From the President

Well, what can I say. Welcome to spring in Washington, DC... the home of hay fever and allergies.

Once everyone stops sneezing, we will be having a rodeo!! As I'm sure most of you have heard or read we have a new host hotel this year. We will be at the McLean Hilton Tyson's Corner in McLean, VA. The hotel is offering us a wonderful rate for rooms this year... $119 (plus tax). If that doesn't get you, then how about PLENTY OF FREE PARKING!! Be sure to mention ASGRA when you book your room to get our special rates.

In the next few weeks, the suggested changes to the By Laws and Standing Rules will be coming out. Be sure to read thru them and cast your vote. Keep an eye out in your email box for the announcement for the By Laws meeting, in the event you want to cast your vote in person.

The beginning of April found several of our members, along with members of LGRA and IGRA at the New York GLBT Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. They went to represent ASGRA and all of IGRA in a booth sponsored by James Ramey. And a big ASGRA thank you to James for sponsoring the booth again this year and helping to bring Gay Rodeo to the masses.

Several of us were up in York Springs this weekend for our yearly rodeo school. We were joined by several members of LGRA. Everyone that came learned a lot about the events they compete in and we even had one new contestant and he hopes to put his new skills to work in the near future. We had a new competition this year. Cindy B. and Bart F. both competed in the Wild 'drag' (thru the mud) Race. Bart not being one to be outdone, made several runs at it, and at the end, I believe he won the 'drag' race. However, I think the steer actually won. I'm sure Frank will post pictures from the weekend shortly. Special thanks to Jymmye Jaymes and Tom L. for feeding the masses. It sure was tasty and enjoyed by everyone.

Coming up later this year are the elections for the board of directors. The positions that are up for nomination are Vice President and Secretary each for two year terms, and IGRA Trustee for three years. Click here for the responsibilities of Vice President and Secretary:
http://asgra.org/membership/by-laws.htm#vii1
and here for the responsibilities of the IGRA Trustee:
http://asgra.org/membership/by-laws.htm#viii1.

We currently have two appointed committee chair positions open on the board of directors; Public Relations chair and Sponsorship/Fundraising chair. Both positions are important to the running of our association. Please see the responsibilities of all five positions below. Click here for the responsibilities of our committee chairs:
http://asgra.org/membership/by-laws.htm#vii2.

If you are interested in either of the appointed positions, please contact me at [an error occurred while processing this directive].

Mike S.
ASGRA President

2008 Atlantic Stampede Rodeo Director

We are well on our way to having a very exciting and successful rodeo this year. We still need to fill a couple positions, which are Vendor Coordinator and Publicity Promotions Coordinator. If you are interested, please contact me at [an error occurred while processing this directive].

Keep yourself up to date with what is going on by logging onto the website, asgra.org.

Calling All Volunteers

Yep, it is that time again to mark your calendars for this year's Atlantic Stampede. When: September 5 - 7, 2008. We need volunteers in all areas. Please fill out the Volunteer form and send it in. You can go to our rodeo page and fill out the form there. Any questions please contact Beth Brockelman at [an error occurred while processing this directive] THANK YOU SO MUCH :) HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE

Beth Brockelman Volunteer Coordinator 2008

Meet Me In Montana

Pacific North West Gay Rodeo Association is having its third annual Meet Me In Montana Event August 1-3, 2008. Meet Me in Montana is a weekend of Camping, Cookout, River Rafting, Dancing, Dance Lessons, and great fun with some terrific cowboys and cowgirls. Meet Me in Montana takes place at the beautiful Cowboy Up Montana Roadhouse located in St. Regis, MT.

The roadhouse is 30 acres surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains. There is ample space for trailers, horses, campers and tents. For more information about the Meet Me in Montana weekend including schedule of events and pricing options visit http://www.meetmeinmontana.org. Space typically sells out, so those interested are encouraged to make their reservations early.

Patrick Hunter

Music Reviews

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

James Otto
Sunset Man

When I heard the first song from Sunset Man, "Ain't Gonna Stop", my thought was, 'I definitely have to have this CD.' Unfortunately, most of the rest of the tracks don't live up to the initial impact of that song. That does not mean that the CD is without merit or that other songs aren't worth a listen. The single "Just Got Started Lovin' You" is one of them. It is a perfect tune for one of those just stay in bed all day long with your partner and make love days. Its got a very R & B/Alabama feel. "Where Angels Hang Around" is an exceptionally touching song. Though it does not mention it outright, the song alludes to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and the wonderful work done by its people; hence the title. The one song that I had a real aversion to was the track "Drink & Dial." Honestly, how many spins can we put on the "Friends don't let Friends" tag line, no matter how funny.

Sunset Man is a much more R & B and blues tinged CD rather than country. The songs melodies are great and all the tracks work well with one another. But again the measure of a great CD for me is that the songs become foreground music. Music that I don't just want to have playing in the background while my mind is on other tasks, but music that makes me want to stop those tasks and really listen and meditate on the music.

