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Artist and Designer Evie Cook
Evie Cook’s passion for art began in early childhood, by the age of eight she was taking lessons in drawing, then later anatomy, painting and pastels. In her teens she knew that the reason she created art was to make people smile. Today, she continues to work in many mediums including oils and acrylics. Her unique digital art will captivate you with its lush colors, thought provoking quotes, and intriguing designs. Take a look at her work on our website {>}Art Gallery/ Artist Evie Cook
Ms. Cook is inspired by the world around her. She can also create a piece about what inspires you and as individual as you are.
Do You Enjoy A Great Glass Of Wine?
VINO
Enjoy A Day On The Water?
SAIL
Celebrate An Achievement?
SOAR
There’s Always Something Fun Happenin’ OutWest!
OutWest Western Boutique and Cultural Center on the Walk of Western Stars in Old Town Newhall in the Arts District. Home of the live Music OutWest Series, First Thursday Art Walk, Rendezvous With A Writer and More!
Scout: With the success of "Gone For Colorado" I think I can say we're all glad to see you follow it with another CD which seems to be a real story telling project. How did you decide to do "Let 'er Buck, Let 'er Go, Let 'er Ride?"
Juni: In 2006, Hamley's (a famous and fabulous saddle and western shop in Pendleton, whose owners had hired me for other shows, was having Ian Tyson for a show during the Pendleton Round-up. It sold out in something like three hours, and they called me to see if I wanted to do a show on a consecutive night with Mr. Tyson's show to offer another show for their patrons. Of course, I took the job! While looking at the wonderful collection of Rodeo photos at Hamley's, and hearing Round-up history, it started a spark in me to do something special about the Pendleton Round-up. A couple months later, the owners contacted me again to see if I might be available to do a couple of shows for the 2010 Round-up, which was their Centennial celebration. I said YES! of course, and then was asked if I might  write a special song for the 2010 Round-up. "Song?" I said, "I'll write a whole album. Now, mind you this was in the beginning of 2007, and I had it in my mind at that time to do "Gone For Colorado" and was still researching and writing that, so placed all my Pendleton notes and ideas in the back of my mind til I got "Gone For Colorado" done.
This is such a special rodeo, unlike any other, and I wanted to honor the past riders and also the unsung heroes of the early days.
Scout: We know you love horses and fly fishing. What might surprise us about how you spend your down time?
Juni: I tinker with guitars and other instruments, rescuing instruments from garage sales and flea markets when I can, and repair them. Some get played, some hang on walls. I like working with leather, and it's my dream to be able to take a saddle making, and boot making course at some point. Guess none of that is too surprising...I am on the road around 240 days each year, so there is not a lot of down time, but for me, it is a luxury to sit down a read a book. Or watch an old movie. Or ride my bike around the neighborhood.
Scout: Who do you feel were your musical influences and why?
Juni: Joan Baez was a tremendous influence on me growing up. I idolized her playing and singing style, and copied her guitar chops from the time I was about 9, when a cousin loaned me an album of hers. As a songwriter, friend and distant cousin Larry Bastion, who is a great songwriter, encouraged me to tune into and really study the writing of Micky Newbury...and I am glad I took his advice. Micky was the best of the best, and I was fortunate enough to get to know him, and spend some time with him, absorbing all I could.
Scout: It seems that songwriters who grew up on a farm or ranch seem to 'get it' when it comes to Western music. How would you say your upbringing in California has impacted your career?
Juni: Well, I grew up in farming, in Central California. I started into horses at 13, and went to college  to get a degree in Ag Education, and Equine Sciences. I worked at a sales yard riding gates, rode colts for friends and neighbors, and eventually hung up my shingle as a trainer, and worked part time at at Veterinary hospital. Spent several years apprenticing under another trainer, learning to train reined cow horses, and was also showing on the Quarter Horse, Open, and Arabian circuits. I did some day work for some ranches, and ended up married and living and working on a ranch in the Sierra foothills, east of Orosi, California. I was still training outside horses, as well as running a roping arena. It was a life I truly loved.
Scout: I always ask everyone.....if you could only have 5 songs on your Ipod...what would they be?
