Saturday, May 21, 2005
Cowboy Poetry at Tinney Chapel 05-21-05
Poetry Readers during the Fourth Annual Jim Asbill Cowboy Poetry Gathering at Tinney Chapel UMC included, left to right, Joe Dan Boyd (reading poetry composed by the late Josh "Pup" Cherry), Maryann Miller (also Board Member of Trails Country Center For The Arts), Odena Glover Brannam (at 95, our oldest poet), Tinney Chapel Pastor, Rev. Duncan Graham, Danny Lake (also a working rancher and perennial MC of this event), Angela Wylie (also Tinney Chapel's ace digital photographer), Larry Mitchell (prominent Christian Cowboy Poet of Wood County). Photo by Kevin Tinney, following instructions by the camera's owner, Angela Wylie, Kevin's mother.
Danny Lake, whose ranch is literally in the shadow of the Tinney Chapel UMC sanctuary, and is also this event's Master of Ceremonies, is a prolific composer of cowboy poetry. In addition to serving as wrangler for the eager band of poets, Danny treated an appreciative crowd to such readings as The Old Saddle, Third Generation, The Habit, The Midnight Ride, The Christian Horse, Limericks and Rattlesnake Race. Photo by Angela Wylie.
Odena Glover Brannam, a big hit at this event last year, turned in a repeat performance at the 2005 Gathering, and read widely from her vast body of eclectic work. Brannam's poetry is sometimes amusing, sometimes melancholy, but always touches the heart. Many of her compositions appear autobiographical. Others suggest a studied commentary on the the art of life, especially as lived by someone already half through her ninth decade. Tonight's highlights included Morning Watch, A Reminder To My Workaholic Sister, Grammar Yammer, People Called It Rain, To Oleta On Her 90th Birthday, The Owl Called My Name, In Regard To Hell, Leave That Lizard Alone, First Betrayal, Why, Birthday Greetings To An Unloved Co-Worker, Doing The Math Of The Astronauts. Photo by Angela Wylie.
Larry Mitchell is a prominent Christian cowboy poet who lives in Quitman, the Wood County seat. One of his best-known compositions, A Tribute To Jim, honors the memory of Jim Asbill, for whom this event is named. His readings tonight also included Riding For The Brand, Saddle Pards, Cowboy Church, Riding The Night Herd, Riding The Night Herd Part 2, A Dang Good Old Horse, Jake The Rancher, Top Hand and Chasing The Wind. Photo by Angela Wylie.
Maryann Miller is a published author, member of the Trails Country Center For The Arts and Editor of the outstanding online publication, Winnsboro Today. To read Maryann's article about tonight's event, click HERE Her poetry readings tonight included Hear The Music (a poignant commentary on life), The Breath Of God (short, sweet and oh, so majestic), The Dignity Of Ages and Dear One (a letter to her grandson). Photo by Angela Wylie.
Joe Dan Boyd picked guitar and sang a traditional cowboy song, The Old Chisholm Trail, then read cowboy poetry composed by his great-nephew, the late Joshua Eric "Pup" Cherry, who died in a tragic accident on April 4, at age 20, after an exemplary life as a Christian witness, honor student, disciplined worker, devoted son, loving grandson and highly successful rodeo contestant. Josh's 4-state Bull Riding Championship, hand-tooled saddle, in photo below, was on stage during tonight's event, which was attended by his parents, Eddie and Robin Cherry. The Josh Cherry poetry read tonight included The Ride Of Our Lives, Corsicana Trip, Last Ride Of The Wildman, This Weekend and Seize The Day. To read about the short but brilliant life of Josh Cherry, click HERE Photo by Angela Wylie.
Tinney Chapel Pastor, Rev. Duncan Graham, closed tonight's Cowboy Poetry Gathering by reading The Ranger's Prayer, a composition associated with the Texas Rangers law enforcement organization. Photo by Angela Wylie.
Bluegrass Super Group, FM 852, provided outstanding entertainment as tonight's attendees dined on brisket barbecue with all the trimmings, prepared by Tinney Chapel Men's Ministries, and desserts provided by the Tinney Chapel Ladies Group. The group's repertory tonight ranged from the rapid, rollicking Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms to the mournfully pensive Bury Me Beneath The Willow. Band members included Wade Mullinax on a rebuilt 1926 Gibson banjo, J.T. Mullinax on his great-grandfather's fiddle, Jacob Wells on an Englehardt upright bass, Clayton Wells on a Morgan Monroe mandolin and Stephen Wells who alternated on guitar between a Martin D-35 and a Martin D-16. FM 852 normally has tapes and CDs for sale, but had none available at tonight's event due to technical difficulties. Photo by Angela Wylie.
Josh "Pup" Cherry's hand-tooled leather saddle, on stage during tonight's Cowboy Poetry Gathering, was awarded to him in 2003, when he was named Champion Bull Rider in the Four-State High School Rodeo competition. Photo by Tommy E. Boyd, Josh's maternal grandfather.
Angela Wylie, center, Tinney Chapel's ace digital photographer, also read one of her poems, Mousetrap, at tonight's event. In this earlier family reunion photo, she visits with her son Kevin Tinney, who also attended tonight's Cowboy Poetry Gathering, and her aunt Arvinell Newton McClaren. Photo by Tommy E. Boyd, Angela's cousin.
John Futral, President of Tinney Chapel Men's Ministries, without whom tonight's event would not have been possible. Very few in our church have the broad experience and depth of commitment at all levels of service as does John Futral. We are indeed fortunate and richly blessed by his inspiring presence among us. If you enjoyed tonight's Fourth Annual Jim Asbill Cowboy Poetry Gathering and brisket barbecue, and you only have time to thank one person, John Futral is your man. Photo by Angela Wylie.
