A Gentleman and a Cowboy

We’d like to tell you a story about a very unique gentleman, a cowboy who had a certain indefinable grace and poise and a quiet strength that would render you so completely humbled you wouldn’t know what else to do but listen to his every word. 

You see, it all began one autumn day in November, 2007 when a group of young men stumbled onto the Western music scene with nothing but a lot of hard work and high hopes that what they were doing was ok and that folks would like them.  They took a deep breath and stepped out in complete wide-eyed faith and did their best and when they were done they were embraced by many who told them they had to keep goin’ no matter what.  One of the folks who took them aside was this wise old cowboy who told them that he had some ideas about some of the things they could do and what he was going to do to help them do it.

The boys were so happy and grateful that this legendary and accomplished cowboy would take the time and interest to help them along that they latched onto his latigo and held on for dear life.  This cowboy not only looked out for opportunities for these boys but also gave them good advice about all the different things they needed to know in order to make their way in this new and strange world of musical entertainment.  The boys had so many questions and when they wanted to jump into the deep end of the river the cowboy watching their back would say..”whoah!, now boys you gotta take your time and make sure that what you’re doing is gonna be the best thing for you first.”

The boys learned lots of good things from the cowboy including never selling yourself short, always holding out for what’s good and most importantly, helping those who need what you can offer.

It’s been a great and thrilling adventure since that time but more than that, it’s been a true blessing to have had a wise and learned cowboy like this come into your life and care enough to help you out when you were new and trying to find your way.

The boys of course are us, The Tumbling Tumbleweeds and the wise old cowboy is none other than the great and irreplaceable Mr. Curly Musgrave who reached out to us when we were new and took an interest in us, enough to help us in any way he could.

Like a big brother, Curly has been there ready to answer our questions and help steer us in the right direction but the most important thing he did was to make us feel accepted and supported.  There is no way to explain how important that is for a group of greenhorns who just want to know that what they’re doing is good.

We have learned a lot from Curly but most of all we’ve learned to give what we have received.

You were a great example Curly of all that is the very best in men!  It is so hard to accept that you’re not just a phone call away anymore and our mortal self is angered that you were so abruptly taken from us but, God must have had his reasons for wanting you with him and we will just have to do our best to honor everything you’ve taught us.  There will be no replacing you.  We will miss you but we will do our best to keep your legacy of giving ALIVE!

As you’d always say Curly, “See you down the trail, Pard!”