February Message
from the CPU Presidency Gordon Thomas, Vice President

Had a great time in Elko. There is more to do down there than time will allow.
The poetry was great. The place was hopping from early morning to early
morning. The shows were standing room only - at least the ones
attended by Ben and I. Yes my best old Ranch hand Ben Isaac and
myself went sleepless in Elko for 3 days, (lets seeÖ we left Friday at
2pm and returned Monday at 5am - How many days is that anyway?)
We did get a room for showering purposes.
We attendedThe Michael Martin Murphy concert Friday night.
The jam session & Amy Clawson were also at the Stockmen's casino so this took
care of Friday.(we were also working on fuel money to get home on) Our own Brooksie was
seen having one of the more enjoyable happy moments. People from all over were there.
Saturday found us getting our passes so we could be entertained
-- and entertained we were. In the Auditorium Colin Sweetin was as always amazing.
Outside the Mongolian Horseman were skinning a woodchuck and cooking the same in its own skin.

A trip to J.M.Capriola Co. to look at bits, spurs, saddles, & tack
new and from the past is something everyone should experience. All though I must
admit I will have to get another job to afford $3000.00 saddles $600.00 spurs and straps.
The artistry and skill displayed in this shop is unsurpassed any where in the world.
GS Garcea you're the best!!!

The afternoon found us at the Cedar room Waiting
to hear from our own C.R. Wood, J.P. Carson, & Scott McKendrick. The host Steve Siporin
complemented C.R. J.P. & Scott on the way they changed the format and just took over the round.
I tell you these guys were great. From there we made our way to the Ruby room for another
of the greats, Don Kennington. No one, after listening to Women of The West & Shoeing Ol Rivet,
could ever dispute that Don is among the best. It just dosen't get any better!!! I
might add that these performances were to packed rooms, standing room only.
Well, if you're in Elko you need to experience some
Elko culture -- so our next stop
was at the Star Hotel, a favorite dining spot. Beef
Steak at its finest, but we had
the mutton. If you don't want more than
a 45 minute wait be there by 4pm. Served family style, simply delicious.

Before we got to leave we entertained
some folks around us with Ol Shep and the Bra poems,
got our pictures took and felt like celebrities. It was back to the Stockmans as I was to
meet my cousin there and take in the night shows. I
will add here that on Saturday alone there were over 45 differen't shows between 9am & 9pm. R.J.Vandygriff's Show, The
Cowboy ain't dead, yet was filled with both comedy and down right amazing facts plus great music.

Then Amy Clawson (I wasn't supposed to say
anything but I think Ben fell in love with her -- I know I did) followed By Murf. (Sitting front and
center stage one learned that this is what Michael Martin Murphay's friends call him.) Then Amy finished
out the night I think this was about 3am but who's keeping track? The jam
session is just getting over, and Ken Stevens is headed to the hotel as C.R. wants to
leave for home at 7am. Time to hit the tables at the Red Lion try to make enough for fuel
to get us home. Ben's luck seem's to have run out.

Better get back to the hotel to get checked out supposed to meet my cousin
Steve at the Stockmans for breakfast and a quick tour of some of the country around
the Ruby mountains.

Well head back in time to get to Wendover and
catch the football game. (missed Janets exposure -- I was trying to get fuel money at the time) A
friendly face, Amy from North Carolina was in the crowd she said she was glad she was
there -- if she were home she would be working and the people would be really crazy.

After the game we were still trying to get fuel money but
at some point we must have decided to use the credit card for fuel instead of cash -- at any
rate we found ourselves home at about 5am. No one could have it better!!!

Hope to see all of you at the meeting and jam session on the 21st.
I would like to personally thank all who took part at the Peteetneet Acadmey's roundup
held in January: Rocky Mountain Express,Lacy Bona, Steve & Rhondalee Paskins, Ken
Stevens, Dave Anderson, Steve & Terry Taylor (the musicians)Farrell Bott, JP Carson
, Andy Goudy, Fred Engle, Ben Isaac, Jo Lynne Kirkwood, Aaron Jones, Sam Deleeuw
(the poets.) All who attended had a great time and were really enjoyed.

Special thanks to Terry, Sam and Ben for helping set up line up and basically
doing all the work. It wouldn't have happened without you.
I thank you, The Academy thanks you. We will be discussing
future shows at the Academy at the meeting in February. Happy Trails!!!!

