Pining for the old Western Plains

Perhaps in anticipation and preparation for three days and nights of heavy duty folk music camping in the 'sunny' Grampians this coming weekend with a couple of hundred assorted musicians, eclectic genres, instruments and children that I thought today of that old Gene Autry song Back in the Saddle Again. Put on the howdy cowdy hat, get in some moonshine and Slim Pickens is ready to ride the range once more on his old cayoose. Yippy-o-tay-ay!

The first thing I dug up is the Sons of the Pioneers doing Serenade to a Coyote. As the boys in the band may remember from Maldon last year, this is Coyote Seranade's signature tune.

My Dad was rather fond of Gene Autry - he was basically just a Hollywood crooner with a C&W makeover (Gene Autry, that is, not my Dad). As you can see on this clip featuring album and film artwork and promo shots, he had the finest collection of cowboy shirts you ever saw! Many made by Nudies Rodeo Tailors. C&W chic was defined by these guys.