Don Edward's rendition of the song"Coyote" embodies the spirit of the American West and the need to sit down, slow down, and take a break from the hi-tech treadmill of life. Don's story captures a true American spirit. It will put you in touch with Cowboy culture and the need to connect to animals and the land. This documentary examines how the music of Don Edwards still works today, nearly 100 years after the Wild West shows have gone away. It will cover the singer's decision to take the road less traveled of cowboy music despite the Nashville scene pumping out hits about trucks, girls, and beer. And in doing so, finding the magic and myths found in Classic Westerns.

Cowboy Poetry and Music

Cowboy poetry and music started in the 1880's soon after the Civil War influenced by the cattle drives. Waddie Mitchell (pictured) states "When you don't have electricity or TV,cowboys tend to tell stories of their experiences either by poetry or song." The cowboys had a connection to each other, their animals (usually horses and cows) and the land (the wide open spaces and the stars above them).

Connection to the Land

The Cowboys definitely had a connection to the land  driving cattle from Texas to Kansas on the open range. The land and the weather had to be endured rather than enjoyed as many have romanticized it calling it the last frontier. Rather, the poets and songsters sang about the monotony and the hardships of the working cowboy. Today, we cherish the land and long for the days before concrete and steel.

The Animals

"The thunder and lightning for you had no fears; You carried me safe with the stampedin' steers; You're just a cow pony, but maybe you know How much you are to me, my little Chopo".

Chopo N. Howard "Jack" Thorp