Thanks for this tribute and all of these wonderful memories, Hal. What an honor and pleasure to work with Ian -- and you -- over all those years. Ian's repertoire just kept on growing and evolving and delighting with each new album and appearance, a testimony to his deep commitment to songwriting. What a legacy! Highlights of the Gathering for me span from Ian's Sunday-after-the-Gathering shows at the Stockmens to his last powerful appearances at the Gathering.
Crazy honeymoon six years after marriage at age twenty, after seeing a tiny ad in the classifieds, "Cowboy poets and singers gather in Elko". Knowing we had to go, leaving little kids with ranch friends at the bottom of Hells Canyon and driving a tiny car through SE Oregon and Idaho, across Duck Valley reservation in a blizzard to Elko. Hearts on fire. Everywhere music, poetry. Drinking in Ian's singing like an elixir. Dancing, dancing, dancing. Counter clockwise. Wild bunch in the middle. Two-steppers on the outside. Touching and balancing and clinging and barely keeping your feet on the ground. Flying, riding a fast horse that tears up your eyes. Gliding, riding a smooth horse that feels like part of your body has four legs and an extra heart. Belonging. Years later, after accidents and learning, another journey leaving behind kids, this time for a maybe job on a range research station in New Mexico, airports and a rental car with a cd player, Blue Mountains of Mexico, reminding us we were lovers, reminding us of our own blue mountains and the canyons of home, to which we returned, where we started our herd of longhorns and called ourselves Magpie Ranch, and where we still are, and where we're still singing "You hand all around these hills in the winter time, why in the hell would you want to do that? You just want to be free. Holy Moses magpie, I am you - you are me."
I met Ian and you, Hal at the wonderful Meg Glasers family's ranch in Jan 1991. I stayed at the Stockman listening to music until late into the night and made paintings for the stage backdrops during the day. One of the very best weeks of my life. I will never forget the day I was heading home, there was a big breakfast gathering at the Glaser's home. That's when Ian suggested I have some of these funny little sausages. My first Rocky Mountain oyster. The smile on his face when he informed me what I was eating will always be my memory. I could use another week in Elko, and maybe some more of those chewy little sausages. Thanks for this memory.
Ive been thinking about you since I heard the news of Ian’s passing yesterday Hal. Your friendship with Ian and support of his art has been centric to the movement you guys started.
My deepest thanks seems so insufficient for all you’ve done for me and for so many. My greatest friends, my greatest inspirations, a fine education, and my deepened love of the west all came from the gathering you founded.
I know Ian was your friend and indeed, you have been his.
And thank you again a million times over. My heart aches with you tonight but swells with gratitude for the many many great times we had with the great one.
Damn! I knew you were an old folkie but didn’t know that you hung with Ian - one of my favorite people, along with Cynthia Gooding & my sis - of the folk revival of the 50s & 60s.
A TOAST to you and Teresa, and one to Ian. Long may the memories linger.
A wonderful tribute to Ian Tyson, as well as, a history of the beginnings of the Western Folklife Center and the Gathering in Elko. Your efforts and love wrapped up in the years we were helpers at the Gathering is something very close to our hearts. We thank you, the local cowboy enthusiasts, the many artists who participated to retain authenticity and a love of the western spirit. You help to expand my appreciation of Tyson's life and musical career, and your wonderful friendship.
Wonderful words, Hal, and no doubt a reflection of extraordinary memories. Little did I know that Ian was behind a song I was first introduced to at the ripe age of 10 while at summer camp in the San Juan Islands. I loved it then and have admired it all the more as it was reprised by the likes of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash. By all accounts, his was a life well-lived. Glad you were a part of it.
Thank you for the heartfelt tribute. I remember that Wyoming wedding, and I remember early CPG nights with Ian and his band playing at Stockmens. I had just been listening to Ian's Live at Longview CD in my car this week, shortly before learning of his passing. What a great singer/songwriter. Glad to have his songs in my life.
Very sweet tribute. I remember him as Ian and Sylvia but it was so nice to see apart of him after that. Hal you have been so lucky to be a part of and share in so many musicians lives.
Wow, the people on this thread. When I was young Jim’s mother Nancy Stringfellow ran The Bookstore in Boise. She lent me books long as I brought them back pristine. Lent me the copy of Joyce’s Ulysses when I was in high school.
Hal, I love this and it gives me context to my own life. I came to Utah in 1990 to take a writing workshop team taught by Teresa Jordan and Kim Stafford. It was already a pivotal event, but I picked up a cassette copy of Cowboyology. On the flight back to North Carolina, I stopped off in Fayetteville, Arkansas and picked up my three-year-old daughter and we flew back to Carolina together. After her visit, I drove her back to Arkansas and, trying to entertain her, I popped Cowboyology into the tape deck. She loved it, especially Navajo Rug and we sang it across three states. It remains a touchstone for us.
Thanks for this tribute and all of these wonderful memories, Hal. What an honor and pleasure to work with Ian -- and you -- over all those years. Ian's repertoire just kept on growing and evolving and delighting with each new album and appearance, a testimony to his deep commitment to songwriting. What a legacy! Highlights of the Gathering for me span from Ian's Sunday-after-the-Gathering shows at the Stockmens to his last powerful appearances at the Gathering.