Juni: Snake Farm by Ray Wylie Hubbard
How Many Times by Micky Newbury
Henry Russell's Last Words , recorded by Joan Baez, written by Diana Jones
Bob Fudge by Ian Tyson
A particular Violin solo of Ave' Maria
Scout: Tell us about your involvement with WMA and where you see it going.
 Juni: I have been involved with the WMA since 2004, and see it growing in galloping strides, and am very proud to be a part of an organization that is preserving and moving forward with Western music. I've been as involved as full time touring allows, and am currently serving a board of directors internship. I can tell you, from that inside view, great things are happening and developing, and the participation of members is growing all the time!
Scout: You're sharing the stage with Jerry Hall and Trickshot at the Autry on June 13 in a benefit for WMA. They tell the story that you were "their girl singer" for awhile as a young girl. And you would say.....?
Juni: I was certainly the "girl singer" in the band for a time, and loved every minute of it. "Young girl" is a stretch, I was 24-25 years old. I am not going to say what year that was...nor will the guys, I'll bet! I have known guitar player Randy since I was 10 and he was 15, his Dad was my music teacher, and we both worked in his Dad's dance orchestras later on, sometimes together. I dearly love those guys.
Scout: Most say this is an unfair question but, do you have a favorite of all your CD's? Which one and why?
Juni: They are all my children, of course, and I love them all, but right now, my favorite is the shiniest and newest, "Let 'er Go, Let 'er Buck, Let 'er Fly" and when I walk into a store where it's for sale and hear it playing, I must admit, I think "Gee, that album IS good." Ian Tyson called me after he heard it to rave about it. It made me well up with tears to get to sing those songs in Pendleton in May at a show, after talking with a talented sculptor, Ann Ayres, about Bonnie McCarroll, the subject of one of the songs, and the subject of her latest piece of art.
Scout: What career goals do you still want to realize?
Juni: I have some album themes bouncing around in my head, and am a part on a documentary about early rodeo cowgirls due out in late summer. The director is talking about a feature film as well, and we filmed quite a bit in May. I'm tickled pink to have music in the film, as well as interviews, and segments where I tell the stories from some historic spots. I'm intrigued by the film business, and would love to work on some film scores, as well as do my music with a symphony orchestra. That has been discussed several time in the past two years, and I have every confidence it will come to be in the not too distant future. There are some wonderful writers outside of Western music I've collaborated with and would love to explore those ventures some more.
Scout: Thanks for taking time to do this for your fans, Juni.
Thanks so much Gency, I was delighted to do it!
Juni
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 How a month has flown by since our last Art Walk with featured Western artist Al Shelton! Did you miss it? Not to worry, Al's art is still available to view on our walls and OutWest's online Art Gallery. Tonight OutWest is pleased to introduce Photographer Tom Mendoza. Tom has chosen favorite photographs from his 20 years covering sports, entertainment, politics, and local events. Each one is engaging. Ask Tom to tell you about that moment in time he captured, and you'll find the story as compelling as the image. This exhibition will remain on OutWest's Art Gallery wall through June 30.
 This trio of female singer/ songwriters with decades of individual experience and success, was first brought together by a CD project aimed at aiding women and families affected by domestic violence. While all three continuinue to treat audiences to the original songs they contributed to the BEAUTIFUL complilation CD back then, they currently bring fresh new originals as well as covers of songs from the folk music explosion of their formative years.
TRISH LESTER, a Santa Clarita resident, began her musical journey at a very early age, her style reminding listeners of Joni Mitchell, John Denver or Mary Chapin Carpenter. While music has always been with her, it wasn't until later years she really began to explore the songwriting that exemplifies her music today. Music that has taken her around the world including tours of duty entertaining troops, especially in modern day Korea. Her song "Thank A Soldier" reflects her continued support of our troops and is performed by Trish as well as others at patriotic events across the country. Her current CD, PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE is a fine collection of songs which showcase her humor, timliness and a familiar friendliness that makes the listener wonder, "Have I met this woman before?". "Plymouth Belvedere" is getting good airplay across the folk and Americana airwaves and is available for purchase at OutWest.
