Cowboy Poetry: Dennis Gaines

Who is Dennis Gaines? I consider everyone a friend until proven otherwise; a philosophy that would go a long way toward solving the world's ills if everyone thought likewise. That sentence written by Dennis Gaines probably says it all, but here's a sort of official bio: Dennis Gaines calls himself a cowboy poet, humorist and storyteller, a vocation that rates with bawdy house piano player in terms of prestige and respectability. Nevertheless, having survived an epic childhood which found his parents playing hide-and-seek all over the world, and Dennis always finding them, he was allowed to matriculate to the seventh grade, after which he found himself seeking ungainful employment in the oilfields of the world and ranches of the West. He frequents assorted gatherings and may be spotted at conventions, private parties, banquets, gunfights, chili cookoffs, hangin's, hitchin's, trail drives, campfires, rodeos, soup kitchens, dude ranches, horse sales, casinos and dogfights. He has never been seen in the company of lawyers, politicians or other such outlaws. Through all of it, he has tried to preserve some of what is good about cowboy culture and its heritage, with an emphasis on humor, tradition and perhaps even a little bit of nostalgia.

Dec. 28, 2003 Howdy, Steffi, good to hear from you. I lived in Darmstadt for a few years as a child. My father was in the military. I regret that I did not retain enough of the language to do me any good. We moved right back to Texas, and Spanish is much more useful here. I have attached a file with the words to "Settin' The Record Straight ". You may use it as you like. Also, my CD is available only through me via mail order or personal appearances. The cost is $15.00, plus applicable mailing costs and handling, generally about $3.00 in the U.S., but of course more to overseas destinations. I would just have to price those on an individual basis. Thank you for the link, and I am very glad that you enjoyed the works. Maybe we'll meet on the trail someday. Ride Easy, Dennis Gaines SETTIN' THE RECORDS STRAIGT You can find this poem @ the cd:

SON-OF-A-GUN STEW: A Texas Cowboy's Gather This CD was voted "Cowboy Poetry Album of the Year 2004" by the Academy of Western Artists!

This long-awaited CD includes a generous 70 minutes of of poems, stories, songs and more ( "some sentiment and tradition and a whole lot of fun and outrageous humor," as described by Dennis). Eight of the ten tracks are original works by Dennis Gaines: The Spandex Cowboy New and Improved Showdown in Matador Settin' the Record Straight Buck, the Musican Mule Ernesto Galvan (Don Cadden) Bungee Buckaroo I'd Like to Be in Texas for the Roundup in the Spring (traditional) A Life Well Lived Bueno Suerte Celebrated as a top storyteller and poet, Dennis Gaines has a kind of disclaimer about his singing style, and explains in his liner notes (titled "Ponderin's") about: "...my authentic singing style, which is pure cowboy and done in the "Acapulco" Style. Some folks have claimed that the correct term is a cappella, which is Latin and means 'to sing without benefit of musical accompaniment. " That may be true, but no cowboy of my acquaintance ever took any of his workin' vocabulary from the Latin language. Most all of our gear, workin' methods and language was taken from the old Mexican vaqueros and Californios. When old Sid told me that he liked my singing Acapulco, he actually meant that he wanted me to do my singing in Acapulco, or anywhere else besides the bunkhouse. He told me that true cowboy singing is only done by "them fellers that's swallered too much campfire smoke and trail dust," and that "Acapulco" is a corrupted version of a cappella and means "to sing off-key and out of tune." I am generally acknowledged as the finest "Acapulco" singer in the world. " Dennis says: For those of you who might be interested in a new collection of stories or maybe just a fancy coaster for your drinks, here's the tally. The CD sells for $15.00 plus state sales tax for Texas residents, plus $3.00 shipping and handling. That's a total of $19.20 for Texas residents, and $18.20 for all others. There is no additional postage for orders of 2-10 CDs. Review from cowboypoetry.com: Celebrated as a top storyteller and poet, Dennis Gaines has a kind of disclaimer about his singing style, and explains in his liner notes (titled "Ponderin's ") about: "...my authentic singing style, which is pure cowboy and done in the "Acapulco" Style. Some folks have claimed that the correct term is a cappella, which is Latin and means 'to sing without benefit of musical accompaniment.' That may be true, but no cowboy of my acquaintance ever took any of his workin' vocabulary from the Latin language. Most all of our gear, workin' methods and language was taken from the old Mexican vaqueros and Californios. When old Sid told me that he liked my singing Acapulco, he actually meant that he wanted me to do my singing in Acapulco, or anywhere else besides the bunkhouse. He told me that true cowboy singing is only done by "them fellers that's swallered too much campfire smoke and trail dust," and that "Acapulco" is a corrupted version of a cappella and means "to sing off-key and out of tune." I am generally acknowledged as the finest "Acapulco" singer in the world. " The non "Acapulco" musical parts of the CD include Danny Hubbard on acoustic guitar; Milo Deering on fiddle, mandolin, and jew's harp; Tim Harris on harmonica; and Ron Dilulio on banjo. Take on Dennis Gaines and you'll lose. He'll have you on the floor snorting and bustin' a gut quicker'n you can say "Son Of A Gun ". Here's the perfect remedy for what ails you... laughter, and some sweetness to, just to show you Dennis must have a both sides. ~Laura~ >>> www.cowboypoetry.com/dg.htm <<<             contact:

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