And the Wrangler statuette for best poetry book of 2012 goes to...

Pat Frolander of Sundance for her book, “Married Into It." Pat is the Wyoming Poet Laureate and will be in Cheyenne March 5-6 to serve as a judge for the annual Poetry Out Loud competition. She will be attending the Wrangler awards ceremony in Oklahoma City in April. Here are the details:

On April 20-21, attend this black-tie presentation of Wrangler Awards for the year's best Western movies, television, literature and music. Inductees to the Hall of Great Westerners and the Hall of Great Western Performers are honored along with the recipient of the Chester A. Reynolds Memorial Award. Celebrity emcee and award presenters add glamour to this banquet. Reservations required (405) 478-2250, Ext. 219. 

First presented in 1961, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Western Heritage Awards were established to honor and encourage the legacy of those whose works in literature, music, film, and television reflect the significant stories of the American West. The awards program also recognizes inductees into the prestigious Hall of Great Westerners and the Hall of Great Western Performers as well as the recipient of the Chester A. Reynolds Memorial Award, named in honor of the Museum’s founder. Each honoree receives a Wrangler, an impressive bronze sculpture of a cowboy on horseback. 

Call for entries: Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Competition

From a press release:

The Oklahoma Songwriters & Composers Association, in association with the Woody Guthrie Coalition, is proud to present the Annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Competition.

This international, folk-oriented songwriting contest is held in conjunction with the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, held in Woody's hometown of Okemah, Oklahoma, each July. This year's Festival dates are July 11-15, 2012. Okemah, the county seat of Okfuskee County, is located on Interstate 40 in east-central Oklahoma, and is 70 miles equidistant from Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Songs should represent the spirit of Woody Guthrie's music and may fall into one or more of these general areas: topical songs about current events, songs containing political or social commentary, folk ballads, songs relative to Americana and related topics, and songs for children and/or pertaining to family life. Both traditional and newer styles of folk are encouraged. Songs must be original and should be copyrighted at time of entry.

Entry deadline: March 30.

FMI: http://www.woodyguthrie.com/2012_Songwriting_Competition.htm

Music legend Leon Russell performs in Sheridan Aug. 14

On Sunday, Aug. 14, 8 p.m., music legend Leon Russell performs at the WYO Theater in Sheridan. Tickets are $32 for adults, $30 seniors and military and $20 students.

Now's your chance to see the music legend, Leon Russell LIVE at the WYO Theater! You definitely don't want to miss this opportunity experience by perhaps the most accomplished and versatile musician in the history of rock 'n roll. In his distinguished and unique 50 year career, Russell has played on, arranged, written and/or produced pop, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, standards, gospel, and surf records. As a session musician, arranger, producer, singer, songwriter, pianist, guitarist, record company owner, bandleader, and touring musician, he has collaborated with hundreds of artists, including Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Bruce Hornsby, B.B. King, Barbra Streisand, Ike & Tina Turner, Herb Alpert, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Ann-Margret, Dean Martin, Marvin Gaye, Dave Mason, Steve Winwood, and groups such as The Monkees, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Rolling Stones, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Everly Brothers, The Righteous Brothers, and more...He most recently toured and appeared on Saturday Night Live with Elton John. The guy's just plain cool.

FMI: www.leonrussellrecords.com 

Call for entries: Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Competition

From a press release:

The Oklahoma Songwriters & Composers Association, in association with The Woody Guthrie Coalition, is proud to announce the Annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Competition. This international, folk-oriented songwriting contest is held in conjunction with the 13th Annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, held in Woody’s hometown of Okemah, Oklahoma, each July. This year’s Festival dates are July 14-18, 2010.

All entries must be postmarked by April 17, 2010.

Please do not send entries overnight, express or certified mail! This impedes the process, and is not necessary as postmarks are used exclusively as far as timeliness of receipt of an entry.

Songwriting Contest Rules & Entry Form for the 2010 Festival Contest at http://www.woodyguthrie.com/Songwriting_Competition.html