Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium – 2012
I had not been able to attend the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium since 2009 and I just had one day this time so I had to get in as much as I could! Time to hit the road! My friend Pat and I arrived about 11:30 Saturday Morning.
Appearing on stage at this event were: Coby Carter, The Flying J Wranglers, Floyd Domino, Jake Hooker, Little Roy and Lizzy , Billy Mata, Jody Nix, Texas Playboys & Fiddlers, Pete Laumbach, Devon Dawson, JW Beeson, Bryan Berline, Chuck Cusimano, Jack Stone, Wnedell Solis & The Sidekicks, Jimmy Burson Trio and Lucy Dean Record, Brady Bowen and Gregg Gibbs. The Gatlain Brothers had a show on Friday Night and Asleep At The Wheel on Saturday night!
As I walked in the door Jim Jones was standing at the table selling books. If you have not read Rustler’s 
Moon and Colorado Moon it’s time you did! Both of them!
The first stage show we attended was Jake Hooker. I had never had the pleasure of hearing Jake Hooker. OMG! what a voice!!! And he can get more music out of a stand up base than I have ever heard! What an amazing performance!
Sitting in the audiance were Jody Nix and his big brother Larry. They joined Jake on the stage for a song! It was special!
We sat down for the Wendell Solis and the Sidekicks Show. Devon Dawson and The Outlaw Jesse Del were performing and along with them were Kristyn Harris and Sid Hausman! What a group of talented folks!
On the same stage we heard Chuck Cusimano and Liz Talley…two people I consider friends! Very talented friends!
And joining on stage was none other than Brady Bowen and Greg Gibbs! What a thrill!
After these shows we made a quick trip through the vendors. There was everything there! Hats, boots, jewelry, clothing, stuff to eat and drink, candels, art, books…if it had anything to do with Western, you could find it there. Bought a calendar from the great western cartoonist Etienne “A-10” Etcheverry with a special autograph! Thanks A-10! Then walked around outside for a bit, bought some barbeque to take home… so we could go back early for the evening show! And early we arrived!!!
As the opening act for the evening show there were Jake Hooker and The Outsiders, Billy Mata and The Texas Tradition and Jody Nix and The Texas Cowboys Band. It seems they were trying to figure out how they could get as much music in as possible and have the least down time changing between bands. Someone came up with the idea of having all three bands on the stage at the same time for the 2 hour show. I’m sure it was really tricky for the band leaders and cramped quarters for the musicians but…for the audiance…it was phenomenal!!! Jake Hooker, Billy Mata and Jody Nix took turns with songs with their bands backing them up…but then the singers would back up each other, the band members would all join in…it was an amazing show! More energy and great music on that stage than seemed possible. And they all had a great time! Of course Jody Nix always has a great time! It was totally entertaining! And the dance floor was always crowded! A good time was had by all…was an understatement.
Billy Mata
Jody Nix and Jesse Meador
Jake Hooker
Floyd Domino
88 year old Lucy Dean Record coming back from dancing!
After the standing ovation for the BIG THREE there were murmerings through the crowd…they didn’t have to bring Asleep At The Wheel in! Or…Asleep At The Wheel is going to have a tough time topping that! But…then Asleep At The Wheel took the stage!
Ray Benson
Jason Roberts and Elizabeth McQueen
Asleep At The Wheel!!!
What an incredible day! I was so high on Western Swing it lasted all week! Looking forward to going back next year!!!
