Big Daddy A thank you
Our model for every group ASGRA used
Elections vote now
Tamara Marks to sing at Stampede
Special Thanks to ASGRA
North Carolina pride
Rodeo Volunteers needed
Music Review our man about town
Coosie's Corner Recipe of the month
ASGRA Histrory in review
The Circle cowboy song
Monthly Calendar What's happening

Mr. Royalty Thanks

Through the fun and laughter there have also been many challenges that I pass on to the future royalty to be mindful of in years to come. The biggest challenge I had was lack of support or membership at big fundraisers and group events. Future Royalty, don't ever expect to get support or help with anything you do unless you ask. When you know you have an event ask every person you know. Ask them twice to be sure they understood that you needed help the first time. Too many Royalty events that could have been good for our organization and our community were cancelled due to poor turnout a.k.a. support. This is a huge challenge for any Royalty and it was for me. Then on the other side of the fence I have to thank those who have been there for nearly everything, who helped plan work and support Royalty events. Thank you Jezziebell, Jackie, Rascal, and Patrick I couldn't have done it without you.

Lastly, the most meaningful thing to me this year as Mr. ASGRA 2007 was the ability to work with two wonderful not for profit organizations. The first being the YES Institute based out of Miami FL., whose mission is to prevent suicide and ensure the healthy development of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and all youth by initiating dialogue, providing education, and creating support systems. All this is done so the Yes Institute can bring forth a community in which all youth develop as healthy individuals free of suicide, violence and discrimination. And the second one being a more local organization called Metro Teen AIDS, which is a community health organization dedicated to supporting young people in the fight against HIV/AIDS by providing them with the resources needed to fight against it. Metro Teen AIDS focuses all of its efforts on the special prevention, education, and treatment needs of young people. Both these organizations are extremely important in our culture because they speak to youth in their own language and in their own space. Not only that but they help educate the popular culture on gay youth through powerful education thus making this world a more safe haven for our younger brethren.

I chose these organizations because I want our youth to have someone to turn to in their time of need. Knowing that there weren't many organizations for me to go to in my times of need when I was growing up, I immediately locked hold of these two organizations when I found them and am still working to raise money for their cause. As I said this has been most meaningful opportunity to me as Mr. ASGRA because regardless of whether I made it to this rodeo or that rodeo and regardless if anyone likes me, or hates me, and regardless of how I look, and what I wear, and who supports me and who doesn't. Regardless of whether I'm doing it my way or someone else's I know that there are maybe two or three young people who are being taken care of because of the money that I and the community have helped to raise. That is far more important. Remember our youth is our future; they deserve what we never got. And with that I end my year as MR. ASGRA and this letter. Thanks for the opportunity and all the memories. Till next time, Keep Chute'ing!

"You're always one of the easiest groups to work with."
"Our model for every group..."

In order for us to be able to serve alcohol at Atlantic Stampede, applications must be filed, a site security plan submitted and the rodeo facility must approve it.

First stop: The Montgomery County Fairgrounds office.
The administrator for the grounds, Marty S. stated, "your event is the easiest and best run one we hold here at the Fairgrounds. We never have any issues with your group." (They also use our Contestant and Official badges as the example for every group that uses their facility.)

Next was to fax in our site security plan.
Ron S. from the Montgomery County Police Special Operations Division, who is required to review our Site Security Plan and send approval to the Liquor Board. He left a voicemail saying he'd reviewed it and sent his approval over to the Liquor Board. He also said he "just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate you getting this done so early." He then went on to say that they also appreciate the fact that our plan is "very detailed and comprehensive. We use it as the model for every group that comes to us asking how a security plan should be filled out."

Last stop: The Liquor Commission.
This year when our application was filed for the liquor license with the Montgomery County Liquor Commission, the woman behind the desk noted - "oh we never have issues with your paperwork; you're always one of the easiest groups to work with."

Nice to know we're the model for events in Montgomery County.

ASGRA Elections

See the our main index page for a link to the online elections ballot.

