Whatever Happened to the Yodeling Cowgirls
Somewhere in the history of yodeling, Americans took the
once European singing style and made it uniquely their own. In western
and cowboy music, especially, the yodel brings a heartwarming quality to
the music. Whether it is a joyful yodel or a sorrowful one, the sound
is unmistakable.
Arwen and Lorien Cockman, part of the latest
generation of the musical Cockman Family, have been surrounded by music
their whole lives.
By Jeff Eason
?Although steeped in the bluegrass and old-time
tradition, they took up an interest in western music after seeing Riders
in the Sky perform at Tweetsie Railroad,? said their father, musician
John Cockman.
?They decided to perform under the band name The Butterpats.?
The
Butterpats recently recorded an album of western music titled ?Whatever
Happened to the Yodeling Cowgirls.? It features the girls singing cover
tunes such as Johnny Mercer?s ?I?m an Old Cowhand,? Ralph Stanley?s
?Green Pastures? and Doug ?Ranger Doug? Green?s ?Lonely Yukon Stars? as
well as the girls? original songs ?I Know That God Is on the Prairie?
and ?Roundup in the Sky.?
?The CD features the girls? harmony
singing and yodeling and has been well-received by the genre,? said John
Cockman. ?They have received airplay and have been given many
invitations to perform at western music concerts and festivals.
Arwen
(11) and Lorien (10) are the daughters of Boone residents John and
Jennifer Cockman. Jennifer is a stay-at-home mom and John is a professor
in the Physics Department at Appalachian State University.
On
Saturday, November 19, the Butterpats attended the Western Music
Association (WMA) Showcase and Awards Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
?This
is an annual four-day event held at the Albuquerque Marriott, which
culminates with the Western Music Awards Show at the KiMo Theatre,? said
John Cockman. ?Lorien and Arwen were awarded the 2011 WMA Harmony
Yodeling Group of the Year and the 2011 WMA Youth Harmony Award, by Jon
Messenger, president of the WMA.?
According to John Cockman, the WMA Awards Show was the highlight of a 14-day western road trips for The Butterpats.
The
Butterpats will be performing in Boone on Tuesday, December 6 at the
2nd Annual Bluegrass Christmas Showcase and Covered Dish Dinner, held at
the Harvest House on Boone Heights Drive. The showcase begins at 5:30
p.m.
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