From the President

Howdy all,

Welcome to the 2008 IGRA Rodeo Season. From the stories I've heard, it's already started off with a bang with the Road Runner Regional Rodeo. Team ASGRA represented us well at the first rodeo of the year, and I thank you for being there and showing IGRA what rodeo means.

Our 17th Annual Atlantic Stampede rodeo is scheduled for September 5-7, 2008. And as you may have heard, we have a new host hotel. We will be at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. We think you will be impressed with the hotel itself and we know you will like the room rates.

Rodeo planning has already begun and the Board of Directors appointed Jon H. as our Rodeo Director for this year and Jon has chosen Mike B. as his assistant. These two men will continue the great tradition of putting on a wonderful rodeo. (See Jon's article later in this edition.)

The Board of Directors again appointed Tom L. as our By-Laws chair and Lonni L. as our Elections chair. Keep your eye on the website for more information on these two areas.

Coming up the first weekend of April is the 15th Annual Original GLBT Expo at the Jacob Javitts Center in New York. ASGRA and IGRA have a space again this year, thanks to James Ramey of Anheiser-Busch. If you would like to help us promote gay rodeo in the Big Apple, please contact me at [an error occurred while processing this directive]. For more information on the Expo, check out their website at: http://www.originalglbtexpo.com/exhibitor.php

We are currently in search of a Public Relations chair for this year. If you have experience in this area, please contact me at the address above. For a description of the job, please check out our By-Laws on the web page.

We are always looking for new ideas. If you have something you think we should be doing, please contact one of the board members. We welcome your input. After all, this is YOUR association.

Mike S.
ASGRA President

ASGRA By-Law Issues

Do you have any recommended changes to our By-Laws? We welcome all suggestions, well at least those that are printable. We would like to hear from you. Please send any recommended changes to [an error occurred while processing this directive]

Volunteers are needed on the By-Laws Committee. We need at least two volunteers from General Membership...more if you can join us...to read and submit recommendations for change approval of our By-Laws and Standing Rules. I promise to make the experience as easy as possible. Come join us. We need your help and assistance. Please volunteer at [an error occurred while processing this directive].

Thanks,
Tom

Rodeo Director - Atlantic Stampede 2008

I am pleased to announce that I have been approved by the Board of Directors for the position of Rodeo Director for Atlantic Stampede 2008. Planning has begun for this year's rodeo, which proves to be another successful event. We have a new host hotel, which is the Hilton McLean, Tyson's Corner, Virginia. Please mark your calendars for September 5th through 7th and plan on attending. Also, we are looking for volunteers. We are also looking for area coordinators. If you are interested in helping to plan our 17th Annual Atlantic Stampede, please contact us. Keep checking the ASGRA website for updated material and information.

Jon H.
Rodeo Director

Added Prize Money for 2008 Stampede

All Around Roughstock:   Cowboy $100   Cowgirl $100
All Around Roping:   Cowboy $100 Cowgirl $100

All Around Horseman:   Cowboy $100   Cowgirl $100
Team Roping - per winning team:   Header $200   Heeler $200
Break Away Roping:   Men $200   Women $200

Best Wild Drag Costume: (Sunday Only)
Man $50
Woman $50
Drag $50

Horse Competitors: we have only 16 stalls available, first reserved, first taken
Reservation Deposit: $25

Bonus Events for the Youngsters on Saturday

Stick Horse Race:
Kids race against each other on stick horses. Ages are separated by ages 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Winner in each age category wins $25.

Piggy Back Flag Race:
Youngsters' piggy back on an adult in this timed event. Each piggy back team races through a triangular pattern similar to the flag race on horse back, but the pattern is greatly shrunk. Teams may run right or left and pick up the flag from the first bucket, run the pattern and drop the flag in the second bucket. Best time wins $25.

Registration for each children's event is $5, all proceeds go to charity. Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association will match contribution of registration fees.

Christmas music review

Webmasters apology:
Since we didn't have a December or January newsletter I'm afraid Patrick's reviews didn't get published in a timely manner. But then there's always next year and I like holiday music all year long.