Gordon Thomas Vice Pres. CPU

And What I Liked Best About Elko This Year

From CR WOOD

Folks, Gordon Thomas has just talked your ear off without you
even being able to hear him, telling you the tiniest smidgen of what when on in Elko this last
weekend. Suffice it to say, Elko was once again an experience I shall long remember and hold
dear to my heart. Some of the finest of the fine performances included music and poetry of such caliber that I cannot hope my words will do justice, beginning with a sixty-five
piece fully symphonic orchestra directed by a former assistant conductor of our own
Utah Symphony, Mr. Kory Katseanes. This inspiration was the brainchild of Michael
Martin Murphy, in response to the Elko steering committee's request for a memorable
and unique way to mark the twentieth anniversary of the National Gathering - and
memorable it was indeed. This experience took place on Wednesday night, and consisted of
the American Buckaroo Orchestra (later identified as the BYU Philharmonic,) Mr. Waddie
Mitchell, Mr. Don Edwards, Mr. Michael Martin Murphy, and The Sons of the San Joaquin.
This unmatched consortium entertained us with an all Cowboy Music Concert,
with FULL ORCHESTRATION, which continued for three hours and fifteen minutes.
As does occur with performances of this nature, the evening included an intermission
- AND as befits a maestro, (fully outfitted with black tails, black boots, and a black
cowboy hatÖ) there was a general flurry of hand kissing and other salubrious
salutations - all designed to provide us with an evening of High Culture, Cowboy Style!!


Other notable highlights of the weekend included the opportunity to experience the
Mongolian Horsemen, fronted by an old herder who boasts a PhD in Mongolian studies.
His performance consisted of a series of Praise Songs, which are essentially very fine
Cowboy Poetry. These carefully metered and rhymed tales were translated to English by
interpreters, then sung in Mongolian by the gentleman herder, who also accompanied
himself. And when all was said and done, who could have ever known that Home on the
Range is, after all, an ancient Mongolian folksong?

I cannot finish without mentioning the fabulous Texas swing sound of Hot Club of
Cowtown - nor, most importantly of all, the unparalleled performance of our wonderful,
ever-respected, admired and appreciated mentor to poets and grandfather of all little
cowboys, Mr. Don Kennington. Don's renditions stole not just the show but the night,
as he in essence brought down the house on Thursday evening. Don, I am proud to know
you and to claim you as an associate and friend. And, knowing with those words I speak
for us all need I say more?

Skeeter’s Taters

Doug Brewer

A toughened bunch o’ cowmen
Comprised the Slug Crik crew.
Ropin’, smithin’, punchin’, brandin’,
Playin’ midwife, too_
Never was a task they’d shirk,
Each one, determined eye.
They lived and et and breathed and worked
And boasted fer the try.
‘Way to have it happen?
Scoff, "It can’t be done!"
And they’d wrestle fer the task, and . . .
We-e-l-l . . . that is, except fer one. . .
What with bitter cold’n scorchin’ heat
O’ ranchin’ and the likes,
The boys was all fer eatin’,
Came with ragin’ appetites_
But here there was a downside,
They’d ruther read a book!
O how these brazen broncsters shied
The lowly chore to COOK!
But it was goin’ on day six!
And Skeeter’s wearin’ thin,
A squirmin’, schemin’ in this fix,
And then he starts to grin . . .
For Lo! an idee came
That made eem downright giddy_
He’d thunk a way to bump this game:
He’d sorta "salt the kitty!"
Which is zactly what he done
When all come in fer noon.
He’s back there shakin’ fer the fun
When Digger dug a hefty spoon . . .
‘Bout to die o’ Skeeter’s crafty
Little joke to spike ‘em,
"Whoa!!" he croaks, "Them spuds is salty!
Ahhh . . . Jussa way I like ‘em!"

Who, What, When and Where

What's Happening in and around CPU

Stan Tixier tells usÖmy old brain seems to work about 2 steps
benind the needed action. When I got the Utah poets newsletter last time, I remembered
that I should have told you about an event of interest. Several of us put on a benefit
on Oct 23 for Miss Rodeo Utah,
Angi Prevedel, who will compete for Miss Rodeo
America in Las Vegas, Nat Rodeo Finals, 1st wk in Dec. Its expensive to be in such competition,
so to help her folks avoid bankruptcy, we did a show at Clearfield High School and it was wonderful!
Musicians/singers, Robin Arnold, Blue Sage (the Iversons), and Stampede (Terri,
Steve and Dave), plus poets Don Kennington, Bob Christensen and yours truly did the
entertaining and Angi was there to show her appreciation and tell of her aspirations.
The performers donated not only their time, but tapes, CDs etc for a drawing,
so those attending got more than just a show. Just thought you'd like to know. - Stan.

CONGRADULATIONS TO OUR VERY OWN DAVID ANDERSON!!!

Dave's album Ridin' Wild Horses has been listed
#8 on WMA's TOP TEN list, AND Dave's rendition of Great American Cowboy is
#6 on the top songs listing!!! WOW! ShaZAAAM!

Yvonne Holenbeck sends the following:
Poet Pat Richardson will be 70 on Feb. 11th. Want to send a card?
562 Breeze Ave. Merced, CA 95348

Feb. 24th will mark Elizabeth Ebert's 79th.
10930 208th Street, Lemmon, SD 57638

ROD MILLER will be featured in an upcoming issue of Western Horsemen

- and not just as a poet this time!

Watch for more information about which issue..

NEXT CPU MEETING will be a joint activity with the Utah Chapter of the WMA - April 3rd,
at the Mi Rancharita in Payson.
CPU Meeting is at 11:00 - WMA is at 12:00 -
and the jam starts about 1:00 PM.

SEE YOU THERE!!!.