Crazy honeymoon six years after marriage at age twenty, after seeing a tiny ad in the classifieds, "Cowboy poets and singers gather in Elko". Knowing we had to go, leaving little kids with ranch friends at the bottom of Hells Canyon and driving a tiny car through SE Oregon and Idaho, across Duck Valley reservation in a blizzard to Elko. Hearts on fire. Everywhere music, poetry. Drinking in Ian's singing like an elixir. Dancing, dancing, dancing. Counter clockwise. Wild bunch in the middle. Two-steppers on the outside. Touching and balancing and clinging and barely keeping your feet on the ground. Flying, riding a fast horse that tears up your eyes. Gliding, riding a smooth horse that feels like part of your body has four legs and an extra heart. Belonging. Years later, after accidents and learning, another journey leaving behind kids, this time for a maybe job on a range research station in New Mexico, airports and a rental car with a cd player, Blue Mountains of Mexico, reminding us we were lovers, reminding us of our own blue mountains and the canyons of home, to which we returned, where we started our herd of longhorns and called ourselves Magpie Ranch, and where we still are, and where we're still singing "You hand all around these hills in the winter time, why in the hell would you want to do that? You just want to be free. Holy Moses magpie, I am you - you are me."
I met Ian and you, Hal at the wonderful Meg Glasers family's ranch in Jan 1991. I stayed at the Stockman listening to music until late into the night and made paintings for the stage backdrops during the day. One of the very best weeks of my life. I will never forget the day I was heading home, there was a big breakfast gathering at the Glaser's home. That's when Ian suggested I have some of these funny little sausages. My first Rocky Mountain oyster. The smile on his face when he informed me what I was eating will always be my memory. I could use another week in Elko, and maybe some more of those chewy little sausages. Thanks for this memory.
Ive been thinking about you since I heard the news of Ian’s passing yesterday Hal. Your friendship with Ian and support of his art has been centric to the movement you guys started.
My deepest thanks seems so insufficient for all you’ve done for me and for so many. My greatest friends, my greatest inspirations, a fine education, and my deepened love of the west all came from the gathering you founded.
I know Ian was your friend and indeed, you have been his.
And thank you again a million times over. My heart aches with you tonight but swells with gratitude for the many many great times we had with the great one.
Damn! I knew you were an old folkie but didn’t know that you hung with Ian - one of my favorite people, along with Cynthia Gooding & my sis - of the folk revival of the 50s & 60s.
A TOAST to you and Teresa, and one to Ian. Long may the memories linger.
Solid gold Hal! Thank you! Brought back so many memories of folk festival days. And the promises of all the young Ian Tysons just starting out now.
A wonderful tribute to Ian Tyson, as well as, a history of the beginnings of the Western Folklife Center and the Gathering in Elko. Your efforts and love wrapped up in the years we were helpers at the Gathering is something very close to our hearts. We thank you, the local cowboy enthusiasts, the many artists who participated to retain authenticity and a love of the western spirit. You help to expand my appreciation of Tyson's life and musical career, and your wonderful friendship.
I’m sorry you lost your friend, and glad you have so many wonderful memories.
Wonderful words, Hal, and no doubt a reflection of extraordinary memories. Little did I know that Ian was behind a song I was first introduced to at the ripe age of 10 while at summer camp in the San Juan Islands. I loved it then and have admired it all the more as it was reprised by the likes of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash. By all accounts, his was a life well-lived. Glad you were a part of it.
Thanks, Hal - that was a nice tribute. It's heartening to be reminded that good people do succeed and find happiness. Happy New Year!
Thank you for the heartfelt tribute. I remember that Wyoming wedding, and I remember early CPG nights with Ian and his band playing at Stockmens. I had just been listening to Ian's Live at Longview CD in my car this week, shortly before learning of his passing. What a great singer/songwriter. Glad to have his songs in my life.
Very sweet tribute. I remember him as Ian and Sylvia but it was so nice to see apart of him after that. Hal you have been so lucky to be a part of and share in so many musicians lives.
Wow, the people on this thread. When I was young Jim’s mother Nancy Stringfellow ran The Bookstore in Boise. She lent me books long as I brought them back pristine. Lent me the copy of Joyce’s Ulysses when I was in high school.
Thanks for this, Hal. Wonderful tribute to a guy who gave us a lot!
Hal, I love this and it gives me context to my own life. I came to Utah in 1990 to take a writing workshop team taught by Teresa Jordan and Kim Stafford. It was already a pivotal event, but I picked up a cassette copy of Cowboyology. On the flight back to North Carolina, I stopped off in Fayetteville, Arkansas and picked up my three-year-old daughter and we flew back to Carolina together. After her visit, I drove her back to Arkansas and, trying to entertain her, I popped Cowboyology into the tape deck. She loved it, especially Navajo Rug and we sang it across three states. It remains a touchstone for us.
Love Ian & Sylvia mucho. Knew Dan and Louise Bilbao well and did legal work for them and Stockman’s til well after they died. Great story.