From Our President
Fundraising and social events
A Tuna Christmas interested in going?
Music Review 3 CDs reviewed by Patrick
Coosie's Corner Recipe of the month
ASGRA History in review
I'm Sleepin' in My Leggin's Tonight cowboy song
Monthly Calendar What's happening

From Our President

It's been a busy month in the world of ASGRA. IGRA Finals Rodeo was held in Denver, CO October 13-14th. And ASGRA had several contestants there to represent us in the arena.

Destiny B. Childs, Miss IGRA 2007 competed in Chute Dogging, Goat Dressing (placing 6th on Sunday with Rudy B.), Wild Drag (placing 7th on Saturday and 5th over all with teammates Randy E. of TGRA and Mary A. of OGRA) and Steer Riding (placing 8th on both Saturday and Sunday and 7th overall)

The Mike's from New Jersey made their showing in Steer Deco, Wild Drag (placing 4th on Saturday and 7th overall with teammate Micki of GSGRA) and Goat Dressing (placing 3rd on Saturday and 5th overall).

Jen V., (although competing for LGRA) placed 7th on Sunday and 6th overall in Chute Dogging. (If I missed you in the run down of competitors, I apologize. Shoot me an email and I will correct my mistake next month.)

The big winner from ASGRA was Vanessa H. Going into finals, she was tied for 1st place in Bull Riding, 3rd place in Bareback Bronc Riding and 2nd place in Steer Riding. Well, she walked away with new jewelry that weekend. She placed 1st both Saturday and Sunday in Bareback Broncs, 1st Sunday in Steer Riding and 1st on Sunday in Bulls. She brought home all 3 Rough Stock buckles from IGRA Finals! Vanessa is a first year competitor in both ASGRA and IGRA. And with her finals scores added into the mix, she made 635 points this year…winning her the ASGRA Female Rookie of the Year buckle as well. Way to go Vanessa!!!!

Our Male Rookie of the Year buckle went to Jason L. of New York. Congrats Jason and Vanessa!!

Over the course of the 2007 rodeo year, ASGRA scored a total of 8,160 points. Our competitors competed in 14 of 18 rodeos.

On the IGRA Royalty side of competition, there were 12 contestants (5 for Mr., 4 for Miss, 1 for Ms. and 2 for MsTer). Your new IGRA Royalty Team for 2008 is: Miss Janet Jenkins of CGRA, Mr. Gary Rushton of AGRA and Mr. 1st Runner Up Randy Edlin of TGRA. Congrats to all of you!!

This past Sunday, we held our annual elections meeting at Freddie's Beach Bar and Restaurant in Arlington. While we didn't have a lot of people turn out (you all missed a great brunch), we did have enough ballots cast to give us quorum. I'd like to thank you all for casting your votes for our new board members: Ivan Cuadrado, Treasurer; Mike Benner, IGRA Trustee and Mike Sanders, President. We will continue to serve you in the best way we know how.

Mike S.
President

Fundraising and Social Events for November.

On November 9th we will be having our first of "Hopefully" many Beer Bust's at Titan's Ramrod "Woof" Happy Hour. Please join us from 8:00 PM to 12:00 PM for $2.00 Draft Beer's, $2.00 Cowboy Cock Suckers, a 50/50 raffle and many door prizes. I would love to see as many members of ASGRA out for your support.

Let's make 2008 one heck of a year for ASGRA.

I'll see ya on the dance floor!

Michael Hodges

A Tuna Christmas Returns to the Warner Theater

Patrick Hunter is trying to get a small group of ASGRA folks to go and enjoy this holiday treat together. The planned date to attend is Tuesday, November 20th 8:00PM. This is opening night and cheap seat night, with all tickets being $25.

If you are interested in going or want more information, contact Patrick at or by phone at 202-352-2356.

Patrick Hunter

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.)

Music Review

- Sucks, save you money and buy a beer
- Borrow it from someone
- Wait for it go on sale
- Don't leave Wal*Mart without it
- Stop whatever the heck you're doing right now, and download this puppy immediately

Carrie Underwood's sophomore trial has her sounding more like the country Kelly Clarkson than the next Martina McBride. Most of the offerings on this CD are hard rocking tunes or mainstream ballads crafted to appeal to the most marketable cross demographics: American Idol watchers, young pop country lovers and those who are plain pop lovers who even though Carrie is classified as a country singer would still buy her album due to her Idol status. This doesn't mean that the music isn't likeable, but it just isn't what I expected coming from the "Because He Cheats" singer and is definitely not for those of you who like you music pure country.

