Bootmakers in the News — Tony Benattar

You hear rumors about the start of boot companies... and you wonder how any of 'em survive the booms and busts of the "fashion world."

Here's a great article that tells the story of Liberty Boot Company (.pdf) in the words of owner/designer/rocker Tony Benattar.

Visit the Liberty Boot Commpany website, and of course... Rock On!

Update: Fire at M.L. Leddy's

Again?! Yes, sad ...but true.

This morning a 3-alarm fire damaged M.L. Leddy's ...the well known custom bootmaker located in the Fort Worth Stockyards. No one was injured. Damages to the building and inventory are estimated to exceed $700,000. (Click here to read details, and watch video footage.)

Many of you will remember that M.L. Leddy's had another serious fire back in December 2002. That fire was attributed to a cigarette.

Update: No customer's boots were lost in the blaze. For more details of the clean-up... read this article from the Star-Telegram.com. Since the store's move to the Ft. Worth Stockyards (back in 1941), it has survived a flood and 3 fires. Mercy!

Photo courtesy of cbs11tv.com.

Audio: Interview with Bootmaker Paul Bond

Thanks to NPR and Linda Wertheimer for the great interview with Paul Bond, His Boots Are Made for Talkin' About.

Paul Bond was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1992 for his bareback bronc riding, rodeo trick riding and bootmaking.

Today, the only other bootmaker with this honor is John S. Justin, Jr. (grandson of Justin Boots founder) who was inducted as "Great Westerner" in 1999.

For your very own pair of Paul Bond cowboy boots call 520-281-0512 or visit paulbondboots.com

(A reminder to support your local public radio.)

Cowboy Boots: High End, High Style

I get asked this question all the time. Usually, while I'm in somewhat ironic locations... like at the airport while I'm waiting in line for my favorite discount airline, or at a taco stand while I'm eating something that cost a dollar and is wrapped in white paper...Everybody wants to know who makes the "Most Expensive Cowboy Boots?"

Writer Neal Santelmann of Forbes.com provides us with the answer and the pictures ...no doubt, inspiring big dreams and even bigger purchases.