LINER NOTES:
ABOUT THE ARTIST
In the spring of 2006 at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival, two lone singing cowboys, Dusty Hart and Buffalo Bryan bumped into each other near one of the street venues. They were promptly introduced by their longtime saddle pal, western crooner “Buck” Corbett. After the dust settled, Dusty and Buff began writing western music together. Still something was missing..the duo needed a moniker. Should it be Dusty and Buff or Buff and Dusty? Neither was comfortable with being billed first over the other. They tried combining their names. Duff and Busty was definitely out! Being men of faith they arrived at the name “The Cross Town Cowboys”. “Cross Town is anywhere good cowboys gather to worship.”
That following October “The Cross Town Cowboys” got one of their first breaks. The boys were asked to act as the backup band for the “Wilshire Boulevard Buffalo Hunter’s Club” performances at the Lone Pine Film Festival. Headed by television and movie star Jon “Falling Rock” Locke and famed western artist Katie West, both have a keen eye for spotting talent., “The Cross Town Cowboys” were given the spotlight a number of times by Jon and Katie, performing original material to the standing room only crowd. Fate did surely bless them that evening. During the Saturday evening performance Gary Lawson, creator of the Western Movie Legends actors group took in the show. The boys were immediately inked to perform on the Western Movie Legends float in the following days parade! The grueling four block long parade root was taken in stride by the boys. They delighted the crowds by singing their hearts out for everyone well before the parade started! Another float participant quoted: “We had more fun on that float than anyone watching the parade! I wanted to go around again so we could sing along some more.”
A few months later “The Cross Town Cowboys” were tagged to record and perform material for the 2007 Santa Clarita Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival’s Cowboy Church Service. They belted out rousing renditions of “I’ll Fly Away” and “Hallelujah, I Am Ready” to the capacity crowd. Truly a wonderful way to celebrate their meeting one year prior to the day!
In the spring of 2008 The Cross Town Cowboys released their long anticipated debut CD. “Save the West!” is now receiving worldwide radio airplay and has made numerous “Top Ten” lists with many accolades from their peers. “Save the West!” was nominated for “Best Cowboys/Western Swing Album” for 2008 by the Western Music Association. Work has begun on the next CD due out in late 2009. As if that wasn’t enough the boys have boldly forged into the 1980’s and the MTV generation. Dusty and Buff have been making videos with the cooperation of Dancing Dachsye Productions.
Shortly after the release of “Save the West!” Dusty and Buff decided that it was time to add a permanent third member to group. After a long exhaustive search and the screening of over two hundred applicants the newest member of the group was chosen. Robby Bausch brings with him over 30 years experience as a guitarist. His talent, spirit and sense of humor have added a new dimension to groups jazzy western swing sound.
Their combined musical experience spans way more time than any band should be allowed to have. Noted for “having entirely too much fun,” good music and fun are a way of life for the band.
ABOUT THE HOST
Stephen K. Peeples is a Grammy-nominated record producer (“Monterey International Pop Festival,” 1992), award-winning radio writer-producer (“The Lost Lennon Tapes,” 1988-1990) and veteran record company executive (Capitol, Elektra/Asylum, Rhino). A 22-year resident of Canyon Country, Peeples has written about the SCV music scene for The Signal newspaper since 2004 and has been Online Editor of The Signal since October 2007. In 2009 he was honored for Best Website by the California Newspaper Publishers Association. A jazz and rock drummer since 12, Peeples was a member of the underground West L.A. garage band Peaking Duck from 1977-2008. He now plays with an SCV-based jazz quartet.