There's a New Movement Abreast!
We're calling it "Keepin' the Memories Alive!" and it's an informal program wherein certain folks who are passionate about the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum and its several events, especially the big Film & Music Festival, are working hard to spread the word about these great efforts to keep the legacy of the singing cowboys alive.
They organize luncheons for folks who are interested in the various singing cowboys, the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum ...or just things Western, in general. They speak to a variety of groups where folks may be interested in these subjects. They appear on radio shows to talk about these subjects. They attend other music and film events across the country and pass out flyers for the Museum's events, all in efforts to increase awareness of the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum and its events. Maybe you'd like to become a Gene Autry Museum ambassador by starting a "Keepin' the Memories Alive" group in your area! It's up to you as to how involved you get, but why not put your passion to work?Jerry Baumann & the DFW Lunch Gang
The Dallas-Fort Worth Gene Autry Fans Group has been meeting for lunch four-to-five times yearly for the past six years. Attendance at the luncheons varies from 25 to 45 folks. Jerry Baumann of Lucas, Texas, organized the group and takes care of alerting everyone to the dates of the lunch-time get-togethers and special activities. (Jerry is shown here with some of the members of the Class Act Dance Troupe, regular entertainers at the Film & Music Festival.)
"It's such a pleasant surprise to me that there are so many people out there who are still interested in the B-movie cowboys," said Jerry. "The enthusiasm is definitely there! These get-togethers, whether they be luncheons or holiday parties, are our way of bringing these folks together and carrying out our mission of supporting the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum."
Jerry and the DFW gang have worked on fundraising efforts related to the Museum, promotional efforts for the Film & Music Festival, organized performances at senior centers and worked with radio station KAAM to promote the events hosted by the Museum. The group's spring lunch get-together is scheduled for March 29th in Dallas.
For more information, see this group's website at www.roywtucker.com/ga/ or e-mail Jerry at jerrybaumann@sbcglobal.net . Cowboy Ed & his Pretty Sidekick, Elizabeth
Ed and Elizabeth Henderson of Wichita Falls created their "Keepin' the Memories Alive" group in 2007. In fact, the name we're now using for this outreach program was originated by these active members of the Museum's Booster Bunch support group.
Ed has done presentations at senior centers, AARP chapter meetings, music get-togethers, meetings of civic clubs and other museums. "In fact," said Elizabeth, "after he gave a presentation at a recent jam session in Petrolia, Texas, the band broke into "Back in the Saddle Again." He's also done several radio appearances, both public radio and commercial radio talk shows, and has done a TV interview or two as well. They appeared recently at a home and garden show that had a Western theme, and promoted the Museum and its Film & Music Festival to many of its attendees.
Their first luncheon will be held March 29th in Wichita Falls and will feature a presentation by Pete Martinez, who played steel guitar for singing cowboy Jimmy Wakely and appeared in several of Wakely's films. He also played for Tex Ritter and even babysat little John Ritter at times. (If you'd like information about this get-together, please e-mail ebare38202@yahoo.com and Ed & Elizabeth will contact you with details.) Start a Group in Your Community
If you'd like to start a "Keepin' the Memories Alive" group in your area, please e-mail texschutz@aol.com for a list of of guidelines and to receive materials about the Museum and its events.
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