From Deseret News archives:
Bar J Wranglers' singing is tops
But Western group ought to lay off the ridiculous jokes
OREM Remember the old story when a man married a woman because he liked the way she sang?
The next day when they woke up he saw her eyelashes on the dresser, her wig lying on the floor; parts of this woman were everywhere. So he shook her, woke her up and said, "Sing, baby, sing."
That's what folks expect of the Bar J Wranglers. These performers' warm, Western harmonies brought in a packed house at the David O. McKay Special Events Center at Utah Valley State College on Dec. 13, but much of the audience didn't come for the jokes, spread too liberally throughout the program. For many, the concert was over when the singing cowpokes from near Jackson Hole, Wyo., launched into a lengthy slapstick jokefest halfway through the show, primarily ridiculing each other and introducing bass player and singer Bryan Humphrey as Granny in drag.
As one old-timer muttered on his way out, "Too much talkin'; not enough singin'."
He has a point. It often seemed this group can't decide if they're singers or comedians.
The six-piece Western band has for 28 years been the mainstay of the Bar J Chuckwagon Supper and Western Show in Jackson Hole during the summer season, but for the last couple of decades it has taken to "sneaking off the ranch" during the off-season to tour coast to coast and from Montana to New Mexico.
The group presented its Christmas show, mixing in traditional tunes of the American West from the singing cowboy era of the 1930s and '40s and more modern pieces with traditional Christmas melodies. Included was a Gene Autry song, "I'm Back in the Saddle Again," and "Shadows on the Trail" from the Sons of the Pioneers.
Humphrey's yodeling was outstanding and plentiful. Groups like this, rather than the more popular country singers, keep alive the spirit of the West.
Known for their inspirational songs as well, Baxter, the brunt of short jokes but a man with a big voice, performed a patriotic poem then launched into "Battle Hymn of the Republic." That song led into moving performances of "America" and "God Bless America," which brought the audience to its feet.
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com
Recent comments
The food was exceptional cowboy cookin' but the music and show was...
Brad Johnson | Sept. 13, 2009 at 8:45 p.m.
I went to their performance for the first time. I thought the group...
Kathryn Blackham | Dec. 5, 2007 at 8:12 a.m.
- 'Dinosaur Odyssey' an insight to life 8:44 p.m.
- Couple dies within 48 hours of other 8:44 p.m.
- E-mail illegally sent for Bridgewater 8:42 p.m.
- Smoky smell at hospital from welders 8:27 p.m.
- Panel recommends raising food tax 8:13 p.m.
- BYU football: What others are saying 7:45 p.m.
- Should districts pay union reps? 7:12 p.m.
- I-80 reconstruction finally done 6:55 p.m.
- Child porn case nets fed sentence 6:44 p.m.
- Groups celebrate Dobbs' CNN exit 6:43 p.m.
- House passes health care bill
333 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
317 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
138 - Will state consider gay rights law?
137 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
118
One of my guilty pleasures is perusing the covers of celebrity magazines...
The galactic center shines like firelight through gaps in …
Yes, I also agree on appreciating the code talkers! And it really is an honor.
If I may I would like to point out that the LDS church is not the only church...
I think the plea bargain was appropriate - I also think the lawyer did what...
This event was so fun i was modeling in this event.. Quinceras & Bridal...
Why so many critics? What's your QB rating? What's that you say, never took a...
This man is a true hero regardless of his religion. He received the...
He doesn't even need to announce this. Of course there will be a review of...
it doesn't matter who the coaches are, or their strategy. doesn't matter...
If a gun is concealed... unless it is very hard to get to... you still have...
America's best days are behind us because no person will continue to invest,...