JOAN ENGUITA has a voice that has been described as "warm enough to melt a glacier". Certainly it has melted hearts across the Antelope, Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys and beyond from her home and studio in Lancaster. Her original songs create emotions of love, yearning, laughter, family and a sense of community responsibility that made her a natural for the BEAUTIFUL project as well as her stints at entertaining those behind bars around the area. Joan grew up in a musical family and used her brother's "secretly borrowed" guitar and a Joan Baez songbook to begin her own trek down a path to the heartfelt and thought provoking music you 'll hear at performances in the LA area and on her 2 Cd releases, KISS ME AWAKE and TWO SUITCASES. She is currently adding her angelic voice and finger style guitar to the "Women On The Move" Touring Acoustic Trio.
LINDA GELERIS knew she loved music and performing at a very young age as she sat in with big named stars at her bedroom mirror and held large imagined audiences captive at the piano in her family's living room. In her teens she began to hoan her craft as she would network and learn from some of the best songwriters and performers around the LA area. Soaking up every bit of their experience she could. Now she is one of those respected and sought after singer/ songwriters. At one of those sessions she met someone who contacted her a few months later, interested in one of her songs for a movie he was scoring. The song , 'Call Me Crazy'became the opening to the TriStar movie, 'Implicated'. Her 5 CD's, including her latest IF I ONLY HAD A MINUTE display the continued refinement of her craft and utilize her gifted vocal instrument. Linda is active in the LA music scene and continues to perform her own folk-based music and with the 'Women On The Move' Touring Acoustic Trio.
Saturday May 22 Doors Open at 6:30, Music starts at 7pm.
$15 suggested donation includes light refreshments.
Call 661-255-7087 for reservations. Seating is limited!
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Sunday, April 18, From 8-10 a.m. in nearby Castaic.
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These are the words that welcome an Internet radio audience gathered around their computers and smart phones across the nation and the world each Monday, Wednesday and Friday night at 7 p.m. CST for Ralph's Backporch, www.ralphsbackporch.com |
Ralph Hampton and Tamara Boatright are the leaders of this faithful band of listeners, hungry for the sounds of western music and the family-like bonds they've formed in a fast-paced chat room which Tamara monitors while Ralph spins the tunes. Family so strong they rallied together to elect Ralph's Backporch the 2009 Western Music Association's Radio Station Of The Year.
Who is this pied piper duo of Western Internet radio? Ace reporter, Gency Brown of The OutWest Scout sat down with them recently in an effort to answer just such questions.
WE INTERRUPT THIS SHOW TO BRING YOU A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
Dear Reader, Listen on-line Monday, April 12, www.ralphsbackporch.com to enter a fun contest sponsored by OutWest and Ralph's Backporch! If the timing doesn't work in your schedule - no worries - the show is archived and available immediately for your convenience. The winner of each show's contest will be announced the following show. Six chances to win six prizes. Contest continues through Friday, April 23rd. Listen to each show for directions on how to submit your answers, good luck!
Scout: Thanks for letting us learn a little more about you both. First things first. How did the two of you meet?
R&T: Tamara was living in Florida and wanted to start an on-line business. Lydia, my late wife, met her on-line and she began helping us market our horses on-line. From there we started an on-line classified site and Tamara relocated to Texas.
Scout: How did you go from classifieds to an Internet radio station featuring Western music?
R&T: The on-line classified site was one where people listed wheel barrows and ’72 Ford trucks without a windshield for sale, and I (Ralph) was writing a little column in the site. One day Tamara walks in the office and says “Hey, instead of writing that, you want to say it on the radio?” She had found a radio platform for us and we launched a show where we actually sat and read classified ads which was boring as watching paint dry so I rummaged around and found some CD’s Joe Baker of backfortybunkhouse.com fame had sent us and we uploaded them and began playing Cowboy music. That was much less boring than watching paint dry! Why Internet? Because we have no bosses, we have NO limitations of any kind besides common decency and we have no one who can tell us what to play or when. Terrestrial radio can reach only so far and to so many people. The result was like eating cardboard...you can do it but it doesn’t taste too good! We like subscription radio well enough but mostly it’s the same old same old. They aren’t taking too many chances or expanding the musical or talk envelope over there. When we can help people to understand that the computer enables me and Tamara to do a LOCAL, hometown radio show with local attitudes that just happens to reach thousands of people all over the planet! In fact, The Backporch reaches listeners in all fifty states and twenty three foreign countries!