Phill Vassar
Prayer of a Common Man

I must admit that I was a little disappointed in this latest offering from Phil Vassar. There isn't too much on here that is a stand out song to me, though the CD is enjoyable for Phil's vocal passion and the arrangements of the music, complete with Phil's signature piano playing (this man could tickle my ivories anytime).

The one true standout on this CD is "Love is a Beautiful Thing."; something that will be playing at upcoming weddings along with "Stealing Cinderella" (see March's Music Reviews). It may also be something that we would want to commandeer as our own anthem in and amidst the debate/fight over gay marriage. We, as a people, are well aware that love is a beautiful thing. The only other song that is noteworthy from this CD is "My Chevrolet", but that may be because of my own fantasies of steaming up some windows with Phil. It is the tale in tune of a boy's love with his first car. The title track deserves an honorable mention and "I Would" is the most two-steppable song on the CD.

Much like the previously reviewed Sunset Man, Phil Vassar's Prayer of a Common man isn't a terrible CD, but not a great one either. Certainly, I expected a little bit more from the man who brought us not only some memorable from hits from his own albums, but other written hits that have been performed from various artists.

Josh Gracin
We Weren't Crazy

The first time that I listened to this CD, I must have been crazy. On the first play through I didn't enjoy it. Maybe it was being in the middle of the work day and the work week that led to my initial reaction to this as being a "sophomore slump." However, on successive listens I really "found" that this CD was much better than I thought (yes, the pun from the first track of this album is intended).

Josh's voice is definitely enjoyable (thank goodness for American Idol rejects). He really sings his heart out on all the tunes. The hard strings and drums go along will with his voice. You can really tell he cares about the music he is making.

One of the best things about this CD that real musicphiles will find interesting is Josh's version of two other tunes from some popular male country artists. "Telluride" was once sung, though not released, by Tim McGraw, and frankly, is a better version. For those who bought Chris Cagle's latest, "I Don't Want to Live" will sound very familiar to you. Josh's version matches Chris's though the two definitely have a different feel.

Aside from those two songs, "Let Me Fall" is another one worth mention. Again, it is the country boy torch song about the loss of a love - this one in particular being someone who doesn't care and isn't looking back. One could read into this being a deeper emotional take on songs like Dierks Bentley's "Settle for a Slowdown."

Out of the three CD's this is definitely the one worth the money. It is definitely not a sophomore slump, but rather it is sophomore superb.

Patrick Hunter
Trail Ride Coordinator

Coosie's Corner

TRAIL DRIVE GRAVY

Ingredients

Directions

1. In heavy pan, heat the drippings or lard, then stir in the flour and cook a few minutes until the flour is light brown
2. Stir in the milk and about ½ cup of water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly and simmer until the gravy thickens.
3. Serve with biscuits or toast.

Cowboy Music

Play song 4:26

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)

• Rowles: the round part of a spur which makes contact with the horse, frequently rowles are loose fitting to make ringing sounds
  
• Piebald: a horse with black and white patches
  
• Lander: town in south east Wyoming famous for rodeos
  
• Floating: rodeo term for riding a bucking bronc where the rider seems to float above the horses back
  
• Buckskin: a light brown horse with black main, tail and legs
  

And she'd sing rowles that ring like bells in the night
Silver spurs flashing in Utah moonlight
Hoof beats that echo out over the hills
Songs and the stars and a memory that thrills
My heart my heart my heart
Like the ring of his spurs

I grew and I loved those wild horses and drifted away
Out on the road alone living the rodeo way
I won me a buckle on a piebald in Lander last spring
Floatin' and a hearin' that old song my mother would sing

And she'd sing rowles that ring like bells in the night
Silver spurs flashing in Utah moonlight
Hoof beats that echo out over the hills
Songs and the stars and a memory that thrills
My heart my heart my heart
Like the ring of his spurs

As I walked back a crippled old cowboy came down to the chutes
Seventy years in his eyes silver spurs on his boots
Said son that's the pettiest ridin' I've seen in a while
As he blinked out a tear in his eye and he choked down a smile
I rode with your dad in the roundup the day that he died
Up north of Jarvish just over the Idaho side
Rolled under a young buckskin stud he had started to train
Slipped on a hill in the mud in the September rain

And she'd sing rowles that ring like bells in the night
Silver spurs flashing in Utah moonlight
Hoof beats that echo out over the hills
Songs and the stars and a memory that thrills
My heart my heart my heart
Like the ring of his spurs

The last words he whispered to me as I knelt by his side
You know Jack I'd give anything just to see my boy ride
These were your father's you've earned them and now son their yours
As he took from his heels and he handed me these silver spurs

And she'd sing rowles that ring like bells in the night
Silver spurs flashing in Utah moonlight
Hoof beats that echo out over the hills
Songs and the stars and a memory that thrills
My heart my heart my heart
Like the ring of his spurs

And she'd sing rowles that ring like bells in the night
Silver spurs flashing in Utah moonlight
Hoof beats that echo out over the hills
Songs and the stars and a memory that thrills
My heart my heart my heart
Like the ring of his spurs

Like the ring of his spurs

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