The Buckaroo Club program, based in Fort Worth, Texas,
was established February 1998 as a way of mentoring
youth under 18 years old to learn and perform the Texas
heritage music deriving from the cattle ranching
culture. The Buckaroo Club is coordinated by "Yodeling
Queen" Janet McBride, assisted by Talent Coordinator
Devon Dawson and other adult Saddle Pal
instrumentalists. The
Buckaroo Club meets on the second Sunday of each month,
gathering to receive a western music and Texas history
lesson from Devon, advice and practice on acoustic
performance from Janet and Devon, and personalized
yodeling instruction from Janet. Janet also provides
copies, from her extensive private collection of old
recordings, of the great old cowboy music unfamiliar to
many of the Buckaroos. As a result, the group, dressed
in specific western attire, performs "cowboy style" in
front of the Livestock Exchange Building in the
Stockyards District, singing traditional and
contemporary cowboy/western and western swing music.
Selected songs are always wholesome and age-appropriate.
Buckaroos perform at various other events throughout
the year as well as at the Cowtown Opry's annual Gala
where qualified Buckaroos could be awarded a monetary
scholarship for their participation and dedication.
Scholarship awards are used to further Buckaroo musical
education. In the past, Buckaroos have used their
scholarship funds to purchase lessons, instruments and
equipment, or even put away for future college plans.
Janet and Devon feel privileged to mentor these
youngsters as they endeavor to preserve, promote and
perform the musical heritage of Texas! |