On-line radio is the future. Look at Facebook and Twitter. See how many folks text message? Some of our fans send out regular ‘text blasts’ that reach more people in the flash of an eye than I can round up in days of hard work marketing our show!
The Internet radio thing is like saddles. Saddles have been used since the dawn of time, but one day some old boy scratched his head and said, “ya know, if we attached little wooden circles to the saddle….and stuck our feet in these circles and called ‘em stirrups, we could ALL learn to ride good and stay on the horse!” Radio is the saddle….on-line is the stirrups. To not use the tools in our little radio bag of implements is not only a shame, it’s a sin. When there’s SO much good music and fascinating people out there to talk with and enjoy!
Scout: Wow! I got ya’ kinda fired up about that one. When starting out, how were you able to attract top performers and get them to call in?
R&T: We started the show in October of 2007 and by December we had played most of the CD’s we had, talked about everything we knew to talk about and then I got the bright idea of calling Guy and Pip Gillette, The Gillette Bothers who had provided music for my Mom’s funeral . We could visit with them about the song that was sung at her service. We got Pip on the phone and asked if they would like to call and chat a bit and while I was stumbling around trying to find the words to ask him if the Gillette Brothers would talk to us, Pip said “A good friend of ours is doing a concert at The Camp St. Café in Crockett, Texas tonight and he might want to call in. Would you like to speak with Don Edwards?” I was flabbergasted! Everybody knows who Don Edwards is and I yelled “Heck Yeah!” into the phone. That night Don called and we ended up speaking with him about 45 minutes. Nobody heard the interview because at that time we didn’t have an audience, but Don, bless his heart, didn’t know that!
Since that interview, and because each show is archived, thousands of Don’s loyal fans have tuned in to listen to me and Tamara sound like blooming idiots! It was during that historic interview I asked Don what songs he sings in the shower and I doubt anyone else has ever asked that particular question before or since!
How do we get top performers? We ASK them. Nicely, politely and with full conviction that the fans want to hear what they have to say.
Scout: What words of wisdom do you have for others thinking of starting their own show? Or for performers starting out?
R&T: Have fun! Believe in yourself and have a love of the music you play! We happen to get a huge kick out of Western or Cowboy music. Don’t take yourself too seriously because there is always someone out there who can do it better. Just be yourself and make each show as good as you can make it. I bet you thought I was going to say something profound, didn’t you?
Scout: Sometimes truth and simplicity are the most profound. Did you have mentors who helped you get started? Who? What was the best piece of advice you received?
R&T: Wow, yeah we had mentors! Joe Baker of The Back Forty Bunkhouse, The Western Belle of KSJD.org in Mancos, Co., Woody Woodruff, cowboy poet of Tennessee, and last but certainly not least our cheerleader and gentle critic Slim McNaught of South Dakota. Understand, these folks took our phone calls, answered dumb questions, sent music, shaped our dreams for the show and generally adopted us when ten people a night would listen to us. We would have had to take down the Bible ‘cause without them we would never have had a prayer! There is one other person I’d like to give credit to. My late wife, Lydia, who encouraged us, prodded us along, believed in us and in the show when not too many people did. She didn’t live to see us win awards or have the thousands of listeners we do now….but Lydia is up there in Heaven grinning like an acre of sunflowers ‘cause she always said, “you talk so much you ought to be on radio, you old scamp! Now go make a radio show!” And we did. Thanks, Lydia.
Scout: I’m sure they’re ALL proud of you both. What is it about Western Music that grabs your heart?
R&T: Western Music? Wow, the feeling of it, an attitude , a memory here and there. Western Music is an expression of the heart, a state of mind, a way to be somewhere you want to be. I have been a cowboy all my life. I knew Cowboy and Western music having grown up with it. Tamara’s roots are more bluegrass and folk and she was a small town Michigan girl, so the roots for us both loving Western Music are there.
Scout: What makes a great Western song? One you’ll play on your show?
