HeraldReviewMedia's video: Cowboy Poetry Gathering adapts to pandemic with virtual performances

Good morning, it’s Tuesday February 9th and this is The Herald Review’s podcast, the Daily Chirp. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories, events in the community, local history, sports, and more.  Today - The Cowboy Poetry Gathering adapts to pandemic with virtual performances Before we begin, some local history. In 1877, silver prospector Ed Schieffelin set out from Camp Huachuca, to the Dragoon Mountains. The other soldiers warned him he’d find nothing there but his own tombstone. When he finally struck silver, he named his mine Tombstone, and by 1880, a town of the same name emerged. Today’s history is brought to you by Benson Hospital. Benson Hospital’s comprehensive rehabilitation team strives to get you back on your feet and improve your lifestyle. Offering Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy. For more information visit bensonhospital.org or call 520-586-2262.  This year’s “Ride, Cowboy Ride” Cowboy Poetry Gathering found a way to reach its audience despite the pandemic, by live-streaming their performers in addition to limited in-person seating. Co-chair and organizer of the event, George Wheat said that they expanded their online infrastructure to allow attendees to live-stream the performances from the Arizona Folklore Preserve. They also have a library of pre-recorded performances from around 30 participating artists. Six artists performed live at the preserve Friday and Saturday night, including Peter “P.D.” Ronstadt & The Company, Dennis Russell, Belinda Gail, Syd Masters & the Swing Riders, Chris Isaacs, and Jeneve Rose Mitchell. 35 year old Ronstadt is the son of the late musician-songwriter Michael J. Ronstadt and nephew of singer Linda Ronstadt. He began his set with one of his father’s songs titled “Canadian Moon”. Ronstadt and his band wrapped up the evening with an original song written by himself and his father, “El Camino,” and closed the band’s 45-minute set with his grandfather’s favorite song, “Volver, Volver” written by Fernando Z. Maldonado. Ronstadt said that the song’s title translates to “We will return,” and noted how the song is a common closer for the band for its messaging of wanting to return to the stage to perform again. Other performers also shared their performing secrets. Singer-songwriter Belinda Gail who grew up on ranches in California and Nevada has been singing western music for 25 years. Her musical set comprised of a combination of old traditional music and current western music. Also a bit of western swing and a couple of originals. She noted that she always tries to include one gospel song. Gail also serves as the board member on the International Western Music Association. The organization is working hard to get music out to people. And finally, returning for his fourth performance at the Cowboy Poetry event, Syd Masters of Syd Masters & the Swing Riders. Masters said that his performances are half original songs and half covers. The band likes to perform traditional western songs like Marty Robbins’ “El Paso” or “Ghost Riders in The Sky,” by Stan Jones. Organizer George Wheat had a goal for the event. He wanted to show people that we can have some semblance of normalcy even though nothing right now is normal. He said that these types of events can still happen, you have to use your imagination and ingenuity to make them happen.  And for Ronstadt, he hopes that the musicians provided some light to the audience and the community in these dark times. To him, it’s healing to get together and play music. We couldn’t agree more. Thanks for listening, before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors, Prestige Family Living.  Now, we’d like to highlight a few local athletes who received athletic and academic scholarships to the University of Sioux Falls. Brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy. Voted Best of Cochise County 2020, ApexNetwork provides exceptional care to the Sierra Vista and Benson communities. Choose ApexNetwork for all of your physical therapy needs. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com. Buena High School football players Dominic Avant and Isaac Benoit signed their letters of intent to the University of Sioux Falls, in South Dakota. Benoit will play running back while Avant is an offensive lineman. The signing marked the end of a long recruiting process for the pair. Avant began his process at the end of his sophomore year while Benoit started his at the start of his junior year. Both seniors agree this achievement was made possible because of their coaches at Buena and their mothers, Melissa Avant and Yolanda Edwards. They said without their support they wouldn’t have signed their letters.  Next, this week we’re hearing from members of our community on what they hope to see for the future of Cochise County -- brought to you by our sponsors, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.