Echoes Of The Trail 2010 A Success!


Echoes Of The Trail Cast Of 2010 Thanks You!

Echoes of the Trail 2010 was another rousing success! Fans are still telling us how much they enjoyed the superb entertainment, and even in these tough economic times, the purveyors of western goods were pleased with sales! One cowboy musician traveled six hours from Texas just to be on the open microphone! Dennis and Donna Williams' chuck wagon grub was yummy as usual, and Buck Rowland's Chile Diablo was outstanding as well. An extra treat was having Kenny Gordon back to assist with the chuck wagon feeds!

We thank all the vendors, businesses, and others who donated Silent Auction items, and all those who bid on them. We will publish a list of those donors in addition to the many individuals and businesses who made Echoes of the Trail possible with their donations. Of course, we are always indebted to Fort Scott Community College for providing the venue and much more help for the past 14 years!

We also thank the teachers who helped and encouraged the 5th and 6th grade students to research the American cowboy, the Old West, and its historical figures, and then write rhymed poetry about what they learned. This year we had two categories of kids' poetry, so six prizes were awarded to the talented young writers from local schools. Click to our: 2010 Kids Poetry Page for the winning poems.


Johnny Kendrick with sons Jackson and Sam

We are so grateful to our founder, Johnny Kendrick and his sons Jackson and Sam, plus their guest dobro player, Doug Earnest of Branson, Mo. (formerly of nearby Nevada, Mo.) for their wonderful performances Friday night. Every time we hear Jackson, we think, "a chip off the old block!" And Sam's fiddle playing gets better each year, not to mention the harmony the three of them do so well! We forgive them for throwing in some bluegrass, because after all, that's "Americana" too! You can bet some of those cowpokes and chuck wagon cooks played banjo and dobro as well as guitar! I could hardly sit still, and I was hooting and hollering with the rest of the audience! We can't wait until they cut a CD together!


Del Shields

Saturday night, Del Shields showed us what a wonderful voice he has, and that he is a yodeler also! His timing was perfect, and we thank him so much for gracing our Round Room Stage. His accompanist, Doug Coon was terrific, too. And, with his mom in the audience, Del allowed us to announce that he will appear on The Grand Ol' Opry! Way to go, Del ... and it all began at an Echoes of the Trail contest in 2004! Del is a co-host on RFD-TV's Best of America by Horseback, has recorded several CDs, and is working on a new, improved web site.

Included in our 12 selected cowboy poets and singers this year was Geff Dawson, and we thought he was every bit as good as Baxter Black! Geff was kind enough to come to Echoes, even though he was invited to perform at the Flint Hills Symphony held outdoors each year. (We asked him first!) We are glad that he was able to go directly from Echoes to the Symphony. Geff was hilarious, and also a very nice person. He has two CDs out, "2 Bar D Ranch" and "Geff Dawson, Cowboy Poetry," and sales were brisk. Click Here to visit Geff's website or the see the link on our "Partners Links Page"

Entertaining on the Round Room Stage and also in a classroom all day Saturday were Harold Carpenter of Sedan, Ks. with his droll humor; Wanda Cothren of Amber, Ok., with her beautiful voice; Geff Dawson, Alma, Ks.; Richard Dunlap of Louisburg, Mo. with his singing, guitar, and banjo playing; D. J. Fry of Oronogo, Mo., with his old classic cowboy ballads; Joe Lester of Kansas, Ok., with his music and his saddlery display; Ken Lorton of Vinita, Ok., with his cowboy poetry and deerhide braiding; Donna Penley of Haysville, Kan. with her touching cowboy poetry; Abe Reddekopp of Kansas City, Mo. with his traditional and original songs in Spanish and in English; Jerry Schleicher of Parkville, Kan., with his original humorous poetry about life on the farm; and Steven Spalding of Lebanon, Mo., with his deep, resounding voice and original songs. These and other members of the Missouri Cowboy Poets Association are the heart of the gathering.

We are grateful to Gary Wimmer for being Master of Ceremonies in the Round Room, and Cliff Sexton for his cowboy poetry and MC duties in Room A132. Both do a great job of keeping things moving!

