Benefit for Papa Stan,

Saturday April 25th and Sunday the 26th people from all over the area gathered at Remingtons for a benefit for Stan Slutter, Remington's DJ for almost 20 years. Entertainers gave up their tips and jell-o shooters were sold to help with his mounting bills. Between the two nights $2,400 was raised. I want to thank everyone who gave up their time to come out and help the grumpy man have one less thing to worry about.

On Friday May 1st, Stan passed away. He was known to be a gruff old man and could be scary to some people until they got to know him. Underneath that rough exterior was a big teddy-bear that would do anything he could to help.

He played music at Remingtons for almost 20 years. He also DJ-d at the Sacramento rodeo for several years, as well as in the Stampede Saloon at Atlantic Stampede. And something you may not have known is that the music that was played in the arena at Atlantic Stampede was all done by Stan. He found music for entertainers and mixed a lot of CDs for them. He was even known to perform with Jymmye Jaymes on occasion.

Stan will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Our hearts go out to his partner Ray.

Rest in Peace, Papa.

Will ASGRA Survive?

That's the one question I have been asked every time I go out. Read to the end to find out the answer.

Last month I put out a call to our membership to step up and fill the vacant positions on the board of directors. I had several responses from people that live across the country (CA, WV, and NC to name a few) that all said if they lived in the area they would step in. And 3 people actually stepped up to fill the soon to be vacant positions.

We have a membership of 148 people. Currently on the board we have 7 people. After the 3 people take their new positions, we will have 6 people. We still need your help to survive.

I would like to welcome DJ Haines as Secretary. In July, Bart Forbes will be stepping in as Treasurer and Patrick Hunter will take over as Social and Entertainment chair. Thank you to all three of you for answering the call. This still leaves the following positions vacant:

Fundraising
Membership (as of July)
Public Relations
Rodeo Events and Training

If we are to even consider having a rodeo in 2010, we need to build up our funds, repay an outstanding debt from 2008 Stampede, have people step up to fill the vacancies and help out.

We need to find a rodeo facility that will cost us less than what the Montgomery County Fairgrounds is currently charging and that is convenient for both contestants and spectators.

If you want us to continue as an association and bring rodeo back to the area, please consider stepping up and filling the vacant positions.

So, the answer to "Will ASGRA Survive?" ...

If our members step up and want it to, then ASGRA will survive. It's up to you.

Mike S.
ASGRA President

ASGRA has the following positions available:

• Rodeo events and training chairperson (1-year term)
• Fundraising & sponsorship chairperson (1-year term)
• Public relations chairperson (1-year term)

We are also looking for people willing to serve as members of our 2009 royalty team (1-year terms):

• Miss ASGRA
• Mr. ASGRA
• Ms ASGRA
• MsTer ASGRA

Contact Mike at [an error occurred while processing this directive] if you are interested in serving in any of these positions.

Mike S.
ASGRA President

June Trail Ride Will Include BBQ

Music Reviews

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

Martina McBride

Shine

Air guitarists, drag queens and country divas rejoice. The blue eyed stunner has created a CD just for you, filled with some hardcore licks, emotional songs that can include any number of facial expressions and hand gestures and, of course, soaring notes that Martina extends on and on like a Bay Bridge traffic jam--but much more pleasant.

For you air guitarists look no further than the most current radio play from Shine, "Ride". Before the last chorus there is an instrumental where you can really rock out. "Walk Away" is a lady torch song about a woman begging her man to let her "walk away" from the relationship because it is just not working out. What I like about this song is that it is about a relationship that isn't working just because it isn't working. There's no abuse, alcoholism, cheating or other country staple in this song. To borrow the Sex and The City phrase, "[He's] just not that into [her]." He's only going through the motions. It's something that we've all experienced at one point or another; either as the person who finds it hard to say goodbye or the person who's looking for that goodbye so that they can have closure and move on. This song, though it is sung for the latter, works for both those persons. "What Do I Have to Do" is for the diva in all of us. Filled with Martina's trademark of holding the long note, the song is one for you folks who love singing at the local karaoke and holding those long, loud notes.

