“A Cowboy’s Legacy — In the Shadow of Pikes Peak” is a performance celebration of western heritage to be presented Sept. 20 from 7-9 p.m. at the Ute Pass Cultural Center in Woodland Park.

The performances are billed as a cultural celebration of the Pikes Peak region’s western heritage to highlight the cowboy and mountain man heritage through western music, cowboy poetry, storytelling and humor.

The Saturday night line-up of performance artists include The Hattons, Jon Chandler and Ernie Martinez, Allen and Jill Kirkham, Mountain Man Ken Valles, Celtic Dancers and a special visit from “Doc Susie,” the inspiration for Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

Donna and Tom Hatton, in partnership with the Ute Pass Historical Society and the International Western Music Association, brings together an entertaining group of performers to share aspects of area history through stories, song, poetry, dance and education.

“‘A Cowboy’s Legacy — In the Shadow of Pikes Peak’ is a way to reach out to the community, to share our country’s heritage through Western music, cowboy poetry and stories from a time when pioneers, ranchers and mountain men came to Colorado during the westward expansion,” said founder Donna Hatton.

Donna and husband Tom formed A Cowboy’s Legacy in response to observing the area’s western culture fading away as Woodland Park grew.

“I saw that our heritage was disappearing,” Donna said. “A Cowboys Legacy brings back the stories we grew up with and my intent is to create an oasis where we can celebrate our shared heritage as well as introduce others who may not have been a part of that culture.

“The town is diverse, and sharing (music and poetry) is our way to bring the community together. Hopefully what we do on stage extends our hand in friendship.”

Donna Hatton wrote “A Cowboys Legacy” as a poem based on the life of her father-in-law.

“It carries on the legacy of having been impacted by those we love, giving credit to the people who have marked our lives,” she said.

Tickets for Saturday night are $15 for adults and can be purchased at the door. Children 12 and under are free. For advance ticket purchase information call: 719-640-8721 or 719-368-1198. Email: tomhatton@aol.com.

On Sunday, Sept. 21, Cowboy Church will be held at the Cultural Center beginning at 10 a.m. There is no charge.

Performers

The Hattons

Tom Hatton, a third generation cattle rancher whose family pioneered and tamed the rugged mountain terrain, and Donna, his wife of 66 years, are local Teller County residents who ranch along Four Mile Creek, west of Cripple Creek.

Tom and Donna’s Western perspective weaves their original music and poetry into a tapestry of stories reflecting their shared “legacy”.

They are award winning cowboy/western poets and songwriters, recipients of the Academy of Western Writers, Will Rogers Award for Cowboy Poetry CD — Album of the Year, 2005.

Jon Chandler

A seventh-generation Coloradan, the music and stories of Jon Chandler reflect his heritage, and his eight CDs, two novels, two non-fiction works and myriad short stories and nonfiction articles are collected by western lifestyle aficionados worldwide.

Chandler is a three-time winner of the prestigious Spur Award from the Western Writers of America. He was named “Best Western Musician” and “Best Living Western Musician” by True West Magazine. His newly released seventh CD is entitled The Gang.

Ernie Martinez

Lakewood, Colo. native Ernie Martinez has been a part of the Colorado music scene for over 50 years. As a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, songwriter and producer, Ernie plays a myriad of genres including Western, Bluegrass, Swing, Americana, currently performing Western music with Jon Chandler. Ernie has received the Curly Musgrave Spirit of the Cowboy Achievement Award, International Western Music Association Instrumentalist of the Year and inducted into the Colorado Bluegrass Society Hall of Honor.

Allen & Jill Kirkham

From Custer, South Dakota come DJs and husband and wife duo Allen and Jill Kirkham playing classic, traditional Western music “to keep our heritage of uniquely American Western Music alive.” The Kirkhams were awarded Academy of Western Artists 2019 Western Group of the Year and inducted into the Legends of Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame.

Ken Valles

Known for his authentic portrayals and western stories of Mountain Men, Pony Express Riders, Cowboys and Cattle Drives, local resident Ken Valles entertains and educates his audiences.

He is the Director of Karate Plus Ministries, Inc., Woodland Park.

Mountain Eire

Based in Woodland Park, Mountain Eire brings a traditional Irish dance experience to the evening.

“Doc Susie”

A portrayal by Dare Bible of Dr. Susan Anderson (Doc Susie)- inspiration for Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman.

Dan Park

Talented member of A Cowboy’s Legacy and lead guitarist / jazz guitarist for the Woodland Park Symphony.

Pikes Peak Heritage Museum tours

In conjunction with “A Cowboy’s Legacy” and in partnership with the Ute Pass Historical Society, and prior to the evening performance, visitors will discover an atmosphere reminiscent of the “old west” through interactive exhibits, photographs, artifacts, documents and artwork housed in the Pikes Peak Museum, a group of five historic buildings at the Ute Pass History Park in Woodland Park. from 2-4 p.m.

“In the Shadow of Pikes Peak” Native American peoples known as the Taguache Ute Tribe lived and hunted throughout the area during seasonal passages while journeying along a vision-quest spiritual path to Tava (Sun), the mountain now known as Pikes Peak.

Following the Ute came the adventurous mountain men including Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Jedediah Smith and Jim Beckwourth.

The museum highlights the early beginnings of Colorado’s history and impact upon the region by the Native American Ute Tribe, mountain men and pioneers, along with the railroad, cattle ranching, mining and agriculture industries.

Prior to the evening performance, the Ute Pass Historical Society will give interactive tours and demonstrations at the museum and historical buildings located at 231 E. Henrietta Ave. in Woodland Park, Colo. For museum information go to: utepasshs.org or call 719-686-7512.