June 2009

Book Review: Old Time Rodeo

Lorin Sorensen celebrates a bygone era with this collection of vintage photographs and stories about the daring and dangerous world of rodeo.

by David Hofstede

Book review: Strong Enough to Die

As fifth-generation Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong follows a murky trail from what began as a simple drug bust near El Paso, she finds herself embroiled in an international conspiracy that would test the ingenuity of 24's Jack Bauer.

by David Hofstede

CD review: Kenny Chesney's Lucky Old Sun

The beach-party country-music king keeps the lime-soaked Coronas and Caribbean rum flowing with his 12th studio album, one of his most eclectic yet.

by Michael Lohr

CD review: Lucinda Williams' Little Honey

With her ninth studio album, the artist proves once again that she can deftly straddle country. blues, rock, and Americana.

by Michael Lohr

CD review: Raul Malo's Lucky One

There are many intriguing musical points of reference on the former Mavericks frontman's new album.

CD review: Van Morrison's Keep It Simple

In his latest release, the Belfast Cowboy does just that — keeps it simple — while exploring themes like deliverance and longing.

by Michael Lohr

Chiles: a hot addiction

Chile consumption goes back at least 6,100 years. The hot little numbers were probably first grown in the Equador/Peru area before finding their way to Mexico, making chiles one of the oldest cultivated crops in the Americas.

Ellise Pierce / The Cowgirl Chef

Celeb-magnet store J.W. Cooper on the leading edge

From its humble beginnings as a Western clothing store in Miami, today's J.W. Cooper is a byword for quality and artisanship.

by Ellise Pierce

Artist spotlight: painter G. Harvey

The contemporary impressionist's work tell a romanticized story of American life at the turn of the century.

by Leanne Haase Goebel

Artist spotlight: Louisa McElwain

The abstract painter is integrated into the rhythm of nature and beauty.

by Leanne Haase Goebel

Artist spotlight: painter Bart Walker

He strives to be honest in his representational landscape paintings and to give people a desire to be in that place.

by Leanne Haase Goebel

Holly Williams' CD Here With Me carries a tuneful tradition

Carrying on a proud family tradition in own style, on her own terms, Hank Williams' granddaughter is doing a full-court-press publicity push for her latest CD, Here With Me, an impressive collection of 11 ambitiously diverse tracks.

by Joe Leydon

Yellowstone Club home: a majestic Montana retreat

Refined finishings and comfortable furnishings in this stone, log, and timber home create the perfect mountain retreat.

by Allyn Calton

Charm Logan Designs cashmere baby blanket

The heirloom-worthy, 100 percent un-dyed cashmere blanket and pillow are available with monogramming.

Kick around the ranch in a pair of BOGS boots

If you're looking for footwear that gives you comfort and warmth around the barn, pasture, or trail — on rainy days or even in sub-zero temperatures — try a a pair of these.

Funky choker from Vintage Revival

This choker lives up to is name — Gun Collection Necklace No. 2.

Carico Lake turquoise cuff by Sammie Kescoli Begay

This one-of-a-kind bracelet from Turquoise Direct is created by award-winning Navajo artist Sammie Kescoli Begay.

Drover House: longhorn furniture and décor

Owner and artist Jim Mundorf creates rustic 1800s-inspired longhorn furniture and décor at his Iowa workshop.

Hines Goldsmiths' Wyoming Collection captures the rodeo cowboy

The jewelry collection also features rings, earrings, lapel pins, cuff links, belt buckles, and charms.

Cowboy Living has your table covered

When it comes to Western-themed entertaining, set your table in style.

Double D Ranch maximizes T-shirt potential

Double D Ranch introduces a dazzling new collection of spring tees.