Steve Spalding and Jerry Schleicher presented an informative workshop from 1-2 p.m. on writing cowboy poetry and music. The attendees felt they were given many useful tips, and some shared their cowboy poetry with the group. At the encouragement of the workshop attendees and presenters, Chuck Harris of Hepler, Kan. performed his original poetry during the Open Microphone.

Others entertaining on the Open Microphone were Royce Smithey of East Texas, Jim John of Wichita, Kan., Charlie Green of Overland Park, and Judy Hamilton of Fort Scott.

The weekend of fellowship and fun ended Sunday morning with 9 a.m. Cowboy Church, led by Richard Dunlap. Joining Richard in singing and playing old time hymns and giving inspirational recitations were Harold Carpenter, Wanda Cothren, D. J. Fry, Johnny Kendrick, Ken Lorton, Jerry Schleicher, and Steven Spalding.

Finally the attendees enjoyed pancakes and sausage cooked over an open fire by Donna and Denny Williams and Kenny Gordon, with help from Kenny's daughter and the Williams' granddaughter. Special thanks to Lloyd Howser for organizing distribution of paper plates and dinnerware, doing all the grocery shopping, supplying wood for the campfire, and posting signage for the gathering. Thanks to Ginger Thomas, Marlene Arndt, and Peg and Wayne Thorpe for helping.

Your Steering Committee members are founders Johnny Kendrick and Arnold Schofield, Marlene Arndt, Keitha Bohlander, Judy Howser, Diann Tucker, Gary Wimmer, and Cliff Sexton.

The committee wishes to thank volunteers who sat at the entrance and at the CD/book table during the event: Marlene Arndt, Rosemary Carruthers, Kelly Collins, Beverly George, Pat German, Joyce Gobl, Dale and Betty Johnson, Alwilla Karleskint, Joy Melendy, Arnold Schofield, Barbara Schoonover, Peg and Wayne Thorpe, and Diann Tucker.


Donna Carruthers and Arnold Schofield

We also appreciate so much all the vendors who displayed fine, hand made western leather goods, art, jewelry, home decor, homespun yarn, needlework, books, CDs, and more. They included Lynn Chaney of Little Luxuries, LLC., Fort Scott; ; Lisa Johnson of Elsmore, Kan., Joe and Kathy Lester of Kansas, Ok., Ken Lorton of Vinita, Ok., Judy and John Renard of Country Cupboard on Main Street in Fort Scott; Buck Rowland of Arma, Kan., Bob Snapp of Harrisburg, Ar., Steve and Carol Spalding of Lebanon, Mo., Ronald and Rosie Stranghoner of Iola, Ks.; David and Barbara Yates of Mound City, Kan.

It was a special treat to have Judy Johnston back with her boot shine stand, and to welcome new vendor Lisa Johnson with her goat's milk soaps and home-spun yarns; Bob Snapp with his jewelry made from cow and other animal horns; and Ron Stranghoner with his saddle making demonstration.


Lynn Chaney

The Steering Committee is already planning next year's gathering, which will be held the second full weekend of June, which will fall on June 10-12, 2011. Watch this site for information on new features and next year's performers. We will start on Friday night, June 10th as usual, and end Sunday, June 12th with cowboy church at 9 a.m., and chuck wagon breakfast afterward.

Also join the Facebook Group, Just click on this link: Echoes of the Trail, on which you can post ideas and opinions about Echoes of the Trail, and on which Judy Howser posts tidbits about our performers and other pertinent news. You must be a member of Facebook to join our group. We appreciate each person who joins!


MISSION STATEMENT

KEEP THE OLD WEST ALIVE PLEASE DONATE

Echoes of the Trail is possible only through the generosity of our donors. Our expenses each year include performer fees, advertising, contest prizes and awards, and more. The cowboy poets and musicians who attend are dedicated to our goal of preserving the history and memory of the cowboy in the Old West. Please help us to continue this worthwhile, high quality, cultural event by making a donation, which is tax deductible under the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County, Kansas.

You can also mail a check of support to:

Echoes of the Trail
2280 Hackberry Rd.
Fort Scott, KS 66701