Melody Trail
December, 2005
Hello Friends:
New Cookbook
Martha’s 5th and final cookbook is now available Not only will it contain about 850 recipes, it will also include Martha’s story on how we met, titled “It All Started with Doublemint”. If you know anything about Gene Autry and his Melody Ranch Radio Show, you might suspect the connection. The story also includes some highlights of our 49 years together, both in our business and entertainment careers. Yes, next August 31, 2006 will be our “Golden Wedding Anniversary”. (Hey, that sounds old to me!)
Album Number 11
My latest recording is titled “Old Country Songs Never Die”. It’s me and my guitar presenting some brief introductory comments about some of the songs you have asked me to record. The song list includes Waiting for a Train, You Are My Sunshine, Nobody’s Darling But Mine, Old Shep, Rainbow at Midnight, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Born to Lose, When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again, I Love You Because, Too Old to Cut the Mustard, Bouquet of Roses, Candy Kisses, Fraulein, Where the Roses Never Fade, plus the title song.
Silver Dollar City
My band and I had a wonderful time at Silver Dollar City for two weeks in October this year. And now they have invited us back in October, 2006 for a three week run. It will be our 10th consecutive year to work at Silver Dollar City. The dates are October 11-28, except for Mondays and Tuesdays when the park is closed. Our engagement there is called the Barn Dance and will be held in the Carousel Barn. It is for adults and kids alike. Some like to dance to our music and some just sit and enjoy. We will do 44 shows and every show will be different. We take requests and have a lot of fun. And you will not want to miss the “Chicken Dance”.
Ken Turner
Nine years ago, when my band and I first worked Silver Dollar City in Branson, we met a wonderful couple, Ken and Lena Turner from Bella Vista, Arkansas. They would dance and laugh and became close friends to all of us. Lena often brought my favorite pie, Cocoanut Meringue, and it was sooooo good. But over the past several months, Ken’s health started going down hill and he passed away while we were in Branson. He was a great guy and we sure miss him. We all send our love and condolences to Lena and the family.
New Fiddler
When I started the Silver Lake Band some 12 years ago, J.C. Broughton was my fiddle player and continued up until this year. But he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and has had to retire from the band. Our new fiddler is my long time friend Jerald Ritter from Vian, Oklahoma. Jerald worked Silver Dollar City with us in October and did a fine job. He and Kenny sure enjoy doing our three part vocal harmony.
Thanks
The year 2005 has been a great one for us. Of course, winning the Wrangler Award from the Cowboy Hall of Fame for Outstanding Western Album of the Year has to be one of the highlights. And receiving the Distinguished Service Award from Murray State College, my alma mater, also ranks at the top of the list. By my latest count, it appears we will end the year by having done 115 shows. And we have had the privilege of spending time with so many old friends and meeting new friends. We thank and appreciate every one of you. Please stay in touch. We love to hear from you. Some of you are having some serious health challenges and you are in our prayers. And we sure hope 2006 becomes one of your greatest years yet.
Holiday Wishes
Martha and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. We wish for you good health, safety and happiness, as you and your family give thanks for your many blessings and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus.
Email Addresses
If you have an email address, please send it so we can send our newsletter by email, plus other occasional messages.
Les
******************************************************************************
PRODUCT INFORMATION
ALBUMS
Old COUNTRY SONGS NEVER DIE – CD
Les and his guitar present 15 old country favorites with personal introductory comments. The list includes Waiting for a Train, Old Shep, Rainbow at Midnight, Too Old to Cut the Mustard, Candy Kisses, Fraulein and others.
I REMEMBER GENE – CD
A tribute to Gene Autry containing 12 songs including Along the Navajo Trail, Harbor Lights, Yellow Rose of Texas, Mexicali Rose, Sioux City Sue, It’s My Lazy Day, the original title song “I Remember Gene” and others.
IT’S TIME TO SING A SONG – CD
This CD won the Wrangler Award from the Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2005 for the outstanding western album. It features 12 western classics such as Vaya Con Dios, The Wayward Wind, When the Works All Done This Fall & originals such as The Dalton’s Last Ride & the title song.
MY SPECIAL MEMORIES – CD
Loaded with 15 songs and numerous personal comments. Includes San Antonio Rose, South of the Border, Strawberry Roan, There’s a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere, The Preacher and the Bear, Happy Anniversary, When Bob Wills Comes to Town and others.
RAILWAY TO HEAVEN - CD
Features 15 gospel favorites including Amazing Grace, Wings of a Dove, Family Bible, Precious Memories, Go Rest High on That Mountain, How Great Thou Art, et al.
REFLECTIONS OF LIFE – CD
Features a total of 15 songs including Masters Call, Man Walks Among Us, Shenandoah, Waltz Across Texas, This Ole House, Oklahoma Hills, et al.
SOMEWHERE IN THE WEST – CD
Includes Faded Love, Sugar Moon, I’ve Been Everywhere,
Magdalena, The Wildest Bronc Ride (Walmart), et al
WESTERN COUNTRY – CD
Includes Silver Haired Daddy, Foolish Questions, Les’ patriotic song, What’s Right With America., et al.
THE COWBOY HIT PARADE – CD
The top ten all-time favorite western songs and stories behind the songs.
COOKBOOKS BY MARTHA
HOME ON THE RANGE – The first in the “Range Series. It is a collection of 750 recipes including many from entertainers and friends gathered from our travels.
BACK ON THE RANGE – This second in the series contains over 850 recipes plus the story and photos of Les’s hometown of Gene Autry, OK and how the town got its name.
COOKS ON THE RANGE – The third ‘Range’ cookbook contains over 850 recipes, including recipes from the President and Governors of 1948...
TASTES ON THE RANGE – The fourth “Range” cookbook contains over 800 recipes and interesting tidbits and stories.
LAST OF THE RANGE – Martha’s fifth and final cookbook in the Range Series. It contains over 800 recipes plus her own personal story of how we met and highlights of our 49 years together. The story is titled “It all Started with Doublemint”.
PRICES
Compact Disc…………………………..$17.00 ppd
Cookbook.…………………………….. $12.50 ppd
To order, please send check or money order to:
Eagle Enterprises
P.O. Box 350
Ponca City, OK 74602