Celebrate America's Western Heritage
at the only event of its kind in
Southeast Kansas!

Echoes of the Trail Fall 2011 Update

Well, if you weren't able to attend, you missed a great show, September 23rd by Johnny Kendrick and his sons Jackson and Sam, plus Jake White, cowboy poet. If you were there, you were hooting and hollering and stomping your feet!

Great harmony, great fiddle, banjo, guitar, and bass by Johnny and the boys. They did Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Jimmie Rodgers, and many more, including blue grass tunes and even western swing. Of course the performance had to begin and end with Johnny's haunting "Echoes of the Trail" ballad. Johnny and his sons, who call themselves The Branchy Boys, are working on a CD, and we can't wait for it to be done!

The Branchy Boys

As fiddler and singer with the family trio, Sam Kendrick brings skills that round out the sounds of their western and bluegrass music. And as co-concertmaster for the Fort Scott High School orchestra, Sam uses his talent for classical and ensemble work that brings high marks at state festivals.

The older son, Jackson, who is director of R&D for ECS in Lawrence, decided to take up guitar and bluegrass music after a steady diet of classical piano instruction. Now he takes the lead in singing and harmonies for the group's bluegrass repertoire, punctuated by Sam's hot licks and Johnny's banjo.

Johnny began concentrating on songs of the cowboy years ago, which led to his and Arnold Schofield's founding of Echoes of the Trail. The gathering features cowboy singers, poets and craftspeople from all around the country and has been a much-anticipated annual event at FSCC. Johnny is a big fan of Jimmie Rodgers and the early days of country music, and gives the audience some history about the artists whose songs he sings. Fans have watched his sons grow up, and say it is truly a pleasure to hear the three harmonize and play guitar, banjo, fiddle, and bass.

Historian and Host Arnold Schofield & Cowboy Poet and Humorist Jake White

Echoes of the Trail co-founder Arnold Schofield with Johnny Kendrick opened the concert by giving thanks to all our loyal supporters. Then cowboy poet and humorist Jake White of Brookline, MO had the crowd rolling in the aisle with his brand of cowpoke humor. His polished delivery and great cowpoke looks make his own poems and recitations of traditional poems a pleasure to hear. Jake has performed many times over the years during the annual Echoes of the Trail gathering, and we appreciated his participation. He is a native of Missouri and the Ozark Mountains. He grew up working on small farms and ranches, and loves working with horses and mules. Jake is proud to have served his country in Viet Nam as a United States Marine. He is past President of the Missouri Cowboy Poets Association, and helps keep the spirit of the American Cowboy alive through his poems, storytelling, and jokes. He bases his work on personal experience and insight into the cowboy ethic, including love of God, country, family, and the land. Jake has traveled throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Canada with his own brand of entertainment. Jake has produced, directed, and performed western shows and charity events for groups such as 4-H and the Ozark Food Harvest, as well as for church groups.

All proceeds went toward Echoes of the Trail June 8-10, 2012! Mark your calendars for the second full weekend in June!