Cowboy poetry gathering, 'Trappings' this weekend

You don't have to own a horse ... or even a dog to write cowboy poetry.

The cowboy poet tells a story. And tells it well. It may be a little wild, but not necessarily about the Old West. Cowboy poet Baxter Black has a Saint Patrick's Day yarn about cowboy leprechauns who herd tiny cows though salad bars ... the cows, of course, leave "microchips" behind.

There are literary experts who say you don't even have to be a cowboy. Robert W. Service wrote about the Yukon gold rush of the early 1900s.

Cowboy poets are as serious about their work as any other poet, and as dedicated to the craft of finely honed words. You'll hear some of them recited around a campfire, and on the Sul Ross campus this weekend at the 21st Annual Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

Cowboy poet, official Poet Laureate of the State of Texas and country singer Red Steagall will be the master of ceremonies for both the Friday and Saturday night shows.

Urban poets are night owls. Cowboys get up with the sun. The gathering gets underway officially at 10 a.m. Friday in Marshall Auditorium. Alpine poet Joel Nelson will be the master of ceremonies, and after a welcome by SRSU President Dr. R. Vic Morgan, Andy Wilkinson will perform.

The hugely popular "Tribute to Marty Robbins" session by Jeff Gore with Washtub Jerry will follow at 11 a.m. in Marshall, sponsored by Morrison True Value Hardware. Beginning at 1 pm, Michael Stevens, Doris Daley, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Robert Chaison, Rod Taylor and Stephanie Davis hold a session at Marshall Hall. Starting at 2 p.m., multiple sessions will be held simultaneously at various places on the Sul Ross campus. All day sessions Friday and Saturday are free.

Friday night, Stephanie Davis and Randy Rieman will be the featured performers.

On Saturday night, Stegall will be joined by Jerry Brooks and Dan Roberts. Other participants in the gathering will appear on the shows, as well.

The two evening shows cost $10 for adults and $5 for children. "Lap babies" are free.

A pair of spurs specially made for the gathering by Fort Davis' Jerry Falkner will be auctioned to support the event. Tickets for the drawing are on sale at Twin Peaks Liquor Store in Alpine and from any member of the steering committee. Tickets will also be on sale at the event. The drawing

will be held during the Saturday night stage show.

The headquarters during the event is in the Sul Ross University Center.

Steering committee member Bill Brooks said the event is "family friendly." For those wanting to kick up their heels, there is a dance Saturday night at the Alpine Civic Center. Tickets are $10 per person.

Underwriters for the event are the Alpine Chamber of Commerce/Convention and Visitors Bureau, Desert Candle, the Alpine Avalanche, West Texas National Bank, TransPecos Banks and the City of Alpine.

The reconstructed Museum of the Big Bend will be the setting for the "Trappings of Texas" Cowboy Gear and Art Exhibit and Sale Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24.

"Trappings" is a juried invitational exhibit of the best in contemporary cowboy gear and art. It is sponsored by the Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University. Now in its 21st year, the art and design show has become a West Texas tradition.

"This year's event holds special significance, due to the opportunity to host Trappings in more spacious and elegant surroundings," said Larry Francell, museum director.

"As always, the high quality of the artworks and items on display make Trappings of Texas a premiere event," he said.

This year's best of the West will feature new gearmakers, including saddlemaker Nancy Hoggan of Gooding, Idaho; spur and bit-makers Matt Humphreys of Lubbock; and Russell Yates of Rotan. New exhibitors this year also include artists Eldon Lux of Kenansville, Fla., Lindy Cook Severns of Fort Davis; and Donald M. Yena of San Antonio.

The Trappings sale and opening reception will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23. Advance sale tickets are $25 per person, or $40 per couple.

The Trappings public auction will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 24. Items donated by Big Bend gearmakers, artists and businesses will be auctioned in Lawrence Hall, third floor. Among this year's auction items is an alligator hunt on the McFadden Ranch in South Texas.

All proceeds from the event are used to make purchases from the exhibitors for the museum's contemporary collection.

For more information and tickets, contact Liz Jackson, 432-837-8143.

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