Western Coen Brothers Style with Classic John Wayne "True Grit" Remake

Western Coen Brothers Style with Classic John Wayne "True Grit" Remake


We read in the New York Times that the Coen brothers' are working on a remake of "True Grit" "True Grit" is scheduled to hit theaters at the end of this year, on December 25.

This is great news for western aficionados wanting westerns introduced to another generation who seem more preoccupied in the science fiction and fantasy of the future than the history of their ancestors past. Coens are capable of making a film the next generation will embrace and maybe open the door a crack for more westerns.

Jeff Bridges reunites with the Coens, taking the Rooster Cogburn role that was previously made famous by screen legend John Wayne. Also cast are Matt Damon and Josh Brolin, as Cogburn sidekick La Boeuf and main villain Tom Chaney, respectively. An unknown actress, Hailee Stanfield. 13-years-old, has been cast for the character of Mattie Ross.

"True Grit" is the story of Mattie Ross, a teenage girl who convinces Cogburn to help her find justice for the murder of her father at the hands of Chaney. Also investigating the crime is Damon's character, a Texas Ranger, whose idea of justice is more within the bounds of U.S. law than Ross and Cogburn's.

If you have never seen the original John Wayne "True Grit" movie, pick it up at BlockBluster or in the discount bin at Wal-Mart. It's a classic worth viewing over and over again.

Whitey Hughes Hollywood Stuntman Nov 1920 - Jul 2009

Whitey Hughes Hollywood Stuntman Nov 1920 - Jul 2009

Whitey Hughes born Nov. 9, 1920, in Arkoma, Oklahoma, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009. Whitey Hughes is a name you may not remember. But you have seen his work. An actor and stuntman in the early years of the westerns we all grew up watching his talents without even knowing it was him. His resume is filled with the names of every major actor of the golden age of movies.

 From 1948 through 1953 Whitey worked for Robert Gilbert Productions as a stuntman and double for such stars its Reno Browne and Lee "Lasses" White in "Red Rock Outlaw" ('50). Whitey was doing stunts on Johnny Carpenter's low budget westerns like "Badman's Gold" (‘51) and "Son of a Renegade" ('53). His first location job was in Lone Pine, doubling leading lady, Lynne Roberts in Tim Holt's "Dynamite Pass" ('50).

Whitey was often called upon to double for women in these early days and would eventually do stunts for such luminaries as Rita Hayworth, Stephanie Powers, Barbara Hershey, Anne Baxter, Lana Turner, Kathleen Crowley and Virginia Mayo ("Along the Great Divide", again on location in Lone Pine). Whitey's credits include work on "The Wild One" with Marlon Brando, "Sitting Bull" with Dale Robertson, "Darby O'Gill and the Little People", "Charge at Feather River" with Guy Madison, "Geronimo" with Chuck Connors and Ross Martin, and Sam Peckinpah's "Wild Bunch".

Whitey was Johnny Crawford's double for four years on TV's "Rifleman" as well as Bobby Diamond's double during the run of the "Fury" TV series. Whitey also worked on "U.S. Marshal", "Californians", "MacKenzie's Raiders", "Black Saddle", "Wyatt Earp", "Lassie", "Rawhide", "Bonanza", "Monroes", "Hondo", "Gunsmoke" ... and hundreds more including work for both Roy [Rogers] and Gene [Autry] on their respective series. To see the caliber of his terrific stunt work watch Whitey in action in almost every episode of "The Wild Wild West", which he coordinated for four seasons ('65-'68). Whitey and his stunt crew do some amazing action sequences.

Whitey spent '70 - '71 preparing his own production, Smoke In the Wind. In the '70s, Whitey worked on series and films such as "Omega Man", "Harper Valley P.T.A.", "Spiderman", "Wonder Woman", "B. J. and the Bear", "Buck Rogers", "Father Murphy", "Fall Guy", "Blue and the Gray", "Little House on the Prairie" and many others. Whitey worked as an active stuntman for over 50 years. He was even in the 1997, "Men in Black" at age 77.