Fantastic fare in Austin, Texas

Austin has some of the West's best restaurants at every level, from French to sushi — and some of the best Mexican food in the state.

by John Mariani

Revisiting the roadside cafeteria

Many have stripped away the school-lunchroom and blue-collar associations by renaming them "family restaurants" while keeping the metal-rung cafeteria lines, the steaming trays just out of the dishwasher, and the orderly array of American fare that can send you reeling with indecision.

by John Mariani

Chilean wines dominate

No other country is turning out more high-quality wines at good prices.

by John Mariani

Raul Malo: still a Maverick

The groundbreaking country artist is still tearing down walls, now with a new CD, Lucky One.

by Chuck Thompson

Apache Skateboards: a new Native American iconography

The first Native-owned skateboard company is championing young concrete warriors, translating an ancient heritage onto the silk-screened deck of a skateboard.

by Kathy Wise

Justin Boot's AQHA Remuda Collection

Justin researched the needs of American Quarter Horse Association members to produce this line of boots.

by Michele Powers Glaze

Turner Classic Movies releases collection of greatest Westerns

TCM has joined forces with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to create the TCM Greatest Classics: Western Adventures, and at a great price.

by David Hofstede

Bejeweled Western-themed flasks

Caye Woolsey transforms hard, cold metal into flasks that are as artful as they are Western.

by Cathy Moser

The Colt Peacemaker pistol a hot art collectible

The Colt 1873 Single Action Army revolver — "the gun that won the West" — has evolved to the status of collectible art.

by Kathleen Fritsche

A tip of the hat to JW Brooks' new Neon Cowgirls line

JW Brooks Custom Hats Co. introduces its latest line of hats, emblazoned with historically accurate embroidery, Swarovski crystals, and leatherwork.

Horse trainer holds clinics around the country

Arguably Hollywood's top horse trainer, Rex Peterson has trained horses for many hit movies and shares the secrets of his craft when he's between films.

by Mark Bedor

Ann's Turquoise built on a dream

Ann Ortiz put her dream with a small investment to build a successful fashion accessories shop.

by David Hofstede

Hubbard's Yellowstone Lodge: a fisherman's paradise

This Orvis-endorsed lodge, located on a ranch in south-central Montana, offers fly fishing, horseback riding, and guided birding trips.

by Kathleen Fritsche

The Vineyard at Florence: first residential winery in Texas

The community, soon to be home to the Austin Polo Club, also includes equestrian services, a tasting villa, a spa, cafe, pool, and more.

by Darryl Beeson

Live among postcard views at Sidney Peak Ranch

This 1,500-acre gated community offers unobstructed views of Steamboat Ski Mountain in Colorado.

by David Hofstede

The Spicy Lady

One of the West's most interesting restaurant-bars is in Hebert City, Utah

by Mark Bedor

The outhouse: an icon of the American West

From the wooden privy with a crescent-shaped moon to double-decker models and 12-hole loos, the outhouse is an icon of the American West.

by Elizabeth Kaye Mccall

Building the ultimate Western DVD collection

Most of the great Westerns are available, but a new format has some home-video collectors feeling "Blu."

by David Hofstede

Floating the Snake River in Wyoming

An afternoon on this Wyoming river is a prescription for invigorating relaxation.

by Emily Sachar

Store spotlight: Bear Paw Designs

The Montana shop offers one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, from bars and buffets to desks and bookcases.

Store spotlight: Rewards

Shortly after this Austin, Texas store opened, the lieutenant governor put it on the map by buying buckles for everyone in the state senate and for then-governor, George W. Bush.

by David Hofstede

A time capsule experience in Guthrie, Oklahoma

Time stood still in this Land Run town, and we're glad it did. But Guthrie isn't only its history. There are galleries and shops, and the town hosts a popular international bluegrass festival the first weekend in October.  

by Kay Grant

Ted Turner: largest landowner in the West

Ted Turner — media mogul, bison breeder, restaurateur, and philanthropist — is America's largest individual landowner, with 2 million acres across 12 states and Argentina.

by Gregory L. Brown

Catch cowboy action with your camera

Follow the image-capturing adventures of 17 aspiring photographers during a week at a photography workshop documenting various aspects of life in a small northwestern Wyoming town.

by John H. Ostdick

Why Wyoming is prime terrain for mystery writers

Sparsely populated Wyoming is the ninth-largest state in the country, but with less than 500,000 residents, it's the least populous — which means there's a heck of a lot of terrain where you can chuck a dead body.

by Wolf Schneider

Revisiting Yellowstone National Park

It's been some 20 years since devastating fires consumed Yellowstone National Park in 1988, burning 36 percent of the land — 794,000 acres. Today, the nation's first national park thrives.

by Emily Sachar

Ancho chile cheese enchiladas

These resemble the Tex-Mex classic cheese enchiladas, but with a bit more smokiness.

Based On A Recipe From 'the Art Of Mexican Cooking' By Diana Kennedy