Instructions for Submissions
If you have an announcement or event, send it to cpofutah@gmail.com
A document that can be copied and pasted would be necessary.
Programs that ARE NOT compatible with this system are: Adobe Acrobat PDF and Microsoft Works Word Processor.
Programs that ARE compatible would be: Wordpad, Notebook, or text on a normal email message. Photos can be sent as an attachment to an email. Send each photo as an individual attachment.
********************
Events & Gatherings
CPU is now on Facebook
If you have a Facebook account, you can become a Fan of CPU. Click on the following link:
Once you become a facebook fan of CPU, you will be able to post comments and join discussion groups about subjects relating to Cowboys and Cowboy Poetry.
***************
2012
************
To all Members of CPU
Okay all, here is the deal. I would like to officially invite all of you to the CPU Summer Party, to be held Saturday, June 16th, in Elsinore, Utah.
The Day will begin whenever you arrive at a site many of you know because many of you have performed on the stage at the Elsinore Town Park. The address is 65 East 200 North, in Elsinore.
We will have our own Pavilion for the Day. If you arrive early, we'll have cold drinks and, if I can persuade Al Clark to bring Green River Water Melons, we'll have them in a horse trough cooling down.
For lunch, we'll have cold cuts, salads, and any desserts I can scrounge up. They will be out all afternoon so you can fill up before Barbaque Saturday evening.
Elsinore Town will host all performers to beef, pork, salads, camp beans, and ice cream, prior to their expectation that you will figuratively and literally sing for your supper.
I have arranged for both a stage, and a sound system with the intention of spotlighting you, my friends, to my friends here in Sevier Valley. I will be on the Radio Station, which covers this area, inviting all those friends to the Park for your performance. There will be no blocked performance slots. The format wil be a strict: one Poet-one Musician, or musical group, then back to another Poet until you all run out of steam, or the fireworks blow us off the stage.
I have spoken to CPU Chaplain, Marion Manwill, who is planning to conduct Cowboy Church on Sunday morning. We won't try to make you get up early, we'll start at 9:30 Sunday morning back in our own Pavilion on the park for the Summer Party's culminating event.
Please come, and please let me know you are coming so I can plan for food and drinks. I am REALLY pumped about you enjoying my part of the world.
I can be contacted at: diamondwauctions@yahoo.com, or 435-201-1705
C. R. Wood, Central Region Director
************
re: CPU Summer Party June 16th
Proposed Calendar Update
For the consideration of the members of CPU:
There are those among the membership of CPU who believe I wield entirely too much authority within the the organization, (And they are correct) but until my term ends, or the Executive relieve me of some portion of that responsibility, I will continue to function.
To Wit: as the Regional Representative for this geographical area, it is my responsibility to host the Summer Party for 2012. This get-together has historically been held around the Day Of The Cowboy, at the end of July. I propose to move the Party to June 16th.
Here is why. Our town, Elsinore, Utah, hosts a community party on that weekend. It isn't much of a deal, just a barbecue and fireworks, but the whole valley is invited, and there is a three and a half hour block of time between the dinner and the fireworks which is basically dead. I propose to fill it with recitation and music by members of the CPU.
Usually, folks will just bring their lawn chairs, their coolers, and let the kids run wild while they listen, or talk, and wait for it to get dark enough to shoot off the pyrotechnics.
I can get a stage of some fashion, a sound system, and a few chairs, for those who need them, and we can put on a show for the town. To make it fair, to all CPU attendees, the format for the show would be poetry-music, poetry-music on a strict rotation basis until we either drive away the townsfolk, or the reverberation from the fireworks drown out the stage performers.
If you agree to come, the Town will waive the use fee for the Park for our party. They will, foot the bill for a reasonable sound system, and feed you dinner in return for the entertainment. We can have use of the Park for all day, and even into Sunday, if you would like to have Cowboy Church. And, I can build in another non-paying performance opportunity, for our members.
I need to know from you, the members, if this is an activity, in which you would like to participate. I'm going to make it real easy, especially for me: If you do not take the time and make the effort to respond negatively to this proposal, I will assume, (remember what ASSUME means) that you, as members will support such an event, and I will move forward with preparations.
The Town is going to fill the time-block with something. We provide the best available alternative. I can be reached at 435-201-1705, or by e-mail at diamondwauctions@yahoo.com, for comment. Whaddaya say?
C.R. Wood,
regional rep.
To Wit: as the Regional Representative for this geographical area, it is my responsibility to host the Summer Party for 2012. This get-together has historically been held around the Day Of The Cowboy, at the end of July. I propose to move the Party to June 16th.