On the simpler side of the music spectrum is the song "I'm Trying." This is potentially the most beautiful song on the CD. It's slow, quiet and haunting with an acoustic guitar being the main instrument. The story centers around a man and a woman trying to work through their broken relationship due to his alcoholism. This is something that is spoken of very early on in the song and you really have to be listening to the lyrics to even catch it, but it really could be about any kind of ill in a relationship that keeps going because the people really want to make it work and as the song states, try to overcome that obstacle. It really explores the pain that both persons go through and due to the soft melody of the song it really has an impact on you that is much greater than if it were put to a more standard melody. It's a stunner and, hopefully, will become one of the CD's single releases. If it does, I think that it would do well.

Throughout all of these songs and others contained on Shine, Martina's signature voice rolls through the songs the way that the Smoky Mountains roll through Tennessee, making it an excellent and fun CD. In some places it does tend a little bit more toward the pop side. "Sunny Side Up" is the best example of this. The song is as bubbly as its title suggests.

The one great disappointment that I had with Shine was with its CD Booklet. The cover art is great. It takes the portrait of the artist to a new level with Martina's acrylic paint brushed body. Unfortunately, this is not carried through the rest of the booklet. On each page there are splotches of paint here and there on photos of Martina McBride, but none of the photos have the stylized feel of the cover art. I would have liked it much better if that theme was carried through the successive photos.

Of the photos, the best one is of Martina McBride in this season's color, purple-pink, which I seem to be seeing a lot of lately. It's a nice photo of her that shows some leg and a little shoulder, too. An innocent but at the same time a little bit sexy photo. Mature woman sexy is what I'd call it; showing off some good physical aspects without being too overt. Aside from this little disappointment the CD and singer of Shine really live up to its title.

Rodney Atkins

It's America

This is one of those CDs where as soon as I hear the first strains of the music from the first song I know that I'm going to like the CD. As stated in the liner notes of the booklet, Atkins says that "I love starting an album with twin fiddles." I love an album that starts with them, too. Atkins is a country guy and he makes a real good country guy CD filled with songs about the good things in life: fishing, rivers, tractors, lemonade stands and the like. He sings with the enthusiasm that a lot of us feel for this type of thing. His enjoyment feeds our own enjoyment of the songs. Even the melodies are filled with country staples: fiddles, steel guitars and, yes, cowbell.

We kick off with "Tell a Country Boy." This song is one of those double meaning titles. As stated in the chorus:

Yeah you can always tell him/ But you can't tell him much

It celebrates everything that is a country boy with some of my favorite lyics:

Now he ain't much for talkin'/
But he means every word he says..
…He'll go off and take a long walk/
When he needs some time to think/
Might even let you drive his truck/
When he's had too much to drink/
'Bout as true blue as Old Glory/
Waitin' out there on the porch/
You can always tell a country boy

The follow up to this is "Chasin' Girls," which for some of us might as well be chasing shadows. It is a song about what you think it is about; guys running after girls. Regardless of some gay guy's inability to full identify with the songs meaning, it's a great tune. It takes us through the youth of the singer; to his marriage and birth of twin daughters; to his "vision" of his daughters growing up. What I liked about this song the most, even though I knew from the start what it would be about, was the presentation of the lyrics with regards to the daughters:

Well that was then and now our twins are three/
And it's 'Who left the popsicle on the couch?'/
'Don't let that dog lick you in the mouth!'/
Up and down all around this house/
And right back to where I started out…

…Last night I had a nightmare/
The future was now here/
My little girls were in their teens/
And then these teenage boys appeared/
Oh no

"Friends with Tractors" is my next favorite song on the CD. This song calls to mind Tracy Lawrence's recent hit "Find Out Who Your Friends Are." The lyrics state:

They'll grow your groceries, haul a load/
Pull you out then fix the road/
They're good at slowin' speeders down/
When they pass through from out of town/
I live out in the country/
Happily ever after/
I got everything I need/
'Cause I got friends with tractors

This is exactly the kind of lyrics that some folks would make fun of, but would make country folks proud. It makes me proud because of the message behind it that your friends are true friends who would come and help you out. Additionally, I like some of the variety in rhyming the word tractor through the song: actors, crackers, factor. I also love the shout out at the end of the song to Larry the Cable Guy.

On the slower side of things is the song "The River Just Knows." This one will appeal to all of you who like to have your own quiet place to think. Where you go and air your ills and speak your mind to no one but nature:

'Cause the river don't talk/
The river don't care/
Where you've been/
What you've done/
Or why it is you're standin' there/
It just rolls on by/
Whisperin' to your soul/
It's gonna be alright/
The river just knows/

I strongly identify with this song. There is nothing like getting out there in the quiet of nature and just letting its peace bring you inner peace. The tempo with which this song is sung fits that peace; flowing like a river itself; helping to bring the memory of those peaceful places to mind and thus, being a "river" in tune that could help me out when I can't quite make it to that nature spot.