Sincerely,
Lonni
Elections Chair person

Tamara Marks

Curious to know more about Tamara, we posed to her five questions about her music:

What does singing and performing bring to your life?
Sense of Accomplishment for one. Okay, Okay .... I'll admit it, I love being on stage and the adrenilin rush I get when the crowd reacts to my performance! I also love looking out at the crowd and seeing everyone smiling, tapping or swaying to the beat, and singing 'my' songs. Overall, I would say the satisfaction of knowing that I have brought a little music into someone's life!

Which song do you find the most personal and why?
That's easy: You Can't Go Home Again (Flies on the Butter). This song takes me back to my childhood. I think about sitting on my grandmothers porch swing, picking green beans, eating corn bread and creamed cucumbers, playing down at the creek with the neighbor boy, catching lightening bugs, buying candy at the corner store, and baking in the kitchen with my Mom. These are just some of the things I think about when I sing this song. I can also relate to not being able to go back to that place as everything changes.

What made you move from perfoming to producing/selling CDs?
It was part of my dream!! All my life!!! Yes, I admit I used to sing in the living room with a make believe microphone and pretend that I was Elvis, Olivia Newton-John, or Barbra Streisand. It took me a while to 'get'r done' but looking back now; I may have not recognized opportunities, but the reality was, fear held me back from moving forward and recording. I always used the lack of funds as an excuse. When that excuse was taken away ... it was do it or don't sing again. I have met some incredible people during this journey and I am thrilled that I had the opportunity to experience the process. I could not have done it with out the help and support of my partner Bryn, the guidance and leadership of Steff Mahan, and the support and encouragement of all my friends and fans!!

What is the one moment that has touched you/meant the most to you since you've started performing?
Oh my gosh ... there are so many moments that have touched me or meant the most since I started. If I may just list a couple:

The day I started singing live! It was at a bar in Belleville, MI called Granny's Place. They did a lot of fundraisers at which I would lip sync. It was around the time of the Grammy's and Granny decided to have a 'Granny's Award Night' that same weekend. There were many categories including - best costume, best production number, female & male entertainer and entertainer of the year. The patrons of Granny's did the voting. I was told, if I won entertainer of the year that I would have to sing 'live' that night. The rest is history!

I have talked with many recording artists in years past and always asked for information regarding recording ... and they all snubbed their nose at me ... until I met Steff Mahan. She was booked to perform at the 2004 IGRA Finals Rodeo in Omaha, NE of which I was Rodeo Director. Everyone kept saying that I should talk to her that she was different. So I mentioned to her that I dreamed of recording one day and all that weekend; everytime I saw her she reminded me that we needed to talk. Finally, on Sunday afternoon, she pulled me aside and we talked. She gave me a lot of information, spoke in terms that I could understand, and said that she could help me, if I came to Nashville ...

Everytime someone comes up to me and is excited that I am there, love my cd, and wants to know what time I am singing ... is a special moment!

Looking out at the crowd and seeing people sing with me ... is a special moment!

Who would be your dream love song duet partner and why?
Olivia Newton-John, I had a huge crush on her way back when but I think I would be too nervous to sing with her ... let alone talk to her. Melissa Ethridge, because we have a similiar style and I think we would blend well together ... plus I would love to meet her!! Brad Paisley, I think it would be a very 'interesting' love song!

Patrick Hunter
Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA)
PR Chairman 2007, and our Man About Town

A Special Thanks to ASGRA

Being Gay and a Cowboy too just don't mix in the straight world. But I have finally found a place where I belong. Finding the International Gay Rodeo Association, my eyes were opened to a world of cowboys and cowgirls who have been raised similar to the way I have, and who feel the same way I feel. I have now been competing on the gay circuit for over 7 years and have made it to the International Gay Rodeo Finals three years in a row. I am hoping to make it again this year.

As a competitor we need to attend several rodeos to qualify for the finals. With "Our Cowboys" being so few and far between each other, it is hard to find a location where we can all meet to hold a rodeo. The cost to attend these rodeos has steadily increased over the past few years. Having the knowledge and horsepower to compete in rodeo is one thing, but getting there and affording to compete is another. That is where Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA) and Homorodeo.com has come into play. They have sponsored me in the 25th Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo in Denver Colorado.

