Hat Tricks by Tod Bell

WESTERN FASHION

Let’s talk about hat shapes

WRITTEN BY TOD BELL, Rockn' B Hats Owner/Operator  is month lets talk about hat shapes:  ere ar multiple di erent hat shapes to choose from; the cattleman, the Minnick, the brick, the Gus, and the cool hand look or CHL just to name a few.  e cattleman is probably the most widely used hat shape in the cowboy hat market.  is hat shape has a 4 and a half inch tall crown with longer shaped indents on the side. Most preshaped hats come in the cattleman.  e Minnick. Has a crown height of about 4 and three quarters inches, the indent on the top is not as deep as the cattleman therefore the crown is a bit higher.  e sides generally have a smaller dimple but can have to the back. longer indents depending on Hat  e CHL or cool hand Luke is your liking.  e brick is Tricks very similar to an open crown.  e top of the a square shaped crown with a crown By Tod Bell crown is pushed down slightly in a circular moheight of about 4 and a tion.  e side indents are half inches the center of the brick small oval shaped indents very simiis generally pushed back up just bit as lar to the Minnick. to not hit the top of the head when the  ese are just a few of the many hat hat is worn.  e indents on the side are shapes that are available to you as a longer shaped indents much like the cowboy hat owner. My suggestion to cattleman. you would be to research hat shapes  e Gus is named a er the movie and see which shape you like. Most character Augustus McCray from the hat shapers should be able to show you movie Lonesome Dove.  e front of di erent hat shapes to help you choose the crown is about 4 and a quarter which shape is best for you. In the end inches and tapers upward to the back there is no right or wrong shape it all of the hat.  e sides are somewhat egg comes down to your personnel style shaped going from the from of the hat and liking.

Provided by Rockn’ B Hats

Tod Bell hard at work creating the perfect hat shape for a happy customer.

R o c k ’ n B H a t s

C u s t o m A m e r i c a n C o w b o y H a t s

your hat...your shape...your way

CONTACT TOD BELL 801-814-0938 Check out upcoming vendor events @RocknBhats Facebook page

Tom Bennett; One-Man-Band

WRITTEN BY LACIE KOFORD Western Wasatch Contributor

Growing up on a farm in West Georgia, Tom Bennett packed up and decided to move out west to pursue career opportunities and better hone his skills in music and lifestyle. He had always had a fascination with the west, the wide expanse it presents, and opportunity to connect with the beautiful nature and down to earth people. He started his journey in Wyoming, and now has made Utah home, moving to various locations across the state. Most recently he has made St. George home. Tom is a singer and a songwriter for his one-man-band as he incorporates a resonator guitar with a slide, a harmonica, some foot percussion, and his voice in his unique craft. As a full-time musician for the past 6 years, Bennett books all his own shows, provides his own transportation to and from, and truly takes his success into his own hands.

Tom’s music has notes of country music, but also incorporates elements of blues and soul as well. He likens his musical sound to musicians like Chris Stapleton and Otis Redding. Tom began his interest in music as a teenager when he started singing in his Baptist church back in Georgia. This experience gave him confidence and connections to then move on to singing with various bands in his teenage years. Continuing to develop his skills, Bennett decided that his interests eventually led him to becoming a solo artist, incorporating his various talents into his one-man-band. Over a few years practicing and growing in experiences, he began his full-time solo career at the age of 32. Now at 39, he has been able to keep his schedule full with tours and performances across the country.

Tom has experienced many career highlights, but he recalls a couple experiences that stick out in his mind. First, Tom was invited to play at Snowbasin, opening for a band called

Los Lobos. This event meant that he would be playing for one of the largest audiences he had ever played for, just about 8,000 people. Another experience he had was being invited to open for Billy Strings in San Francisco, a legendary bluegrass musician, right on the cusp of experiencing the fame that Strings enjoys now. Bennett reiterates that his entire musical journey has been truly rewarding. He loves finding and visiting small towns, finding those old honkytonk and country bars, and having the experience to get back to his roots in these locations.

Right now, Tom is rebuilding his appointment book after being hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic and having to cancel many engagements, but he is rebuilding steadily and is excited for the new events he has been able to add to his calendar over the next six months. He’ll be traveling all over the west visiting California, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Arizona performing in at least thirty shows that he has booked as of now, and sure to add many more along the way. One of the events that he is looking forward to performing at is at the first annual Western Wasatch Expo in September here in Ogden. He will be one of the headlining performing artists at this event and will be sure to give a memorable performance. In his career so far, Tom has privately produced and released 2 full length albums and one EP in 2015 that won a Best of Utah award. He’s also finished another full-length album and is working on the logistics of releasing it over the next few months.

To keep up with events and news relating to Tom and his music, make sure to check out his Facebook and Instagram pages through “Tom Bennett-Country Blues” and visit his YouTube page at “Tom Bennett”.