Howdy all,

Atlantic Stampede is just around the corner. Are you ready?

I want to thank everyone that took the time to vote in the recent By-Laws voting process. Our revised By-Laws were passed and the changes took effect immediately. The revisions will be available on the web site in the near future. Please take some time to familiarize yourselves with the guidelines that govern our association.

One of the changes that was included in By-Laws was the moving to one General Membership meeting a year during which all ASGRA business will take place (budget approval, elections, By-Law changes). Your Board of Directors is working to coordinate schedules and will let you all know what the date of that meeting is once we have it.

Speaking of elections, won't you consider running for one of our Board of Directors positions? This year we will be electing a Vice President and Secretary, both 2-year terms, and an IGRA Trustee, a 3-year term set by IGRA.

We also have committee chair positions open for your consideration: Social & Entertainment, Rodeo Events & Training, Fundraising/Sponsorship, Membership and Public Relations.

If you're interested in any of these positions, please check out the descriptions later in this edition of 13 Spurs, and contact me with any questions.

Mike S.
ASGRA President

A Call for Conventioneers

As a rodeo contestant, have you ever felt that a particular rule needed changed? As a member of the rodeo community, have you ever wondered how rodeo rules are created or modified? Have you wondered how you can become more involved in rodeo at the international level? This is a call for ASGRA members to participate as a delegate or alternate at this year's 24th IGRA Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana from October 29 - November 2, 2008. If you would like to represent ASGRA at the convention, please email me at . If you need more information before you decide, check at the IGRA Convention website sponsored by LSGRA at www.lsgra.com/convention.html.

Hope to see ya there.

Respectfully yours,
Mike Benner
ASGRA Trustee

Hey Gang

It's Jymmye Jaymes Social and Entertainment Chair for ASGRA.

Do you have a talent you want to showcase? Well what better way to do that then at Atlantic Stampede September 5-7. If you or a group that you are in would like to be part of the entertainment please go to our rodeo page then down to the entertainment application and fill it out and submit it.

ALL ENTERTAINERS MUST FILL OUT APPLICATION. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO YOU ARE, WHAT TITLE YOU HOLD, EITHER HERE IN D.C. OR LOCAL ASSOCIATION ROYALTY, IGRA ROYALTY, COURT TITLES, MISS AMERICA TITLES, OR ACADEMY TITLES ETC, YOU MUST FILL OUT APPLICATION OR NO ENTERTAINMENT.

We have extended the application deadline to August 16. There are spots still available at the new host hotel Mclean Hilton in the Tyson's Corner area and at the entertainment/dance tent at the rodeo site. So join us at Atlantic Stampede this September 5-7 and show off some of the wonderful talent that D.C. is so well known for.

Thank you
Jymmye Jaymes

Miss ASGRA 2000, 2002, 2005
Miss IGRA 2006

Underwear, Entertainers and Rodeo

Don't think they go together?
Then you missed the IGRA benefit that was held at Remington's on July 24th.

Miss ASGRA 2008, Esmeralda Kane James, and Stormy Vain hosted an evening entertainment and of hot men in their underwear. Jymmye Jaymes, Miss IGRA 2006, was also in attendance. These hot men auctioned their underwear (donated by Andrew Christian) off and combined with the tips from the entertainers, raised $530 for IGRA University.

Thanks to Stormy, Esmeralda, Jymmye and the models for donating their time and tips.

Attention Rough Stock Riders

It is the rider's responsibility to secure the following prior to the Saturday or Sunday Rodeo Events:

All necessary equipment (Rigging, Spurs, Bell, Bell Loop, Vest, Helmet, Mouthpiece, Glove, rosin, and if sharing a rigging - fill out the shared rigging form at registration). I am amazed to see new riders riding without Spurs. The first benefit they provide is to help the rider hang on?
2. Rider must secure commitments from "seasoned" Assistants to act as your Safety, and your Riggin Puller / Setter. (These are not provided for you)
3. The Rider must know how to rig their own animal, and set the riggin to their specifications for a safe ride. Rider should not expect, or rely on others to do this.
4. Check in with your line up assistant behind the chutes well in advance, so you can rig your animal as soon as you can.
5. Be prepared to ride! The Chute Crew may skip a rider due to an unforseen issue, and may be coming to you at a moments notice. You should have all your equipment on, and be ready!
6. Know the basics on how to enter the Chute, how to treat the animals with respect, and to avoid any chance of injury.
7. It takes more than one person to ride a bull, bronc, or steer. Show some appreciation to those that help you, as taking anyone for granted, will leave you with little assistance down the road. (Thank your stock contractor, chute crew, judges, gate pullers, rodeo clown, pick up men, and your puller / safety)

