MIKE MOUTOUX

FROM
the TRAIL
Rusty Richards To Receive
Major Cowboy Award
WMA
Education
Corner
(The following Press Release was received for distribution.
Kudos to WMA Member, Rusty Richards, former member of
the Sons of the Pioneers.)
Rusty Richards is a
cowboy who sings, raised
in Modjeska Canyon in the
heart of Orange County,
California, at that time, it
was also the heart of the
cattle ranching scene of
Orange County - with their
vaqueros and cowboys.
Richards was impressed by
these men and determined
as a boy, to follow in their footsteps. He mowed and
bucked hay as a lad and helped in roundups, brandings
and gathers. Soon he began to break and train horses till
he earned a reputation as being a good hand with them.
An old friend taught him to play the guitar and his naturally
beautiful tenor voice was perfect for the old cowboy ballads he
loved to sing. Amazingly at sixteen, and quite out of the blue,
he was offered his own TV show on Channel 13, Titled, “Song
Trails with Rusty Richards.” It was quite a popular show, but
ended at Richards’ seventeenth birthday when he volunteered
to join the Marines Corps, During the Korean War. While
stationed in Japan, during his off time, Sgt. Richards
performed with his all Japanese Band and they performed in
major local clubs including the CPO Club in Yokosuka, Japan.
Upon his discharge from the Marines, he returned to Orange
County where he began training horses again and entering
rodeos around California, riding broncs, and bulls. His career
has been a fascinating one, he is a real cowboy, and also a reel
cowboy. In Hollywood, he was a “riding-shooting” cowboy
and stuntman in many Western films and TV shows, e.g.
How the West was Won, Rawhide, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke,
Bonanza, Have Gun Will Travel, etc. While working there he
was introduced to the “Sons of the Pioneers” by his friend,
Ken Curtis, a former member of the group, best known for
his role as, “Festus” of Gunsmoke. After a one-song audition,
Richards was invited to join the legendary group and was a
celebrated member for a period spanning twenty-one years.
Continued on page 38
By Judy James
Teaching Moments!
Many Cowboy Gatherings are including school
programs to their events by having participants
go to the schools and do a program. As you are
doing these programs, as well as any other school
programs, I encourage you to look for those special
teaching moments.
Some examples of these and student reactions
can include –
The entertainer sang, “Home on the Range,” invited
the audience to sing along, and told the history
of the song including that it is now the State song of
Kansas. A student commented after the program,
“Thanks telling me about my home state and song.
I didn’t know that, I moved here from Kansas.”
When singing a song, such as “Whoopee Ti-Yi-
Yo, Get Along Little Dogies,” take the time to define
the words, such as Cholla, Dogie, Jimson Weed, etc.
Look for other examples in your songs. Of course
this need not be done with every song, but a few will
definitely enhance your program.
When you are performing for a school, you will
probably be dressed in Western attire. Take a few
minutes and discuss why the Cowboy/Cowgirl wore
these clothes. Hat, Wild Rag, Boots, Long Sleeves.
These weren’t costumes, as we know, but had a
definite purpose.
I could list many more examples, but you have
a great opportunity to enhance your program and
leave something with your audience. If you have
examples of ways that you have used a teaching
moment and would like to share, email me – judy@
judyjames.com. Also, if you have any questions,
contact me.
If you have a story to share, email me – judy@
judyjames.com.
t
Judy James is an award-winning educator who retired
after 30 years in the classroom. She has been touring
her education programs in public schools, home school
organizations, and other educational organizations since
1994. She is also a singer/song writer/guitarist/author/
radio DJ. Email judy@judyjames.com. Address: PO Box
953, Weatherford, TX 76086
20 | Spring 2016 The WESTERN WAY