WMA Festival Current Schedule

Update: Due to scheduling conflicts, the Fiddle Workshop has been cancelled.

Wednesday, November 19

9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Songwriters Workshop $100 / $125

Curly Musgrave
The WMA is proud to announce a pre-conference songwriter’s college with a renowned faculty of awardwinning writers/performers. Reserve your space NOW as space will be limited to the first 40 to register and, from the buzz going around, the workshop will be sold out. The cost is $100 for WMA members ($125 for non-members). Sign up on the Conference Registration Form. This is a “CAN’T MISS” event and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from some of the best writers in the genre.

Thursday, November 20

7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Registration & Ticket Sales
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mercantile, Silent Auction, Swap Shop
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Personal & Professional Development Workshops

9-11:00 Stage Presence – Juni Fisher & Belinda Gail
Step up your stage appearance without breaking the bank…hat shaping,
scarves, accessories, colors and a whole lot more!

Cancelled 9-10:30 Fiddle Workshop – Tim Johnson
Tim Johnson, 2007 WMA Instrumentalist of the Year, will give you
helpful hints and ideas on fiddling techniques used in Western Music.
Bring your fiddle!

11:00-12:00 DJ Panel – Joe Baker
This panel is dedicated to the memory of Howard Staub
Moderator: Joe Baker
Panelists: Dick Hall, Rick Huff, Barbara Richhart, O.J. Sikes, Al Krtil

10:30-11:30 Year of the Paniolo – Patty Clayton
2008 is officially the Year of the Paniolo….the Hawaiian Cowboy.
Hear the history of the Paniolo as will as the historic Cheyenne
Frontier Days Rodeo that is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year.

Lunch on your own

1:00-2:30 Singer, Songwriter Panel – Dennis Jay
New faces in Western Music talk about how they got started
and what keeps them going

1:30-4:30 Harmony Workshop – Marilyn Tuttle
This workshop explores harmony theory and practical application with fun
and easy harmony singing. Carolyn Baker is the founder of the Daughters
of the Purple Sage and is an Artist-in-Residence with The Music Center.
Marilyn Tuttle, the First Lady of Western Harmony, is member of the WMA
Board of Advisors and recipient of the WMA Pioneer Trail Award.

3:30-5:00 Harmonica Workshop – Gary Allegretto
Gary Allegretto is an award winning, internationally touring, professionally
endorsed harmonica player with a new CD, "Harmonicowboy". He pledges
that he can teach anyone to play a song ; in less than five minutes - no experience
necessary. If you've always wanted to learn to play cowboy songs on the
harmonica - the most beloved instrument of the West - this fun class is for you!
It's designed for the complete novice, although those with experience will enjoy
and learn from it as well. Participants will quickly learn the simple and fun
techniques to play several cowboy favorites including "Home On The Range"
and "Red River Valley" . Harmonicas are included, or bring your own in the
key of "C". All ages, 5 and up!

7:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies and Salute to Our Military
This evening is dedicated to our military veterans and those
who continue to serve. All military will be given complimentary
tickets to the concert.

Friday, November 21

7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Registration & Ticket Sales
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Day Shows
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Open Mic
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Mercantile, Silent Auction, Swap Shop
11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Living Legend Lunch
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. WMA Dinner
7:30 p.m. WMA Friday Night Opry
Host: Marvin O’Dell

Saturday, November 22

7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration & Ticket Sales
7:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. WMA Membership Meeting
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Youth Track with Showcase & Workshops
The WMA is making a concerted effort to reach out to young
people in 2008, both to the children of our members as well as
to students from Albuquerque and the surrounding communities.
Young people will have the opportunity to learn about songwriting,
poetry and performance skills from a faculty comprised of awardwinning
WMA artists. Workshops will be interactive in nature
and students will have the opportunity to showcase the skills they
are learning at the Festival.

11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Day Shows
11:00 a.m. Yodeling Contest
2:00 p.m. Harmony Contest
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Mercantile, Silent Auction, Swap Shop
7:00 p.m. 20th Annual WMA Awards Show
Host: Steve Taylor, WMA President Featuring Bill Barwick,
Donnie Blanz, Curly Musgrave & Belinda Gail, The Texas
Trailhands, Juni Fisher, Dave Stamey, Yvonne Hollenbeck,
Les Buffham and more……

Sunday, November 23

8:30 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Cowboy Church
Host: Troy Bateson
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Mercantile, Silent Auction, Swap Shop