I just wanted to write and say thank you for this and for all of your support that you give to our communities. HomoRodeo.com has helped by providing a website to meet new competitors and spectators and also to inform us about the upcoming rodeos and a place to post and share pictures of previous rodeos. ASGRA, an association who has helped people like me find a place to mix and mingle and meet new people who know and understand where I am coming from.

I just wanted to say thank you again for your support and your sponsorship.

Travis N.

Atlantic Stampede Silver Saddle Sponsor

Calling all North Carolina Members

The Director of the NC Pride Parade and Festival has contacted us regarding the upcoming festivities at Duke University's East Campus in Durham, NC.

They are hoping to have an ASGRA contingent in the parade, either in cars or on horseback.

If you would like to participate in the NC Pride parade, check out the web page and contact the director directly. Also let us know, so that we can get you banners/flags for your vehicle to identify you as the ASGRA Contingent.

John S. - Director
home: 919-493-9124 (after 9 pm) cell: 919-414-5555
NC Pride Parade and Festival
www.ncpride.org

Calling All Volunteers

Beth Brockelman
Volunteer Coordinator

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.)

Atlantic Stampede 2007 Bronze Nugget Sponsors Music Review Joe Nichols - Real Things [Four Stars] Definitely the quieter side of country; Joe Nichols latest album really pulls no surprises. It is filled with his typical choice of laid back relaxed instrumental tunes coated with his smooth vocals. Among some of the highlights of this CD are 'Real Things', about the love of real things of life: stone fireplaces, hard days work, fireflies; 'If I Could Only Fly' a touching song with back up vocals provided by Lee Ann Womack about the desire to be with a loved one when distance separates you and 'My Whiskey Years' a familiar lament of the hard drinking cowboy, but with a gentle smoky air to it that brings something new this well told tale in country music. Once again, Joe creates a CD perfect for those unwind-after-work nights or for those of you looking some background music to accompany a dinner in date before you slip on the make-out music of Alabama or some of Billy Currington's recent offerings. One definite caution to those who decide to choose this CD for those aforementioned dinner in nights, skip over the title 'Let's Get Drunk and Fight' a bizarre ode to bad relationships where angry couples drink, keep the neighbors up all night arguing, get turned on and make up with great sex. Unless you enjoy dramatic turns in your relationships and living out your own Erica Kane vignettes. This is definitely a song to be missed. The other misstep in this CD is the title 'It Ain't No Crime'; an attempt at an upbeat ode to relaxing in life vs. being a go-go-go. Unfortunately, the choice of the melody and the language of lyrics don't mesh well; especially with a voice like Joe Nichols. The vocals sounds forced; almost as though Joe did not pick this song but was required to have it by the record company and unwilling gave in. Think Queen Latifah during the 'Nap-a-Way' promo she recites in the current movie version of Hairspray. It's that flat. This does not mean that Joe can't sing upbeat at all. 'Coming Back in a Cadillac' is a prefect example of how to mix a particular voice type with the right melody and right lyrics. This smooth driving song is great and as the old saying goes 'and you can dance to it.' Luke Bryan - I'll Stay Me [four stars] For those of you who like your music a little more country than just the regular Joe, Luke Bryan's CD I'll Stay Me is for you. Filled with some real twang and some great songs about things only the country life could bring ya. One of the first of these is 'Country Man'; another 'I'm better than those city fellas' songs to potential sweethearts with lyrics filled with testimonials to an ability to hotwire a tractor, soft cure hams, warm you up with rough hewn hands and my personal favorite lyric 'join me in my new deer stand'. Another definite highlight song is 'The Car in Front of Me.' It's oomph coming from a different way to tell the tale of looking at the ones you love: riding behind the waving beauty in the Home Coming Parade; following your family home in a separate car after meeting up with them after work and, rounding it out full circle, riding in a limousine during a funeral procession. The last lyric sung so touching that it will definitely bring some mist to your eyes. A third is 'My First Love Song'. The story of first love told through the identification of a particular song with that love. The title of the song of this has a double meaning, relating both to the song it self and the relationship that was shared with that person being your own personal "love song." Still a final one worth mentioning is Tacklebox; a tune about remembering one's grandfather spun around stirred memories provoked by his old tacklebox; a truly touching tribute to men mentors in our lives who are no longer here, but have left an impact on us even if it is through just the simple activity of fishing. The rest of the CD is filled with hard driving, honky-tonk dancing, tunes that though the themes can be found on many other CDs (drinking too much, good time with your baby, being a bit changed by your baby and staying your regular old country self) are carried along so well by Luke's voice and mix of traditional country music instruments, you'll find yourself singing along -- and loud. Travis Tritt - The Storm [five stars] I'm not exactly sure at what point Travis Tritt decided to go from the 'Country Club' guy to the Honky Tonk Barry White, but the soulful sound of his latest CD fits him well. I could not think of another country crooner who's vocals would be better suited to the funky R & B infused tunes. Within the first few minutes of the opening song 'Mudcat Moan/You Never Take Me Dancing', I knew that I wanted to own this CD. As I listened further, I found myself pondering downloading and buying it as well. (I did always have a soft spot for my long-haired first country musician celebrity crush. Mmmm….CD jewel case photos). The CD is filled with a good range of music tastes. From the sweeping ballad '(I Wanna) Feel Too Much', which Tritt carries off in a way that would make Celine Dion envious to the West Coast Swing feels within 'High Time For Getting Down' and 'Doesn't the Good Outweigh the Bad' to the funky, sure to be the next Shadow Dance hit (as well as the perfect gay double entendre ) 'Rub Off On Me' to the haunting pondering of 'What If Love Hangs On' there is something for everyone who likes their music country twinged, but not always full on country. There is not a falter in any of the songs and none of the themes seem tired or warn; especially so, due to the melodies that are laid behind the lyrics. The difference in music styles that move easily from one song to the next, helps to carry The Storm along and sweep you up with it. For all of the albums that I have listened to yet this year, this latest offering by Tritt is the best that I have heard so far. I've listened to it about 7 times already and yet to tire of it. The music awards shows would definitely be a deaf ear if they were not to consider this for Best Album Of the Year. It is more than a contender in my opinion, it is a winner. The Storm is loaded with music that will truly blow you away (yeah, I can never resist a bad pun). Patrick Hunter Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA) PR Chairman 2007 ASGRA Business Members