If you have any contestant who needs assistance with the above or any rough stock riding questions, please feel free to guide them to my e-mail address: as I am always happy to assist. I cannot however, be a resource for providing Safeties and Pullers.

I am working on publishing some guidelines on the IGRA Web Site to help us minimize these issues and delays.

Thank you all very much,

Chuck Browning

Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association Play day
was Hot, HOT, HOT!

With temperatures in the high 90s, Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association (SMRA) Play Day really had the cowboys and cowgirls working up a sweat. The event was held July 26th in Lebanon, TN about 40 miles outside of Nashville. Some old familiar ASGRA folks who have now moved to Nashville played host to the event; Roger Holmin, ASGRA President 1995 and 1996 and John Ritter, Public Relations Chair, 1995 and 1996. The event was held at their beautiful R bar H ranch.

Roger Holmin and John helped to kick off the event with a Barbecue. Participants were treated to burgers, hotdogs, potato salad, chips and some fantastic baked beans courtesy of Roger's mother, Donna, and sweet corn on the cob which was grown at the ranch. As participants munched down on the lunch, SMRA Member, Barry Roberts gave them an overview of International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) and its events. Afterwards, Barry provided some instruction on roping with the help of ASGRA member, Patrick Hunter. Folks, then, got to try out their skills on the two hay bale calfs.

Of course, no type of instructional rodeo play day would be complete without a specialized drag event. The SMRA folks are no exception to this. If you thought the Dolly Madison Race of ASGRA was funny, you should see the wheelbarrow drag race (try saying that five times fast). Contestants are made up of two teams. One team member is pushed in the wheelbarrow to a pile of drag clothes sitting atop a racing barrel. Members must get dressed in the drag and then be wheelbarrowed back across the finish line in the best time.

However, the favorite event of all was the water balloon towel toss. Two teams of four members, four towels and volleyball net help to make up this event. Two members on each team take hold of one of the towels and must toss a water balloon over the net with the towel. Team members on the other side must then catch the balloon in the towel and then toss it back over. The teams volley the balloon back and forth until one team drops and busts the water balloon. If you think that it sounds hard to follow, you should try playing it. There ain't nothing funnier than watching two folks running hither and yon with a terry cloth like a fireman's catch net. Everyone, participants and spectators alike were in stitches.

In between events folks took time to relax and chat with one another; which may be one of the best parts of events like rodeo and rodeo play dates. It's the new people that you get to know, the old ones that you reconnect with. It's what first brings ya to events like this and it's a big part of what makes you come back.

Patrick Hunter
ASGRA Trail Ride Coordinator

Music Reviews

Montgomery Gentry
Back When I Knew It All

Once again Montgomery Gentry do NOT disappoint with their latest. This album brings out the best that we come to expect and want from this duo; a string of rocking, whiskey drinking, good time party songs along with one or two county philosophy songs thrown in for good measure. Falling into the former category are 'Now You're Talking', 'I Pick My Parties' and 'One in Every Crowd'. 'Now, You're Taking' is my favorite out of these three.

The lyrics of the song reflect a man's want to move from a stiff cocktail party to a more down home kind of bar. His honey finally suggests what is on his mind, much to the pleasure of the man who states through the chorus:

Now you're talking/
That's more like it/
You're reading my mind/
Baby, you're psychic/
I heard that/don't hold back/
Now you're talking/

What makes this song a hit with me is the chorus is generic enough to apply to any situation where someone suggests something that is on your mind, but you've yet to speak.