R&T: This is a toughie! It’s something I hear, some part of a lyric or melody that moves my heart, makes me want to go out and saddle a horse or maybe go to a cowboy dance. ORIGINAL songs do it for us! Don’t get me wrong, we love the old Western standards but they were original once, too, so we like something we haven’t necessarily heard before. Oh, and something that makes us laugh! We love to laugh and laughter is sometimes hard to come by!
Scout: I think you’ve got Western Music defined pretty well. Tell us what challenges you face working together. What’s fun about it?
R&T: We both laughed at this one! We are both stubborn as mules. Even though we don’t always agree with each other and sometimes we don’t agree about anything at all, we always share the same vision for The Backporch. What makes all this fun? We laugh at ourselves! We have a good time and we enjoy the people we’ve met, both on and off the air.
Scout: Oh, to be a fly on that wall. If you could only have 5 tunes on your IPod, what would they be?
R&T: Ralph's Top Five Tamara's Top Five
Red Stegall-The Fence Me and Shorty Built Dave Stamey-The Bandit Joaquin
Don Edwards-I’d Like To Be In Texas, Kevin Davis-Every Horse I Ever Rode
For The Roundup In The Spring
Isaac Payton Sweat-Cotton Eyed Joe Don Edwards-Coyotes
Dave Stamey-Buckaroo Man Bad Bob Rohan-Orange Blossom Special
Gene Autry-Back In The Saddle Indigo Girls-Galileo
This ain’t fair!!!! I could name hundreds. In fact, On my IPod now there ARE hundreds!
Scout: Ha ha! I gotta have some fun, too. What does each of you like to do to relax?
R&T: Tamara finds time to quilt. I am sitting here, thinking hard, and for the life of me I realize I am a terribly one dimensional person! I shoe horses, I work on the computer building the show, we both like to cook. Pizza comes to mind!
Scout: Oh, was that a shamefully cheap plug for Zippy’s? Do either of you write, play an instrument or sing?
R&T: I play the RADIO all the time. Neither of us has any musical talent to speak of. We don’t play anything, write music and God forbid singing! We can’t carry a tune in a lard bucket. When I sing in church the preacher cusses!
Scout: Why do you think your listeners are so loyal?
R&T: Well, we are just folks and they are just folks and when you get the chance to sit down with us on The Backporch and fellowship over some good Cowboy music it’s hard not to come back time and time again. The world infamous chat room is one thing that glues it all together. We are one of the few radio shows or stations that can have the ability to interact with our listeners on a one to one basis every time we do a show so this fosters a keen sense of family and camaraderie. We love and know our audience! Most DJ’s don’t have the chance to get to know their audience as well as we have gotten to know ours over the years. Our audience expects us to be plain old Ralph and Tamara and we gladly deliver that each week.
Scout: Tell us the first thing that came into your mind as Ralph’s Backporch was announced from the stage as WMA 2009 Radio Station of the Year.
R&T: I thought “Oh crap, I have a dip of Skoal and what do I do now?” Thanks to R.W. Hampton who was standing there with me and who shielded me while I quickly got rid of a chew of tobacco. I gathered my wits enough to go find Tamara who wasn’t even in the banquet room. I had to drag her toward the lights and sounds and she kept asking the whole way into the room, “What’d we win, What’d we win?” We never thought for a second we had a chance of winning anything! I still think it’s a mistake and I keep our trophy under lock and key in case Jon Messenger and Rick Huff come to try and take it back!
Scout: What are your dreams for the future of Ralph’s Backporch?
R&T: Right now we are launching a new venture associated with The Backporch. It will be a membership program that will promote Western music and raise funds we need to expand The Backporch to a 24/7 station with multiple DJ’s. We both truly feel there is a much broader audience for Western/Cowboy music than is being tapped right now and we are happily determined to introduce as many people as possible to this great American form of music.
Scout: Thank you both for your genuine candor with the questions. We and all your fans appreciate it so much.
R&T: This has been one of the BEST experiences we’ve ever had and one of the most fun! Tamara and I are as happy as twenty eight drunken monkeys to have had the time we’ve had with you. And remember, we all have to be somewhere in this old world on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights at 7pm Texas time. We might as well be with friends on the old Backporch!
