Performers in California

Cowboy performer (also offering unique harmonica workshops):

“…A real crowd pleaser…a show by himself, with his ability not only with his harmonica, but also a great singer and guitar player. A real triple threat!”  ~Visalia Cowboy Cultural Committee

 “Harmonica extraordinaire…Gary can truly make that harmonica talk…his harmonica runs the gamut from that high, sweet, lonesome sound of the plains, to steam locomotives, to cowboy boogie. An absolute must-see!” ~The Bear Valley Buckaroos

I'm a child of the West...the far West...Los Angeles. I'm a city kid who has always loved the open spaces. I was raised on cowboy movies and western displays at museums wherever I could find them. I've been involved with music all of my life and have touched Western Music at various times. It's been these last four years, however, in which I focused on this form of traditional music to the exclusion of others.

WMA Awards:
1997 Songwriter of the Year
1997 Song of the Year ( "Kinney Rim" co- written with Michael Fleming)

Jim was born in Cherokee, Iowa, a descendant of 1840s homesteaders, then moved soon after by well intentioned parents to California for the benefits of city life. Primarily he writes poetry, but he also writes songs, essays, short stories and novels. He has performed original Cowboy Poetry at venues throughout California and Nevada. From 2002-2004, he hosted a live radio poetry program featuring some of the finest talent in cowboy poetry and music.

Cisco Jim performs an extensive repertoire of trail songs and buckaroo classics. His smooth baritone voice can draw the audience back to a simpler life, a time when pioneers crossed the prairie and tamed the West, when cattle was king and man's best friend was his horse. Cisco likes to research the history and authenticity of western songs. Like cowboys of old, he writes of horses he's ridden, experiences on the trail, and the western way of life.

I have been in love with all music genres since I was a youngster. The two that influenced me the most were Honky-tonk country and western (Cowboy). I grew up listening to Country. I used to sing along with my cousins. Since embarking on this career, I have been fortunate to have played at places like: The Gene Autry Museum, Taste of Encino, and various benefits. My group and I have entertained at many venues.

The Cross Town Cowboys record and perform original and traditional Western music. The boys believe very deeply in the positive power of music to inspire. It is the band’s sincerest wish to help return Western music to the forefront of American culture. The band hopes to lend a hand to our fellow countrymen in the return to the values set by our cowboy heroes. The Cross Town Cowboys are out to “Save The West!”

Specializing in songs of the Golden West, Daughters of the Purple Sage are internationally acclaimed for their remarkable vocal blend and nostalgic style. With numerous nominations from the Academy of Western Artists and the Western Music Association, The Daughter's continue to delight audiences with the signature three-part harmony and arrangements of classics such as Tumblin' Tumbleweeds and Shenandoah. The Daughters music is played on radio stations throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

George has performed at numerous western music festivals throughout the western United States with legendary music artists like Dave Stamey, New West, Sourdough Slim, Curly Musgrave and Belinda Gail to name a few . He will be performing this year at the Big Bear Festival, the Tombstone Festival and Tucson Festival as well as many others. George was instrumental in developing the "What A Cowboy Knows" Festival in Bakersfield, CA.

Ray Doyle is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and member of popular cowboy band Wylie and the Wild West.  Born in Dublin, Ireland, he emigrated with his family to Canada, then to California.  In the mid 80’s, Ray’s band  “Reach for the Sky” appeared on the acclaimed LA country compilation album, “A Town South of Bakersfield” and played honkytonks and ranch parties, theme parks and punk clubs.  Ray’s songs have appeared on records in the U.S., Europe and Australia.

Singer/songwriter Belinda Gail is one of the most sought after women performing Western Music today. Her breathtaking performances, have earned her the Western Music Association's award for 'Female Performer of the Year' for an unprecedented five years Numerous other awards and nominations confirm her energy and appeal as a performer.

Jerry Hall and Trick Shot has shared the stage with numerous celebrities, both country and western. They have appeared at Cowboy Poetry shows around California, Wyoming and Nevada, and frequently work with well-known Cowboy Poet Jesse Smith. They have worked with Baxter Black, Waddie Mitchell, Chris Isaacs, Pat Richardson, Virginia Bennett and 2001 Cowboy Poet of the Year, the late Sonny Hancock. The group has also worked with many other country performers.

Singer / songwriter, Paul Hendel has been a favorite in southern California for over twenty years. He has appeared on the television show "Murder She Wrote" and regional television in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. By sharing his love of Western Music through his uniquely distinctive voice, Paul accomplishes his goal of being a player and participant in the promotion and preservation of Western Music.

Joe Herrington, the Campfire Storyteller, is a novelist, cowboy poet and western storyteller. His stories and poems are homespun and told in the Western tradition of honor, courage and rugged characters. His stories and poems not only entertain but also prod the soul with a truer understanding of the deep values and solid character of the American Cowboy.

The Lost Canyon Rangers are proud to be members of the Western Music Association!! They are also blessed and honored to be the recipients of the 2005 Will Rogers "Rising Star" Award!! In 2005 alone, they received 13 separate award nominations by the Western Music Association and the Academy of Western Artists, with two resulting in the "Top 10" & two more in the "Top 5" categories! "The Rangers" thank every one of you for your continued support!!

Traditional, contemporary, and original songs of the American West are the music of award winning songwriter and cowboy & western balladeer Rodger Maxwell. His rich descriptive baritone blends with his unique guitar styling for a distinct performance.  Folks say that Rodger's songs take them back to the old west.  His dad had a show on WRNY radio, in the 30’s, singing cowboy songs, so he really is the “Son of a Cowboy Singer”.

