Sample book with community resources insert

The can-do spirit also led Abilenians to preserve their
past--their heritage--while building for the future. The
1980s were a boom time for preservation. In 1985, local
cowboys—synonymous with the name “Abilene”—
formed teams to compete in authentic ranch activities.
The event drew a crowd and raised money for charity.
Today, that event is known as the Western Heritage
Classic and is attended by visitors each May from all over
the globe who want to experience the spirit of the Old West.
Or perhaps they just want to come to the city with the
pretty name, “Abilene,” the name they may have heard in
song. Local author and collector of Western music, Joe
Specht, published a book titled, Abilene in Song: The
Women There Don’t Treat You Mean, in which he tells of
more than 100 songs in which Abilene, Texas, plays a
role or is mentioned.
How many cities have that kind of heritage—a name so
beautiful that songwriters love it!
Bronco-busting at the Western Heritage Classic.
ABILENE, TEXAS: HEART OF THE BIG COUNTRY
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