"I Pick My Parties" has a guest vocal from the Big Dog Party Man, Toby Keith. It's the lament of some of us who have gotten a little older and a little more tired in body, but still maintain the same party spirit when we can. Eddie Montgomery even throws out an end of song shout out to Toby when he proclaims "How do you do you like us, now!?" Falling into the latter category of country philosophy songs are "It Ain't About Easy", "One Trip", "Look Some More" and the familiar-currently-on-radio "Back When I Knew It All" "It Ain't About Easy" is my pick out the three. The story is a father-son conversation in song about the son's complaints on his hard life. The father dispenses his life philosophy (something that follows my own life motto):

It ain't about easy/
It's about tough/
It's about leaving the house 'fore the sun comes up...
...It's about staying in love when the money gets tough.

And now--as Isabella Rossolini so famously said to Meryl Streep in Death Becomes Her--a warning. For those of you who are trying to recover from whatever negative church experiences you may have had in the past, you might want to skip over the first track "The Big Revival". The song centers around the image of the true believers ability to handle venomous snakes. For those of you who have already achieved your reconciliation with religion, you won't be phased, since, after hearing the hate that is often directed at our community from the pulpit, you've already learned that you can survive the "venom" of the various "snakes" within the church.

Boy if you like trucking songs, is this the CD for you. I haven't heard so many Big Rig references since watching those Joe Gage Trucking Co videos. They even managed to slip 'em into the poetic-desire-for-your-mate song aptly titled "Heart with Four Wheel Drive":

I can't get no traction/
When I look into your eyes/
When you kiss me tenderly/
My wheels get paralyzed...
...Well, I've got tears all over my windshield/
And rain pouring out of my eyes/
There's only one way out of here/
I need a heart with 4 wheel drive/

It actually sounds a lot less cheesy when you hear it than it does here in print, and, in reality, it is nice to hear some new words to a tried test theme that usually compares desire to the sun, moon, mountains, ocean and just about any other one of natures elements.

I really like the track "Working Hard at Loving You". If you have listened to any of Jeff Bates's or James Otto's latest love songs you know the story behind this one. What makes it different is that it this song carries the same hard driving melody of the other songs on this album, giving it a very distinct feel from the slower offerings of Otto and Bates. It is actually the perfect background music for that rougher, sweatier, more passionate sex that even the most vanilla among us like to have once in a while.

"East Bound and Down" is the most classic of all the trucker tunes that they have loaded on this album. The melody is more of an edgier offering that you might find on an Asleep at the Wheel album. It's a song that would fit perfectly in an episode of BJ and The Bear (though I would consider Greg Evigan more of a wolf myself - arrroooooooo!).

The most it-could-be-considered-mainstream song of the album is "I've Got the Scars to Prove It." A song about the lasting impact that hard times, including love, can have on your heart. This is probably the most easy listening song for those of you out there who are not looking for more genre tinged music.

For the rest of you, this CD is a good one; especially if you are taking a road trip.

The voices are great. They match well with the music and have just enough husky to give the credibility to these road running tunes. The songs all roll well with one another and there is not a song out of place even though the CD contains a mix of styles. That mix helps to keep the CD from becoming too boring in its sound and concept. Whether you are rolling down the road in a Peterbilt 388 or a Nissan Altima, take the Road Hammers with you for the ride.

Randy Travis
Around the Bend

"Every Head Bowed" tells the story of a youngster who is hungry for food while his spiritual side is being fed in church and during grace while they sit by a meal of some tasty Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Randy Travis is still one of the most unique and powerful male voices in country music today. No one can move as well between strike-ya-in-the-gut ballads and wink and smile songs. Add to that songs that are able to create vivid images from the lyrics, and you've the making of some good long lasting music.

Randy gives a great example his voices power in "You Didn't Have a Good Time." The story centers around the life of an alcoholic who has not yet admitted their addiction. What makes this song have such impact is Travis's voice, which is deep, rich and quiet enough to carry the tone of gravity that is contained within the lyrics. The other thing that makes it have an impact is you are unsure if the song is sung from the point of view of the friend/family member speaking to the alcoholic or if it is an internal dialogue that comes from the conscience of the addict. The quiet tone throughout the song makes gives it the hint of self-reflection quite well.

