Wolf's Howl Newsletter March 2007
ARIZONA TRIP, James Drury,latest books news and Chris LeDoux Tribute
- I'm heading out with the whole family early this year, headed down to Phoenix, Arizona, one of my favorite places in the world--particularly when it is NOT summer. In case any of you are from that area, I'd sure love to meet up with you while I'm there. We'll be at the Festival of the West, at Rawhide, Saturday, March 16th. I will be presenting a silver belt buckle to James Drury from all of his fans on our Virginian Yahoo board.
We leave Idaho on the 9th, by the way, so any correspondence after that will probably not receive an answer until after the 20th. Wow, that seems like a long time!
BOOK NEWS, including word on the next Clint Walker book
In book news, I have finished the first rough draft of two books recently. First was the book LONG ARROW, a brainchild of my friend and writing partner, Clint Walker. As with our first book, Yaqui Gold, Clint has come up with a wonderful, intriguing plot, and you will not be disappointed with this book. I know the country where this book takes place fairly intimately, as this was my old stomping grounds, but I will be visiting the site while in Arizona. It's just outside of Tucson in the Santa Catalina Mountains--another of my favorite places. Beautiful country if you've never seen it. They should film movies there!
The second book is one I have put aside several times and for way too long: THE SECRET OF TWO HAWKS. This book presents the characters Elmer "Alto" Martinez and Austin Everett, along with a few of their cohorts like "Lefty" Diaz, Desia Anderson, and Jared Clinger. Some of you might recognize a few of these names, and you're right. I got Desia's and Elmer's permission to use them as characters, and it will be a surprise for Jared, who plays a good part in the book.
I am also actively working on a third book with brother Jamie, this one entitled THE RAGTAIL WIND. It takes us on the further adventures of the West family and is the third book in our "Legends West" series. You're sure to enjoy it, and I believe it is half finished at this time.
CHRIS LEDOUX
I saved the saddest for last. I know this is old news, but I would like to commemorate the untimely death of my friend and hero, Chris LeDoux, who died two years ago on March 9th. Even as the months go by, Chris is never forgotten. I keep hearing his name come up, and when I listen to his down-to-earth cowboy voice, particularly when he sings "The Ride" or "Blue Bonnet Blues," he invariably brings a tear to my eye. Chris, you will ride on forever in our hearts.
Here is my tribute to Chris, a song I wrote last year:
CHRIS LEDOUX’S GHOST- Sing me your songs of Wyoming,
- Powder River, the sand and the sage;
- Riding free as the wind on your old buckskin steed,
- Sing me your songs of the range.
- Tell me your tales of a cowboy
- Driving hard just to make the next show;
- Your stories made me taste the dust in my teeth
- Riding broncs at the big rodeo.
- Chorus: And you’re still out there riding the prairie,
- I can see you as you crest the hill,
- And Chris LeDoux’s ghost lives in this guitar,
- And there’s no doubt that he always will.
- I remember that boy and his gui-tar,
- A shy kid just fourteen years old
- Your "Caballo Diablo" sent chills up my spine,
- And I knew then that I had struck gold.
- You taught me to get back up on ’em,
- If ever I got thrown from my star,
- And Chris LeDoux will ride on in my heart,
- For his ghost lives here in my guitar.
- Chorus: And you’re still out there riding the prairie,
- I can see you as you crest the hill,
- And Chris LeDoux’s ghost lives in this guitar,
- And there’s no doubt that he always will.
- Tag: And I promise that you always will.
- —Kirby Jonas, January 22, 2006
- Keep your chins tucked and your hands out in front of you, and, as Casey Casum says, "Keep reaching for the stars."
Kirby Jonas