NEW SHOW COMING UP!

Hi, everyone. I'm working with the Mariposa County Arts Council for their Summer Camp at the Mariposa Parks and Recreation Amphitheatre.  My show will be on August 5th, from 9:45-11:45 AM. Hope to see you there!

Please feel free to check out their website:

Mariposa County Arts Council

Here's more info:

Youth attending Summer Camp in Mariposa experience the excitement of discovering Cowboy Poetry!  In partnership with the Mariposa County Arts Council, this year, Summer Camp will include a Western campfire setting and experience Cowboy Poetry by listening, writing, and illustrating original works of art.  The Mariposa County Parks and Recreation program is a daily, fee-based program from July through August 12, 2010.  

This summer, the Thursday morning art instruction includes Chinese Brush, Pen and Ink, Contour Drawing, Clay, Watercolor, Rock Painting, Light and Shade Chalk Drawing, Perspective Drawing, Pastels and Cowboy Poetry!  For registration information contact Parks and Recreation at (209) 966-8390 or the Arts Council at (209) 966-3155.

Cannonball Cowboy Poetry Gathering

I performed on Saturday, June 12th, at this year's Cannonball Cowboy Poetry Gathering at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds

It went great- thanks to all who attended!

For more info...check out the Mariposa County Pioneer Wagon Train and Cannonball Cowboy Poetry Gathering website:

mariposawagontrain.org

Mariposa Butterfly Festival - 2010

Thanks to everyone who caught my show at the Butterfly Festival this year!

I performed on Saturday, May 1st, at 4:30 p.m, at the "Katerpillar Kids" area... which is located in the 5th Street Parking Lot....check out the Festival's website:

mariposabutterflyfestival.org

The Butterfly Festival takes place in beautiful downtown Mariposa, an authentic Gold Rush-era town. The festival is always held on the first full weekend in May. This year's will start on Friday, April 30th, go thru Saturday, May 1st (when I will be performing) and continue through Sunday, May 2nd.

photograph: Charlie Phillips

Cowboy Poetry Week -April 18-24

“Cowboy poetry records the heartbeat of the real working West, in a tradition that spans three centuries. Ranchers, cowboys, and Western writers represent the voices of this vital- yet endangered- rural culture.”

Look for the write-up this week in the Mariposa Gazette newspaper announcing my upcoming performance at the Butterfly Festival, and about the 9th Annual Cowboy Poetry Week, officially celebrated April 18th- April 24th.

Make sure that all of you check out all five of my NEW poems that I've just put up onto this website!

First, there's "Friends" a new poem that I just posted under the Special Poetry link...it was written for my good friend Marlene on the occaision of her Birthday...hope you'll enjoy it, too!

Also, I've put up one my most favorite poems (one my few "non-rhymers"), one that goes back a few years, called
"For Reno"- a tribute to my beloved mare Reno. It's posted in the Special Poetry section.

And...take a look at my three latest poems in the Poetry section! There's "The Round Tuit Ranch", a homage to our own home sweet home and to all those with a "honey-do" list..."The Keeper", which horse lovers everywhere are sure to identify with...and last, but not least, "Driving Me Crazy", in which the subject of that (frustrating) modern invention, the automobile, is taken head-on!

Also, read here my reports on my latest two poetry appearances...the first on New Year's Eve at the fabulous Mother Lode Ranch in Sonora, CA... the next was at a special Birthday party in Escalon, CA put on by my friends Bob and Sandra Magee.

Wendy at the Motherlode

Don and Laurel Rumsey, propietors of the Mother Lode Ranch

New Year's Eve 2009

It was a beautiful day for a drive up Hwy. 49 to Sonora. We were invited to Don and Laurel Rumsey's Mother Lode Ranch to perform some cowboy poetry for a New Year's Eve Party.. (you can go to their website- motherlodewagons.com - or email them at motherloderanch@frontiernet.net for more info & directions).

