Back by popular demand - the Cow Hunter Corner!
Cowboy memories, musings and music . . .
Saturday, April 21, 2012 - Palmer House Stage
BENJAMIN DEHART
"The Cracker Tenor"
Benjamin Dehart has billed himself as ''The Cracker Tenor'' but he is much more than that. He keeps history and traditions alive with songs about the Florida cowboys, the Seminoles and more, all wrapped up in a voice as sweet as Florida sugarcane.
The songs of cowboys and stories of yesteryear have obviously left an impression on Ben’s soul. In fact, listening to Benjamin Dehart you get a feeling he wishes he were born 150 years ago, or at least a different time, in history.
Influenced by these sentiments and cultures of the past, mixed in with a deep love for tradition and history, with a pinch of contemporary Florida folk, Benjamin Dehart has earned himself a place along side Florida's greatest folk singers.
Born in Ocala but raised in the small farming community of Oxford, Fla., Benjamin grew up around horses and cattle. Although he later moved on to the big city, he never forgot his roots and uses them as inspiration for his music today.
“I am often asked what type of music that I play. Well, the best answer I have come up with is this:
I play history based folk music. Focusing on, but not exclusively, Florida history.
Songs from the heart with a tenor's flair. Not country, not western, not folk, not opera, but an eclectic mix of all these elements. This is the kind of music I write, sing, and enjoy.
I hope you will, too!"
DOYLE CONNER JR
CRACKER HISTORIAN, POET AND STORYTELLER
PURVEYOR OF FINE OLD COWCULTURE COLLECTABLES
Doyle Conner Jr. is a 6th generation cracker and cowman. Doyle has studied, researched and shared Florida’s cow history for more than 20 years throughout the Unites States. During his service as curator of the Florida Agricultural Museum he conserved the material artifacts of this state’s heritage and developed a healthy respect for the tough minded individuals who made “La Florida” what it is today.
As long as he can remember Doyle has collected and restored the trappings of the cowboy lifestyle, restoring saddles, bridles, boots, chaps, saddlebags etc. for the generations to come. Many of his restorations are on display in museums around the US and Europe.
In 1995 Doyle had the pleasure to serve as chairman of “The Great Florida Cattle Drive of 95”. The cow hunters drove 1000 head of Spanish type cattle across Florida in order to celebrate 150 years of statehood. 600 trail riders and 25 wagons tagged along just for fun. This single event reintroduced Floridians to the industry that built this state, spurred new interest in the culture of the Florida cowman and received media coverage from around the world. Doyle states that “every single participant confessed that the Drive of 95 was the experience of a lifetime and I was proud to be a part of it.” The drive turned out to be the largest and most colorful event celebrating Florida’s sesquicentennial.
“I have a deep and abiding love of words,” says Doyle “Be they written, spoken or sung; if the words paint vivid pictures in the mind of the audience or evoke strong emotions, then the author has truly accomplished his mission.”
The presentation of Mr. Conner will take you back to a time, a place and a lifestyle that meant a great deal to the history and culture of the sunshine state
Stephen Monroe
“A Florida Cowboy Poet”
610 Hallelujah Lane
Monticello, Florida
Tel: 850-997-5407
Stephen Monroe has been called “a Florida Cowboy Poet” and he fits the billing. . . He grew up in the saddle, in the cow pen, on the business end of a pair of hole diggers and on the John Deere tractor. His family has lived and farmed in Jefferson County Florida for 5 generations. Stephen has competed in rodeos and was a rodeo clown and bullfighter. He learned cowboy poetry to entertain himself during long days in the saddle. Later, in promotion of Florida’s agricultural industry, he discovered that folks enjoy hearing these stories and poems almost as much as he enjoys telling them. He has performed for industry, civic, church and agricultural groups throughout Florida and is a regular speaker at Farm Bureau, Cattlemen’s Association and other meetings. He has opened for other entertainers including the Bellamy Brothers.
Stephen has been involved in the cattle industry his whole life. His work ranges from preservation of Florida’s Cracker Cattle to promotion of Florida’s cattle industry on state, national and international levels. From cow-hunting to commercial beef cattle production to international marketing of Florida’s finest breeding stock, Stephen has experience in all segments of the industry.
With degrees in Agricultural Business and Agricultural Science, Stephen can address the serious side of the industry as well. He shares the positive message of Agriculture in a unique and inspirational style. His presentations touch on the importance of our rich agricultural heritage and the future role of agriculture in our society. Cowboy poetry mixed with other stories offers folks a chance to laugh and to reflect on the times of their lives. Stephen’s presentations make folks proud to be a part of helping the Good Lord to provide food and fiber for our communities, our country and our world.
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