"From your Knees" (no peanut gallery comments) is an example of some of the great lyrics on the songs that are contained on this album.

There were empty closets/
And empty drawers/
And a tear stained confession on the Kitchen Floor/
And burning memories in the fireplace/
He waited too late/
To say he was wrong/
His house was still standing/ But his home was long gone

It is CDs like this, that when you listen to them, you really understand why Travis has had such longevity. He is definitely not every country fans cup of tea, which is why he may not have the blockbuster star status of someone like Tim McGraw, but there is no denying Travis's vocal ability and his ability to pick some pretty smart song choices.

Patrick Hunter
Trail Ride Coordinator

Coosie's Corner

TEXAS BEEF POT ROAST

Ingredients

• 1 pot roast (about 4 pounds), such as bottom round or chuck
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup bottled barbecue sauce
• ½ cup cider vinegar
• ½ cup chicken or beef broth
• ¼ cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon bottled mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 large onion (½ pound), chopped
• 2 large cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme
• 12 rolls

Heat oven to 300 degrees F.

Brown meat well in oil in large oven proof Dutch oven, 15 minutes. Add sauce, vinegar, broth, sugar, mustard, Worcestershire, chili powder, onion, garlic and thyme to pot. Bring to boiling. Place in oven and bake, covered, for 3 to 4 hours, turning meat every hour, until fork-tender. Let stand at least 30 minutes in pan.

Remove meat from pot. Skim fat.

Slice beef and serve with sauce on rolls.

Cowboy Music

Album: Cowboy Girl (external link)

He left his wife and his ranch four years ago
And the son that he wouldn't know
As his pony leads on through the blistering sun
He sings a song to his tiring colt

Don't stop Black Diamond till we reach the Colorado
Home is just around the bend
Get us to the river and a promise I'll deliver
You'll never feel the saddle again

He closes his eyes as the campfire dies
Diamond's off his feed tonight
He can see Mary Ann reachin' for his hand
Same dream he dreams every night

He's got coffee burning just before dawn
Night rain soaked them down to the core
Diamond ???? for another day's ride
With some luck it will be just one more

So don't stop Black Diamond till we reach the Colorado
Home is just around the bend
Get us to the river and a promise I'll deliver
You'll never feel the saddle again

As they come to Hearts Creek they're close to home
He kneels down to wash the war from his face
But down on his knees terror rips through the trees
Comanche on their paints givin' chase

Ride slow on his mount as he turns to fight
One warrior falls away from his ride
Diamond raced on ahead leavin' a ribbon of red
From the arrow diggin' deep in his side

But don't stop Black Diamond till we reach the Colorado
Home is just around the bend
Get us to the river and a promise I'll deliver
You'll never feel the saddle again

The soldier stands proud at the river
But his pony lies still by his side
Didn't seem in much pain but still the end came
The soldier falls on him and cries

He carries his saddle as he walks from the grave
Kept his promise as he laid him to rest
The war is now over for this valenger drover
And Diamond's pointed straight to the west

You can stop Black Diamond we have reached the Colorado
Home is just around the bend
You brought me to the river and a promise I'll deliver
You'll never feel the saddle again
You'll never feel the saddle again
Oh you'll never feel the saddle again

Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association Board Positions

• Title: ASGRA Secretary
• Objective: To maintain ASGRA's records.
• Responsibilities: Attend all meetings, record and prepare minutes of board and business meetings, distribute minutes to all board members for approval, maintain association records, work with membership chair to coordinate mailings, etc.
• Qualifications: Knowledge of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) and how ASGRA relates to it; working knowledge of association's By Laws; good record keeping skills, good organizational filing skills, good note taking skills, ability to delegate. Working knowledge of internet file transfer protocol (FTP).
• Average Time Commitment: Six hours per month.
• Length of Holding Office: Two years.
• Measure of Success: Minutes distributed in a timely manner, records are maintained, and association business is in order.
• Benefits: Gain experience in building and working with committees, improve meeting management skills, gain experience that can be used on other jobs.