They provide wagons for all occasions, and had the most incredible collection we've ever seen. Their barn was decorated for the occasion, and we dined on the most delicious prime rib dinner we've ever had. Ricky Carter, Keith Keenom and the Chaparrals Band provided country music.

There was also a group that did western skits, and a gentleman dressed as Mark Twain that told stories. Sharon Power and I provided the cowboy poetry. We couldn't have asked for a nicer group of people or a more gracious audience. There were about a hundred people there to ring in the New Year. Kevin and I both agreed that it was one of the best New Year's we've ever had.

Kevin with Sharon and Glenn Power

View from Ward's Ferry Road

The Rumsey's provided an RV for us to stay in, and the next morning we took Ward's Ferry Road home. It was little more than a paved cow trail, and scared us right into 2010. In places there was only enough room for the tires of our truck with a sheer drop to a river. However, it was very scenic. We had lunch at the Magnolia Saloon in Coulterville, and then back home. It was a great way to bring in the new decade!

"You can bet that I will spread the word on the cowboy poet that did a fantastic job for us.  I talk about Wendy all of the time."- Bob Magee

A Birthday Party in Escalon

On Saturday, January 9th 2010 we traveled to Escalon, CA for a 60th birthday party. I have to give my dog Flash credit for landing me this job. It turns out that Bob and Sandra Magee raise and show Australian Shepherds. They saw Flash and me on my web site and called for some cowboy poetry entertainment.

The party was held in their dog training facility called Bernie's Place. You can email them at: sanbobs@aol.com

We enjoyed a delicious catered luncheon. There were about thirty guests, and everyone enjoyed the cowboy poetry. They were all dog lovers, and many owned horses as well. So, we had lots in common and found much to talk about.

We are having so much fun travelling around meeting new people and promoting cowboy poetry. We hope to connect with these folks again, and are looking forward to the next gathering.

WE'RE BACK FROM THE 25th NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY GATHERING
IN ELKO, NEVADA!

Battle Mountain

         We arrived in Elko on Jan 28th after a smooth drive over the Sierras. We were concerned about the lack of snow up there this year. I’m sure it’s improved with the arrival of recent storms as we’ve had several inches of snow here on the Round Tuit Ranch. We met up with some friends, the Mellos, from our neighborhood, and then were joined by two of their friends from Merced who came over on the train. We all saw some great shows, and got together for some delicious food.

Wendy with Yvonne Hollenbeck's quilt

Wendy & Jess Howard

        All of us got to see most of our favorite poets, including Pat Richardson, Baxter Black, and Jesse Smith. Pat’s brother Jess Howard was there this year, and we enjoyed visiting with him and hearing him recite. There is always a wonderful exhibit at the Western Folklife Center. This year it featured a handmade quilt of all the poet’s brands made by another one of my favorite cowboy poets, Yvonne Hollenbeck. There were also beautiful hand made bridles and saddles created in the old vaquero style. I added some new Will James books, and some more cowboy poetry to my collection.

        Our party finished up our last night at the Stockman’s Casino for Michael Martin Murphy’s concert. I can highly recommend his latest CD “Buckaroo Blue Grass.” It was a great way to end up the Gathering.

HIGH COUNTRY 2008

    Our trip to the high country was the longest and best ever. We had nine days with the dogs and horses. We base-camped at Granite Creek again, and spent seven days up above 9,000 ft. in the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

    We had the Minarets Pack Station pack us in again this year. These folks really know what they’re doing! They got all our gear, including, but not limited to: ice chests, a camp kitchen, and a hot shower, there without a hitch. We invested in a few more creature comforts this time, and really enjoyed them. One of my best memories is looking up through the skylight of my hot shower stall, and seeing the rain coming down, then slipping into my warm sleeping bag for a nap. How beautiful everything looked after the rain.

