Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association, ACPA
Tributes to those that have left empty saddles
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Cowboy Poetry, like any other group, has founders, icons, legends, and heroes. Honouring
the history of the west includes recognizing the contributions of those who laid the
ground work for what is today, an extremely popular venue with a solid core of fans,
supporters and sponsors.
Click on their empty saddle to read their bio
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Lloyd Dolen
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Bud McKague
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Glen Rafuse
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Lloyd Dolen 1917 - 2004
Lloyd Dolen, considered by many to be the "Grandfather" of Alberta Cowboy Poetry, wrote
and recited cowboy poetry throughout most of his adult life. Lloyd was one of the few who
kept the tradition and art form alive in Canada before it became popular with the general
public over the last twenty years.
A cowboy through and through who loved horses, Lloyd was a cowboy poet with a difference.
No one doubted he was the "real deal", but much of his poetry was based not only
exclusively on cowboy themes, but on his faith, his great love for nature and the need
for understanding and helping others. His sense of humour was never suppressed for long,
as anyone can attest who ever heard his poem about the Panty Hose.
Lloyd published two books of cowboy poetry and had just finished a CD of poetry shortly
before his death. The following is from the introduction to his second book, written by
one of Lloyd's grandchildren,
"Lloyd Dolen possesses a unique and peaceful outlook of
life: cherishing each day with the gifts and beauty it brings; taking the time to express
his love and thanks to the land and everything that breathes and grows from it. Lloyd
has a magic of touching people through his words and prayers; having no time to judge,
he accepts things the way they are. Never thinking before giving to those in need, be
this his family, friends, neighbors or a complete stranger. He is mentor to many and a
teacher to those who will listen. Lloyd Dolen is indeed a living legend and, I'm proud
to say, my grandfather."
I can't say it any better. From personal experience, Lloyd was all those things and more.
As a newcomer to cowboy poetry, he inspired and instructed me, sometimes with words,
always by example. Many others in the cowboy poetry fraternity had similar experiences.
Somehow, Lloyd, Norma, his wife of 59 years, and the whole family made each person who
came into their lives feel they were very special.
While Lloyd has crossed the Great Divide, his legend and spirit will live on in his
family, his poetry and the many lives he touched. He was a rancher, horseman, stock
contractor, poet, performer and so much more, but most of all, he was a family man
and a wonderful friend. I, like so many, am proud to have called Lloyd a friend and
mentor. Regarding writing and performing cowboy poetry, Lloyd always told me that I
should "leave them crying or laughing." Lloyd, my friend, you have left us doing both.
Iven Bryant
Past President
Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association
Lloyd Dolen's life was jammed full with humour, generosity and love.
He was a revered cowboy poet and a legendary horse-trader.
"The first time I saw him," Norma Dolen recalled, "I was with some friends in the cafi,
and this good looking cowboy jumped up on the pop machine and recited a Robert Service
poem. I turned to my friends and said, he's not so much."
Within the year they were married. Lloyd and Norma ranched north of Cochrane where they
raised not only their own kids, but a passel of others as well. "You never knew how many
to set the table for," Norma once told me. "Children got off the school bus with our
kids that just never went home, and we loved them just as much."
Along with cattle, Lloyd was in the horse business, achieving legendary status as a
savvy horse trader.
Lloyd and Norma had only been married for a few years, and at the Cochrane Fair Norma
entered a raffle and won first prize: seven roan yearling colts.
Lloyd really wanted these colts but times were hard and cash was scarce. While sharing
lunch in the hayfield one day, he proposed a trade to Norma, a quiet horse for the kids
- in exchange for the colts. Norma was wary, and asked him every question she could
think of: age, size and breeding. When she asked if the horse was easy to catch, Lloyd
replied that she could walk right up to that horse and put her hand on him. All the
kids could ride him at the same time, and it was the quietest horse he'd ever owned.
Satisfied that she was making a good trade, they shook hands and Norma went to see the
kids' new horse.
Stretched out behind the barn with a magpie on its head was the horse she had traded for,
and he'd been dead a while. Lloyd's words returned to her; it certainly was the quietest
horse he'd ever owned.
A featured performer at every major gathering, it was his heartfelt poetry delivered in
his weathered voice that swept up audiences, enveloping them in cool mountain meadows or
the shimmering dust of a cattle drive. His simple honesty was an invitation to ride
alongside him, and his crowds did in droves. And they delighted in his humour; the poem
of Norma trying to fit into her first pair of pantyhose ("and that's when the damn
things blew") was always greeted with explosive laughter and a standing ovation.
As big of a success as he was on stage and in the corral, it was action, not talk that
made the man. My husband, Rusty, and I sat with Lloyd and Norma at Bryn Thiessen's
wedding. Their reception was a potluck dinner, and we all returned from the buffet
table with loaded plates. Every once in a while Lloyd would slowly make his way up to
the constantly replenished buffet, look it over and then return to his seat empty handed.
On about his third trip, he carefully chose two devilled eggs. When my husband asked
why he didn't get the eggs on his first trip Lloyd quietly replied, "Norma made these."
That simple phrase defined a life of love.
In the wee hours of January 10, 2004, legendary cowboy poet, Lloyd Dolen, peacefully
slipped away.
Terri Mason
2004 Feb
Lloyd Dolen
A True Cowboy Legend
by Frank Gleeson
I got up this morning, the sun shining bright
and I thought, what a beautiful day!
And the phone rang and on the end of the line
a voice said, "Your old friend has just passed away."
But he had a good life, good family and wife,
now he's up in that land where it's free.
He'll be riding that horse like he did here on earth
and he'll say, don't you feel sorry for me.