Christmas is coming upon us hard and fast. This month for the music reviews, I figure I could give you some guidance on what I think are some of the best Christmas Albums there are. Covering the time spectrum is something new, something not so new and something a little older. All these CDs are five stars, so you can't go wrong with any of them.

Classic Christmas
Toby Keith
If ever there was a man that I would want to meet under the mistletoe it would be Toby. But no matter how many times I put the blonde Big Dog on my wish list, Santa just doesn't show up with him . I'll just have to settle for the next best thing. Toby's Classic Christmas CD.

This is the second foray into Christmas for Toby (see honorable mentions) and his voice is a perfect fit for the tunes that are both secular and religious. Toby's deep voice calls to mind the "classic" singers of the season; Burl Ives, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby. All the tunes are tinged with a country flavor. Having both the secular and religious tunes on the album makes for a nice touch and a pretty complete album. The songs and Toby's voice move easily from the batch of fun songs: "Winter Wonderland", "Silver Bells" and my personal favorite "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" to spiritual songs: "Away in a Manger", "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "We Three Kings". This CD is a perfect stocking stuffer for any Toby fan or any fan of good Christmas Music.

Now if I could just get the man himself to show up in my stocking, my Christmas would be complete.

Brand New Year
SheDaisy
If you celebrate Christmas and don't have this CD in your collection you should turn in your gay card. This trio of lovely-to-look-at-ladies for the lesbians and bisexuals out there does some real justice to tunes of Christmas. Adding their own fun and funky style (as it says in the CD notes "SheDaisyfing") to some classics brings a real fresh sound to otherwise tried and sometimes tired redos of tunes. Kicking off with a new sound to the standard "Deck The Halls" that would make Donna Summer proud the girls keep the fun flowing through the rest of the CD. The fun comes from the arrangement of the old favorites, the harmonies of the girls and the humorous lyrics in a couple of the tracks. An example of the latter is "Tinsel Town" and "Twist of the Magi". "Tinsel Town" contains lyrics such as:

Three King manger scene, glowing on the front lawn Ladies auxiliary butchering "The Christmas Song"

And

So where's the -
Batteries, it's Christmas Eve assembly is required/
Can't get the kids to sleep, sugar's got 'em wired/

"Twist of the Magi" is just as it sounds; a humorous twist and the familiar story of a man and woman who find each other the "perfect" gifts for Christmas.

Man: I put your mother on a greyhound...
You always hoped she'd have the chance to see the world-now she can
Woman: I torched your Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues…
So I could be your only girl-and now I am

What makes this song a hit is the verve with which it is sung. SheDaisy and Rascall Flatts put all the emotion and choral sound that we are so used to hearing in seasonal tunes into this song. So that unless you were listening really closely to the lyrics you could mistake it for some beautiful Christmas Classic.

Of course, the album isn't all pop infused disco tunes or wink-wink/nod-nods to standards of the season. The girls do a great, somewhat more traditional version of "What Child is This" and "The Secret of Christmas" among others.

Throughout all the songs are the harmonies of the three girls, making for a great album for if you are in a party mood or just want to curl up on the couch and look at the lights.

Once Upon A Christmas
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rodgers
What would a gay Christmas Review be without including Dolly Parton? This CD from the lovely blonde "Backwoods Barbie" and her "Undercover" buddy, Kenny Rodgers is filled with fun duets for Christmas.

"With Bells On" is my favorite of this album. It is a fun, galloping turn for those of you who are looking for something more peppy to replace the standard "I'll Be Home For Christmas." It talks of things like:

When the snow is on the meadow and the sleigh bells jingle bright/
And the kids are singing jingle bells around the Christmas lights/
As daddy stokes the fire and mama puts the turkey on/
There ain't nothing going to slow me down this Christmas I'll be home

"The Greatest Gift of All" is another. It speaks of those last few moments on Christmas eve when friends have gone home, stockings hang on the wall and church bells ring out Merry Christmas as you drift off to sleep.

