos and the rest of the year Keith works as a cowboy at one of BC's biggest

cattle ranches, Coldstream Ranch, near Vernon, BC. They run about 2500 cow calf pairs, a 5000 head feedlot, 300 replacement heifers, and a remuda of 55 to 60 horses. Each cowboy is assigned three or four horses.

Everything at Coldstream is done the true

cowboy way from the back of a horse. Branding, doctoring, gathering, checking, calving, some days Keith will spend nine hours in the saddle.

Coldstream has development all around it so a lot of the time they're hauling a horse to a subdivision to move a bull, or some cows, from someone's back yard.

Keith has always used his voice. At 18 he headed off to auctioneering school. He then partnered with his brother Rob in a livestock auction barn in Thorhild, Alberta for five years. He spent 27 years selling for Valley Auction in Armstrong.

For a couple of years in

his early twenties Keith rode bareback horses in rodeo ... they would run his horse through with the bulls at the end of the rodeo so that he could still announce the rest of the rodeo.

I'm not sure where he finds the time but Keith also builds saddles. He guesses that he's made 14 or 15 saddles, doing about one per year. He also starts between six and 10 colts every year for other people. On top of all this Keith still competes in Ranch rodeos, still team ropes with his son, and still finds time to spend with his wife of 38 years.

Keith's love for horses is obvious no matter what job he's at. He says, "There's nothing better than feeding some well made hay to a good

horse". Even with all the jobs Keith has he considers himself semi retired.

"I never don't like going to work" he says, "I love what I do and I put love into what I do".

This love really shines through at the rodeos he announces and you can hear it in his humour.

In 100 Mile House at the Bull Riding Finals I was bidding on one of the cowboys as Keith auctioned them off. He noticed that I was taking signals from my wife and when I quit bidding he didn't quit trying to get a little more money out of me, "Those look like Wrangler jeans you're wearing" he said, "but I think there's a skirt attached" he snickered as he looked over at Kathy who was obviously calling the shots.

The 13th Annual Spirit of the West Cruise 16 days - January 30 to February 15, 2014

stay where you like to play!

Stay in the heart of the action for the 18th Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival!

Special packages and room rates available.

Call 1-800-665-6674 today to inquire and book your Cowboy getaway! * Early Bird Rates available until January 22, 2014

Complimentary Services: • • • •

Wi-Fi Parking 24 hr. business centre Indoor sauna, hot tub, pool

Relax & Enjoy: • •

Beer, wine & spirits store onsite Two fantastic in-house dining options: Prestons restaurant & Mama San Kitchen ∙ Bar ∙ Lounge

This might be your last chance to book this cruise and join us on the Spirit of the West Panama Canal Cruise January 30 to February 15, 2014. We start out in Fort Lauderdale, head to the Panama Canal and end up in Los Angeles. There will be stops in Aruba, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

One of the highlights this time will be the full day that we will have to explore the Canal and Panama City.

We're really looking forward to that, but we're also looking forward to the private Brahma Cattle Ranch tour we'll be doing in Costa Rica. We had a quick visit at this ranch while there in 2009 and we were pretty impressed. Oh ya ... rumour has it there might be horses there, too!

We'll be sailing on the Island Princess, the same ship we were on in 2009, and she's a terrific ship. The pools are terrific, the food and service is amazing, and we're sure it'll be warm and the Sun. will be shining not like at home where it'll be really cold and snowy.

You can find all the details at www.Hugh-McLennan.com and as usual you'll be able to follow us, if you

BCCHS MEMERSHIPS If you are member now, memberships are due for 2014. If you're not a member but are interested in what we do to preserve cowboy heritage in BC, then you should think about joining. There are no

reservations 800.665.6674

1250 Rogers Way Kamloops, B.C V1S 1N5 www.coastkamloopshotel.com ph: 250.828.6660 fax: 250.828.6698

commitments what so ever and your $20 membership ($30 for a family and $100 for corporate) would be greatly appreciated. Membership dollars go towards the societies administrative costs.

don't join us, on the diary pages on Hugh's web site and on our web site: www.MeadowSprings.com. Both web sites have the flyer available as a PDF download, too.

So far there is still room if you want to join us! Karen and/or Jim at Cruise Vacations of Winnipeg would be happy to answer any questions. Give them a call at 1-800-530-0131.

WESTERN/COWBOY ARTISTS AND/OR ARTISANS If you're a western/cowboy artist or artisan please have a look at entering the Kamloops Cowboy Festival Art of the West Show and Sale and/or the Festival Western Trade Show. The art show is juried and interested artists should contact Gordon Manson by phone at: 250-682-5437 or by email at: gordmansonartist@hotmail.com.

If you're interested in a booth in the Festival tradeshow talk to Helen and Red by phone at: 1-888-763-2224 or by email at: redandhelen@bcchs.com