   The first couple of days we spent at Sadler Lake. We wanted to visit Joe Crane Lake again after falling in love with it last year. So, we had the packers come back in and we moved camp. We probably wouldn’t do that again, as it made for a very long day. But, it was all about exploration, and we’re glad that we did it. Have a look at our latest pictures...-Wendy

WENDY PERFORMS WITH MADISON SEAMANS
AT CATHEY-WESTFALL FAMILY REUNION

     On October 4th we entertained at the McKay Hall for the Big Four Family Reunion. The hall was nicely decorated for the festivities. There were lots of picture boards displaying the old homesteads and ancestors who settled the area. The Cathey, Deaver, Wills, and Westfall families were all there to reconnect and celebrate their family history. Many were wearing commemorative t-shirts made for the occasion. The logo on the back read, “A family without the knowledge of their past history and origin are like trees without roots.”

    It was a good turn out, and we were happy to be part of it. My friend Madison Seamans joined me with his guitar and cowboy poetry. Madison is a Dr. of Equine Veterinary Medicine, and is also a talented western artist. My husband Kevin was in charge of the new P.A. system that we purchased for the occasion. I thank both my pards for a job well done!

Madison Seamans, Wendy & Kevin at the Reunion

   Thank you also to Ginny and Dave Harris, and everyone on the committee who helped organize the event. You did a fantastic job, and we enjoyed meeting your family, and making new friends. Till next time, HAPPY TRAILS!

For details and current updates, please go to the official Cathey-Westfall Reunion website at: www.dcwfamily.com

Hi! My name is Wendy Brown-Barry...and I am a Cowboy Poet. Are you interested in keeping the Spirit of the West alive in your community? I provide quality Western entertainment for people of all ages. My works have been published in newspapers and magazines, and I have helped organize the Cannonball Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Mariposa, CA since 1999.

I believe that the spirit of the Wild West lives in each of us and that the "Code of the West" that so many have lived by is still pertinent today. Cowboy poetry will make you laugh...and make you cry. It touches a common thread that runs through each of us, no matter what our walk of life.

I especially enjoy working with young folks in schools, and I have discovered some exceptional talent in classrooms!

It has been my privilege to perform with well-known cowboy poets such as Mick Vernon, Pat Richardson, and Waddie Mitchell. Also, I have entertained at the Carnegie Center for the Arts, The Stevenson Ranch, the Fresno Flats Historical Society, the Mariposa County Wagon Train, and the Coarsegold Historical Society, and I have been named a Benefactor of the Mariposa County Arts Council.

I am also available to compose customized poems just for you and your loved ones, as well as for special occasions, events, etc. Click on “Special Poetry” to view some of my “best of” examples!

***If you would like to contact Wendy with inquiries regarding performances, poetry workshops, event organizing, etc., please e-mail Wendy by clicking here: Email WENDY BROWN-BARRY or call Wendy at: (209) 966-3095 (message phone line)

Mick Vernon Cowboy Poet, Musician, Executive Director of the Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival "She's pretty, she's feisty, and she wrangles a good rhyme. What more could a feller ask for?"	Pat Richardson Cowboy Poet of the Year 2003 "Wendy performed with Waddie Mitchell and myself in Mariposa and she stole the show!"

 LIFE IS A TRAIL

BY WENDY BROWN-BARRY

It's in the getting there not the being there that's important

The destination ignites the spark that fuels the fire of adventure

It's the journey, the trail, the quest

The quest for something more

It's the trail that leads to ourselves

wendybrown-barry.com

copyright 2010 

So come on down and gather 'round

Build us a campfire and sit on the ground

Let's preserve the Code of the West

Cowboy Poetry does it best!

- Wendy Brown-Barry

Click on the links below to visit these other great sites!

Bar-D Ranch Cowboy Poetry.com

Mariposa County Arts Council

Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival

Mariposa County Pioneer Wagon Train and Cannonball Poetry Gathering

Mariposa Mountain Riders.com

Mariposa County- Home of Yosemite

Yosemite National Park

Artwork of John Bruce - BruceArt.net

Photography of Linda Gast - Hummingbird Press.com