160 - Grand Canyon Cowboy Band, 31 Aug, 1985, Transcript: No and Digitized: Yes

 

In the early 1930s a group of cowboys working as mule wranglers and tourist guides at the Grand Canyon National Park performed traditional cowboy songs, poems, and fiddle music for tourists.  They led tourists groups on mules down the Bright Angel Trail to the Colorado River and back in one day and in the evenings entertained guests at the El Tovar Hotel and later at the Bright Angel Lodge. 

This informal troupe of cowboy entertainers included Hector Gonzalez, Dan Duncan, Henry Rubin, Dr. Jim Griffith, John Bradley, Sam Fenner, Marvin Bennett and, L. H. “Slim Kite were all known as the Grand Canyon Cowboy Band.  They performed cowboy poems, songs, stories, fiddle tunes and played for square dancing groups.  In 1985, the four surviving band members Marvin Bennett, John Bradley, Sam Fenner and L.H. “Slim” Kite reassembled for this 50th anniversary reunion concert, which was recorded live at the Elks Opera House & Theater in Prescott, Arizona on August 31, 1985.  The concert was recorded by James Griffith of the Southwest Folklore Center, Tucson, Arizona and produced by Warren Miller of Sharlot Hall Museum.

Concert Recording
Performer: Grand Canyon Cowboy Band
Producer: Warren Miller, Sharlot Hall Museum
Recorder:  James Griffith, Southwest Folklore Center
Audio Number:  160
Duration:  01:28:20
Date:   August 31, 1985
Content:  Reunion concert of the last four surviving band members, Marvin Bennett, John Bradley, Sam Fenner and L.H. “Slim” Kite, singing their cowboy songs and poetry.

Track Recordings:
Howdy (1:40)
Ragtime (1:41)
Riding' Down the Canyon (2:15)
Cowboy's Dream (6:35)
All Aborad for the Bright Angel Trail (3:53)
Goin' Up Cripple Creek (1:50)
Tumblin' Tumbleweeds (2:52)
Burglar Boy (3:30)
Bad Brahma Bull (3:54)
Carry Me Back to Mammy (1:36)
Slim's First Guide Trip (6:06)
Sierry Petes (3:27)
Cajun Bird Dog Story (3:37)
Phanton Ranch Dream (2:55)
Mustang with Wings (3:54)
Marvin's Pup Dog (1:29)
Don't Sell that Cow (1:43)
The Moonshime Steer (3:36)
Soldier's Joy (1:25)
Vera, The Queen of the Canyon (9:39)
Platonia, Pride of the Plains (3:56)
Rikk In (5:57)

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