Finally, an honorable mention goes to the song "15 Minutes." It puts to a melody to the phrase "It was the worst 15 minutes of my life" and is actually a pretty good swing song.

Now, there is no denying that Rodney Atkins is a good looking man. I still break out the Honesty album that he released about five years ago just to stare at those sexy cowboy hatted pictures. Now, that he has switched to a ball cap that does not diminish the appeal of this country boy. It's his voice; those shining deep brown eyes that draw you in and that strong but soft country boy face. So, I was really looking forward to the CD booklet. Upon opening it, I found that the majority of pictures were all thumbnail sized with only one good shot of Rodney (from behind) in the bunch. Then, I took a closer look at the booklet and actually read some of the liner notes. On each and every one Rodney has written something personal about the songs.

As mentioned at the start of this review he says he likes double fiddles. Other comments include things like simple thanks or something he loves about the song or even the deep connection that he has with a particular song. I love knowing why artists choose such songs to go on their CDs. To me it brings something more to it. I almost like it more than having the lyrics in a CD booklet. So, I can be forgiving about the small size of the pictures.

One other photo that I do want to mention though is one where Rodney is giving his son a fist bump on stage; his son's about 5. It's a nice non-glamour shot that adds to the country aspect of this fella and the booklet; an additional nice touch and a very nice CD.

John Rich

Son of A Preacher Man

It's Big & Rich without the Big, and I mean that literally and tune-wise. John Rich gives us a really rocking album on his own, but the music isn't all that different as if he teamed up with Big Kenney Alphin. It's amazing to me how hard rocking Rich is on his own when songs that he writes for others: Gretchen Wilson, Jason Aldean and Faith Hill have a more toned down melody to them. I, personally, consider "Come to Bed", recorded by Gretchen Wilson, to be a contemporary music masterpiece. On his own, Rich rocks out so much that at times it's a little overpowering.

This is most apparent on songs like "Trucker Man"; another ode to those highway haulers. The guitars are meant to evoke the speed of a semi running down the road, but it sounds more like an airplane with the decibel level that they're tuned at. "Another You" is another one. Hearing this song I had images of Meatloaf going through my mind - the rocker, not the tasty ground beef concoction. Where I think that melodic power is most detrimental to the tune is the song "Why Does Somebody Always Have To Die." This song is about the sadness experienced when someone passes away because they just didn't listen: playing on railroad tracks, drunk driving and eventually Jesus' persecution. The song starts out haunting and slow and remains that way through the verses, but once you get to the chorus Rich's voice and the instruments rise up to a point that's melodramatic gothic. This is distracting from the message that comes across in the chorus, one that actually could apply to us with those of our community who have passed on before any kind of action was taken.

Why does somebody always have to die/
Before people listen, and open up their eyes/
There ain't no need for hurtin',/
or the bloody tears we cry/
So why does somebody always have to die/

A complete departure from the rest of the rocking tunes is the closing song "Drive Myself to Drink." This song goes completely in an opposite direction from all the previous tunes and Country in general. It's got a variety show/Broadway musical feel to it. The story of the song is how one can stay safe on the road by just being in your own back yard when you drink. Rich's voice and the melody of the song really bring out the showbiz. I have to give credit to Rich, he makes it work. While a song like this might normally be a misstep on an album, here it actually adds to it. That may be because of the overall wackiness that we have come to expect from musicians of a different color as Rich and partner in crime Big Kenny.