The highlight of the album is the stunning "Just a Dream", a story about a young girl who has lost her love to war and her reflection of all that will never be of their life. Great not only for its soaring vocals that perhaps come closest to replicating Kelly's but also because of it's new take on the love lost through death.

Two songs that seem to be set backwards in the play list on this CD are the tunes "I Know You Won't" and "Last Name". The first is the perfect weepy for those who play a good torch song with the Kleenex when their latest dating relationship decides to lie with "I'll call ya" vs being honest with the polite "No, Thanks" that Match.com has made famous. The second, "Last Name", is more for those of us who visit ManHunt.net more than we do Match.com.

"Last Name" sings through the woe's of "Oh no, what have I done" that we have all encountered - some a few times - or a few dozen times -- in our life with lines like "my mamma would be so ashamed" and listen closely for the aside of "where did my manners go" in the second verse.

It seems to me that it would have more chronological sense to have "Last Name" come after "I Know You Won't". Both songs demonstrate though that Carrie can reach the emotions on both sides of the spectrum; both the boo-hoo-hoo of "I Know You Won't" and fun driving of "Last Name".

There is one nod to the country sayings with the "The More Boys I Meet (The More I like My Dog)". However, even this is a half hearted attempt at reaching out to the those devotees of country. More of an afterthought thrown on because the album sounds so mainstream. All-in-all Carnival Ride is an alright CD for those who are devotees of Carrie or American Idol, but for those who love more twang in the country don't buy tickets for this "ride".

Is there a more appropriate title for the gay community in an album than this? Unfortunately, the album doesn't provide anything stunning for our "family" or stunning in general. I listened to this CD after Carrie's Carnival Ride and when I heard the first strains of the first song "Family". I thought, 'now this is what I'm talking about'. This here is country - that was before LeAnn ran off into her own rock riff with the chorus. Still all in all the song has its good points. The idea of loving those messed up folks that you have a relation to because they are your family It even has a couple of lines that can be applied to our own "family" that we form within the community:

Now here I stand on roots that deep/
We laugh, we cry, we hurt, we bleed.../
.../Make no apologies, This is my family

Other highlights of this album are "Fight" an ode similar to Gretchen Wilson's "Come to Bed", but set to a waltz melody. "A Good Friend and a Glass of Wine" is another that speaks to the beauty of the simple pick-me-up from that which is stated in the title. "One Day Too Long" is a great old jazz mix showing that LeAnn can do Billie Holiday just as well as she can do Patsy Cline. The two bonus tracks are also worth mentioning "Til We're Not Strangers" a duet with Bon Jovi and "When You Love Someone Like That" a duet with Reba McEntire that is also included on Reba's latest album. Both of them show that LeAnn's voice mixes well with a rocker as it does with country crooner. While there is nothing spectacular or completely new on this album, there is nothing hideous either. LeAnn's voice has matured as has the woman; from young teen girl to young lady who can wrap her voice around lyrics and melody's to create a CD that would serve as pleasant background music if not a top play list in your disc changer.

Let's face it; Reba could sing a song about the Dulles Toll Road and make it well worth a listen. This collection of duets with both country and outside of country folks makes for an album that like her others is a great listen. Though be forewarned, emotional violets, the tunes on this album are almost all weepies. If you thought that Carrie Underwood's "I Know You Won't" from the first review would send you into tear fits, this album will bring on a full crying jag. Stock up on a couple of boxes of Puffs with Lotion vs just the standard Kleenex if you decide to listen to this album the whole way through. You'll rub your nose raw with these sniffle inducing songs.

"Does the Wind Still Blow in Oklahoma" is the perfect tune for those of us in this so-called transient city of Washington, DC. It is a song sung by both a moved away from home girl and boy (Reba and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn) who are both homesick in their own way for their beloved state that is celebrating it's century of statehood this year. I especially like the line " Cowboys go with homesick like blue moons and whippoorwill nights."

