Calamity Kate and Buffalo Will Arrive in Canadian Wild West  

The Royal Couple Enjoys Calgary's Traditional Western Rodeo and Stampede 

Moseying into Calgary on a dignified 1912 stagecoach, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge got to experience the Canadian Wild West Thursday.

Calgary, an oil-rich town in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, annually hosts a rodeo known as "the greatest outdoor show on earth" and a 10-day stampede. Prince William and Duchess Catherine arrived to launch the festivities, reports the Daily Mail.

Following custom for a cowboy welcome of hospitality, the people of Calgary "white hatted" the two, giving each a white cowboy hat made of rabbit fur by the local milliners, Smithbilt. Hat makers since 1919, Smithbilt has also given hats to Tony Blair, George W. Bush, and Kevin Costner.

The royal couple sported traditional Western dress: Will in blue Levis and a pair of boots given to him by the Canadian government, Kate also wearing jeans, a loose-fitting blouse and her very own cowboy boots.

After dismounting from their stagecoach, a relaxed William began the cattle stampede by throwing a stone, known as a stove, into the back of a chuck wagon- the mode of transport used by original pioneers. "I'll give it a go," William joked, to which Kate replied, "Good luck."

After throwing the stone, the couple transitioned to a platform overlooking the rodeo pen chock-full of bull riders. The first to impress William and Kate were 3-year-old Georgia Knoschuck and 5-year-old Colton Powell, who are mutton busters, or children who ride a bucking sheep bareback. While watching, Kate turned to William, smiling, and declared, "So cute. He's so young, so brave."

Next up was veteran professional Schott Schniffer, 31, riding a 1,725-pound, angry bull. After watching the professionals, the royal couple hopped into the bullpen themselves for a closer look. At one point, a jubilant William attempted to climb into the ring with the beasts, but one look from his nervous wife, and a gesture with her finger to come back, had the devoted husband return to her side. William then put his arm around his bride's waist, whispering, "It's so nice to be in jeans."

At the end of their fun day, the delighted duke gave a speech, thanking the Canadian people for their warmth and welcome, declaring, "Canada has far surpassed all that we were promised. Our promise to Canada is that we shall return."

-Kylie Sobel

ABC News Blog

International- Royal Diary

Chuck's Woodbarn

Western Art Show- "Lavished in Leather"

There are still a few days left to catch the Western Art Show at Calgary Stampede's Western Showcase. The Showcase runs through July 16th, and you can find the Western Art Show in halls D and E of the BMO Center at Stampede Park. In addition to the colorful exhibits that reflect our Western heritage and values, there are photos, art pieces, artisans' work for sale, as well as musical entertainment and cooking and other demonstrations.

In this year's Western Art Show is a new product, "Lavished in Leather", by Chuck and Sherry Zeller of Chuck's Woodbarn. Handcrafted of quarter sawn white oak in a unique water fall design, then accented with rustic buffalo leather, this beautiful work of art will be a treasured family heirloom for years to come.

Heavy duty reproduction hardware accents the exterior. Beautiful brocade fabric with coordinating leather lines the interior. Special features include a sliding removable tray and several hidden compartments. This bench is a functional work of art wonderful for an entry way or the foot of your bed. 

Chuck's Woodbarn is owned and operated by Charlie and Sherry Zeller. Specializing in the lost art of steam bending wood to create beautiful hand crafted  trunks and wood chests.  Sometimes also called dome topped chests or steamer trunks, a true family heirloom.  A unique work of art, no two alike.  Emphasis is put on fine craftsmanship and quality construction.  We personally design and construct everything from the beginning jigs to finalizing with finishing the interiors.

Chuck's Woodbarn 

Bartley, Nebraska

308-692-3119  

Thistles West 

Handmade Jackets for a Different Set of Royalty- The Calgary Stampede Royalty

Another set of royalty- the Calgary Stampede Royalty- wore jackets made by Meredith Lockhart of Thistles West during this year's Stampede Parade. The young ladies got to stop and pose in front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who were sporting their own Western styles.

Will and Kate at the Calgary Stampede Parade July 8,2011 part 2

Thistles West was started by Meredith Lockhart in 1989 in a tiny farm house on the side of a hill in north eastern Kansas. Meredith designs and makes all the items under the Thistles West and Merezia Custom label. Most of the items are one-of-a-kind and of the highest quality possible. Her beautiful designs have been worn to cattleman's balls and in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. The fashions have also been seen on many major Country Music stars on stage and in videos. Meredith likes creating beautiful things that women feel good about wearing.

Thistles West

Nortonville, Kansas

913-886-2247

Texas Music Chart

Your Guide to Texas and Red Dirt Music

There's a tight race for the biggest Chart move this week on the Texas Music Chart. In its third week, Deryl Dodd's "Baby, Where's My Bottle" moves up 15 spots from #37 to #22. Brandon Rhyder, however, beats that, moving up 16 spots from #43 to #27 with "In the Country."

Cody Canada and the Departed continue to hold on to the top spot with "Ballad of Rosalie" and the top 5 has only one change this week. Eleven Hundred Springs' "This Ain't the First Time" drops to #8 and the Turnpike Troubadours break in to the top 5 with "Long Hot Summer Days."

New to the Chart are Bri Bagwell and "Banned From Santa Fe" at #48, Hudson Moore and "Cloudy Day" at #49, and Ryan Turner with "Sweet Time" at #50.

News, Sales, & Events

BIG TEXAS SWING SCHOOL WITH DAVE ALEXANDER!

 

The Big Texas Swing School is a 5-day music camp July 19- July 23, created for students aged 12-17 (some exceptions may apply). The primary purpose of the camp is to provide an educational setting for young musicians to learn to play in a Western Swing Big Band. Instruments include fiddle, bass, drums, guitar, vocalists, steel guitar, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and clarinet.

 

If you currently play a musical instrument or sing, know the basics of reading music, and are eager to explore the spirit of improvisation and Western Swing, The Big Texas Swing School is right for you! Click the picture for more information! 

 

Big Texas Swing School 

July 19-23, 2011 

North Central Texas College- Gainesville, TX  

 

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BEST IN TEXAS BIRTHDAY BASH FREE CONCERT SERIES! 

 

How's this for a birthday celebration? A FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES! Hosted by Best in Texas! Every week, starting June 2nd with Trent Willmon, make sure you're at Goode's Armadillo Palace. Come out and celebrate us all summer long! 

Things to Do Comin' up Soon

Here is a short list of things comin' up soon. Be sure to check out the entire event calendar on TheWesternVault.com for a complete list of great western events all over the United States! 

• July 8- 17: Calgary Stampede- Calgary, Alberta
• July 12-30: NCHA Summer Spectacular- Fort Worth, Texas 
• July 19- 23: Big Texas Swing School Hosted by Dave Alexander- Gainesville, Texas
• July 22- 31: Cheyenne Frontier Days- Cheyenne, Wyoming
• July 29-31: 75th Anniversary Western Horseman Celebration & Ride- Colorado Springs, Colorado 
• August 3-6: Trigger & Bullet Happy Trails Tour- Portsmouth, Ohio