Atlantic Stampede Silver Saddle Sponsor
The 1st Saturday of every month is Rodeo Saturday at DC's premier Country/Western bar...Remington's. Bring your association membership card to Remington's and your admission fee ($5) is waived. Rodeo Saturday is open to ALL rodeo associations...IGRA, PRCA, etc.
If you're in ASGRA-country the 1st weekend of the month, come out and join us as we party at Remington's.
(If there are special events going on at the bar, Rodeo Saturday is not in effect.)
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Calling All Volunteers
It is that time of year again and we are only 3 months away from Atlantic Stampede 2007. We need Volunteers in all areas. Chutes, Security, Front Gate, Arena, Trash, and floating where needed on both days. If you can volunteer please go to our rodeo index and near the bottom of the page you'll find the form. Just fill it out and Beth will be happy to get back to you. Any questions please e-mail Beth Brockelman at Thank YOU ALL who help to make Atlantic Stampede happen each and every Year.
Beth Brockelman
Volunteer Coordinator
Atlantic Stampede 2007 Bronze Nugget Sponsor
Trustee's Corner
ASGRA members seen at the 25th Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo in Denver were both Mike Ps and Destiny B. Childs. Miss Destiny managed to place 5th in Chute Dogging for the weekend. The Mike's and Tiger H placed 6th over all in Wild Drag Race (but managed to place 2nd on Saturday's run.) The Mike's also placed 5th in Goat Dressing on Saturday, but fail to make the top 8 on Sunday. ASGRA as an association placed 12 with 195 points.
Also seen were our web master Frank and his other half Tom. Next time you see Tom, remind him how sun reflects (poor guy ended up with a bright red face and I don't think it was because he was embarrassed.)
I also had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Rocky Kuhn. If you've been following the newsletter's recent feature ASGRA History in Review and the Heart Rock Ranch series authored by Rocky you know that he and his better half moved west to buy a ranch. Well sadly he informed me that they sold the ranch. I mentioned to Rocky that the newsletter was rerunning his series. He said he'd have to check out the ASGRA website and refresh his memory. So Rocky, if by some chance you should be reading this, how about a catch up article? Rocky hasn't lost his competitive edge - he made many visits to the podium at the awards ceremony.
I'm looking for a few good volunteers to attend the IGRA convention this year. ASGRA gets to send 6 delegates and 5 alternates. If you're interested in attending and learning the finer points of IGRA rodeo, contact me at . The next IGRA convention is November 7-11, 2007 in Kansas City. For hotel information please check out http://www.igra.com/convention.htm.
The following are a recap of my notes from the IGRA Board Meeting and Trustees Meeting at the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association's rodeo that occurred on July 13-15, 2007.
IGRA Board Meeting
Fund raising - Destiny reported on IGRA fundraising events - the IGRA team participated at PFLAG, ILGRA and Camp It Up Cowboy. She attended IML (for the first time- and survived) - attended DC pride events as Miss IGRA - assisted in drag king contest for Mr. DC Pride. Working with Bacardi for a Miss Bacardi contest
Convention - parking IS complementary - KC will be meeting with hotel to ensure that all items are squared away before convention. Will be adding partner activities should partners attend and not want to be part of convention. (see IGRA and/or convention web site for additional info.) looking for convention 2009 ideas. FGRA is thinking about it in Tampa or Orlando. - Disney or Universal? Toronto is also thinking but items like passports are of a concern. New Orleans was thinking but hotel rates are outrageous. Jim (Ft Lauderdale) was thinking maybe New Orleans might want to partner with Ft Lauderdale.
Finals rodeo - 2007 - For more information check out IgraFinalsRodeo.com.
Cowboy crisis fund - there is no official IGRA cowboy crisis fund - Brian would like to see a vote on a line item in the budget to assure that it is all handled appropriately - with rules and procedures and overseen by a trustee and committee. A committee has been established to review.
Membership Committee reported that Indianapolis and Australia are not looking good for becoming an association.