Other assorted tug-at-the-heartstrings tunes on this album are "Break Each Other's Hearts Again" sung with Don Henley, about two lovers who happen to meet by chance and desire to get together just to do as the title says. "Every other weekend" about star crossed divorced parents sung with Kenny Chensey (Yup, I had those same thoughts when I first heard him sing on this song). "The Only Promise That Remains" with Justin Timberlake; a slow sad sounding tune that does have a positive message:

"And after all the sky is fallin' down /
And after all the water's washed away/
My love's the only promise that remains"

And probably what is the saddest of them all due to its timely relevance is "Sleeping with Telephone" done with Faith Hill. A song about those doing the most dangerous jobs: a cop, a firefighter, a soldier and the fear that they may not come home and how that brings anxiety to your heart.

You starting to get the gist of this album? Of course they are not all downers. Carol King is here to remind us of the everyday people that we encounter or that we may be ourselves who are doing good things in the world. And it has an up-tempo beat to it as well. Reba Duets is an album that is definitely for any Reba fan or for those who love to listen to good singers singing good music. Just make sure if you want to keep you day bright, don't listen to the whole album all at once or, at the very least, shuffle it so that "Everyday People" comes at the end.

Download Tip: You can get the video for "Because of You" off of iTunes; interesting for its glamour though a big misinterpretation of this song.

Patrick Hunter
Our Man About Town

ASGRA Business Members

ASGRA History In Review

Well the phone has been ringing off the barn wall since "Team Atlantic" arrived back from Big D. Seems our fellow ASGRA cowpokes made quite a showing at the TGRA rodeo. They brought back three ribbons and the bull riding buckle (Ask Mike about other means of earning buckles)! And I don't mean the kind of ribbon that Bill D. usually wears in his pony tail either. Bill, by the way, is having a hard time tying his pony tail these days. Seems he dislocated his thumb during his Saturday "date" with a steer in the arena. That'll teach him where to put his thumbs. Well, getting back to those prize ribbons....and a BUCKLE TOO....my, my, my, did you see that buckle John won....it's almost as big as "he" is. And you should have seen his butt, BULLS! Come on John, Ms. Rita wants to know what it's like to sit on a thousand pounds of beefcake - - I mean beefsteak.

Meanwhile, his other half, Mike, and his partner, Dave H., were being "drug" around the arena on the end of a steer's tail. Tail in one hand, pink ribbon in the other. Now what were they trying to do? Sooooo undignified.

Speaking of bulls, I'm not sure Gaither ever did succed in a tete-tete with his beastie. Seems there was a diference of opinion as to who should decorate whose tail....Hmmmm!

And then there's Dan B. He worked, so I hear, in the calf stalls - - I mean the calf chutes. Rumor has it he had to get right in with the calves - - nuts to butts, so to speak - - and push them out of the chutes during the "Calf Roping on Foot" competition. I'll just have to have a talk with that young man later. (Better keep your sheep locked up between now and then, though!)

And, oh my, lest I forget, Phil H. was seen bumping into walls on several occasions while following a certain Denver cowboy around all weekend. Your Miss Rita begins to wonder if a certain car was eating him whole as only a pair of shoes could be seen out the window. I hear the ASGRA treasury might have a satellite office in Denver next month. Ah, young lust - - isn't it grand!

Good, gracious, did you hear what happened to Darryl C. He had a run IN with a pretty, cantankerous bull (is it posible to be a "pretty" bull?) that left him a little shaken. Even so, he was up and goin' the next day. Now that takes stamina! That's also the kinda man Ms. Rita wants in her pile of hay! After all, if he can handle a bull, he can handle a heifer!

I mean, really, can't a lady ever travel in-gog-nito? Travelers at this Memphis Airport reported trumpets blaring, and a clarion call for your very own Miss Rita Ruffstock (or is it Roughstock?) to meet her party at Gate 27. And guys, why no cake for Rita on the outbound flight? All the other cowpersons got some! My figure's not that out of hand.

Speaking of figures reminds me, how's back-popping in airports these days, Bill B.? I mean, really, can't trust him to be decreet anywhere!

And on the local front, instead of corrals and chutes, we find nests "Where eagles dare...." Talk to those in-sep-a-ra-ble boys - - Ed and Richard - - about how to feather one's nest.

