August, 2003
Hello Friends –
Some may have been misinformed, so to confirm, my band and I will be at Silver Dollar City this year - Oct 1-5 and 8-12.
Thanks to all who sponsored and/or attended any of our performances thus far in 2003.
Arkansas – Dardanelle, Lincoln
Texas – Athens, Iredell, Cleburne, Weatherford, Abilene
Kansas – Lawrence, Benton¸ Cedar, Burlington
Oklahoma – Ponca City, Putnam City, Gene Autry, Anadarko, Oakwood, OKC, Tahlequah,
Muskogee, Tulsa, Ardmore, Yukon, Tishomingo, Taloga, Stigler, Reagan
Ohio – Kenton
Michigan – Escanaba
Iowa - Forest City
I am pleased to announce that a song I wrote and recorded in my latest album has made the top ten on the Western Swing Chart, published by the Academy of Western Artists. The song is “When Bob Wills Comes to Town”.
In 1952, I enrolled in Murray State College in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, graduating in 1954. Just recently, I was named a “Distinguished Former Student”, so named the first year of the award.
My latest album is “My Special Memories”. On the cover photo you will see me when I was 10 years old, along with Minnie Pearl, PeeWee King and his band and several of the local kids. The photo was taken in downtown Gene Autry, OK in front of the old trading post.
Martha will soon have her fourth cookbook published. It will be titled “Tastes on the Range”, containing over 800 recipes. It should be available by September 1, 2003.
I have been in the studios recently recording my first album for Prairie Rose Records. The working title is “It’s Time To Sing a Song”. The target date for release is September 1, 2003.
Wouldn’t it be fun to go on a Cowboy Cruise, with lots of food, fun and cowboy music? Well, now you can. Carnival Cruise Lines, the most popular cruise line in the world, is asking you to join the Cowboys in the Caribbean February 22-28, 2004 for their very first Cowboy Cruise. Entertainment will feature the Prairie Rose Wranglers, Les Gilliam (that’s me) and Mindy Petersen. Mindy is the granddaughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Ports of Call will include Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. For more information, please contact Village Tours and Travel in Wichita, KS at 800-333-0312 or 316-721-4455. Hope you will join us.
Now, I’d like to ask you to consider attending some of our upcoming performances.
On August 2, I will make my first appearance at the Red Rock Guest Ranch Chuckwagon Supper near Soldier, Kansas. It is located just north and west of Topeka. Call 1-866-FUNGRUB for info.
On August 5, we would love to see you at the Museum of the Great Plains in Lawton, OK. Show time is 7pm. The museum is located at 601 NW Ferris. Call 580-695-9395 for info.
The El Dorado Dinner Theater has moved to the Americana Music Hall just outside El Dorado, KS. Customers say the new location is wonderful. I will be there on August 16, with dinner at 6pm. Call 316-320-4444 for info.
And try to come to Lawrence, KS on Aug. 20 to the Eldridge Hotel for the Flying E Chuckwagon Supper. Call 785-749-5011 for info.
Listed below are the phone numbers to call for more information on these events where I will be performing:
Aug 30-31 Prairieville Farm Days,
Delton, Michigan - 616-623-2485
Sept 6 – Poncan Theatre, Ponca City, OK
580-765-0943 (with band)
Sept 13 – Town Celebration, Wakita, OK
580-594-2539 (with band)
Sept 16 – Arts Council, Moberly, MO
660-263-2623 (with band)
Sept 25-28 Gene Autry, OK
580 – 294-3047 (with band on 27tth)
Oct 1-12 – Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO
417-338-8187 (with band, closed 6th/7th)
Oct 18 – Quail Valley Fun Barn, Winfield, KS
620-222-2154 (with band)
Nov 8 – Fall Concert, Herington, KS
785-258-2244
If you have an email address, please send it to so we can send our newsletter by email plus other occasional messages.
Thanks for your support,
Les