University is scheduled for 22-24 Feb 2008. Note the hotel rate breaks due to weekends. 10% of room rate is returned to the university so stay at the host hotels.
Archivist - Patrick Terry is gathering information. He currently has 24 programs and posters covering the history of CGRA. He manned a booth at the Denver rodeo with the historic items during the weekend. He is working on an IGRA archive as well so that information can be useful for researchers.
Old business - rodeo web cast folks (Alternate Productions) is still trying to get our web cast out there as presented at Ft Lauderdale meeting but have not found a buyer. Nothing affirmative on the money side. There will be a test run at Austin to see if we can technically pull this off (as well as a dry run for finals.)
Online contestant registration is working quite well. If you are a contestant and haven't tried it, check out https://igra.com/login/index.php
Rodeo approval - Liberty Gay Rodeo Association - Ernie stated how proud he is to be able to submit an application for their first rodeo. Approved unanimously.
Florida Gay Rodeo Association - approved unanimously. Brian pointed out that those represent 2 of the 5 that need to apply. CowTown rodeo approved unanimously. T-Town will not have a rodeo next year. Palm Springs and Diamond State are the last two requiring approval.
The BOD took donations and raised $1208 towards the Wayne Jakino University Scholarship fund.
IGRA President's Report - What should Finals be? Best show, best rodeo, best fundraiser? Brian presented his proposal for a new way of conducting finals rodeo. His ideas included dividing the duties in to separate functions such as a rodeo director, event director and associations providing input using their specific expertise in certain areas that they do well when conducting a rodeo. For those associations that don't conduct a rodeo, they could provide some small something. Albuquerque will be the site for finals in 2009. September 1, 2007 is the deadline for names to be submitted to the executive board for positions of rodeo director and event director.
Trustees Meeting
Tom Brennan certified as new chute coordinator.
4 judges recertified. Frank Elam, Amy Griffin, Rick Jones, and Thom Sloan.
Mike Benner
ASGRA Trustee
Faith (and Tim) Restored
What a difference a year makes! Tim McGraw and Faith Hill returned to the Verizon center on July the 7th for their Soul II Soul 2007 tour and this time it was worth every penny. Last year on their tour, the second night in DC, was hampered by Tim's inability to sing; providing a let down to the crowd who came to see both bodies of country's hottest couple perform. This year they both made up for it and more. The vocals and visuals of these two stunning performers was 110 percent.
The evening started out with new country duo "Halfway to Hazzard" kicking off the evening with their rockabilly style. They ran through songs like, the aptly titled "Daisy" a tale about first young love, "Countrified", "Country 'Til The Day We Die" and others from their self titled album. Though the duo mentioned that they were "a bit nervous", you would not know it from the way they played, not missing a beat or a step in their twenty-minute set.
Faith and Tim appeared on stage for the first song of their part of the concert. Both rose out from underneath the stage on platforms. Faith on one side and Tim on the other. I believe the song was "I Need You.", but I was a bit distracted by Tim's leather pants. I was sure glad to be only 10 rows away from the stage at that point. None the less both performances were strong and you could definitely tell that these two people have an energy between each other.
After this first duet, it was Faith alone. Faith blasted through some of her well known hits during her session including "This Kiss", "Wild One", "Secret of Life", which provided a funny fallible moment for the performer. After finishing the first chorus while the music for the second verse played on Faith announce to the audience "Oh my gosh I forgot the words! Come on ya'll help me out."
Faith's troubles didn't end there either. After the performance of her second song of the set, while she was engaging the audience in the typical performer chatter she mentioned "I've got something stuck in my hair. I could use some help up here." After a few more moments of struggling on her own while talking with the audience she announced in a little bit more desperate tone "Uh..I could really use some help here." To which a couple of stage hands ran up to help the damsel in distress. Ever the quick wit Faith encourage the audience to "Talk amongst yourselves." While the problem was worked out.
Happily this was the last "malfunction" of her performance and she provided the audience with what they came for. Great music sung by a great voice.