• Title: ASGRA Vice President
• Objective: ASGRA's Vice President is responsible for assisting the President in coordinating and directing committee activities and association operations
• Responsibilities: To attend all meetings; monitor progress of association's goals and objectives; enforce By Laws; manage the activities of Royalty and committees that report directly to the Vice President; advise and assist the President, assume President's role in President's absence; maintain contact with the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA); report to membership; prepare the association budget along with other officers.
• Qualifications: Being able to assume the office of the President, if needed; knowledge of IGRA; working knowledge of association bylaws, ability to delegate, public speaking ability.
• Average Time Commitment: Ten hours per month.
• Length of Holding Office: Two years.
• Measure of Success: Completion of goals, new members are recruited and retained, problems are handled in a timely manner, committees are active and growing, available to other officers and committee members, meetings are held efficiently, good team spirit.
• Benefits: Gain experience in building and working with committees, play a key role in shaping association's future, stepping stone to Association Presidency, opportunity to network on different levels, improve meeting management skills, gain experience that can be used on the job.

• Title: ASGRA Trustee
• Objective: To provide direct association representation in the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA).
• Responsibilities: To assist and guide IGRA in the achievement of its overall objectives and to provide a link between IGRA and local association. Trustee, as a member of the IGRA board, is required to attend the board meetings and the annual IGRA Convention.
• Qualifications: The individual elected to this position should be interested in IGRA and should be thoroughly knowledgeable of both ASGRA and IGRA activities; is responsible for conveying the needs of ASGRA to IGRA. Public speaking ability is also helpful.
• Average Time Commitment: Ten hours per month.
• Length of Holding Office: Three years.
• Measure of Success: Completion of goals, accurate and prompt reporting of issues to association members; accurate and prompt feedback to Board of Directors on association issues; available to other officers and committee members, meetings are held efficiently, good team spirit.
• Benefits: Gain experience in building and working with committees. You are not only a leader in ASGRA, but you are also an official board member of IGRA. You, as a representative of ASGRA have a voice as to the overall direction IGRA will take. Opportunity to network on different levels, recognition, improve meeting management skills, gain experience that can be used on the job.

• Title: ASGRA Membership Chair
• Objective: To maintain membership records and recruit new members.
• Responsibilities: Actively solicit new members as well as ensure current members renew their membership in ASGRA. Process all necessary paperwork submitted online through the website, via postal mail or at ASGRA functions promoting membership. Upon processing, a membership letter and membership card will be mailed.

  The Membership Chair will also maintain a database containing all information (name, address, phone number, e-mail address and other pertinent information) for each active member. An association membership roster will also be maintained and forwarded to the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) Administrative Assistant, ASGRA President, ASGRA Trustee and ASGRA Secretary.

  This list is to be forwarded to the IGRA Administrative Assistant within 15 days prior to the beginning of each rodeo year. The Rodeo Review Board may impose fines on any association not meeting this requirement.

  Periodic updates will be sent at the association's discretion (good idea to forward list as new members join). An update will consist of resubmitting the entire list.

  All membership lists will be single-spaced, in alphabetical order by last name, in Word or Excel format and include the following:

  1. Title on each page listing the member or recognized association's acronym followed by the words "Membership List."
  2. Date of membership list.
  3. Page number at the bottom of each page.
  4. Assigned four-digit IGRA contestant number (optional), last name, first name, city and state or province (two-letter postal abbreviation).
  5. Membership lists will be sent to the IGRA office and may be forwarded via postal mail, facsimile (fax), or e-mail. If sent via postal mail, the lists must be unstapled.

  Member identification cards, which will be accepted by other associations as proof of membership, will contain the following information: Name (legal name); Association name (ASGRA); Membership number; Date joined; Expiration date.

  The Membership Chair is also responsible for scheduling membership meetings and notifying all members of the date, time and location. The Chairman of the Membership Committee will be the Chairman of the Grievance Committee. The Chairman will appoint three members from the General Membership to serve on the committee. The Chairman will designate one Grievance Committee member as the contact person in an individual grievance.

  The contact person will discuss the grievance with the individual member to:

  1. Set a date with the Grievance Committee to discuss the matter with the member;
  2. Obtain additional information if necessary, and obtain a written copy of the grievance complaint from the member.