Well ta ta. I have to shuffle over to the cows-metic counter at "Woodies". I've run out of lip-stick from smooching all those lonely cowboys in Dallas. If you see one with an "udderly orange" lip print on his collar, tell him Ms. Rita says howwwwwddy! Happy holidays and see you soon (probably when you least expect it.)

Oh and by the way, here's Rita's Christmas gift list:

• For Wayne, a set of pom-poms so he can continue to lead the ASGRA cheering section for the rest of the rodeo season;
• For Carl, a horse with leather saddle bags to help him carry around the minutes from Board meetings;
• For Shannon, a rodeo gang to help her tame the wilds of the Norfolk area;
• For Phllip, a pair of tuquoise goat dressing boots to match his sunglasses;
• For Tony, a complete chuck waggon, to help him feed the ASGRA cowpokes on our next trail ride;
• For Fluty, a completed memberhip application and a new gingham riding dress;
• For "Philly" Tom, a pair of Dan Post boots to use on his long trail rides to ASGRA events;
• For Chuck, a year's supply of chewing tobacco hand delevered by Don Gray, past world champion bull rider,
• For ASGRA, a bull-riding machine to help our rough-riders build their skills;
• And for Me (Rita), a new nose ring perferably with a cute bull attached!

Atlantic Stampede 2007 Bronze Nugget Sponsors

Coosie's Corner

For the pie crust:
1 1/2 cups flour, plus more for dusting
6 tablespoons ( 3/4 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons ice water
For the filling:
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup apple butter
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 eggs, lightly beaten
One 6-ounce can ( 2/3 cup) evaporated milk
1/3 cup whole milk

Instructions

For the pie crust: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, butter, shortening and salt. Pulse just until the mixture resembles coarse meal. With the motor running, add the ice water in tablespoon increments, until the dough comes together but has not yet formed a ball. Transfer the dough to a work surface and shape into a disk, handling the dough as little as possible. Lightly dust with flour on both sides and wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 1 day.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Have ready a 9-inch pie plate.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to a round about 1/8 inch thick and about 11 inches in diameter. Transfer to the pie plate, and use your fingers to create a crimped edge. Set aside.

For the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin, apple butter, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon and mix well. Add the eggs and milks, stirring to combine. Pour the filling into the pie shell. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the center has set. Cool completely before serving or storing in the refrigerator.

I'm Sleepin' in My Leggin's Tonight

The cowboy's "leggins" in this case are his chaps
The "bed ground" is the area where the cattle are gathered for the night
Night horse: is the cattleman's horse he uses to ride during the night ride to watch over the cattle
Turn the lead: refers to riding ahead of the heard and coaxing the lead steer to turn into a circle. The rest of the herd will follow and not running in a straight line the heard will eventually tire and stop
A storm is coming, so he is sleeping in his leggin's so as to be ready to jump on his nearby horse to head off a probable stampede
Longhorns glowing in the darkness: refers to St Elmoes fire or ball lightining, a static electrical effect often seen around large heards when the air was moist and warm

So I'm sleepin' in my leggin's tonight
My night horse is tied by my side
When lightnin' cracks and thunder rolls my mouth gets hot and dry
So I'm sleepin' in my leggin's tonight

Reminds me of a stormy night on the Brazos late last spring
They'd settled on the bed ground, when it began to rain
Mighty bolt of lightn' struck the ground and they were gone
Three thousand head of longhorns running madly in the storm

So I'm sleepin' in my leggin's tonight
My night horse is tied by my side
When lightnin' cracks and thunder rolls my mouth gets hot and dry
So I'm sleepin' in my leggin's tonight

Little Jimmy Wilson tryin' hard to turn the lead
Was the first to reach the cattle and got caught in the stampede
When the lightnin' flashed I saw him as his saddle horse went down
He's sleeps 'neath the Chisholm trail beneath a sagebrush covered mound

So I'm sleepin' in my leggin's tonight
My night horse is tied by my side
When lightnin' cracks and thunder rolls my mouth gets hot and dry
So I'm sleepin' in my leggin's tonight

Sight of rushin' cattle can drive a man insane
Longhorns glowing in the darkness, the wind, the hail, the rain
I'm sleepin' in my leggin's tonight