In the last couple of weeks I’ve heard the word “Countrypolitan” maybe five times, even found myself using it in casual conversation at a party last night.
What is “Countrypolitan?” The term has often been used to describe “pop”ular country music. I just saw Ray Price perform (more on this later)…Mr. Price is old school “Countrypolitan”. Singing songs about misery and love gone wrong…no longer with yodels or twangs of his early days, but a nice looking suit and a smooth voice and style…still improving with age at 79.
You can see “Countrypolitan” now emerging in cowboy boot design. Country music has always supplied Western glamour. “Countrypolitan” is glamour without the “bling.” The new Lucchese Stiletto Boots are a good example. These cowboy boots have tall tops, collars, pointy toes, wrinkles and toebugs, but they take a fashion detour with their 3 1/2 inch heels, and sleek stage soles. They are “cowboy boots” only upon second glance….at first they look are mainstream…that’s countrypolitan. Even without exotic hides, rhinestones or metal tips these new boots takes sides with form not function. They pay tribute to their country roots, but from a safe distance.
At the start of my friendship with Tyler I’d get these notes, typewritten with lines of XXXXXXXXX through the mistakes. Ah, those were the days.
Now…I get handwritten notes in the mail and it takes me no less than a couple hours to decipher each one. I keep old examples of “cracked code” in a folder as reference material. Once, I even tried sticking one of Tyler’s postcards under the wiper blade of my Ranchero…figuring if I stood back from it ten or fifteen feet, maybe the letters would come into focus. Nope, no such luck.
Don’t hold your breath for an e-mail address (Tyler may never get one)…but don’t miss the “Grand Opening” of www.tylerbeard.com. You can get first edition and signed copies of his cowboy boot books available nowhere else.
Put all the rumors to rest….here’s a swell article which recounts the life and work of Mr. Bo Riddle. (Bonus!!—Click here to listen to a sample of “A Song to Boot.”)
These cookies are my favorite. The brown sugar-oatmeal flavor is very pronounced. The cookies freeze well…the recipe below makes about 4 dozen. (This recipe can be easily doubled.) The recipe comes from a cookbook written by Jeanne Lemlin called Vegetarian Pleasures, (1986).
1 cup unbleached white flour
½ cup whole wheat flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cups (1 & 1/2 sticks of butter), softened
¾ cup sugar
¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups rolled oats (non-instant oatmeal)
1 cupchopped walnuts
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a cookie sheet (or use parchment paper).
Combine the flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
Cream together the butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl until fluffy. Add the flour mixture and mix well.
Beat in the oats, nuts, and chocolate chips. (You might have to do this step by hand.) The dough will be crumbly.
Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Be careful not to burn them. Thoroughly cool on a wire rack before storing in a tin.
