My Point of View

Made in Canada

Canadian songstress and Hall writers. The only good part of this whole of Famer Joni Mitchell said it pandemic situation was that it was sure first — and best — when she easy to contact folks! coined the lyrics to “Big Yellow Taxi,” her By now you’ve noticed that we missed multi-award-winning hit song: “...Don't it one issue — our June/July. For our subalways seem to go/ That you don't know scribers, we are simply adding one more what you've got till it's gone...” That was issue onto the end of your subscription, definitely the case here in Canada, and so no worries there. For us, this was around the world. another complication of COVID-19.

Out of this wreck, what I learned is We extend a big virtual hug and thank that globalisation is not the answer — it you to everyone who renewed their subdamn near did us in. Perhaps the answer scriptions, sent emails and made phone lies in going back to our roots when prodcalls of encouragement when you saw ucts and foods were locally grown/made. that we were pulling out all the stops to They could range from food to face masks, keep going during this crisis, and may I Canadian-owned beef processing facilities add that and my statement bears repeatto … you name it. ing: “I believe this will be our finest hour

Through all of this, I can tell you that I here in Canadian Cowboy Country.” missed my friends, and I missed my family, and I will never again take for granted the roar of a crowd.

We’ve put together an interesting edition, which includes some cool information from behind the chutes at rodeos, —Terri Mason, Editor plus the terrific columns from our regular

August/September 2020 Vol. 24, No. 2

Editor Terri Mason terri@cowboycountrymagazine.com Copy Editor Tamara Aschenbrenner tamara@cowboycountrymagazine.com Art Director Zuzana Benesova zuzana@cowboycountrymagazine.com Graphic Designer Erin Murphy erin@cowboycountrymagazine.com Publisher Rob Tanner rob@cowboycountrymagazine.com Sales Manager Kristine Wickheim kristine@cowboycountrymagazine.com Sales Representative Kathy Kelley kathy@cowboycountrymagazine.com Subscription/Circulation Marie Tanner circ@cowboycountrymagazine.com Accounting Administrator Catherine Staszkiewicz admin@tanneryoung.com Customer Relations Manager Marie Tanner marie@cowboycountrymagazine.com

Columnists

Tim Ellis, Hugh McLennan, Billy Melville, Bryn Thiessen

Contributors

Dylan Biggs, CBC, Ash Cooper, Mike Copeman, Daryl Drew, Billie-Jean Duff, Clay Elliott, Tim Ellis, Hugh McLennan, Billy Melville, Rod Nichols, Tom Reardon, Vold Rodeo, Greg Shannon, Scott Slusher, Calgary Stampede, L.E. Stevens, Bryn Thiessen

Tanner Young Publishing Group

#430, 8170–50 Street, Edmonton AB T6B 1E6 Tel: 780-465-3362 | Toll Free: 1-800-943-7336 Website: cowboycountrymagazine.com E-mail: askus@cowboycountrymagazine.com SUBSCRIPTIONS: Call Marie at 1-800-943-7336 1 Year: $ 23 | 2 Years: $ 38 3 Years: $ 49 | Single Copy: $ 5.95 + tax Canadian Cowboy Country magazine is published six times per year by Tanner Young Publishing Group PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40070720 ISSN 1701 - 1132 Please return undeliverable addresses to: Canadian Cowboy Country magazine #430, 8170–50 Street, Edmonton AB T6B 1E6

FREELANCE POLICY

Canadian Cowboy Country welcomes freelance contributions but will not be held responsible for unsolicited text or photographs. Direct all freelance enquiries to: freelance@cowboycountrymagazine.com

PRIVACY POLICY

At Tanner Young Publishing Group, we value your privacy. For our complete privacy policy go to tanneryoung.com/ privacy.html or call us at 1-800-943-7336 Canadian Cowboy Country makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.

This magazine is a proud member of the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association, and Magazines Canada, abiding by the standards of the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors. Visit albertamagazines.com

FSC logo

“This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada.” «Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.»

SUBSCRIBE NOW! IN PRINT OR DIGITAL

3 YEARS $49 2 YEARS $38 1 YEAR $23

TAX INCLUDED. *U.S. subscribers add $15 per year. **International Subscribers add $25 per year

CALL 1-800-943-7336 OR ORDER ONLINE cowboycountrymagazine.com

Dylan Biggs

Cowboy Way: Driven by Impulse page 25

Dylan is a wellregarded rancher who conducts cattle handling clinics across the West. TKRanch.com

Tim Ellis

What Does It Take: Flank Men, page 42

Tim is a radio personality, rodeo reporter and the voice of hockey’s Camrose Kodiaks. CFCW.com

Clay Elliott

The Secret Code of Taking Hold, page 40

Clay is the 2016 and 2018 Canadian Saddle Bronc Champion.

Billy Melville

Trailblazers: “Smokey” Snyder, page 30

Billy is the historian and media personality for the WPCA. WPCA.com

Tom Reardon

Living Legend: They Call Him “Goose,” page 21

Tom Reardon is a retired pasture manager.

Hank and Jimmy Snow

I was born and raised in Kentville, Nova Scotia. In 1942, my father joined the Army and was to be sent overseas. Kentville was next to Aldershot, the large Army camp and because German submarines were sinking ships off the coast of Nova Scotia, and there was concern that Aldershot may be bombed, so my father sent my mother, sister and me to live in Riverport, N.S.

What a change to live in this small village. Back home, Kentville had the Capitol Theatre year-round and a second theatre in the summer. In the years I spent in Riverport I only saw one 8mm movie.

One morning my mother looked out the window and said, “What is going on next door?” I looked too; across the field were many trucks. Me, then a curious eight-year-old boy went exploring. As I approached, a boy my age said, “Hi, I’m Jimmy Rogers Snow, and my father is Hank Snow.”

I could not believe my ears. I had a picture songbook of Hank’s. I looked up, and Hank Snow was walking towards me. He said, “I’m Hank Snow.” We shook hands. His handshake was so strong, and I felt so honoured to meet him. Jimmy showed me his father’s white horse called Silver Star. It was Jimmy’s job to help care for him. Hank said, “Jimmy, his mother and I are going over to the field where we are putting on the show. Would you like to come with us?”

Naturally, I said yes.

The one road in Riverport was gravel, so Hank drove slow. Hank and his wife in the front seat and Jimmy and I in the back seat. People yelled hello as the side of his car said HANK SNOW THE YODELING RANGER.

Hank would yell back, “Join us at our show tonight and tomorrow!”

At the “show” field, there was no tent — just poles to support canvas walls around the seating area. Jimmy and I became friends, and at the show, I helped him get his father’s horse ready. Hank would ride in, and then play lots of music. Afterwards, Hank drove us all home. The next day was a repeat.

My mother invited Jimmy to have supper with us. I showed Jimmy my comic books, and he saw my piggy bank. He asked if I would lend him 50 cents. I only had 30 cents. He took the money and said he would pay me back tomorrow.

We went to the last show, and I said goodnight to Jimmy.

The next morning I slept in. When I looked out the window, the Hank Snow group was gone.

This eight-year-old boy started to cry. My mother hugged me and said, “Your friend will probably come back next year.”

The reason I was crying was that I knew I would never see my 30 cents again.

—Doug Myra, Kentville, NS