  The contact person will make a qualified decision as to whether a written grievance is necessary; and the written grievance, if necessary, should include the:

  1. Complaint;
  2. Proposed solution; and
  3. Proposed process to achieve the solution.
  4. Grievance Committee will then meet with the member and:
• Discuss the nature of the grievance and the member's proposed solution and process to achieve it. The Grievance Committee will attempt to resolve the issue within two weeks. If resolution has not been achieved, the committee will formally notify the member of its attempt to resolve the issue, and provide the member with its proposed resolution; and if no resolution is reached either between the member and the committee, or between the committee and the source of the grievance, then one representative of the Executive Board of ASGRA, one member of the Grievance Committee, the member with the grievance, and the source of the grievance will meet to reconcile the issue.
• Qualifications: Knowledge of IGRA and how ASGRA relates to it; working knowledge of association By Laws; good record keeping, knowledge of marketing, good people skills;
• Average Time Commitment: Ten hours per month.
• Length of Holding Office: One year.
• Measure of Success: Membership increased; mailing lists are accurate, retention program in place, problems are handled in a timely manner, applications are signed and returned to IGRA in a timely manner, available to other officers and committee members, attend meetings.
• Benefits: Knowledge of entire membership base, networking with all members of association, satisfaction and recognition, gain experience that can be used on the job.

• Title: ASGRA Public Relations
• Objective: To serve along with the President as a principal spokesperson of ASGRA
• Responsibilities: Attend all meetings, is responsible for developing positive responses to criticisms of gay rodeo for use in supporting the sport; is responsible for developing, producing, and disseminating advertising and promotional materials for all ASGRA events; oversees contests for the development of promotional materials; oversees the production of programs and tickets for ASGRA events; and obtains retail outlets to sell tickets to ASGRA events. Detailed areas of responsibility follow:
  Advertising
  • Poster creation; includes design of formats, postcards and business cards
  • Printing of the promotional materials
  • Distribution of promotional materials
  • Contacting each of the print media for rates
  • Scheduling of print advertising
  • Creation of print advertising
  • Creation and sending of email advertising
  • Collecting press contacts
  • Creating and sending of press releases
  Pride Events (typically New York, District of Columbia and Baltimore)
  • Planning, creation and execution of a float/car/contingent if one is need for Pride parades
  • Pre-registration
  • Soliciting of volunteers
  • Scheduling of volunteers
  • Producing and collection of public relations materials for Pride
  • Attendance of logistical meetings for Pride
  • On-site registration (the "I'm here, where's the booth/lineup" part)
  • Transportation to and from of anything you use out of storage
  New York City Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Expo (if done)
  (Similar to pride event with the below added)
  • Coordination with IGRA on booth for staff and materials
  • Coordinating/booking of hotel for group
  • Transportation of some group members of ASGRA and the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA)
  • Load/unload of items at Jacob Javits Center
  • Set up of booth
  • Tear down of booth
  Program
  • Creation of program media kit
  • Request For Proposals (RFPs) for program to printers
  • Solicitation of Advertisers for Program
  • Collection of content from ASGRA
  • Finding a layout designer for the program
  • Forwarding content to designer for layout
  • Reviewing drafts for approval
  • Soliciting review comments from Board of Directors
  • Final approval, receiving and distribution of programs
  Merchandise
  • RFPs for pins and T-shirts or other materials
  • Sending artwork to vendors
  • Approving draft artwork from vendors
  • Ordering pins and T-shirts or other materials
  • Receiving pins and T-shirts or other materials
  • Selling pins and T-shirts or other materials
• Qualifications: Knowledge of the IGRA and how ASGRA relates to it; working knowledge of association's By Laws; good record keeping skills, good organizational filing skills.
• Average Time Commitment: Six hours per month.
• Length of Holding Office: One year.
• Measure of Success: Public relations considered a success, and the association is held in high esteem by both the press and community.
• Benefits: Gain experience in building and working with committees, improve meeting management skills, gain experience that can be used on other jobs.

The September newsletter deadline is August 25. Send your articles to [an error occurred while processing this directive]