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The latest CD release from Tucson’s own western music group, the Due
West Trio contains 14 songs: seven original compositions and seven older
favorites. Click here to see what RUSTY
RICHARDS Written by trio singer, Rena Randall, this song celebrates the everyday folk whose pluck and determination to carve a life out of the West should receive at least as much attention and respect as the outlaws, lawmen and others whose names are so familiar to all of us. Rena knows whereof she speaks as a 5th generation Tucsonan with a strong family pioneer heritage. The Strawberry Roan
One of the best
known and loved songs in western music, “The Strawberry Roan” started
out as a poem written in Arizona around 1915 by the championship riding
but then broke cowboy, Curley W. Fletcher.
Within eight years, a tune had been added and the song has since
become a cowboy classic. Cowboy’s Dream
Trio bass man and
singer, Dave Gibson, wrote this prairie ballad about what a cowboy looks
forward to at the end of every workday.
Dave and his wife found the words of the song’s chorus sewn into
a needlepoint in an antique shop and he built a sweet and sentimental song
around it. Back To Arizona
Yet another song
taken from writings of long ago, Rena found this handwritten poem among
some family papers. It is
apparently the impressions of her great-great aunt after returning to her
home in Arizona after a trip to New York around the turn of the century. Julie Ann
This sad ballad
about love, betrayal and death is probably a traditional folk tale retold
yet again by the trio. The Further Adventures of Houston McKay
Singer-guitarist
Dave Bertoglio continues his whimsical saga from the Trio’s first CD of
the fictitious Houston McKay. Here,
the mysterious and apparent bachelor cowboy meets his match in a girl he
sees at a church barn dance, much to the chagrin of his saddle pals.
The song ends with a situation that MAY indicate yet another
musical sequel on a future recording! Roundup in the Spring
Rena begins this
song playing the 3 string dulcimer. She
remembers her own father, at the time a working rodeo bull and bronc
rider, singing this song to her as a child.
It tells the story of an old cowboy sharing his memories of glory
days on the ranch. Roundup in
the Spring is a well-known but seldom performed song. Cattle Call
A song from the age
of the silver-screen cowboys probably made most popular by singer Eddy
Arnold, again, nearly all fans of western music know this one and
especially like to yodel (or at least try!) along in the chorus. The Holbrook Shootout
This haunting ballad
written and sung by Dave Gibson tells the true story of Sheriff Commodore
Perry Owens and one of the most bloody but least known gunfights of the
West. Dave took the story
from the journal of his great grandfather who, as the 18-year old clerk of
the court of Apache County, Arizona, swore in the new sheriff in 1888.
Try not to get chills as you listen! Rainbow on the Rio Colorado
Great story here…
Rena’s mother, Sylvia Shepherd, remembered this song from many years
past recorded by international singing star, Slim Whitman. But the trio needed a recording to arrange and learn the
song. After much detective
work, Sylvia found where she could get the 12-inch vinyl disc but she had
to join the Slim Whitman Fan Club to be able to buy it.
It is a simple, pretty love song.
Thank you, Mom! Montana Cowgirl
Emmylou Harris is
among many that have recorded this bluegrass-flavored romp.
It is a toe-tapper about a mountain girl who finally comes home to
settle down with her true love. The Old Rockin’ Z
This second
songwriting outing for Dave Bertoglio is a semi-biographical tale written
on the occasion of the funeral of one of his friends. Gary had invited Dave to join his local rock band in 1970s
Southern California. Their friendship as well as with the other band
members helped him find some direction at a critical time of his life.
Dave took that experience and put the story into a cowboy context
as a touching tribute. The Tennessee Stud
This traditional
horse ballad tells the story of a horse and rider who go through plenty
together until they find their respective loves in the “girl with the
golden hair” and “the Tennessee Mare”. La LloronaOne of the most intriguing legends of the Southwest is that of “La Llorona” or “the Wailer”. One of the versions of the story is that a Mexican woman once tried to cross the Rio Grande into the U.S. with her two small children in her arms. The current of the river proved too strong and swept the children from her to their deaths downstream. Rena writes and sings the tale of seeing this crying, despondent apparition during a camping trip as La Llorona searches all waterways for her lost “niños”. |
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THE DUE WEST TRIO - 9721 E. Creek St.-Tucson, AZ
85730 - (520) 290-1175 Email: duewesttrio@cox.net |
