Information/Write-up
Buddy Gale was 12 years old when he jumped a freight, riding boxcar walkways to cowboy on the ranches of southern Alberta. In 1948 Buddy’s careers turned to trucking, logging and pipelining, but he never forgot the details of his life as a Cowboy. A Cowboy Poetry gathering in 1992 inspired Buddy’s poetry that showcases the authentic Cowboy. Almost a hundred of his poems have been put to music, by a score of artists.
Shirley Field, the Armstrong BC Cowgirl, is a total talent package. With a truly authentic western style, she easily executes difficult yodeling techniques. Talent and ability put her in the company of greats, such as Wilf Carter and tours with Loretta Lynn and Marty Robbins. Shirley has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into The Cowboy Hall Of Fame. She holds a number of honour and achievement awards including Canada’s Top Female Yodeler, Will Rodgers Bronze Yodeling Award and The Heritage Artistic Award.
I was born in Buck Lake Alberta in an environment of mud, bush, horses, hunting and trapping and hard economic times across the country during the 30’s. Working long days wasn’t a choice of want to, or don’t want to-you had to! But for everyone, any place, anywhere, fun and exciting things helped you forget the long hard days of work and solitude.
Every community and town across the country had cowboys of various abilities. Rodeo was the direction for some but not the majority. Most needed a more solid way of paying bills. People seeking more land, bigger homes, a quieter pace of life and more space for kids to play has commuter acreages moving ever further onto the range.
The cowboy habitat has gone from 20 acres to a horse to 20 horses to an acre. I’d like to keep the 20 acres to a horse in my poems and songs.
-Buddy Gale
Cowboy Poet & Songwriter
Musicians
Lyrics written by Buddy Gale
Music and vocals by Shirley Field
Artwork
Cover Photo by Laurel Ives
Buck Lake Alberta cowboy Laurel Ives rode broncs and bulls in rodeos across the USA and Canada for more than twenty years. A spectacular saddle bronc ride early in his career was featured on the 1945 Fort McLeod Rodeo Poster.
Buddy Gale (403) 923 0588
somebuddyspoetry@shaw.ca
Shirley Field (250) 377 1611
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