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COWBOY POETRY BOOK REVIEW
Trail Mix, a book of cowboy Language, Lingo, Poetry & Recipes
by Diane Tribitt
available for $17.95 from Bookhouse Fulfillment www.bookhousefullfillment.com
(800)-901-3480 Ext. 118. or by email tribitt@brainerd.net
Minnesota cowgirl poet Diane Tribitt has a new book of cowboy poetry hot off the press in January 2007, and it is chocked full of good stuff to read.
Published by Beaver's Pond Press, Inc. Edina, Minnesota, Trail Mix is divided into ten chapters about cowboy poetry, cowboy sayin's, cowboy lingo, rodeo, poker, Native Americans, cowboy cooking and family photos. The 304 page book contains 41 pages of Diane's original poetry
Featured in the book is her original poem, "Upgrading the Herd," for which Diane was recognized as one of the "8 Seconds" in the 2006 Thirteenth Lariat Laureate cowboy poetry competition on www.cowboypoetry.com.
The well-produced book is full of useful information. One can learn the meaning of the phrase "Hurricane Deck" in the Cowboy Lingo section, or learn how to prepare "Cowboy Stew" in the Chuck Wagon Cookin' section. The Special Features chapter features the songs and lyrics of songwriter, Will Dudley.
Diane Tribitt captures the life of modern day cowboys in her poetry. She was awarded first place as a serious poet in the Silver Buckle division of the world's only Cowboy Poetry Rodeo held in Kanab, Utah in 2006. In Trail Mix, Diane sums up her poetry, knowledge of rodeo as a rodeo secretary, and her experience as a ranch manager in an organized, easy-to-read manner. Trail Mix is definitely a book that needs to be added to any serious collection of cowboy poetry.
Trail Mix is available for $17.95 from Bookhouse Fulfillment www.bookhousefullfillment.com (800)-901-3480 Ext. 118. or by email tribitt@brainerd.net
For more information visit at www.dianetribitt.com, www.BeaversPondPress.com, and www.cowboypoetry.com.
© 2007, Smoke Wade |
“I’ve never seen audiences so appreciative as those who attended the Heartland Symphony’s fall concert with guest artist Diane Tribitt.
Many, many people were sincerely touched by her authenticity and her natural ability to engage an audience. She made them laugh and she made them cry, literally! During her final poem, A Tribute to the Cowboy set to the music of Amazing Grace, even the orchestra was losing its composure, with several of the players in tears. What is so wonderful about her art is that it is based on her real life experiences as a cowboy/rancher. It is not snobbish nor intellectual, but is perfect in its childlike simplicity, colorful expressions, and humorous irony. Not only did she bring her poetry to the concert but also two very accomplished trick ropers/dancers, who also fit in perfectly. The concert was so successful that I’m afraid the bar has been set too high for our future events. Players and audience members alike will always think of the “cowboy poetry” concert as the standard by which all other concerts should be measured. It was just that entertaining. My feeling is that there is a great need in the fine arts for fresh new ideas, especially when it comes to symphony orchestras. This concert brought new life to an otherwise dated tradition, and in so doing helped validate the belief that all true art, whether old or new, is timeless in its nature. For the people of central Minnesota, Diane’s poems have earned a place among the great classics of our western tradition. Hats off to Ms. Tribitt for a truly wonderful show."
Sincerely,
Dr. Daniel O’Bryant
Music Director, Heartland Symphony Orchestra
Director of Orchestras, St. Cloud State University |
Colorado singer and songwriter Will Dudley writes:
"Diane Tribitt is an amazing poet. Her strength of character and dedication to the cowboy way of life has won her friends and fans across the country. With her crystal writing style, using themes common to modern American cowboys, her poems are as clear to me as the oil on the canvases of Charlie Russell." |
"Diane Tribitt is a fresh young cowboy poet who sparkles when she performs.
She touches her audience with her honesty, sincerity and humor. Diane performed at the Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering in 2007 and will be a returning artist. When attendees were asked who they enjoyed during the Gathering, Diane's name came up often.
Diane writes her own poetry and brings her experiences with ranch life into her renditions. There are several women poets who are considered the "best of the best." I expect to see Diane's name in with those wonderful ladies very soon.
If you have not seen Diane in action, I would tell you she represents the best of our new young cowboy poet artists. She is a professional and she is a delightful lady. I am most thankful she shared her talents with us last year."
Steve Conroy
Co-Chair, Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering |
Diane's work and the book have earned praise. South Dakota rancher and poet Ken Cook comments:
"If you ever have the opportunity to attend a cowboy poetry gathering and Diane is performing...sit near the front...and take a deep seat because you are in for a memorable ride. Ranching is not an easy life, but Diane captures its heartfelt reality and unending humor in her poetry. Poems from the heart have a tendency to reach mine and Diane's poetry does just that."
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