Amarillo, Texas - January 07

Well, we had a great time in Amarillo, Tx, at the Panhandle Bluegrass & Old-tyme Music Association Winter Festival at the Fifth Season Inn. Saw lots of old friends from Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma and met new folks as well. On Saturday as we were playing and singing, Amarillo was receiving a record snowfall amount. By the time the snow stopped falling it amounted to 8 ½ inches—the most snow recorded in a 24-hr. period in Amarillo.
On Sunday we called ahead and found out that Oklahoma had been spared the large amount of snow that had been forecast there, so we started out with that in mind. Driving anywhere from 25 to 35 miles an hour and because of a couple of accidents in which traffic came to a complete standstill for over 20 to 30 minutes each, it took us 4 hours to go from Amarillo to Shamrock, Texas, but shortly after Shamrock the roads became mostly dry. SO we boogied on home to our little cabin in the woods!

Heaven-sent News

WELCOME to Henry Byron Burgess the newest member of the Sons of the Sage family. Band member and proud poppa, Greg Burgess and his wife, Lynn, welcomed "Hank" on December 25, a little earlier than was expected. But Hank weighed a very healthy 7 lbs. 5 oz. and was 19.5 inches long. Mom and baby are both doing well.

Another Great Saturday!

Saturday was another busy day almost identical to the 9th. Sons of the Sage performed again at the western wear stores at the Stockyards in Oklahoma City.

Sons of the Sage will play again at the stores at the Stockyards one more Saturday--December 23. So if you haven’t selected your western wear for Christmas, come on down, enjoy the entertainment, and get your last minute gifts.

Later in the evening Doris and I were able to enjoy the final Victorian Walk of the season in Guthrie (I didn't have a performance on this Saturday night). News Channel 9 estimated the crowd at 1,000 to 1,500 people for the event. The weather was perfect for December; I would say temperature in the mid-60s. The season was merry and bright; we visited with many friends on the streets, and it really felt like community at its best.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Last night, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City had a great open House called “A Night Before Christmas.” There were lots of activities and entertainment for all ages and was enjoyed by all. I played and sang outside the front entrance for about 30 minutes at the beginning of the activities; then I performed on a stage located next to the “Canyon Princess” (mountain lion sculpture). On this stage, in addition to my western cowboy songs, I included folks in some sing-a-long songs like Home on the Range, White Christmas, Rudolph, etc. People really participated, and it made it very fun for me. Then the rest of the evening I strolled through the galleries singing and playing.

OKC Stockyards & Victorian Walk, Guthrie

The Sons of the Sage made up of myself, Greg Burgess, and Richard Sharp, performed Saturday at the Stockyards, Oklahoma City, first in Langston’s Western Wear in the morning and in the afternoon at Little Joe’s Boots—both fine western wear establishments.

Then later in the day I participated in the Victorian Walk in the historic downtown of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Ginny at Bright Side Trading Company asked me to sing cowboy western music in her store window. Bright Side features western and Native American Art, southwest accessories, vintage pottery, stained glass, Pendleton goods and much more. So her shop was a fitting location for my type of music, and I met lots of visitors to Guthrie as well as residents.

The Victorian Walk is a step back in time with carolers and peanut vendors along the street, carriage rides, living Christmas scenes in many of the shop windows, and free refreshments offered in some establishments. The State Capital Publishing Museum also features a historic Christmas Tree collection and serves wassail. The Byron Berline band also has a show at the Double Stop Music Hall 8 p.m.

If you haven’t participated in a Victorian Walk, another walk is scheduled next Saturday starting at 5:00 until 9:00 p.m. It is a festive, joyous celebration of an old-fashioned Christmas that will ensure that you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS.