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the "older masters"
and all of this young talent; it's a great model for others.
The radio stations are going to be happy about having
so many choices. Thanks again for sending me a copy. It's one of most enjoyable
compilations I've listened to. Margo Now here's a note from BC Country Music Hall of Fame member, Bud Webb. Bud is also the producer of Mike and Matt Johnston's new CD - "Smarten Up and Put Your Hat Back On"! Howdy Folk's Welcome to our porch at Shadow Mountain Music, where we just recently have had the good luck to record a project for a couple of cowboys from Kamloops & Clearwater and some other places we won't mention. These men were a pleasure to meet and work with. They take their craft very seriously and are excellent at what they do. Mike Puhallo has great talent at getting good mileage out of a story - as a lot of folk's already know - but for some of you that don't, well, you are in for a treat - he is a great poet. Mike is also the President of the BC Cowboy Heritage Society and works hard at delegating jobs to others. You will find Mike to be very level headed, YEP! it runs out both ears at the same time. Matt Johnston seems to be the quiet one of this duo but after hanging out for a few days I'm not so sure. One thing I do know for sure is that you better make sure your CD player is working good because you are in for a real treat. This young man is not only a totally AAAWWWSSSSOOOME singer, he is equally as good at writing his material - it is from the heart. Mike & Matt are the real deal. These cowboys earned the right to "PUT THEIR HATS ON". Enjoy Mike & Matt, they are a great treasure. Thanks guys, from the 2002 Inductee to the BC Country Music Assn. Hall of Fame, "Bud Webb" from the porch at Shadow Mountain From OJ Sykes who has a radio program in New Jersey, New York and writes reviews for "Rope Burns" and other publications.... "Hi Mike, Many thanks for the new Cd. You were certainly right about Matt's musical ability! He does a super job! The demo you sent only had 16 selections, but I heard enough to give it a good review. Many of my next reviews will be done as part of my column for the next few issues due to limited publication space and a huge backlog of Cds waiting to be reviewed, but I'll try to do yours justice. Thanks again! Regards, O.J." Paul Aaron has a Radio Show in New York City called Cowboy Joe's Radio Ranch Mike - Just finished listening to your new demo CD. I like what I heard; good mix of poems and acoustic cowboy music. Hope it does well for you. Regards, Paul Aaron. Debra Hill is last years winner of the Will Rogers Award for Female Cowboy poet of the year, she does a weekly TV show in Oklahoma... Mike...Got your CD today and I must tell you that it is GREAT! There is a perfect balance of poetry and music. I am thrilled to have this pre-release copy! Do you want me to write you some quotes? I will send some as soon as I come up with words worthy of your work! Thanks for sharing it with me...I feel privileged! xo Debra Mike Gross has a radio program called "Swinging West" somewhere in Connecticut.. Thanks so much for thinking of me with the parcel that arrived in my PO Box today. You are right when you mention about not doing poetry on "Swingin' West" but I have still been giving air time to the Butch Falk tunes from the CD that you gave to me back in 2000. I will also be giving most of the Matt Johnston cuts from the new preview CD some airtime also. Don't get me wrong, I like your poetry, it is just that I only feature music on the show. We'll be in touch, Mike Veteran Cowboy Poet Mike Puhallo has teamed up with singer, songwriter, and musician Matt Johnston, a relative newcomer, to create an impressive recording that is pure cowboy: "Smarten Up and Put Your Hat Back On." See the Products Page The prolific Mike Puhallo delivers his work in a comfortable style with such ease that you wonder if he doesn't speak, count, and order his breakfast in verse. His wit and wisdom with fresh perspectives on ranching and current events is often delivered in short, polished pieces. Poems such as "Cowboy's Guide to Gravity" (about shoeing), "Like Wow...Man," and "Hurling Defecation" (only he could do it with such style) leave you with a lasting smile. "Not Another Bear Roping Story?" is worth adding to all the others, and "In the Beginning" and "Vancouver" are good examples of his wacky imagination. Yet another side of Puhallo's talent takes you to the heart of matters in sensitive poems, often about horses, such as "Babies," "Cinnamon," and his modern classic, "Sacred Orb," which shines brightly among the 23 original poems on this recording. Matt Johnston makes his living as a farrier, starts colts, and is an apprentice saddlemaker. Though this is his debut recording, his accomplished acoustic guitar and harmonica playing along with a beckoning voice that draws you into his complex and interesting songs show his natural talent and a long practice in his art. Once you hear the lonely sounds of his harmonica in the first track's beautiful ballad, "She's Only a Dream," you'll be hooked. Among the other seven versatile, original songs are "When the Last Calf Hits the Ground," "Driftin' On," and the title track, "Put Your Hat Back On," about the making of a boy into a man. Johnston was nominated for the Rising Star Award by the Academy of Western artists last year and his star is destined to soar with this recording. The careful arrangement and sequence of poems and songs make for fluid listening pleasure. Other fine musicians provide backup in this smooth recording: Ray Goguen on bass, acoustic guitar, banjo, dobro, steel guitar and back-up vocals; Mike Olexson on acoustic guitar and mandolin; Curly West on fiddle and steel guitar; and Frankie Schmidt on back-up vocals. Puhallo's humor and keen observations and Johnston's heartfelt cowboy songs stay with you long after the last of the generous 31 tracks has finished. "Smarten Up and Put Your Hat Back On" is a model of collaboration that is sure to inspire similar recordings, though it will be hard to match the quality of this one and the perfect pairing of these two large talents Margo Metegrano, managing editor, CowboyPoetry.com www.cowboypoetry.com "Mike is one of those rare cowboys willing to show his sensitive side." Regards, Gary Fjellgaard www.fjellgaard.bc.ca "Mike Puhallo is a great person on stage and off! I have enjoyed getting to know him through several cowboy gatherings and always enjoy his show! He has a special way of connecting with the audience, and sharing his true cowboy experiences in a way that folks from the city or the country understand what he's saying. Not many Cowboys can say they've been to the moon!!!" Joni Harms, Nashville Recording Artist www.joniharms.com "Hi! Mike! Just a short note to let you know how much the 200 ladies and gents enjoyed your cowboy poetry at our Knights of Columbus Annual Ladies Night, April 13/02. Your clean humorous poetry is still talked about.Your talent is much needed in today's society. I hope you continue to share it as much as possible". All the best--Lucien Weinmeyer (Brooks, Alberta, Knights of Columbus) "Mike Puhallo's poetry is real - not all flowered up in an attempt to get folks to take notice. It comes from the heart and goes to the heart. This boy's been there and done that, and his rhymes is the t-shirt." Ben Crane, Cowboy Cartoonist from Eckville, Alberta www.bencrane.com "Mike Puhallo is everything a Cowboy Poet is meant to be.... a wonderful storyteller, a genuine cowboy and a roll model. Mike has the ability of taking the audience on a journey filled with amazing imagery and a mixture of emotions. Whether you're laughing, crying or riding with Vaqueros on the range you¹re sure to have an entertainming evening! Mike has been instrumental in keeping cowboy poetry and music alive and well. It's not just Mike's performance that makes him such a great entertainer, it's also his personality off stage. Generous, encouraging and supportive, he's more than once given a new western entertainer their first break. Mike deserves every accolade and award he's received!" Tammy Gislasen Singer Songwriter from Innisfail Alberta, www.tammydee.com "Mike has a talent just like his mustache: big, original, a little twisted, and western to the core. The only thing bigger than his talent is his heart. Here's a man who not only writes about the cowboy way but whose handshake is true and who rides the trail as an ambassador for the west. When I share the stage with Mike I sit up and listen because I know I'm not only going to be entertained, I'm going to learn something. He may hang his hat in BC but all of Canada is proud to claim him." Doris Daley, Calgary, Alberta, Poet "We all have gifts, sometimes it takes a while to discover them. Mike's gift is putting events, adventures, feelings and ideas into unforgettable and very readable cowboy poetry." Hugh McLennan, Syndicated broadcaster www.cowboylife.com "Your poetry and 'meadow muffins' always make me smile and think of my country and farming roots. Your comments and poems on politics or current affairs strike a very true and often amusing note. I hope your 'meadow muffins' continue to fall and brighten my day." Kathy Smith, Editor of Canadian Horse Journals "When I think of all the folks I know who fit the word "Cowboy", Mike Puhallo is in my Top Ten. His poetry preserves and shares our Western lifestyle with the world and lets everyone know that the Cowboy is still alive and riding hard into the future." Debra Coppinger Hill, Academy of Western Artists Cowgirl Poet of the Year and Host of "Love of the West" www.oldyellowslicker.com "There's a cowman in Kamloops who preserves the cowboy tale With his muffins wise and witty Mike Puhallo hits the nail." Jessi Winchester, Author: From Bordello to Ballot Box www.jessiwinchester.com "Mike Puhallo, a man I am pleased to call my friend, walks the walk and talks the talk! Mike is a single handed spokesperson for the Country Way of life. He's been there, he's done it, and he will continue to do it for the rest of his days. I've seen him in large groups and small groups he plays them all in the same professional, generous and openly humourous manner. No matter the of the crowd or the age therein they get their money's worth every time and they'll be back for more every time he comes our way." Patti Gerhardi of Rocking "P" Western Apparel, Vanderhoof, British Columbia For over twenty years I have entertained all over the Nation with some of the finest cowboy entertainers of our time. I had long heard of Mike Puhallo. The word was he was a good entertainer and all around good hand. You can immediately see if an entertainer has ever lived the cowboy life by his attitude. I can honestly say that "Mike is the real thing." His material comes from a man who has lived the life. We did meet at the Miracle Ranch Show in Port Orchard, Washington in July of 2002. I watched with cowboy pride as he entertained the audience. The faces in the crowd were mesmerized by his stories as they flowed with great meter and rhyme. It was indeed one of the highpoints of my entertainment career to share the stage with Mike. I have, with confidence recommended Mike for shows. (Of course when I was booked and could not get there myself.) I have received thanks from the events who were well pleased with my recommendations. "Here is a cowboy with great entertainment value. I would recommend him with the highest praise for any event lucky enough to book him. Mike is not a hat act, he is the real McCoy!" Rudy Gonzales "Idaho's Official Cowboy Entertainer" www.cowboyrudy.com "I first became aware of Mike's poetry through a couple of books I received as Christmas gifts. Unable to make it up to any of his performances in the Interior we decided to invite him to our annual horse camp up in the hills near Merritt. The humour and genuine respect for the cowboy way of life found in Mike's poetry made that evening very special - one that we still talk about 2 years later." Lindsay J. Babineau Senior Manager, Business Services, Envision Credit Union "Mike Puhallo's Poetry goes beyond or behind the life of the everyday cowboy. It reaches back into the history of this province to when the Vaqueros rode north to the gold of the Fraser River and Cariboo. Mike opens a door to a time and people long forgotten.""Mike Puhallo's poetry is an important contribution not only to the cowboy genre but to the history of this province. His words and images tell us of the early days, long before the Texas cattle drives, when Hudsons Bay men and Californian Vaqueros rode the bunchgrass country of what became British Columbia. He is showing us a time and people not recognized in history books." Richard Wright, historian, rancher and sometimes poet. goldrushbc.com The famous cowboy poet from rural Kamloops, Mike has an affinity for the heritage of our region. Nominated for male poet of the year three years in a row by the Academy of Western Artists, he is one of the few Canadians recognized throughout the world for his contributions to cowboy culture. Five books and one CD later Mike’s work has been immortalized and will inform future generations about our past. Mike brings honour and recognition to our area’s heritage through his poems, and currently serves as president of the BC Cowboy Heritage Society. Congratulations! Betty Hinton Member of Parliament for Kamloops Highland Valley Here is a letter of reference. May 17, 2002 To Whom It May Concern: I recently had the pleasure of working with Mike Puhallo during a free special event produced by the Royal British Columbia Museum and the Museum of the Cariboo-Chilcotin in Williams Lake, May 2-4, 2002. Called Cattle Tales, Trails, and Dragonflies the show featured special exhibits, illustrated lectures, booths and demonstrations about the human and natural history of British Columbia's central Interior. The event was attended by over 900 people. An important focus for all of us was a series of unique hour-long student programs for almost 500 children from the Williams Lake area on May 2 and 3. Mike worked alongside museum curators, interpreters, First Nations and other experts to present these well -received programs. I was impressed with both the quality of Mike's programs and with his easy-going delivery style. The hundreds of students that he worked with over the two days were attentive and really enjoyed learning about cowboy history and listening to his original verse. We had excellent feedback from the teachers as well. Mike easily adapted his programs to fit the various age levels of students that attended his sessions. I would welcome the opportunity to work with Mike again on another project. Don't hesitate to contact me for more information about his role in this special event. Sincerely, Brian Seymour Coordinator, Travelling Exhibits Ph: 250-387-2163 Paz 250-387-0535 email: Bseymour@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca 
Click on one of the links at the top left, or below, to visit all the other pages of this site where you can find out how to listen to some sample poems, buy one of Mike's books, tapes, CDs, or a video, or hire Mike for an event. You can contact him by Email: mikepuhallo@direct.ca Phone: (250) 579-5667 Fax: (250) 579-5610 Mike Puhallo 8584 Westsyde Rd Kamloops, BC V2B 8S3 Visit Mike's other Web site at www.cowboylife.com/mikepuhallo Return to the "About Mike" page! Return to the "Hire Mike" page! |