The half way point of the concert brought out the couple again. Tim and Faith sat behind two gossamer curtains that encircled them center stage while images projected on the curtains. This effect didn't quite work as well as the last time as the images were less clear this year. During "Angry All the Time" it looked like blood running down the curtains and during "Like We Never Loved at All" it appeared to be a silhouetted city scape. My sister, who was my companion to the concert even asked in a quite befuddled manner "What are they sitting behind?"
After the duo's it was Tim's turn. He had changed out of the leather pants (dang!), and changed into painted on blue jeans. Add to this, the shirt that he wore had about the top four buttons undone, showing off a smooth and defined chest (apparently he stopped off at one of the many waxers around the city) which made up for what would have otherwise been a disappointing costume change.
Tim made no bones about thanking the audience for giving him another chance to come back and do it up right. He spent little time talking and lots of time singing this go around and it was fantastic. Tim sang some of his previous hits: "Don't Take the Girl", "Down on the Farm", "Everywhere" as well as a fair number of songs from his new "Let It Go" album. The most well known of which "Last Dollar (Fly Away)" ended with the accompaniment of one of his daughters while Daddy Tim looked on; the pride, love and joy of the moment was evident in his eyes.
The end of the concert brought out Faith once again for more duets. She arrived on stage, guitar in hand, and donning a green patterned sun-dress that truly accentuated her beauty (what the hell was Redbook thinking with their photoshop cover!?!?). I tell you, if Leonardo DiVinci was around today and wanted to paint everything was wonderful about a woman, his subject would be Faith Hill.
During this last set Tim and Faith finished off with "Shotgun Rider" and the really intimate "Let's Make Love." This time Tim had a different look in his eye and I could well empathize with him. I found myself thinking 'He's going try and slip her tongue at the end of this song - cuz that's what I would do!' Faith obviously had some preparation for moments like this and while the song ended with a kiss it was much more demure than what was going through both my and I'm sure Tim's mind.
As I went home from the concert I definitely felt like I had truly seen something awesome that I am going to remember for the rest of my days. These performers sure do put on one hell of a show! This was the best concert that I have in my entire life. The second best was one where Faith Hill was playing sans Tim back in '99. If they perform again together or separate, I'll definitely be a country boy with my butt in the seat.
Patrick Hunter
Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA)
PR Chairman 2007
Coosie's Corner
From ASGRA member Tom
SWEET AND SOUR COLESLAW
Ingredients
1 small head cabbage, about 1 lb.
¾ cup vinegar
½ cup oil
1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp. sugar
Salt to taste
Shred cabbage. You should have about eight cups. Combine vinegar, oil, and sugar and whisk until sugar has dissolved. Pour dressing over cabbage and season with salt. Toss well. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours, stirring occasionally.
ASGRA History In Review
From the December, 1995 newsletter
Heart Rock Ranch, "A Closing Poem"
© October 1995, By Rocky Kuhn, Mr. ASGRA 1995
First timers, weathered cowhands, forever city-slickers.
Cowboy boots, canvas sneakers, or five-inch kickers.
Therein lies the greatest attribute - - anyone can compete.
You've got to admit, the mix cannot be beat.
Male or female, no difference it makes.
The desire to perform is all it takes.
Male breakaway ropers like Larry or Andy.
Male wild drag riders, they sure come in handy.
Male barrel racers like George, son of Willy.
Male females like Roxie Hart or Pepper, Chili.
Female steer wrestlers like Desiree for one.
Female bronc busters - - Tammy won't get flung.
Female bull riders like Candy with the Bell.
Female males like Van Orman - - well?
Six, nine and twelve hundred mile hauls.
A pickup nap at a rest area calls.
Twelve-, 24- and 36-hour trips.
Getting there is not just for kicks.
May I share your rig for bareback bronc riding?
Does anyone need me for steer tail tying?
Will you be my partner, do you have the money?
O.K., I'll do you, but only in the rodeo, honey.
The requirements: boots, long sleeves, hats and wranglers.
