Clay Ashurst Benefit Concert, Lusk, Wyoming
- September 15, 2017
- |
- Savanna Simmons
Posted in: Featured, Ranch Life, Rodeo
I wrote a blog about a few weeks ago about Clay Ashurst’s accident, a bit of his progress, and ways to help the family (see below). While the auction closed at the end of last month, there are still ways to help this cowboy family, and if you’re in the Lusk, Wyoming area, the Clay Ashurst and Family Benefit Concert is an event worth catching. It is Saturday, September 23, starting at 6 p.m. at the Niobrara County High School in Lusk.
Mark Barcus, of Cow Camp Saddlery in Lusk, has organized a night of fun with three cowboy entertainers, with the goal of helping the Ashursts. Barcus has pulled local talent Caitlyn Taussig, Andy Nelson, and Daron Little.
Caitlyn Taussig is a fourth-generation rancher from Kremmling, Colorado. She runs cow-calf pairs with her mother and sister on their high-country cattle ranch. Caitlyn’s favorite pastimes include calving, castrating calves at branding, learning to be a better roper, and studying up on bridle horses in the Californio tradition.
Caitlyn has been singing since childhood and has performed at ranch brandings, cowboy gatherings, and ranch ropings. She draws inspiration for her songwriting from Colorado’s rugged and beautiful landscapes, her experiences summering cattle at 9,000 feet, cowboying in rough high country and dark timber, working on the family ranch, and listening to her 91-year-old father’s wild stories. An article about the Taussig family appeared in the February 2016 issue of Western Horseman.
Caitlyn’s debut album, The Things We Gave Up, was released in January 2015.
Andy Nelson. An energetic and high-spirited cowboy poet and humorist from Pinedale Wyoming, Andy offers history, heritage and hilarity of the cowboy culture through traditional poetry and storytelling. During his childhood and adolescence, Andy’s greatest influence was traveling with his father to his many farrier jobs. He brings humor and authenticity to his performances, entertaining audiences across the U.S. and Canada. Andy has received the Male Poet of the Year numerous times from the Western Music Association and is the producer and co-host of the “Clear Out West (C.O.W.) Radio” weekly syndicated radio show.
Daron Little is the camp man on the Ault division of the TA Ranch out of Saratoga, Wyoming. He writes and sings contemporary cowboy music that reflects his life there. He has won several awards for his music and songwriting including the Academy of Western Artists Male Vocalist of the Year. When not performing or ranching, he enjoys roping recreationally.
While Clay is making great improvements — he even got to spend a week at home and watch his oldest son play football — Clay and his family have a long road ahead of them. Clay is currently in out-patient therapy at Craig Hospital in Colorado and will do outpatient treatments steadily for many months.
If you are in the area, please attend the benefit concert in Lusk, and if you wish to help the family remotely, consider donating by clicking this link. There is a facebook event for the Clay Ashurst and Family Benefit Concert. Please click here to access it and learn more.
The help recieved from the cowboy community and areas where Clay and Lexie have lived has been astounding. I know the family appreciates the help offered from Arizona to Wyoming and everywhere in between. Thank you, all.
Posted in: Featured, Ranch Life, Rodeo
About Savanna Simmons
I'm Savanna Simmons and I live north of Lusk, Wyoming, on the Four Three Ranch with my husband Boe and our sons, Brindle and Roan. I grew up evolving my horsemanship with clinicians like Ray Hunt, Joe Wolter, and Jack Brainard, but not within a...