Here is why. Our town, Elsinore, Utah, hosts a community party on that weekend. It isn't much of a deal, just a barbecue and fireworks, but the whole valley is invited, and there is a three and a half hour block of time between the dinner and the fireworks which is basically dead. I propose to fill it with recitation and music by members of the CPU.
Usually, folks will just bring their lawn chairs, their coolers, and let the kids run wild while they listen, or talk, and wait for it to get dark enough to shoot off the pyrotechnics.
I can get a stage of some fashion, a sound system, and a few chairs, for those who need them, and we can put on a show for the town. To make it fair, to all CPU attendees, the format for the show would be poetry-music, poetry-music on a strict rotation basis until we either drive away the townsfolk, or the reverberation from the fireworks drown out the stage performers.
If you agree to come, the Town will waive the use fee for the Park for our party. They will, foot the bill for a reasonable sound system, and feed you dinner in return for the entertainment. We can have use of the Park for all day, and even into Sunday, if you would like to have Cowboy Church. And, I can build in another non-paying performance opportunity, for our members.
I need to know from you, the members, if this is an activity, in which you would like to participate. I'm going to make it real easy, especially for me: If you do not take the time and make the effort to respond negatively to this proposal, I will assume, (remember what ASSUME means) that you, as members will support such an event, and I will move forward with preparations.
The Town is going to fill the time-block with something. We provide the best available alternative. I can be reached at 435-201-1705, or by e-mail at diamondwauctions@yahoo.com, for comment. Whaddaya say?
C.R. Wood,
regional rep.
************
National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo
Kanab Utah , August 16th/18th 2012
*****Invitation to compete*****
Dear Poet,
The National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo, now is its 16th year, is looking for “A Few Good Poets” who would like to enhance their entertainment skills. This is your personal invitation join us in this unique, one-of-a-kind, world class workshop and western festival. The following is a brief overview of what we are all about.
The National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo—What is it????
“Excellence through competition”.
Several years ago a group of folks, realizing the value of Cowboy Poetry in keeping our Western Heritage in front of the publics eye, could also see that to gain and maintain interest in this art form, it must absolutely be written and presented in a professional manner. As “competition” seems to improve everything else--then why not poetry??? And to accomplish this task ---a “ Cowboy Poetry Rodeo!”
This multi-day event is organized as much like a stock rodeo as possible. Each contestant (Rider) pays an entry fee and may enter any one, or all, of the four events: “Poet/serious” or “Poet/humorous” (a poet performs their own work) “Reciter/serious” or “Reciter/humorous” (a reciter performs the work of others).
Each poets “ride” (delivery of their work) is judged by a panel of 5 individuals with backgrounds in cowboy poetry. The top 50% of the poets from the first days competition advance to the second go-round The four highest scores in each event receive prize money totaling just over $6000. The top score in each event will also receive a beautiful championship buckle or trophy along with an invitation to perform in the Saturday night’s headliner show.
The rodeo takes place in conjunction with the Western Legends Round-up, one of the West’s most prestigious festivals that attracts thousands of folks from around the globe who are interested in experiencing and preserving our “Old West” heritage, presenting entertainers an excellent opportunity to showcase talent and build reputation.
Other things to keep in mind: Kanab Utah is located in one of the most beautiful settings on earth, near Canyon Lands, Lake Powell, Bryce and Zion’s national parks, North rim of the Grand canyon, Grand Staircase national monument, Kaibab plateau and too many other scenic treats to mention here--and the weather in August is beautiful; warm days and an occasional afternoon thunder storm to cool things off. So, bring your family and make it the vacation of a lifetime---and keep in mind: there’s always the chance that you might pay for it out of your winnings.
If this letter leaves you with questions-- please write, call, or e-mail me;
Best regards
Sam Jackson, producer
4675 East Grand Vermillion ave
Kanab Utah 84741
e-mail last2camp@kanab.net
phone (435) 899-1100
A Premier Workshop!
an essay by S.A. Jackson
The National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo is looking for a "Few Good Poets" who might like to enhance their writing, reciting and entertaining skills while winning a few $$ dollars and gaining some pretty good publicity.
‘Excellence through competition’ is our theme and over the last dozen years has certainly proven its effectiveness. Among this years (2010) featured performers in Elko were 16 who have competed in the NCPR, five of them silver buckle winners and just about everyone of them will tell you that this competition greatly enhanced their skills.
I realize that not everyone is up to poetry competition. I spoke recently with one fellow who carried a pretty dim view of poetry contests. "Well now," Sez I, "If this were just a cowboy poetry contest I'd throw in with you, however the Cowboy Poetry Rodeo is much more than just a contest, it’s a premier learning experience, the absolute best workshop you could ever imagine. The highest score, or who’s the best poet, isn’t what it’s about. This competition is specifically designed to make ‘fair poets good’ and ‘good poets better’! An event that allows the poet, by participating or just watching, to gain a host of new ways of improving their expertise. Our unique approach is to pit the skills of one poet against those of another in such a manner as to further develop the talents of both, with an over-riding goal of advancing the genre’ of cowboy poetry to a degree benefiting both performer and audience.”
