Cowboy Country

Band of senior musicians perform all over Metroplex

By John English Hoopla Correspondent

Few bands can inspire people to get up and dance like Cowboy Country.

Made up almost entirely of senior citizens, the Weatherford-based musical group proclaims itself as a “local country dance band providing entertainment for Parker County and surrounding areas.”

The band was originally formed in 1992, and band manager Dorothy Glenn said her husband, James Glenn, was one of the founding members.

“My husband has been a guitar player since he was 9 years old,” Glenn said. “We started playing at the Texas Opry, and we did a couple of shows out at Weatherford College with Leon Rauche. Then we left there and went to the Weatherford Senior Center. We also opened the Granbury Senior Center when it was brand-spanking new, and we had a full crowd.”

Cowboy Country plays at anniversaries, birthday parties and weddings among other venues, but performing for senior citizens holds a special place in their heart.

“We love dancing with seniors,” Glenn said. “What we do is play a little rock and roll, a whole lot of country and just have a good time with all of them.”

Glenn, 79, said in addition to Weatherford, Cowboy Country also regularly plays in Stephenville, Desdemona, Granbury and Springtown and said the band always receives a warm welcome.

“It’s super,” Glenn said. “We’ve been playing in Stephenville for 25 years. We’ve been playing in Desdemona since 2008, and we’ve played in Springtown since 2000.”

Cowboy Country has also performed at American Legions, St. Francis Village (a retirement community in Crowley), family reunions, and even a show for a member of the 101st Airborne in Grapevine.

The band also does its part to help support local FFA chapters with their events each October.

“It helps the kiddos raise money to buy their cattle and stuff to show,” Glenn said.

Dorothy and James live in Weatherford, and one of the more memorable events for Cowboy Country came recently when the group was invited to perform at a very special event in their city.

“We played for the Weatherford 150th Bicentennial,” Glenn said. “That was fun, and I have to say, just greeting the people and making friends with them all, they become like family.”

Glenn said it has been a long and sometimes difficult road over the last three decades, but added that Cowboy Country always seems to find a way to carry on.

“We’ve lost a bunch of good people over the years, and we were shut down with the COVID,” Glenn said. “But then we got right back to it. We all love it, and all of the musicians get along real well. I have about 10 different guys that play in different places where I need them to play, and when I come to town and tell them we have something to do, they do it.”

Affectionately referred to as the “Boss Lady” by the band’s members, Glenn takes pride in her efficiency in booking and powers of persuasion.

The musicians all get paid, as well, and most of them are retired.

Members include James Glenn, Johnny Johnson, Ray Austin, Michael Cote Sr., Michael Cote Jr., Bob Pritchard and of course, the Boss Lady herself.

Three members, Glenn, Johnson and Austin were original members, and the band even has a few CDs to its name.

Glenn said the band members love to perform and said she often hears a common phrase when they play.

“They say, ‘We love you! Are you coming back next month?’” Glenn said. “That’s what we hear most of the time. We just want people to have a real good time and to enjoy themselves.”

Visit www.facebook.com/Cowboy CountryBand for more information on Cowboy Country.