 Whitey Hughes, did his final "Take" last week but he will live on in a tremendous body of work forever.

'Alamo' movie set closes in respect of owner's death

'Alamo' movie set closes in respect of owner's death


Alamo Village in Brackettville is now closed. For decades, tourists have been able to visit the movie set where John Wayne held off Mexican soldiers in the movie "The Alamo,"

The owner of the village, 93-year-old Virginia Shahan, had kept it open to visitors, trail rides and other movie shoots for nearly 50 years. But after her recent death, the attraction has been closed to visitors until her family determines what to do next.

The movie inspired a generation of would-be cowboys and cemented in people's imaginations an outsized image of the Alamo that dwarfs the real thing in downtown San Antonio.

The Satisfied Frog

New Owners of The Satisfied Frog are Committed to Providing Exceptional Food and Service to Patrons Ownership change on February 15th prompts re-birth of a new era for The Satisfied Frog

Long-time patrons of The Satisfied Frog at Frontier Town in Cave Creek can rest assured that it is "business as usual" at the western-themed restaurant and the recent change of ownership is already bringing about positive response from employees and customers. On Friday, February 15, The Satisfied Frog Restaurant operations were temporarily suspended for some 30 minutes during a transition to new operators, and despite rumors, the restaurant did not close its doors.

"Not only were we open this past weekend, we had a wedding on Saturday and an incredible turnout for our Nascar Party on Sunday," said Marc Peagler, who is operating the restaurant. Marc added that "we're not going anywhere," noting that The Satisfied Frog has been one of Arizona's most popular dining and entertainment destinations for more than 25 years and locals and tourists have been visiting Frontier Town for more than 38 years.

A New Era and Special Events
Juli Forsyth, The Satisfied Frog's Operations and General Manager, said she views this transition as a re-birth of a new era for the restaurant. "The history of The Frog will carry on. Our menu will remain mostly the same, though we may look at how to make it even better," Forsyth said. "We're also excited to announce that The Satisfied Frog is the official Spring Training headquarters for the Chicago Cubs. In addition, we are teaming up with Nascar to host big screen TV parties in our Beer Garden on race days. We're in the midst of planning these promotions, so check back with us soon for more details." Juli also credits her staff of 65 for their dedication and hard work. "Our staff has been incredible. We are very grateful to them and to our loyal customers for their support," she said.

Constance Wood, The Satisfied Frog's Director of Special Events, has been employed by the restaurant for 14 years and in her current position for four years. She said she is confident the new change will bring about positive results. "I am 100 percent behind this and want to reassure our customers, especially our brides and grooms who are planning a wedding here, that we will continue to provide exceptional food and service," Constance stated.

The Satisfied Frog Restaurant is located at 6245 E. Cave Creek Road in Frontier Town in Cave Creek. The western-themed restaurant offers a wide selection of delicious appetizers, entrées and deserts, including a full bar. Frontier Town is a western-themed, family-friendly town that pays tribute to the miners, ranchers and cattlemen who settled in Cave Creek in the late 1800s. Located in the heart of Cave Creek, Frontier Town is just minutes from North Scottsdale. Patrons visiting Frontier Town not only can dine at The Satisfied Frog, they can stroll through a myriad of gift shops and view authentic artifacts from the Old West, including covered wagons, and a 13 step hanging gallows. Patrons can relax in the outdoor beer garden and even have their hair cut in the old western barber/beauty shop. Parking and admission is free.

For information or to make dining reservations at The Satisfied Frog, call (480) 488-3317 or visit www.satisfiedfrog.biz . For banquets and weddings, call (602) 359-3300 or visit www.icanaffordthiswedding.biz .

Pioneer Restaurant and Saloon

Pioneer Restaurant and Saloon
Dining Review
By Cowgirl Connoisseur


The old time cowboy restaurant is almost a thing of the past with all of the modern development taking over much of Arizona’s cowboy country.