Now here’s a surprise—There are those among us who may not be [quite] so good as their wife, mother or hired hands would have them believe. For that group, this is where ‘The hoof meets the trail, this is where we find out how we stack up against our peers, where we get a good look at ourselves through the eyes of folks not setting at our table. Yes, some feelings will get hurt, a few to the extent they give up performing, (or at least competing) but most say "Whoa---I can do better and they do, but either way both the genre’, and audience come out ahead. Perhaps we could call the process a “Verbicide”
The vast majority use the experience to watch, listen, learn and improve, and by taking that approach, there are no losers! Those not scoring in the money have won something far more valuable, knowledge! So if they are smart (and most cowboy poets are) they now have the tools for improving their writing, reciting, stage presence and total performance, putting themselves in greater demand as entertainers, which in turn gleans a bigger audience eventually bringing with them their friends and their friends, friends Get the picture?
What the heck's a Cowboy Poetry Rodeo?
by S.A. Jackson rev.10/15/10
“Excellence through Competition!”
The Mission:
Encourage ‘fair’ poets to become ‘good’ and ‘good’ poets to become ‘better’.
The Challenge:
To apply fairness and consistency in judging the skills — and choosing the better performers in — a cowboy poetry competition.
The Stage:
The Cowboy Poetry Rodeo is an event, fashioned after a stock rodeo, designed to pit the skills of one cowboy poet against those of another in such a manner as to further develop the talents of both, with an over-riding goal of advancing the genre of cowboy poetry to a degree benefiting both performer and audience.
Each Fall, somewhere in North America an unusual event takes place called the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo. Now, if you might be wondering, “What in tarnation is one-a-them-thar thangs?” read on—
Some years ago, a couple of fellers sensing that the genre of cowboy poetry, if presented in a positive manner, could become a valuable tool in keeping our western heritage alive, as well as a serving as a rostrum for spreading the message that “Most resident stewards of our western lands are doing a noble job as caretakers, and a little less help from outsiders might be in order!” It could even go so far as to help rearrange the general public’s negative opinions toward public land use and, who knows, even salvage someone’s livelihood? Last, but not necessarily least, it could be promoted as acceptable, western Americana entertainment. However, to gain a nobel status of that sort, it must be written and presented in a professional and entertaining manner.
Enter: “Excellence through Competition” via the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo. As previously stated: this event isn’t just about “who’s the best poet,” but is specifically designed to Improve the genre’.
To give it a more distinctive western flavor, the two-day competition, is organized much like a stock rodeo and judged in two divisions; Rising Stars and Silver Buckle. Rising Stars are those poets having never won first place in an event and Silver Buckle consists of those who have. (Once a Rider (Poet) rider wins a silver buckle they must then compete with other winners and can no longer enter the Rising Star division.)
Each Rider pays an entry fee for each event entered and may enter any, or all, of the four:: Poet/serious or Poet/humorous (a “Poet” performs his or her own work) “Reciter/serious” or “Reciter/humorous” (a “Reciter” performs the work of others).
Each poet's “Ride” (delivery of their work) is judged by a panel of 5 individuals with extensive pastoral backgrounds and expertise in cowboy poetry.
The top 50% of the poets from the first day's go-round advance to the second go-round The top score in each of the four Rising Stars events receives a beautiful Silver buckle, with the four winners in the Silver Buckle events each receiving trophies. The rider with the highest “total points” also receives a “High money ” trophy and 50% of the winners are invited to perform in the evening headliner shows.
The 1st through 4th place scores, (totals from round one and round two) in each event, in each division, receives prize money. Purses are awarded as follows: 1st place, 50%; 2nd place, 25%; 3rd place, 15%; and 4th place, 10%. The total purse, usually around $6,000, is comprised of entry fees plus added money from the sponsors.
Judging Criteria: Quality + Theme + Presentation = Score.
Quality:
Scoring weight: Poet field: 1 to 10 points, Reciter field: 1 to 5 points
Criteria:
· Does the material presented tell its story in a clearly painted mind picture?
· Does the poem have rhyme and meter, if it is intended?
Theme:
Scoring weight: Poet and Reciter field: 1 to 5 points
Criteria:
· Is the material interesting and in good taste for a general audience?
· Does the material fit the CPR’s definition of Cowboy Poetry as per our definitions?
· “Humor,” in itself, must not add inappropriate weight to any score.
