Western Plains Arts Assoc. presents the Bar D Wranglers in December

COLBY — Celebrate this Christmas season cowboy style with Western Plains Arts Association. The Bar D Wranglers are bringing their cowboy music and comedy stage show to Colby Community College’s Cultural Arts Center at 3 p.m. CST, Sunday, Dec. 9.

The Bar D Wranglers are a western music singing group from the Bar D Chuckwagon Suppers in Durango, Colo. The group has performed for over 2.5 million guests at their Durango location as well as countless other stages and venues around the United States. The group began performing at the Bar D Chuckwagon in June of 1969 and continues the tradition nightly throughout the summer months. When the Bar D Wranglers take their show on the road, they perform the classic cowboy- western music for which they are so well-known, as well as award-winning instrumental and comedy songs and crowd-pleasing stories that will delight the entire family. The Bar D Wranglers presently include Gary Cook, Matt Palmer, Joel Racheff, and Richard Espinoza. We hope you enjoy the show as much as the Wranglers enjoy performing for you!

Gary Cook is a two-time national flat pick champion guitar player and sings tenor. Originally from Fort Collins, Colo., Gary began his musical career at 4 years old. Coming from a very musical family, he grew up singing and playing different instruments. Gary and his siblings began playing at KLAK radio in Denver on a program called the Rocky Mountain Jamboree. Over the years he has competed in guitar and mandolin contests at festivals throughout the central and western United States winning the National Flatpick Guitar Championship twice.

Matt Palmer is originally from Sandpoint, Idaho. Matt learned to play as his family toured around the United States performing for western music fans everywhere. Matt can be heard singing the baritone harmony parts in the Wranglers cowboy music quartet as well as playing great fiddle songs.

Joel Racheff was born in Wyoming, raised in New Mexico, and has spent most of his adult life in Durango. While trying to sing lead and harmony parts with the group, Joel lays down…the foundation on his upright bass.

Richard Espinoza is best known for his big western singing voice, often being compared to one of the greatest in western music history – Marty Robbins. He plays the rhythm guitar with the group, and adds a distinct, rich sound to the Bar D Wranglers. Recognized as one of the finest male performers in Western Music, he has been the recipient of awards from organizations such as the Western Music Association.

The Bar D Wranglers were founded by Cy Scarborough in the late 1960’s. Cy still performs with the other members at the Chuckwagon and on the road at several dates throughout the year. He hails from Arkansas and has provided comedy for the group since the beginning. He began his western music career at the Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs in the early 1950’s. His funny songs and tales are always entertaining, and people from around the world have enjoyed the different “musical instruments” he has created over the years. Cy’s wife, Jeanne continues to work along side him at the Bar D Chuckwagon.

WPAA season programs are made possible through gifts and grants from numerous western Kansas sponsors including a special grant from the Dane Hansen Memorial Foundation, Logan, Kansas. Admission is by WPAA season ticket or $20 adults, $10 students at the door.

Visit the group’s website at bardwrangler.com.

— Submitted