Honorable mentions also go to the songs "Turn a Country Boy On" and "I Thought You'd Never Ask" The first of these is still a little over the top with the rocking, but still works because of its lyrics:

You got to jump up in his four-wheel drive/
Put them Wrangler jeans on and cut them off thigh high/
Crank the Hank, find a football game/
And chug a beer ice cold/
If you want to turn a country boy on/

Change the gender on that as appropriate. The second song, "Ask", is a much quieter soft rock song about a man who finally has asked his girlfriend to marry him. The sweetness of the song comes from the words that I know many a person--man or woman--waiting on that ring has thought to themselves:

And she said "Hey boy I thought you'd never ask/
I've been lovin' on you since a long, long time ago/
And I can't believe you held out on me, letting all this time slip past"/
And she said "yes, and I thought you'd never ask

Booklet-wise, Rich really does a good job there. This man is an artist and it shows in the booklet. If you all read my Taylor Swift review for Fearless from the February Thirteen Spurs, you know that I consider that CD Booklet to be the pinnacle of what a CD booklet should be. Well, Preacher Man comes in a very close second. Rich has created some really dynamic and interesting images on this CD. It actually calls to mind some of the record album sleeves from my teen years. My personal favorite is one of Rich sitting in a car with night lights reflecting off of the driver's side window. Another shows Rich in the glow of a jukebox. A third is Rich going over music lyrics(?) by a Victrola. Each and every one of the pictures has some visual intrigue to it; bringing the booklet from being just mere photos to being much closer to art.

In closing, I really struggled with whether or not to even review Rich's second solo effort. For those of you who follow country news you may be familiar with Rich's views on Marriage Equality. For those of you who may not, Rich is not, at this moment in time, someone we could count on for great support. Regardless of this, I went ahead and did the review anyway. I approach these music reviews without prejudice toward the music or the person. Additionally, I feel that one of the ways to achieve equality and a change of hearts and mind is to have visibility. This review I consider to be part of that visibility. My hope is that by showing folks we interact with them that will help with making them rethink their opinions and help us open minds as we walk toward being realized as first-class citizens all the way.

Patrick Hunter
Trail Ride Coordinator
Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA)

Coosie's Corner

TEXAS SPARE RIBS

Ingredients

• 3 lbs Spare Ribs
• 2 Cans or Bottles of your favorite beer
• 1 Bottle of your favorite BBQ Sauce

Directions

1. Trim any excess fat from ribs. Place ribs in a Dutch oven or large cooking pot. Add 1 ½ cans or bottles of beer to cover ribs.
2. Bring to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low.
3. Simmer, covered, for about 2 hours or until fork-tender.
4. Drink the rest of the beer.
5. Prepare outdoor grill to medium heat. Place ribs on grill; brush with half of BBQ sauce. Grill, covered, turning often and brushing with remaining basting sauce, for 15 minutes or until slightly crispy on the outside.
6. It might be useful to have a few more beers as spares, just in case…:

The Vaquero Song

Album: Tonopah

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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)

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• Vaquero is Spanish for Cowboy
• From what I can gather, Juan Medina is a legendary cowboy ghost from the past
• Captain Dana operated a large California cattle ranch in the 1800s. More
• Todavía estoy aquí   is Spanish for   I am still here
• Reata is a type of lasso used to rope cattle and horses
• Barrancas is a deep gully or arroyo with steep sides
• In this song Juan is singing to us as a spirit or ghost

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My name is Juan Medina
A vaquero once was I

Now I live in the air above the pepper trees
Where are all the cattle, that belonged to Captain Dana
They're blown away like ashes in the California breeze

And once I rode the foothills
And I swung a long reata
I worked the hide and tallow trade in the land I loved

I rode in wooden stirrups
And the dust raised by my ponies
Was smoke, from my alter offered up to the God above

Todavía estoy aquí I am still here
Todavía estoy aquí my soul is dancing in the moonlight
I mingle with each grain of sand in the land that is my birthright
I am still here, todavía estoy aquí
I am still here, todavía estoy aquí

In the canyon and barrancas
And willows by the creek bank
I chased the wild cattle through the live oak trees

Cross valleys ridge and mesa
And the hills baked oh, so yellow
My ponies sleek and dancing were all a man would need

Todavía estoy aquí I am still here
Todavía estoy aquí my soul is dancing in the moonlight
I mingle with each grain of sand in the land that is my birthright
I am still here, todavía estoy aquí
I am still here, todavía estoy aquí

In the fog of early morning,
O' the misty haze of twilight
Beyond the sagging ruins of these adobe walls

You may see me in the dust,
That shimmers in the half light
Or hear me in the whisper, of the grass so green and tall

Todavía estoy aquí I am still here
Todavía estoy aquí my soul is dancing in the moonlight
Oh I mingle with each grain of sand in the land that is my birthright
I am still here, todavía estoy aquí
I am still here, todavía estoy aquí

My name is Juan Medina
A vaquero once was I
Now I live, in the air above of the pepper trees.....

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