Presentation:
Scoring weight: Poet field: 1 to 5 points, Reciter field: 1 to 10 points
Criterion:
· Theatrics: body language, facial expression, voice projection, accent, diction;
How well they are used and how well do they fit the theme.
Scoring:
a- For each ride, judges will assign a score of 1 to 20 points, in ½ point increments. The highest and lowest scores are discarded, leaving the sum of the mid three as the rider’s official score for that event.
b- Example: A rider receiving initial scores of 12 ½, 14, 15 ½, 15, and 17 would end up with a total of 44½ points; (both 12 ½ [low] and 17 [high] are discarded). 60 points would be a perfect score. Scores are assigned immediately after each presentation with a tally kept in full view on stage.
I Am a Convert by, Andy Nelson
A smile comes to my face as I remember the life lesson taught to me by a simple roadside sign. It was on an old dirt, two track road and it simply read, “Choose your rut carefully, you will probably be in it for the next 30 miles”. The life lesson part came as I realized that we often choose paths that may trap is in a rut for a good part of our lives, therefore I’ve tried to remain open minded to new things and still hold close the opinions I call my own.
So, when I first considered entering a cowboy poetry competition, my gut reaction was that cowboys expressing themselves in verse is not a competition and has no place in the cowboy lore... then I had to remind myself of a few basic concepts:
• A cowboy once stated that he could ride a bronc better than anyone else in the crew and thus saddle bronc riding competitions were born.
• Another cowboy bragged that he could rope and tie a calf better faster than anyone around and tie down roping contests got their start.
• Then some rancher said that he raised the best beef in the country and challenged any rancher to prove him wrong in the show ring.
• Another horseman boasted that the bloodlines in his remuda turned out the best working ranch horses in the world and the AQHA Congress judged the entries.
I came to the realization that there is no difference between these cowboys and the cowboy that believes he can write a verse or spin a yarn better than anyone. The only flaw in this theory is that there has to be an organization that levels the playing field and judges the contestants. Enter, the “National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo”. The only such organization, whose mission statement is “Excellence Through Competition”. Upon receiving the notice of a cowboy poetry rodeo, I saw the opportunity to show someone other than my family that I was a competent cowboy poet.
Certainly my poetry was good as the expert’s and I shouldn’t have any trouble taking their money, so I entered the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo with high expectations. My poor ego was sorely bruised after that first competition and I left with feelings of betrayal and animosity instead of a buckle and a paycheck. Surely the judges were mistaken and needed one more chance to recognize my brilliance, so I entered the competition the following year without changing a thing, my writing, presentation and demeanor were all the same... and the end result was the same. After the second year of crash and burn, I became more humble and more open to receiving advice. I spent the next years not participating, but learning from those who did. I went, I watched, I studied and I learned from those who competed, as well as from those who didn’t. I became a student of style, rhyme and meter. I had become teachable.
Now, cowboy poetry rodeos are not for everyone, just like bronc riding isn’t for everyone. But if you do decide to participate, perhaps you can learn from those who have gone before you with these simple tips:
• Check Your Ego at the Door: Everyone wants to win. Your poetry is like your children, it is bigger, better, faster, stronger and better looking than everyone else’s. Keep in mind, it is not you against them, it is how can we make each other better.
• Do it for the Right Reason: The driving force behind entering a cowboy poetry rodeo should be the urge to better yourself through competition. If fame and fortune is what you seek, this is the wrong place to do it.
• Close Your Mouth and Open Your Mind: Learn to accept creative criticism in th spirit it is meant, as a way to help you hone your writing and performing skills. Learn, grow and improve from what others are teaching you.
• Exorcize Your Own Demons: We all have personal demons that retard our progression. Be they public speaking, competition, fear of rejection, whatever... learn to cope first, then dismiss them altogether.
• Observe Before You Compete: Take some time to observe how these competitions work before entering. Familiarize yourself with the pace, mechanics and surroundings of the event until you are comfortable with the process.
• Ask the Experts: Make sure you understand the rules. Ask the organizers to clarify anything you do not understand. Ask the judges about what points they will be judging you on. The only stupid question, is the one you didn’t ask.
I can’t say that cowboy poetry competitions have changed my life, taken me to the summit or even given body to my dull, lifeless hair... but I have seen the light in a way. When it comes to writing, I dig deeper for content and meaning, I pay more close attention to rhyme and meter, and I nurture purpose and feeling in my performances. I am truly grateful to friends and associates that thought enough of me to share a kind critique periodically and also for a certain cowboy poetry competition that helped me drive out of a rut that could have been stuck in for the remainder of my life.
This page was last updated: May 8, 2012
Arden Gailey
Kenny Hall
Memorial Day Weekend on Antelope Island
Sam Jackson
Stan Tixier