Pioneer Restaurant and Saloon located at I-17 Exit #225 west on Pioneer Road can still hold claim to good old-fashioned cowboy food and entertainment. They claim to be “Where Arizona’s Old West is re-discovered and the taste of Arizona’s new west is found”

Pioneer Restaurant and Saloon sits on the Pioneer Living History Museum old west town property, although you can enter the restaurant without going into the museum proper. Many events combine the restaurants food with everything from weddings, corporate parties to the September Wild Western Festival. www.wildwesternfestival.com

Open Wednesday through Sunday, 6am to 9pm, Pioneer serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner in a comfortable old west style dining room and bar. Sunday they have an All-U-Can-Eat Buffet Breakfast sure to satisfy any appetite from Hoss to Little Joe. Thursday night is All-U-Can-Eat Spaghetti & Meatballs, darn near featured in every Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Western. Friday night is the “Famous” All-U-Can-Eat Fish Fry. Gather up your posse of family and friends for this one! Saturday night is Prime Rib and All the Fixin’s. The food has always been of generous portions and cooked to your request.

Friday through Sunday you can enjoy entertainment from honkey-tonk piano to cowboy singers. Pioneer can also host your parties for weddings, corporate events or team building. Bring your out-of-town guests in for a taste of the old west. Their website at www.westerndestinations.com tells you all about a variety of activities available.
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Buffalo Chip Saloon And Steakhouse

Buffalo Chip Saloon And Steakhouse
by Cowgirl Connoisseur

The Buffalo Chip is a cowboy's standard hang out in downtown Cave Creek. It has a real western, kinda rough and tumble feel and it comes by it naturally. All those cowboy boots kicking up their heels dancing and hootin' and hollarin' can leave a mark! "Live in the now, but play in the 1800's" is their motto. Aside from the televisions, you could be walking into an 1880's style bar.

The restaurant is open 10am to 10pm with standard cowboy fare. Big Buckin' Burger and Fries at $6.95, 3/4 lb 100% beef chuck, hand ground and pattied, on a toasted bun with cheddar cheese. You can add Bacon, Green Chiles or Red Chili for $1.00 each. On Fridays, it's "All-You-Can-Eat" Cod, Walleye, Lake Perch and Catfish with fries and slaw $9.95 from 5 to 10pm. The fish is hot and delicious and they keep it coming. What a deal! Be sure to get your fill by 10pm, because the tables get pushed back and the dance floor appears and lookout, it gets crazy. They hand cut their own choice steaks and cook the steaks and burgers are on a Mesquite grilled to your likes. Of the hundreds of steaks I've had at the Chip, every single one has been good, tender, juicy and tasty. They are served with cowboy beans, salad, and a honey butter biscuit. It's nothing fancy, just simple straight forward cowboy dinner and uumm ummm good.

Not in the burger mood? How about a Mesquite Grilled Chicken Sandwich, for $7.95, it is a large grilled chicken breast, hot melted cheese, green chilies, tomatoes, and lettuce on a toasted bun, served with fries. Or a Pit Smoked Pork Sandwich and Fries, $7.95, 3/4 pound of smoked sliced pork topped with melted cheese, coleslaw and served on a toasted bun with a side of BBQ sauce. Or the Smoked Brisket Sandwich and Fries, $7.95, 3/4 pound beef brisket with melted cheese on a toasted bun with a side of BBQ sauce. For the salad lover try the Grilled Chicken Salad, $7.95, Platter of iceberg lettuce, slivered purple cabbage, carrots, and tomatoes with a grilled chicken breast, toasted croutons and side of ranch dressing.

The Chet "ATKINS" Platter, is $11.95, it has smoked pork, beef brisket, and grilled chicken breast with dry BBQ rub and a side of low-carb home-style coleslaw. Pit-Smoked Beef Brisket, for $10.95, is one pound of pit-smoked beef brisket with cowboy beans, coleslaw and honey butter biscuit. Or try the Chicken Saloon, for $10.95, chicken breast, tossed green salad, and a honey butter biscuit.

