On October 24 – 27, 2010, the Chuckwagons of the West Jamboree will be at Circle B in Branson, Missouri.  Top national cowboy music and comedy acts plus special guests will be entertaining at anticipated sold-out shows.

The Horn Family brought Circle B’s brand of cowboy music and chuckwagon-style vittles to Branson 6 years ago, but Circle B has been around for long before that.  Circle B Ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota was founded in 1976.  The founders made it a priority to be members of the Chuckwagon Association of the West.  Christiana Horn says, “when we took over Circle B, a big part of our identity came from the Chuckwagons of the West.  They wrangled us into the group we’ve become.”

The Chuckwagons of the West began over 50 years ago, when Russ Wolfe and several close friends started inviting tourists to their evening cattle roundups and serving them food at the Flying W in Colorado Springs.  Invevitably, someone would pull out a guitar and sing old cowboy songs for the guests.  Since then, there have been many “chuckwagon” style groups to spring up around the country.  A small core of folks loyal to the original cattle drive spirit and the Association’s goal “to provide the highest level of quality and value in family entertainment and food” is still affiliated with the Flying W through the Chuckwagons of the West. 

Each year, the Chuckwagons of the West meet for a “jamboree”—a thank-you to loyal fans, and a time to swap stories and advice with other members.  The Jamboree is held at a different Chuckwagon each year.  October of 2010 will mark the first time it has been held in Branson.

In addition to some of the finest cowboy music and comedy acts in the world performing at Circle B in Branson, there are several surprises in the works.  “Branson has a lot of good, cowboy entertainment, so we’ve reached out to some of our cowboy friends.  We are blessed to have friends like Dusty Rogers agree to be a part of the event, as well as Johnny Lonestar.” says Kemp Horn

In addition to Circle B in Branson, the other members of the Chuckwagons of the West are:  the Bar –J in Jackson, Wyoming, the Bar –D in Durango, Colorado, the Circle B in Rapid City, South Dakota (now operated by Horn relatives, the Lawson Family), the Flying J in Riudoso, New Mexico,  and of course, the Flying W in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  All are expected to appear at the 2010 Jamboree.  “When we get together for a jamboree, it makes me lightheaded to be sharing a stage with so many cowboy music heroes!” says Circle B mandolinist John Fullerton.

For more information, please visit  CircleBshow.com, or call 1-800-678-6179.

Related interview:  Circle B Chuckwagon Show