Cowboy Sass & Savvy
another AMGS Spotlight Review
Written by:
Pamm Tucker
Americana Media Gig Spot
Photos provided by:
Pamm Tucker
AMGS
The Lone Ranger, Gene Autry, R. W. Hampton? These all have a common interest, cowboy music & terminology. However; I didn’t have to tune the television to the Western channel to run into a cowboy. I just had to go to the State Fair of Oklahoma. As the wind blew, on a sunny, Saturday morning, in Oklahoma City, I found myself sitting under a shade tree near a real chuck wagon with Cowboy Jim Garling.
Native Oklahoman, Jim Garling has the appearance of walking straight out of “Rawhide”, with his boots, tied neck piece, and his mustache, let’s not forget the guitar strap and the ever smiling twinkle in his eyes.
Garling is well respected in these parts. He is known as selling RV’s in his earlier life, but he has made a name for himself in the Cowboy music world. No imitation here, all real ife, paying a tribute to those who have gone on before us, Garling gives a true representation of Cowboy music, but he can also play other types of music as well.
Jim Garling, Greg Burgess, and Richard Sharp can be found “swinging” across the great state of Oklahoma in their swing band. Burgess, a fiddle champion, who can saw out “Maiden’s Prayer” with the best of them, and Richard Sharp, who has a voice of an angel and one of the best bass players in the country, showcase their sounds for the right combination of old swing music and cowboy music. Garling also has a duet with Suzanne Wooley, Ada Native, where the both of them provide excellent skills & a trip back in time with bests of Bob Wills and the pioneers of American History.
From performances at the Great State Fair, the Cowboy Hall of Fame, to emcee at the Rodeo Opry, Garling brings it all when he takes center stage. On Sundays,you can find him providing the music at the Old Church in Perkins OK. Other opportune times, you might waltz into the Double Stop Fiddle Shop & be entertained by Garling & Byron Berline, along with many talented musicians that might pop-in to play with Byron & the group, (hard to tell who might be there).
Recently, I attended an event in Choctaw, & was surprised of the connection of Garling, a fiddle & guitar instructor with Wayne Cantwell. Cantwell recollects, Garling giving him the advice of teaching the fiddle. Garling offers up much more than entertaining and instructing , he offers up his friendship and loyalty.
Speaking of loyalty , Garling definitely has that running in his blood. Married to the love of his life, Doris, there is nothing but loyalty, friendship and mostly an abundance of love when you see the two of them together. At the mention of her name, Jim gets different sparkle in his eyes, that’s the sparkle of true love. You can tell that Jim Garling not only has a love for Doris but a love for the Lord, along with the love of the Cowboy way of life, both in music and knowledge.