But the most popular item is the 12 oz. choice handcut Ribeye Steak, for $16.95, served with cowboy beans, tossed green salad, and a honey butter biscuit. Cooked to your order with these guidelines, Rare = Cool Red Center, Medium Rare = Warm Pink Center, Medium = Thin Pink Line in Center, Medium Well = No Pink, Well = May Still Be on Fire!

As a center attraction for cowboys in a western town for so many years, the Chip is nothing fancy. But that patina of so many wild nights has a certain attraction. This is where life really happens. It can get wild. Pretty young cowgirls come in their best western ware and dancing boots to two-step with cowboys in Wranglers and fresh Panhandle Slim snap button shirt and of course Stetson hat. They meet on the dance floor and share a few long necks and the next thing you know there are two kids and dog in the back of his Ford F250. Yep, many a romance has begun under that roof.

The atmosphere is just what city folk and tourists want to absorb. The Buffalo Chip even caters to tour groups and parties with a little western town out back. You can listen to the live music, shoot pool, or throw horseshoes, sit next to a fire pit and enjoy beautiful Black Mountain with a cold one!

There's plenty of music and dancing going on with Wednesday Karaoke 8pm to Midnight using one of the best sound system around. Thursday and Sunday you can enjoy free dance lessons (that's cowboy dancing ya'll) from 7 to 8pm, and Live music and dancing with The Pat James Band 8pm till Midnight, every Thursday through Sunday. And check out Mel's Auction out back where you can bring anything in from 7to 9pm to get sold, and of course you're welcome to buy!

The first Sunday of every month during the Fall and Winter from 7 to 9pm the Chip goes theatre with "Murder at the High Noon Saloon", a Comedy/Interactive Theater and Dinner Show. They serve a Prime Rib, Cowboy Beans, Tossed Salad, Sourdough Biscuit and Dessert for $35.00.

So the next time your gang of cowboys and cowgirls gets real hungry and has some energy to burn, do what we do. Say,"Meet ya'll at the Chip!" Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse, is located at 6811 East Cave Creek Road, in Cave Creek.