The Circle Written by Dave Stamey Album: Tonopah For a limited time, Cowboy Frank is providing a stream to listen to this great song as sung by its author. Listen while you read. (should play on any player) The circle refers to how the cowboy rides a huge circle checking on scattered cattle around the ranch. The circle is usually done each day and could range from just a few to over 100 miles depending on how large the ranch might be. Rein chains refer to small chains sometimes used to connect various parts of the reins Spur chains are small chains which help to hold the spurs on the cowboy's boots as he walks or rides Rowels are the round part of the spur which makes contact with the horse The horse I ride is old But he has served me well Coat like old tobacco rich and warm He's old but he is sound My rein chains ring like bells We fit well together as we glide, above the stone And the boots I wear are old But they have served me well Leather like old tobacco, cracked and brown The tops are scuffed and broken And my spur chains ring like bells My rowels gleam like the starlight and up here, we spurn the ground And the trails I ride are new Even though I've made the circle many times before For they change with every season And with every shift of light From the summit where the clouds fall to the sweet, valley floor And the saddle I ride is old But it has served me well Leather like old tobacco buffed and soothe It fits me like a friend With no secrets left to tell Astride I make the circle and I ride, where I choose And the trails I ride are new Even though I've made the circle many times before For they change with every season And with every shift of light From the summit where the clouds fall to the sweet, valley floor And the life I live goes on It fits me oh so well Old and new together evergreen I mount my horse at dawning My heart rings like a bell We ride through the canyons where the air, is fresh and clean Oh ooo oooo Oh ooo oooo Oh ooo oooo Oh ooo oooo The October newsletter deadline is September 24. Send your articles to [an error occurred while processing this directive]

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

[an error occurred while processing this directive]