Veteran country singer and recording artist, Artie was one of the pioneer black country music singers in the 50s. Artie was host and producer of “Continental Country” in the Southeast Los Angeles area on Continental Cablevision.  He was chosen as a regular on the Bog D Jamboree and appeared on the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, Louisiana. He also appeared on the Saturday Night Jamboree in Houston, Texas.

Nominated For:
2001 Male performer of the Year
2001 Song of the Year
2001 Crescendo Award

An acoustic group from the foothills of Georgetown, the Old West Trio performs both traditional and contemporary Western music with minimum instrumentation and maximum sound. Nothing remains as intriguing as the cowboy, and the theme of the American West serves as an anchor point for the Old West Trio to explore their musical interests. Members Steve Ide (rhythm guitar), Leslie Ide (upright bass), and Steve Johnson (lead guitar) sing cowboy songs that encompass a variety of genres, including gunfighter ballads, western swing, and lively yodeling tunes.

Born with a cowboy soul, Susan grew up with a love for horses, cowboys, rodeos and all things Western. Susan began writing contemporary poetry and prose in 1995. Her passion for cowboy poetry was sparked in 2003 after attending the Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival. It burst into full flame shortly thereafter. Intrigued by pioneering women of the West, Susan has become a student of their writings.

Nominated For:
1997 Male Performer of the Year
2001 Male performer of the Year

Baxter Black once said about Pat Richardson's poetry, "If you boiled cowboy poetry down to what's worth savin', this is what the stew would smell like." His dangerously hilarious poetry has earned him many appearances at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, and at other top gatherings and events. He's received the Academy of Western Artists' Top Male Poet Award. Pat rode colts, rodeod, worked on ranches, and was a cartoonist for "The Pro Rodeo Sports News."

Warner Sankman was born and raised in rural Connecticut and moved to Texas in 1959. While attending the University of Texas, he developed an interest in folk music, which soon grew to include other forms of traditional music such as bluegrass and western music. Now a Californian for over 30 years, Warner has performed as a single, and as a member of several bands playing a variety of traditional country, folk, and western music.

WMA Awards:
1997 Duo/Group of the Year
1998 Duo/Group of the Year
1998 Songwriter of the Year (Jack Hannah)
1998 Song of the Year
1999 Duo/Group of the Year
1999 Songwriter of the Year (Jack Hannah)
2000 Songwriter of the Year (Jack Hannah)
2000 song of the Year 2001 Duo/Group of the Year
2001 Songwriter of the Year (Jack Hannah)
2001 Song of the Year
2001 Traditional Western Album of the Year

WMA Award:
2000 Male performer of the Year

Nominated For:
1997 Male Performer of the Year
1998 Male Performer of the Year
1998 Songwriter of the Year
1998 Song of the Year ("Montana" by Dave Stamey)
1999 Male performer of the Year
1999 Songwriter of the Year
1999 Song of the Year ("Montana" by Dave Stamey)
2000 Songwriter of the Year
2001 Male performer of the Year

The duo - Ron and Anna Green joined WMA in the year 2000. They entertain young and old with Western, Folk and old Country music we all remember. Everyone can join in singing on many songs and often laugh along as well. In 2004 they were inducted into the Old Time Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame, honored as performers, educators and coordinators of a family music camp where all can play and sing along around the campfire.

Judy Taylor and the Wild Oats Band consist of all women musicians and singers. Judy is a Southern California cowgirl singer, entertainer and performer of Western, Standards, Cajun, Spanish, Folk Americana and Classic-Country Music. Judy Taylor is real wild- west Cowgirl trick roper, bull whip artist and gun spinner who can entertain for a concert or any unique special event.

Trails & Rails is a high energy, blended harmony group with an extensive and varied repertoire. Best of all, we have a lot of fun sharing this music together and with our audiences. For the Trails & Rails “Quatro” group, Walt Richards and Paula Strong are joined by Bruce Huntington, who adds his songwriting talent as well as harmony and very tasteful bass playing. And by excellent instrumentalist, Ken Wilcox.

As their name suggests, The Tumbling Tumbleweeds are a tribute to The Sons of the Pioneers.  Though SOPs are the "blue print" they do bring their very own unique brand of entertainment to the world of Western Music with a show complete with singing, humor, storytelling and a bit of fancy western footwork They also write and perform their own original songs! It is the mission of The Tumbling Tumbleweeds to reach and engage as many young people as possible so that the legacy of Western Music isn't lost but will live on to the next generation of music lovers.

Tony has been playing music for over fifty years.  He began as a gospel piano player and singer in his teens and as a country musician played Carnegie Hall to the Palomino.  Tony has played at cowboy events at the Autry Western Heritage Museum, Elko, Monterey, Stagecoach Music Festival, the Lone Pine Film Festival and the Kern County Museum.  He plays concerts, clubs, campfires, cowboy gatherings, parties and dances – for the love of the music. Tony recently released a cd of original cowboy music called Music From Redwing Ranch.

Fiddlin' Pete has been playing his own brand of high-energy, traditionally based Western Folk music for over thirty years. Out on the road, hitching, riding freights, and traveling in the "Lone Prairie Schooner" (pick- up/camper). Fiddlin' Pete has become a popular entertainer throughout the Eastern Sierra region, playing at festivals, county fairs, schools, churches, dance halls, ranch gatherings, and for the outfitters who pack stock into and around the Sierra Nevada wilderness.

Joyce is not only a fine songwriter who writes poignant cowboy songs, but also a wonderful singer in her own right. Her western hit, "He's Courtin' Annie," has been recorded by several award winning western artists.