"Christmas to Remember" is an honorable mention for it speaking of two strangers who meet during December and become lovers at a ski resort; a song that you gay Aspen vacationers might take to heart.

On the flip side of that is the song "Christmas Without You" that sings the woes of one who is without their partner on Christmas. Turning cute phrases like:

White Christmas and I'm Blue/
Like Fireworks with No Fuse/
So Sad, but so True

Though the CD is short, eight songs total, it is a keeper and is generally lesser in price than some of the standard Christmas CDs that you find. So, have Dolly bring some Holly and Jolly to your season.

Honorable Mentions

December to Remember
Aaron Tippin
Who wouldn't remember a December with this muscle hunk! Tipping brings his own brand of twang to A mix of a couple classics and some nice original tunes. Highlights are "It's a Good Thing Santa Ain't Single", "Mamma's Getting Ready for Christmas" and "It's Way Too Close to Christmas (To Be this Far From You)"

Christmas to Christmas
Toby Keith
Another collection of Christmas originals from the early years of Toby (2000). Great for adding something new to you selections of songs this year. After all there are only so many versions of "Rudolph" that one can hear.

All I Want For Christmas is A Real Good Tan
Kenny Chesney
And I'd be first in line to help with the Sun Tan Lotion! If the cold at Christmas doesn't fill you with warm fuzzies take a trip to the islands with these Caribbean flavored favorites.

A Travis Tritt Christmas: Loving Time of Year
Travis Tritt
I'd make any time of year the loving time with this long haired country rocking rebel by my side. For those of you who would like a little more rockin' around your Christmas tree, Travis' CD is the one for you.

What a Wonderful World
LeAnn Rimes
This mix of classics along with a couple of contemporary songs soar with LeAnn's powerful voice that radiates fireside warmth.

Patrick Hunter

Invitation

To: DC (and Tri-state) country-western dancers
For: Briefing, discussion and planning for July 4, 2009 annual country-western dance convention in DC

As many of you know, there’s a big gay country-western dance event headed for DC on July 4th, 2009. It'll include dance workshops at different skill levels, exhibitions in team and partnered dance, nationally-sanctioned competition in team and partnered dance, plus plenty of great entertainment followed by open dancing every night.

The International Association of Gay & Lesbian Country-Western Dance Clubs---IAGLCWDC, we'll just call it IAGL from now on---has a convention every year in a city where they have a member club. In DC, that's the Capital Country Dance Club (CCDC).

Back in February 2007 many of you attended meetings hosted by MaryAnne Walkup of CCDC in which we listed the things we thought we'd have to do to help IAGL host a convention here. Then we sketched out an organizational structure to do it, and plugged in CCDC volunteers to chair the committees. Since then, we've signed the site: the Hyatt Regency Hotel, at 400 New Jersey Avenue, Washington DC (about 2 blocks west from Union Station.). We've also clarified with IAGL the things we'll actually have to do to get ready.

With this clear task list, we've developed a timeline, and are ready to reapply the updated task list to the organizational structure. But in addition to the original CCDC members at MaryAnne's meetings, we want to involve and invite other gay country-western dance enthusiasts to support CCDC's effort and be a part of this. If you're in ASGRA, slap on your Stetson and come see us! If you're in WSO, this is great chance to show us how to throw a party. If you're not in a club (or in one we haven't mentioned) come tell us what you know, and be a part of this.

There are both short and long-duration things to do in publicity, promotion, marketing, financial management, logistical planning, communications, close-in floor management, dance coordination, overall theme and special events development, to name a few! What a chance to meet and work with people in this Tri-state area, all to throw a big gay costume bash!

The meeting's at 2:00PM SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16TH at the HYATT REGENCY HOTEL, 400 New Jersey Avenue, DC. Room number will be posted in the lobby. There's a snack bar on the lobby floor for coffee, cold beverages, sandwiches.

You'll get an information handout to write on.

Please RSVP to or if you're coming, so we know how many handouts to make.

