Beckie Rock created both the Cowboy poster and the Saturday Sunset Series posters.

Thanks for your wonderful work!

By the way, there’s a SPECIAL rate for Wayne County residents for the Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival. It’s discounted to $15. Learn more at the festival website.

Come join the fun on Saturday May 26, 2012.

It’s simple!

Write a Poem…… Win a Cash Prize!

First Place $150

Second Place $100

Third Place $50

For more information, contact Frances Metcalfe by email at frances.metcalfe@wayne.k12.ut.us

Old Leather 

Having performed together for over ten years, this exciting group brings forth their talents and life experiences in the form of traditional and contemporary cowboy poetry mixed together with old-time western songs.

Their fast paced and engaging show will put a smile on your face and have you singing along. The Band consists of Gary Fulton, the poet who weaves together his stories and tales in a real down home cowboy way. Jim Witherspoon is on lead guitar, mandolin, and vocals along with his wife Janet Witherspoon who plays rhythm guitar, sings, and yodels. Recently joining the herd, David Nay sings and thumps the bass.

A common thread bonds together the members of this group. All four were born and raised in the Real West. Old Leather brings to their fans an authentic blend of family friendly, toe-tapping music, poetry and humor that is sure to please.

This year’s event, to be held Saturday, May 26, features an expanded line-up with old and new favorites, as well as a workshop that will seek to answer the elusive question:  Just what is cowboy music?

This year’s tentative schedule is as follows.  Tickets are available in advance or at the gate.

1:30-2:30 Cross Town Cowboys: “What’s this Cowboy Music Really all About?”

3:00-4:15  Old Leather

4:30-6:00 JC Needham

6:15-6:30 Wayne County High School Poetry Winners

6:30-8:00 Mary Kaye

8:00-8:30 Jeff Chappell

8:30- 10:00 Cross Town Cowboys

The Cross Town Cowboys write and perform original western music with an inspirational message. The Action, California-based act’s debut was nominated for Best Cowboy/Western Swing album for 2008 by the Western Music Association.

Old Leather is a Utah-based act featuring well-known old-time music stalwart Jim Witherspoon.  This trio combines cowboy music and poetry for a free-roaming exploration of song and verse.

J.C. Needham, the Buckaroo Balladeer, has notched multiple nominations as “Male Vocalist of the Year” by the Academy of Western Artists.  From his home base in Utah’s remote West Desert, he ropes, ranches, and writes songs about the life he knows.

The Wayne County High School Cowboy Poetry Contest winners will share their original verse about life in Wayne County, where the ranching tradition remains strong to this day.

Returning this year is Mary Kaye.  A native of Texas, she now lives in central Utah with her husband and children. Mary Kaye was recently awarded The Academy of Western Artist’s 2011 Western Female Performer of the Year. In addition, in 2010 she was named Female Vocalist of the Year by the Western Music Association.

Jeff Chappell is as authentic as a pair of well-worn batwing chaps.  A general practitioner at Wayne County’s medical clinic, he is also an in-demand musician.  A native of Wayne County, his performances have a lived-in feel that cannot be faked.

For more information on the May 26 festival,  visit http://www.torreymusicfestival.com/

By Steve “Saddle String” Lutz

We’re seeking films for our Second Annual Independent Film Contest at BIFF (Bicknell International Film Festival).

Low budget movies don’t need to be bad. They can be beautiful, breathtaking, and brilliant! Regardless of whether you’re a professional or novice film-maker, this is your chance to show that you don’t need a million dollars to make an engaging film.

A B-movie is a low-budget motion picture. It’s simply a category of less-publicized and lesser known movie. They can display a high degree of craft and aesthetic ingenuity, but they’re produced inexpensively. With your help, we can return to the day when you don’t need to be a millionaire to produce a great film. From serious to silly, the options for B-movie content are endless.

Some of our best-known film-makers started out making low-budget movies in their own backyards. You could be the next Steven Spielberg or George Lucas!

BIFF will hold its second annual Independent Film Contest this year. This year’s theme is DOOMSDAY: 2012. Entries must be 10 minutes or less. The deadline is July 1, 2012. Both professional and novice filmmakers are encouraged to enter.

More details can be found at the website at http://thebiff.org/ifc.html

Check out a demo film created to kick off first annual BIFF-IFC:  2011 Theme: Superheroes.

To learn more, go to his website at http://www.jcneedham.webs.com 

I live outside of Loa, with my parents Paige and Kerry.
I like to play the piano, and help out at the dairy.
I finally got accepted to the place they call the “Y”.
My parents always taught me to reach toward the sky.
I want to study English, and teach all that I know.
And maybe while I’m up there, I’ll find a handsome beau!

- Amber

This weekly student spotlight is brought to you by Wayne High School and the Entrada Institute scholarship committee. These spotlights are not only to inform the people of Wayne County about these fine seniors, but to encourage contributions to the “Scholarship of Excellence” program for students at WCHC. For more information about tax deductible donations, please call Frances Metcalfe at WCHS.

This weekly student spotlight is brought to you by Wayne High School and the Entrada Institute scholarship committee. These spotlights are not only to inform the people of Wayne County about these fine seniors, but to encourage contributions to the “Scholarship of Excellence” program for students at WCHC. For more information about tax deductible donations, please call Frances Metcalfe at WCHS.

Mary Kaye Knaphaus is back by popular demand! She was the 2010 Western Music Association Vocalist of the Year. Learn more…

Direct from the wild west of California are the incredible Cross Town Cowboys with their top rated western swing album, “That Old Prairie Moon”. Learn more…

Come back soon for a complete listing of this year’s events!