The Cowboy Beat online!
Alan KohnA few words about Alan Kohn
Why THE COWBOY BEAT? It has been 12 long years since our last edition. We thought it was about time to keep up with times and bring back this legendary publication. Our goal will be inform the Country Fan as well as the Country Dancer, with all the happenings in the Country Music and Dance in local areas and national events in the USA. In the meantime, Terri Pattison former staff of the Cowboy Beat, Janet Humphrey Wilson and Ken Petersen are all back. In the upcoming months, we will have articles on Country Artists, local Country bands, Country dancing, The Dance Of The Month etc. We hope you will enjoy this publication online same as you did when the Cowboy Beat was distributed years ago throughout the Tri State Area.
We are looking for contributors for articles related to Country topics. If you have an opinion or you would like to see certain features in THE COWBOY BEAT; we'd like to hear about it!
WRITE TO US!
Our New Staff:
Alan M. Kohn Publisher
Lika Kohn Editor and Design
Staff writers: Terri Pattison, Janet Wilson
Public Relations: Ken Petersen
by Alan Kohn
In the 90's, country music and dancing was huge in Connecticut. 92.5 WWYZ ruled the airwaves. Garth, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Reba, Trisha Yearwood, and a bunch of young and upcoming artists popped up everywhere. Locally, country dance establishments were opening up throughout Connecticut. El Torito, Ellery's, Illusions, Cadillac Ranch, Bootscooters, Pinecrest Country Club, the Terrace Club, Boppers, the Longhorn, Two Steps, The Fireside Inn, Actors Colony, the Golden Spur, etc.
But toward the the of the 90's, places started dwindling and going out of business. Nashville wasn't producing sales. Things were now going downward.
In Connecticut, Cadillac Ranch and Illusions remained as the other establishments closed.
But, as music and trends change, along comes an influx of new country artists, led by Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Lady A and other youngsters. This was all held together by Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Country was now thriving again.
Now in the summer of 2011, new country establishments are opening once again. Coyote Maverick's in Danbury, Mustang Sally's in Milford, along with Cadillac Ranch and Illusions, plus 1 day a week places. Dancing is once again making a comeback in Connecticut.
On the radio front, Kicks 105.5 in Brookfield is doing very well, and along with 92.5 WWYZ, Connecticut is in good hands.
Next month, I will take a look into the country explosion in Long Island, caused by country radio station" My Country" 96.1 WJVC
Being a solo songwriter affords Hugh the versatility of making Long Island his primary home. “Most songwriters are obliged to move to Nashville, since that’s where their collaborators are located,” said Prestwood. “Me, I enjoy the luxury of living away from the music business and amongst the ocean and farmland. It allows me to be myself and write at my own pace without having to conform to anyone else’s timeline. I can keep working on a idea until it evolves into a song that I am proud to share with others.”
Leonard Marks: Telling Tales of The West (from The Heart of Brooklyn)
by Efrem L. Epstein
As a New York State Parole Officer, Leonard Marks worked with more than his share of criminals, prostitutes and thieves. Now he writes about them, in the form of an 18th Century Western Fiction Series. The eight-book series follows the adventures of John Davis, a killer living in The 1872 Wild West who decides to “clean up” his life by becoming a pimp. Ironically, his new career turns out to be more dangerous and adventurous that his old one. Davis’s escapades have him zigzagging through post-Civil War America and crossing paths with the likes of Samuel Tilden and General Custer. His second book in the series received a glowing review from True West Magazine: http://www.truewestmagazine.com/jcontent/entertainment/entertainment/book-reviews/2624-im-the-man-you-thought-you-killed
While some are surprised to learn that a Western Fiction Writer makes his home in Brooklyn, Leonard sees the connection as fairly natural. “New York an The Wild West are each one part history, one part energy, one part passion and one part adventure,” noted Marks. In an effort to tap into the energy of local fans, Leonard has made personal appearances at New York country music dances and venues, often signing books for fans. He plans to follow-up the “John Davis” series with The Man With The Pointy Stick, a contemporary thriller set in modern day New York City.
Earlier this year, Mr. Marks got the shock of a lifetime when he learned that one of his childhood heroes had expressed interest in his writings. “True West had forwarded to us a list of their readers who had asked to be on our mailing list,” recalls Marks. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw Hugh O’Brian’s name on the list. At first, I thought it must have just been somebody with the same name, but the Beverly Hills address was a giveaway.”
Leonard decided to write the Wyatt Earp star a personal letter, hoping he might appreciate the correspondence. A week later he got the shock of his life. “Hugh called me at home and asked me to send him autographed copies of the first four books in the series. I was speechless. Hugh’ OBrian has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame....and he’s asking me for MY autograph!”
The first five books in Leonard Marks’ “John Davis” Series have been released and are available here:http://outskirtspress.com/webpage.php?isbn=9781432737658
