*NO NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT ANYONE.
Cowboys, Sex, and Zombies
I just returned from the 31st Roy Rogers Festival
in Portsmouth Ohio. I’m feeling a bit jet legged, even though we drove and it’s
in the same time zone.
Traveling by car is rough especially when you’re stuck in
the back seat next to a guitar and a B-Western look a like!
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| Cindy Smith, Poker Alice, Fuzzy Q Jones, Lynn Hubbard |
However getting there is the half the fun! We stopped off
for numerous photo and potty breaks. I picked up some souvenirs in Renfro
Valley, KY. Fuzzy discovered what a corn cob was used for and I bought Frank
some blue balls marbles.
I’ve been to many Western Festival’s but this was my first
trip to visit Roy. The closer we got to Ohio the more, the real world slipped
away behind us. Cindy even lost cell phone coverage the entire week.
Now some people don’t believe in Cowboy World. And I feel
sorry for those that don’t. Cowboy World is a wondrous place where you can hang
out with Tonto and the Lone Ranger. Get a hug from Gabby Hayes or Lash Larue.
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| Gabby Hayes |
Now these names may not mean much to some, but to western
fans, their hearts beat a little faster. I am still learning names and meeting
new folks.
You never know WHO you will meet in Cowboy World. For instance
GRIZZLY ADAMS, Dan Haggerty has a heart of pure gold, and collected for the
Angel Flight Charity. He was joined by Russ McCubbins, a Hollywood staple, and Darby
Hinton rumored to be the President of Texas (Texas Rising 2015).
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| Dan Haggerty |
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| Fuzzy, Steve the Ice Cream Man, Scott Haggard, Dustin Lowery, Cindy Smith, Jim Damron |
Even just hanging out in our hotel we ran into Scott
Haggard, Merle Haggard’s son! Scott was performing at the Ohio Opry House and was
forced willingly came up to Frank’s room and sang a few songs. Cindy
grabbed anyone with a cowboy hat to join us.
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| Frank Palas, The Concrete Cowboy |
We took a break and snuck off to the cemetery with Cowboy
Jim. No better place to find history. Jim showed us the resting place for Roy’s
relatives, a somber experience that touched even the coldest of hearts.
At dinner one evening I sat with Jim, Don, Poker Alice and Jeremy
Ambler. Jeremy is also an actor, he has played several zombies including the
Popular “The Walking Dead" series. He kept us entertained with his zombie poses and
details of his latest film. Child of God.
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| Jeremy Ambler |
Child of God was adapted from a book and contains death and necrophilia. Not everyone was as enthused as I was. Perhaps because we were eating at the time? Poor Poker Alice will remember that conversation for the rest of her life. Having worked in medical for many years, blood, guts and gore does not bother me. Real or fake.
To say the least, I was very intrigued. As I am, about
anything involving sex. That is my job after all. To transport people back in
time, to the Old West. Mix in some history with brave women and strong men. Of
course my books aren’t all about sex. They have romance, humor, shootin', killin', and justice! Something for everyone! In fact I did have a lot of cowboys buying
copies this trip!
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| Russ McCubbin, Jim Evans, Cindy Smith |
The musical performances were wonderful. I really enjoyed
how Cindy and Fuzzy stretched the truth abit about our trip to Texas. I mean,
they did make it back alive right? And I’m sure with some therapy they will be
able to move on.
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| Jon Patterson, Dodie Rogers, Jane Lilly |
Dodie Rogers (Roy and Dale Rogers Daughter) and family were
a pleasure as always. Her husband, Jon Patterson, kept us on track and
entertained throughout the Festival. Jon and Jim Evans played well into the
night, along with Cindy Smith and Greg Kish with his little guitar. It was a phenomenal
night!
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| Jim Damron, Cindy Smith, Don Ellis (Photo By Eva Dodridge Robbins) |
I also discovered my affinity for mudslides.
But alas, Cowboy World does not last forever. And as it
slowly fades from my memory, I’m marking my calendar for next year!
Happy Trails!
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