PIONEER PEPPER & THE SUNSET PIONEERS TO PLAY THE OPERA HOUSE

Press Release For Immediate release through August 31, 2007 From Media contact LeeAnn Sharpe 602-565-5785
PIONEER PEPPER & THE SUNSET PIONEERS TO PLAY THE OPERA HOUSE IN CAREFREE ARIZONA
Pioneer Pepper & The Sunset Pioneers will charm you right back in time with their classic harmonies on those unforgettable songs like “Ghost Riders in the Sky”, “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” and “Cool Water, as well as treat you to cowboy poetry, rootin’ tootin’ gunfights, trail humor, and good ol’ fashion wild west fun, every Friday and Saturday night at the Carefree Resort Opera House, 7 – 8:30pm starting June 15th all the way through Labor Day, September 1st ,2007.
It’s the place to be this summer as Pioneer Pepper & The Sunset Pioneers perform a Dinner & Show, on Friday and Saturday nights at the beautiful Opera House.Partnered up with the wonderful folks at the elegant Carefree Resort & Villas in Carefree Arizona, they will bring you great old west entertainment in this incredible setting. The Opera House has a rich “old west” atmosphere and The Sunset Pioneers fill it with music, dance, comedy, magic, stories and fun from the exciting era of the singing cowboys!
The Opera House is absolutely stunning with it's western charm and beautiful chandeliers. The adjacent Red Horse Saloon invites you to “belly up to the bar” for some of your favorite wild west beverages. After our evening performances we entertain you with one of our famous and funny gunfights at the Stage Coach Pass. There might even be a campfire or two waitin' for you. The entire evening is a truly unforgettable old west experience. A show for all ages!
The Carefree Resort proudly serves a scrumptious dinner for the series and they are also offering a special “Wild West Weekend Package” that will include a weekend stay at the resort, a Dinner & Show, and a Gunfight! You don't want to miss this great priced summer package deal.
These Singing Cowboys bring plenty of wild west fun along with the music from the era of the singing cowboy Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Rex Allen, and The Sons of the Pioneers. You can expect western memories and cowboy poetry with a bit of good clean family side splittin’ humor. This cowboy singing group takes you back into the days of the old west with the lonely cowboy spinning tales about his horse, the cattle and the prairie.
The Sunset Pioneers are international entertainers, recently having toured Austria! They have entertained with some of the greats like Mel Tillis, Johnny Western, Marty Robbins son Ronnie, Melissa Gilbert, John Mitchum, and Buck Taylor. They performed for the “Little House On The Prairie” TV show reunion at the Western Film Festival and filmed with the BBC-TV for the TV series “Only In America”. They’re also Fender Artists, a title held by about 140 others in the entire world of Fender Guitars, and they are the official town balladeers of the fastest growing city in the USA, Gilbert Arizona. The Arizona Republic newspaper named them Top Personalities of the year. They have also filmed with the Midwest Country TV show and are now regular featured performers of the show aired on the RFD-TV network.
The group’s leader Pioneer Pepper is an ex-police officer from Illinois. In 1995, he went from cop to cowboy and moved to Arizona to be closer to the old west. He has played guitar and been singing most of his life. Pioneer Pepper has held the title of Illinois State champion guitarist and has performed in several stage productions such as “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Man of La Mancha”. He has taken 1st place in the United States in show band competition with the International School of Music. But his love and passion has always been cowboy music and now proudly rides the trail with his pardners, The Sunset Pioneers. Doc Bellows is Pioneer Pepper’s right hand man and plays a whole wagon full of instruments such as the accordion, piano, keyboard, guitar, bass, mandolin, and sings the upper harmonies in The Sunset Pioneers. Doc taught voice in Ohio before moving to Arizona. Doc's dry wit makes him the perfect straight-man in the knee-slapping stage antics.
Perfesser Rolland taught math at various colleges and universities for 25 years, but remembers returning to music in graduate school, as a diversion from the rigors of his studies. Pioneer Pepper recalls saying “That guy can fiddle”! He’s a 3-time Certified Division National Fiddle Champion, 9 time Arizona State champion, and holds many other titles too numerous to list. Pioneer Pepper is proud to have Perfesser riding along with The Sunset Pioneers and knows you’ll be thrilled to hear his fantastic fiddling when you come out to see us!
Bass player Dusty Cartride gets his name from being an avid cyclist and is also involved in the cycling industry. He has played with music greats like Dizzy Gillespie, but with his other love you could say he is a true “Metal Cowboy” “Yep!” Dusty explains, “You could say I traded my horse for a bike. Sure, I would rather have a horse for companionship, but I don’t have to clean up much after my bike!” Dusty is a classically trained bass player from, New York City and his talents will amaze you.
Pepper’s daughters Cassandra and Calena, (Tussie) age 14 and 12 are also members of the group. Cassandra plays fiddle and Calena plays guitar. They also sing and dance in routines reminiscent from the days of the dance halls, theatres, and opera houses of the old west.. They are both going to be adding new routines to the show in the up coming months and Pioneer Pepper feels he is the most blessed “Pa” in the world to be able to share this incredible ride with his daughters.
Gramps is Pioneer Pepper father, and at 80-years-old, still plays the harmonica on stage, making it a three generation show.
Joining the show for the summer series, is Charlie LeSueur, author of “Riding the Hollywood Trail” and “The Legends Live Host of KFHX 1620am “Riding the Indie Trail” Radio Show, Charlie will shares interesting stories behind the old cowboy songs. Also, Wichita, from Wichita’s Magic Chuckwagon, will be performing some of his magical antics during dinner and before the show.
The Sunset Pioneers don’t play any of the top 40 country and western music that you hear on the radio. They play the music of the cowboy era. Truly entertaining, their music will warm your soul and lift your spirits. Visit their website at http://www.sunsetpioneers.com/ for a list of their CD’s including, Ballads Of The Trails, Music Memories Of The Cowboys, and Fiddle-ology.
Dinner is served at 5:30pm and the Show is at 7:00pm with the Gunfight at 8:30pm. You can come for a Dinner & Show or you are welcome to come just for the Show & Gunfight!Dinner & Show. Is $40 and will include a 3 course meal with choices of soup or salad, entree, dessert, coffee, tax, and tip. That is an unbelievable deal!Dinner & Show for children 12 & Under is $30 with a special children's menu available.Show Only is $15 and $10 for children 12 & under.Groups and Parties Welcome!
Call 480-595-3829 for reservations or log on to http://www.carefree-resort.com/ The Carefree Resort is located at 37220 Mule Train Rd - Carefree, AZ 85377. Take Cave Creek Road to Mule Train Road, turn north and follow the signs to the Opera House, just north of the Carefree Resort & Villas. See ya there pardners!
Photos available On request Photo Caption: The Sunset Pioneers play music from the era of the singing cowboy.