The accoutrements: belts, buckles, hat bands and spurs.
The don't-forgets: badges, numbers, safety pins and straps.
The extras: rubber bands, tennis shoes, gloves and chaps.
The animals with might will test our mettle.
So hang on for life or it's ass over tea kettle.
We challenge bucking broncs, spinning bulls and wild steers.
Baby calves and small goats also have their careers.
In Calgary, mind you, even cows were in cahoots.
They're all tied to ropes or run through the chutes.
Dresses, bras, boas, horse and skirts.
Wigs, ribbons, underwear and often no shirts.
The camp events are truly unique.
They appear to be easy, but they're not for the weak.
For the injuries are as serious as any you find,
Broken bones, or at least, a bruised fanny behind.
Yet first-timers proudly sport buckles they won.
And cash is quickly earned by newcomers unsung.
Quarter, palominos, paints and buckskins
Don bridles, saddles, and wraps for their shins.
They have their requirements, too, of course.
It's not a real rodeo without the horse.
Around the barrels, through the poles and flags into pails
Charge the equines with feathers, glitter, braided manes and tails.
The steeds, too, have extras, just like their mounts.
But they do the work, while the rider simply counts.
Or is it the people who the rodeo make?
By the time it's over, their muscles all ache.
Competitors and officials get most of the fame.
But don't forget the volunteers, too many to name.
Roger and Mark, George and Dave, Dennis and Andy.
Wayne and Treva, Dave and Chuck, Carla and Candy.
Susan and Tammy, Kim and Sunny, Jonny and Dee.
JoJo and Tom, Jeff and Ron, David Pizzuti.
Friends are made from far and wide.
Rivals switch from side to side.
Partners are found from here and there.
There's always a new face, should you dare.
The before, after and between rodeo soirees
Hatch titillating stories for the next forays.
Who knows what evil lurks in the night.
Most of the tricks are kept out of sight.
Drag queens never tire of putting on the ritz.
Dance troupes excel at clogging in outfits.
Miller Light generously pours the brew.
While cowpokes circle the floor in the not-so-soft shoe.
And for what, this all?
Are we not scared of a fall?
For the scrapes, broken bones, concussions and sprains?
Probably not, if you have any brains!
For the completed rides, fast times, and those left in the rear?
Well, yes, that's part of it. Absolutely, my dear!
For the placings, ribbons, buckles and money?
But of course. Who could deny it? Get real, honey!
But also for the camaraderie, fresh air, and exercise of a good run.
All in all, it's just plain fun!
Last, but far from least, is the fund raising for charity.
The need has hit all of us with such swift clarity.
We give to the sick and dying because we care.
Sometimes, it's just too much to bear.
For our rodeo and other friends to AIDS succumb.
To the charities who serve, our funds are most welcome.
The riderless horse is a symbol of those whom we've lost.
Let us persevere to keep those who are dear, at any cost.
Rocky Kuhn
Newsletter Editor's comment:
This ends the entries from Rocky's foray in creating a ranch.
In a conversation with our current Trustee at the Denver rodeo (2007), Rocky informed us they have sold the ranch.
Hey Rocky! How about an update on the sale and where your at now?
Next month we will find another piece of ASGRA history from some past newsletter.
The September newsletter deadline is August 27. Send your articles to
Elections for 2007 will be held in October. This year we will be electing a President and Treasurer. Both of these positions are two year terms. In addition, we will be electing a Trustee to fill the remaining year of the three year term that Lonni La Bel was originally elected to. That position is currently held by Mike Benner. Individuals interested in running for any of these positions will need to submit their names and fill out the candidate questionnaire by August 15th so that information may be provided to the membership for consideration and voting.
Do you have a talent you want to display, come out and show us at Atlantic Stampede. Entertainment applications are being accepted now thru the first week of August. You must have submitted an application to be able to entertain. So do so now, and strut your stuff at Stampede. You must submit an application to entertain, no matter who you are, or what title you hold, either in D.C. or the Rodeo circuit.