See you there!
Chris Bowers, Chair, DC Hoedown Steering Committee
Priscilla Martin, Vice Chair, DC Hoedown Steering Committee

FRIED APPLE PIES

Ingredients

8oz Dried Apples
Juice of ½ Lemon
1 Cup Sugar
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Ground Allspice
Pinch of Salt
1 Tbsp Cornstarch
Oil for Frying

For Pastry
1 Cup Flour
Pinch of Salt
8 Tbsp Chilled Butter, cut into small pieces
1 Small Egg

Directions

1. The day before: Put apples in a pan, barely cover with hot water, stir in lemon juice, and leave for 8 hours.
2. Then, bring pan to a boil, lower heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring and mashing some of the apples, tender the puree is tender. Add sugar, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Add a little water to the cornstarch to make a paste, stir this into the apples, simmer, then allow this to cool.
3. Pastry: Add soft and flour in bowl. Add diced butter and cut it into the mixture. It should resemble coarse crumbly flour. Beat an egg in a bowl and add water to make 3oz. Make a well in the flour and pour in the egg mixture. Stir the flour until it makes a dough. Wrap the entire mixture after forming a ball, and chill for ½ hour.
4. Then separate dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each into a small separate circle.
5. Spoon apple mixture onto the rounded dough, leaving about a 1 in border. Moisten the dough's edges with water and fold over, crimping the edges with fork tinges.
6. Pour about ¼ in of oil into a frying pan, heat oil and fry batches of apple pies for about 2 minutes on a side until golden brown. Drain and serve.

Dude String Trail

Album: Wheels

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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)

• A dude is a city slicker who doesn't know how to ride a horse
• Dude string is a parody on the cowboy terms Rough String, or just String, meaning a string of horses
• Pony quitting the trail means he has run off away from the group
• You are not supposed to let your horse eat while the horse is working
• Waving something like a jacket can spook the horses, a very bad thing in a group

---

Well I run myself a dude string
Out here on the eastern slope
I got horses, mules and sway back nags
And I dang near givin' up hope
Of ever keepin' my head above water
It's enough to make you loose your mind
Them dudes show up with a credit card
And I listen to 'em as they whine

And I lead 'em up the canyon
With my hat low over my eyes
My old pards from the buckaroo days
Wouldn't know me in this disguise
For I use to be hell and hardy
And now I'm thin and pale
From showin' these gunsels the heart of the west
On the dad blamed dude string trail

And I said don't let em eat, step in the seat
We'll stop so you can take a piture
And if your pony tries to quit the trail
Just shout and I'll come and get ya
Well son don't wave that jacket around
Lady could you calm your little girl down
Well they don't bounce much when they hit the ground
Out here on the dude string trail

Every one of 'ems an expert horseman
Ready to astound you with what they know
There's house wives 'n sailor's and CPAs
And ever one of 'em use to ride rodeo
They show up in skirts 'n sandals
And shorts way up on their thighs
And they thump 'em with their heals
And they jerk on the rains
And them ponies just role their eyes

And I said don't let 'em eat, step in the seat
We'll stop so you can take a piture
And if your pony tries to quit the trail
Just shout and I'll come and get ya
Well son don't wave that jacket around
Lady could you calm your little girl down
Well they don't bounce much when they hit the ground
Out here on the dude string trail

One day I'm goin to sell out
And I'm gettin' me a place in town
Where the mules don't bray
And the horses don't nay
And there ain't no dudes around
And I'll dig ditches
And I'll clean sewers
N' pick up litter fer pay
So long as I'm one hundred fifty miles
From any place I might have to say

Don't let 'em eat, step in the seat
We'll stop so you can take a piture
And if your pony tries to quit the trail
Just shout and I'll come and get ya
Well son don't wave that jacket around
Lady could you calm your little girl down
Well they don't bounce much when they hit the ground
Out here on the dude string trail

Yo-de-le-o do-loe-o-e

You too can play the dude on our monthly ASGRA trail rides in Piscataway, Maryland.
Come join us for the fun, the first Sunday of each month.

The March newsletter deadline is February 25. Send your articles to