Newhall
Just published! Meet Author Maggie Perkins during the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, April 24 & 25.
This new book, part of the Images of America Series, celebrates the history of Newhall. Maggi Perkins writes in the introduction, “This book tells the story of Newhall, a town that today is part of the city of Santa Clarita. Why publish a book on part of the city? Because the town came first, and in spite of obstacles and tragedies, it survived and grew, providing the roots from whence the city would grow.” She explores our town’s history from its earliest Native American beginnings through the mission era, from Mexican to American rule, the introduction and impact of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and the laying out of the first town plans in 1876, (the same year Custer died at the Little Bighorn and our nation celebrated its first 100 years.)
I particularly like her final comments in the introduction. “It is people that make a town, and the early settlers were a tough, stubborn, creative lot. They scratched a living from the ground, whether it was from gold, oil, water, or crops. They built homes and businesses-and rebuilt them after fires. In between, the did what they could to make their town a commnity, building schools, churches, and dance halls, and making the Fourth of July a special day every year, with food, games and fun. “
OutWest, our business is still fairly new in Newhall, open about 7 months. We’d like to think we are as she describes these early settlers of Newhall, “This is what it took to live in Newhall-stubborness, the ability to improvise, and a sense of humor that thrived under harsh conditions…this is the history they created with hard work and a twinkle in their eyes.”
“A twinkle in their eyes…”, that’s us! Come to OutWest on the Walk of Western Stars for a cup of Mavericks Coffee, an atmosphere that is cozy and friendly, and an eager ear waiting to listen to your personal Newhall story!
Author Maggi Perkins will be a guest on KHTS, www.hometownstation.com, on Saturday, April 24 from 9:00-10:00 AM on “Around the Barn.” Meet her at the Santa Clarita Historical Society’s booth at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival Saturday from noonish to 3:00pm, then later at the Buckaroo Book Shop, and again on Sunday, April 25.
Pick up her book today at OutWest, at the Santa Clarita Historical Society, or at the Friends of Hart Park Trading Post in the parking lot of the William S. Hart Park and Ranch. Want it signed? Call us at 661.255.7087 to pre-order your own personalized and signed copy.
OutWest Western Boutique and Cultural Center
24265 Main Street, Old Town Newhall,CA 91321
24/7 shop www.scvoutwest.com Meet us at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival at the Buckaroo Book Shop
Where Authors and Readers Rendezvous and Wordslingers Write_________________________________
March 15, 2010
Thursday, March 18th, 4:00-8:00 PM
- Radersburg Gold
- Author Troy Andrew Smith
Meet Acton resident, Troy Andrew Smith, author of newly published novel, Radersburg Gold. Now a screenwriter and musician, Smith has ridden horses or driven teams in movies and TV shows including HBO’s Deadwood. A guaranteed page turner, this historical fiction is set in 1871 in the gold camp of Montana Territory’s Radersburg.
Margaret Brownley launches her new series, A Rocky Creek Romance, with A Lady Like Sarah. Meet Unforgettable characters Sarah Prescott and Justin Wells.
A Lady Like Sarah 
Author Margaret Brownley She’s an outlaw. He’s a preacher. Both are in need of a miracle. Described by fellow author Lauraine Snelling as “A perfect blend of romance, the old west, and characters that steal your heart, along with writing that sings.”
Special treat! Experience a divine sample of Chocolate Mousse Torte inspired by A Lady Like Sarah.
Pre-order now and the authors will personalize and sign for you. These books are both ideal Mother’s and Father’s Day gifts.
In Old Town Newhall on the Walk of Western Stars
24265 Main Street, Newhall, CA 91321
661.255.7087
WWW.SCVOUTWEST.COM
OutWest:Western Boutique and Cultural Center OutWest presents the Best of the West in Santa Clarita Valley. Shop for apparel by Scully, Rockmount Ranchwear, Renegade Spirit, Patricia Wolf and more. Native American folk art, pottery, and jewelry. Home decor, books, music and children’s items.
Visit us at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, April 24 & 25
Buckaroo Book Shop
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