Texas Legacies, CD Review

Scott Bumgardner's storytelling and poetic roots are deep and wide --Texas-sized. His new CD, "Texas Legacies," tells the story of Texas with pride, knowledge, and talent. Flawlessly produced, the recording carries along the listener with well woven stories and poems, accompanied by thoughtful music selections.

The 17 tracks of stories and original poetry begin with the Texas Revolution and continue through the Cowboy era, ending with a moving tribute to the chroniclers of history.

Bumgardner says "No one better represents our forefathers than the American Cowboy. To this day we still hold him as an icon of freedom, independence, and achievement through hard work." He says he wanted to go even beyond Cowboy stories in "Texas Legacies," because Cowboy roots are "even deeper in history. Texas, once the heart of the country's cattle industry, holds a unique place in American culture. Our ancestors fought and bled for liberty as had many of their fathers and grandfathers."

Saying that Scott Bumgardner's roots are deep and that he is a natural-born storyteller is not some Texas exaggeration. Two of the CD's early tracks, "Alamo" and "Yankee Doodle" are pieces written by Hugh Kerr in the 1830s. Kerr is Bumgardner's own ancestor, originally from Ireland, who came to Texas from Tennessee. Some years ago Bumgardner discovered that Hugh Kerr had written the first epic Texas poetry book, "A Poetical Description Of Texas," a very personal Texas legacy for this modern storyteller and poet.

Other selections continue to tell the history of heroes and common men, and include amusing and inspirational stories and poems as the sweeping history of Texas unfolds. Bumgardner pays tribute the Cowboy history and music preservationists, including John Lomax, Jack Thorp, and J. Frank Dobie. The final track, "Spurs on the Wall," honors the poets and musicians -- "friends of Western spirit" -- who keep the past alive.

"Texas Legacies" is quality entertainment, an educational experience, a wonderful tribute to those who built the great state of Texas, and a portrait of true American spirit. Scott Bumgardner points out that Texas "was made famous by peoples from all over the world" and rightfully claims that "Texas and her legacies can be embraced by all freedom loving peoples."

Scott Bumgardner is a popular storyteller and poet, and he gives frequent presentations with a focus on old Texas and Cowboy history. He writes historical articles and is the President of the Cowboy History and Performance Society, based in Houston.

The CD is available through www.texaslegacies.com for $15, tax and shipping
included or by mail from PO Box 710770, Houston, TX 77271-0770.

By Margo Metegrano, Editor, “The Big Round Up"
Managing Editor,  www.CowboyPoetry.com