Bring your cowboy hat! Free mounted shooting workshop

Bring your cowboy hat!
Free mounted shooting workshop to be held in February
by LeeAnn Sharpe
NEW RIVER – Fast horses and quick‑on‑the‑draw gunfighters defined the Old West. As they faded into history, the gunslinger and his trusted steed became the stuff of legends.
And those legends live on. These days, mounted shooting with single action pistols isn’t a matter of survival–it’s a fast‑growing, action‑packed sport.
“I personally could not even ride when I saw my first mounted shooting event and decided to get started. I want others to experience the fun and sense of accomplishment that I feel a couple of years later,” said Robert Morris, a member of a local mounted shooting club, Arizona Cowboy Mounted Shooters Association (ACMSA)
The association is sponsoring a free workshop to attract more people to the sport.
Mounted shooters fire single action revolvers just the ones used in the late 1800s. They ride their horses through a barrel race course firing blanks at balloons that are affixed to poles. Mounted shooters are judged on their speed and accuracy.
Although they are firing blanks, the muzzle blast from the revolvers is sufficient to burst the balloons.
The workshop is for beginners who have never participated in a mounted shooting event and will be held on Feb. 10 at Larkyn Memorial Arena in New River. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop starts at 9 a.m. The workshop will last two to three hours.
“It looks like a lot of fun,” comments Curt Schulz, an electrician from Cave Creek. “I’ve been into horses all my life, a hunter and shooter all my life. When a friend took me to a mounted shooting match and the people were all so friendly, I knew I wanted to give it a try.”
Schulz signed up for the free workshop even though he doesn’t own a horse yet.
“I have a horse property already, so now I’m looking for a good horse.” Owning a horse will be the realization of his lifetime dream.
It’s a trend the organization sees often with new members. The viewing of a competition prompts adult spectators to finally purchase their first horses. The social group provides an opportunity to get together with like‑minded adults who saddle up to a fast‑track course on horse ownership. A good number are in or nearing their senior years with resources and time to travel to club events around the country. The hobby keeps them feeling young.
Prospective mounted shooters can either bring a horse to ride or audit from the ground without a horse. The purpose of the workshop is to provide information, advice and contacts to people of any age or ability who want to get started in this fun sport that celebrates the Old West.
Attendees without horses will be advised on finding a horse and training. ACMSA has many members who started with just a cowboy hat and a desire to learn.
Cave Creek’s own 2005 World Champion, Annie Bianco‑Ellett, and New River’s 2006 Arizona State Champion, Dan Byrd, will be on hand to offer instruction. Attendees will not be shooting at this workshop.
Information and a sign‑up link can be found at www.acmsa.com. Updates and any changes necessitated by weather can also be found there. Contact Robert
Morris at (480) 563‑9015 or robert@jmphotoart.com.