He was one of a kind, there's no doubt about that
as he proved there in Banff one time.
He said he was nervous, didn't want to get up,
that's until he has a drink of wine.
See, he asked me if I'd get up and do one of his poems.
I explained to him that's not for me
For no one could do his poems quite like him
for he was a legend you see.
Then he took the floor and the crowd just roared
cause that's when it showed his true flair
and we all laughed so hard at his new found courage
that I damned near fell off my chair.
He's gone, but he's never forgotten,
he's up there, but we know he's OK.
But, we know without fail that he blazed the trail
that the rest of us follow today.
So let us all pray for it's a sad day
when an old friend has been laid to rest.
But let's shout it out loud, cause we're really proud
that we shared a stage with the best.
So, as you count your blessings and as life carries on
think of him at a show late at night
I'll bet you the world is a lot better place
cause Lloyd Dolen's been part of our life.
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Bud McKague 1935 - 2002
On June 15, 2002 Bud McKague was featured on the Pincher Creek Saturday night show, gave
an inspired performance, and then walked off stage and into history. About half an hour
later, friends took him to the Pincher Creek Hospital and sadly, Bud passed away Sunday
June 16 after emergency surgery.
Known far and wide for his remarkable memory, the crowd marvelled at what would be Bud's
last performance as he recited two eight minute poems from one of his favourites,
Australian poet, Banjo Paterson. The crowd gave him a standing ovation; the only one he
had ever received during a lifetime of poetry performances. When he realized what was
happening, a look of priceless astonishment crept over Buddy's face and is something
I will remember forever. He did an encore, and then left the stage with tears of joy
in his eyes. Sometimes real cowboys do cry and many a cowboy tear is being shed with
his passing.
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I knew Bud to be a gracious, giving person. Generously, he often gave poems to others,
whom he felt would do them justice. Bud was inducted into the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame in
2001 in the Artistic Category. He was the first Canadian to perform at Elko and was
considered by his peers to be one of the finest reciters of cowboy poetry anywhere,
not to mention the fact that he was a champion rodeo bronc rider. We will all miss him.
Iven Bryant
Past President
Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association
On The Passing of a Poet
In Memory of Bud McKague, March 30, 1935 - June 16, 2002
Cowboy Poet and member of The BC Cowboys Hall of Fame
The passing of a mighty king,
leaves no greater hole.
For poets craft each song we sing,
and shape the nations soul.
A brave ballad of a bygone time,
or the beauty of her face,
He sculpts his masterpiece in rhyme,
sets each polished gem in place.
His was an ancient call,
and this gift he did not choose,
For Bards are driven
one and all,
by a most relentless muse!
To carry forth the tale of man,
such is the minstrels lot,
that great stories and emotions
should never be forgot.
Troy and Athens lie in ruin,
Phoebes and Rome are gone,
we may have forgotten the minstrels tune
But the poets words live on!
The passing of a mighty king,
Leaves no greater hole,
For poets craft each song we sing,
and shape the nations Soul!
Bud McKague was a great poet I will remember all my life.
Mike Puhallo
Cowboy Poet
Bud's Last Ride
Now getting up each morning is a simple sort of task.
We never doubt the day ahead, and few questions we ever ask
I suppose it's good we never know what's in store round the next bend.
But I think there's something let's us know when we are near the end.
I think there's something stored in us, could be a higher power.
They say things to close friends, you see, when they reach that final hour.
I lost a real good friend today as I stood closely by.
He asked for this final wish before he said good-bye.
Yes, he'd been a good old cowboy, no-one had doubted that.
His last request he asked of me: "Don't let me die without my hat."
I placed his hat upon his head, then laid it by his bed.
I closed the door and left the room, that's the final words we said.
Yes, he'll have that hat close by his side, yes, always have it near.
He'll be all set to ride up there, just like he did down here.
He stood up on the stage that night; the crowd would stand and cheer.
Unbeknown to all of us, his time was drawing near.
It was in his finest hour, a perfect ending to a day.
Then in just a short time his life had slipped away.
Yes as I left the hospital and I knew old Bud was gone,
I thought how fast the years go by, a lifetime's not that long.
They say that cowboys shed no tears, it's not the cowboy way.
I'll have to admit I bent the code when we lost old Bud that day.
He once told me to write a poem before this long sad day
He said, "Tell the folks just how it was the day I passed away."
So now I've filled my last request, it's coming to an end.
So just you rest and do your best until we meet again.
Frank Gleeson
Cowboy Poet
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Glen Rafuse aka Starchild 1936 - 2006
Glen Rafuse was a remarkable man in many ways but it was his knowledge, dedication,
appreciation and presentation of the western lifestyle that set the bar just a little
bit higher for the rest of us to follow. His poetry reached a little deeper into the
world of the western stockman, cowboy, farmer and the environment where they plied
their trade. Glen’s poetry could either make you laugh, cry or pull you in to a deeper
plane of thought plus it also was exceptionally well researched and educational. He
could paint a vivid picture with his skill at selecting the right words and arranging
them to depict a scene or a mood to a point where you felt you were actually experiencing
the event. Glen had a deep appreciation for the audience and always gave his best when
he stepped out on the stage. His delivery was always smooth and sincere; a real crowd
pleaser.Other than his gift of poetry or spinning a tale, he was a gentleman and
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lived by a specific code of ethics that some may say was the "Cowboy Way". Many felt it was
a privilege to be called a friend by Glen.Many of Glens poems have been put to music
by various artists plus the words of his poems were published in his book called the
"Life of a Stockman", in 1999. Glen has left a rich legacy in his words and his actions.
His memory will live on for generations to come.
Perry Jacobson
Past President
Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association
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