Cowboys and cowgirls, musicians and singers, poets and writers, trick ropers, Quanah Parker family members, trade show vendors with everything from cowboy hats to custom-made knives, and National Championship Chuck Wagon cooking experts poured in to Lubbock from September 10th through the 13th for the 21st National Cowboy Symposium. The convention center and area surrounding it was a buzz with excitement. From 10 AM until 5:50 PM Friday and Saturday you could find performances featuring singers, poets and musicians on four stages and four or five rooms with exhibitions of trick and fancy roping, and various western subjects. Three special performances were held in the Convention Theatre featuring guests performers. There was something for everyone interested in the western way of life, whether you were a participant or a fan.
Three of the best in the trick roping business and one up and coming youngster put on shows that thrilled the audience which included many school children from the area. Bruce Brannen, from Pike Road, AL, Brice Chapman of Lubbock, TX, and Bandera, TX, natives Kevin Fitzpatrick and son, Will, age 11, made their ropes do everything from the Ocean Wave to the Texas Skip. The trick and fancy ropers even included some of the children in the audience in their acts and Brice included his dog.
A Horse Demonstration by Chance O’Neal of the famous Four Sixes Ranch and the West Texas Native American Association held events in the park. The Chuck Wagon cook-off shared meals both Friday and Saturday allowing attendees to sample their tasty fare. A Parade of the Horse, paying tribute to this majestic animal and showing horses of all sizes, shapes, colors and breeds was seen Saturday morning.
The extravaganza was kicked off on Thursday evening by The American Cowboy Culture Awards Banquet and Program. The Award winners included; Stran & Jennifer Smith, of Childress, TX, who received the Rodeo Award. Stran is the 2008 World Champion Tie-Down Roper and Jennifer was the 1995 Miss Rodeo America and presently interviews PRCA cowboys during televised rodeos on ESPN. Three Western Music Awards were presented to Johnny Western, of Wichita, KS, appeared in many western television and motion pictures, and long-time singer and song writer of many television theme songs, such as Palladin, and Bonanza, two themes to his credit; Guy & Pip Gillette, of Crockett, TX, cowboy and western singers who include celtic songs in their repertoire and play a variety of instruments including the ‘bones’; and Annie & Amy Smith, singing twins that play guitars, from Valencia, CA, formerly from the Cheyenne, Wyoming area. Their intricate lyrics and soulful harmonies have been heard around the world. The Ranching Award was presented to the 1880 established Spade Ranch, of Lubbock and Colorado City, TX, and was accepted by John Welch, the president. The Western Writing Award was given to Gail Woerner, of Austin, TX, (one of our own here at rodeoattitude.com) who has four history books on rodeo and has written many articles for various western periodicals. Two Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Barry Corbin, from Fort Worth, TX, actor who has been in many television and movie westerns and performs on stage, and R. W. Hampton, a well-known western musician, from Cimarron, NM. A Special Award was also presented to Bill Brewer, of Amarillo, for his years of achievement with the American Quarter Horse Association.
Many additional entertainers and panelists, too numerous to name, performed throughout the weekend to the joy and delight of the crowds. The weekend was topped off by a Chuck Wagon Breakfast Sunday morning and Cowboy Non-Denominational Devotional Service.
If you’ve never attended the National Cowboy Symposium put it on your calendar for next year. It is held the weekend after Labor Day. Help keep the culture and heritage of the American Cowboy alive!
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