The Chute Complex, one of Nashville's oldest gay establishments, closed its doors for the last time on Friday, July 27, 2007. A great deal of the success that Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association has enjoyed since its inception is directly related to the generosity of the owners, management and staff of the Chute Complex. The members of SMRA are extremely grateful for the many fundraising opportunities that the Chute Complex has offered over the years including Rodeo Night Beer Busts, Gay Ol' Opry nights, pub crawls and countless special events in addition to monthly general membership meetings. I want to personally wish everyone from the Chute Complex a sincere "thank you" on behalf of SMRA and its Charity Partners. We will miss our friends but cherish our memories.

Because SMRA's Rodeo Nights at the Chute have always been very popular with both members and non-members alike, the Executive Board is working hard to select a location for an ongoing monthly event to keep the tradition alive. Please visit www.smra.net for news about upcoming events and opportunities to dance and enjoy the rodeo atmosphere. Email alerts will also be distributed.

Grigsby White, President 2007
Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association

If you weren't there, what an awesome time you missed! The SMRA gang headed to Knoxville on Saturday, July 14 for what turned out to be the best Play Day yet. The beautiful weather enhanced the awesome setting at the Rarity Bay Equestrian Center. This facility was simply amazing! Thanks to Tim and the staff for making this an event to remember. There were approximately 70 or so folks that came out and joined us for some down-home fun and rodeo education. The awesome part is that about 85% of the folks were from Knoxville. SMRA educated everyone on several of the sanctioned rodeo events. There was even an exhibition on Barrel Racing. Then there were mock rodeo events such as "stick horse" barrel racing and wheel barrow drag racing. Folks even took turns horseback riding. There were first-timers and then there were more experienced riders. Next was the food and drinks. A big THANKS goes out to those who helped with the food and/or donations. A special "Thanks" goes out to The Chute Nashville, Kurt's Bar Knoxville, The French Quarter Knoxville, and Club XYZ Knoxville for donating items. SMRA had a blast and gained several new friends, along with some new members. Thanks to all the folks in Knoxville for their awesome hospitality. SMRA looks forward to more events to be held in Knoxville. From a member of SMRA that is now in Texas, I am very proud to be a Smoky and see what the gang put together! It only shows great potential for a future rodeo!

The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation is a national finalist in ReZoom.com's "A Better World Awards Program." One of 21 regional charity winners from across the country, The Foundation is the only organization finalist that supports cancer survivors and their families.

You can make a difference in our efforts to offer "hope through research, support, and education" by voting on-line daily at www.rezoom.com beginning July 9th through August 10th. Simply go to http : //www.rezoom.com/ABETTERWORLD/ and vote daily. Please share this simple, quick way of supporting The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation with your family, friends, and colleagues and through your e-mail lists and website links. With your help, we can continue to support research and to offer programs and services that address the unmet needs of cancer survivors from the Middle Tennessee community and beyond. Thank you for your support of our efforts!

Check out the ReZoom TV special, which features The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation.

Greetings Smokys,

As we move into the second half of the Rodeo Year, it is time to start thinking about Convention. This year, we pass the baton to the Missouri Gay Rodeo Association (MGRA). Having hosted Convention last year, Smokys and the general Nashville community learned a lot about IGRA and its inner workings. I encourage members to step up and be part of the process this year representing SMRA at the 23rd Annual IGRA Convention and Dance Competition. We have opportunities as delegates and alternate delegates. Please attend the August SMRA Membership meeting for more information. If serving on the delegation isn't your thing, we all know from last year that Convention can always use volunteers. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, contact Andrew G. at MGRA. Convention will be held November 8-11, 2007 in Kansas City, MO.

In July, the IGRA Board met for its quarterly meeting. Of particular note was the selection of the 2009 IGRA Finals location, as well as the phase-in process for ongoing IGRA Finals Production. Associations will be expected to contribute to the Finals production beginning in 2009. The premise behind this approach is that each Association brings at least one area of expertise to the table. Since all associations have a vested interest in Finals, all should contribute. More information will follow which will be shared with the SMRA Board and Membership as it becomes available. The 2009 IGRA Finals and Royalty Competition will be held in Albuquerque, NM.

The other major topic presented was a review of the Rodeo Review Board and Rodeo Checklist process by the ad-hoc Rodeo Checklist Committee, Chaired by myself. Brian Helander, President of IGRA, created this committee in February of this year to look at how the overall process is used, and how it can be improved. The committee conducted an analysis of rodeo data 2004-present and presented its findings and conclusions to the Board. At the Board's recommendation, the committee will present a proposal at Convention for a phased change in the process beginning in 2008.

That's all for now. I hope to see y'all out on the circuit at Convention and/or one of the eight rodeos left this year.

Tam Keltner, Trustee

Whew! Is this year flying by for everyone? It sure is for me. It's so exciting seeing new Royalty candidate for the 2008 year! Yay guys/gals!

I am working on a great event at Tribe here in Nashville on August 10th starting at 7pm. Terry Fisher will be teaching some dance lessons and Tribe has agreed to play some country music mixed with a little bit of rock 'n' roll! So there will some two- stepping and line dancing going on for sure! After the dance lessons, I will be auctioning off the chance for some lucky guy/gal to tear a white t-shirt off of some of the hottest bartenders at Tribe. This will be happening throughout the night. Thank you, again, to Patrick H. for this great idea! It's something to see and it's a lot of fun. So, if any of you frequent Tribe and have a favorite bartender, come on over - you just might be tearing a t-shirt off! The proceeds raised from this event help the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network in addition to SMRA's Charity Partners. This night promises to be a fun time had by all. Come check out Tribe - You will be surprised just how much of a saloon Tribe can become!

I want to thank everyone for their support this year. It's been a tough and challenging year but I believe that challenges create character and make you all the wiser. I'm thankful every day that I found, and am active in, such a great cause.

With ya'll,
Justin James, Mr. SMRA 2007

On Wednesday, August 29, 2007, Blue Gene's 37203 will host a Cowboy Happy Hour mixer beginning at 5:30 p.m. Located at 1715 Church Street in Nashville, Blue Gene's is a great place to "come see all your friends and make new ones!"

Stop by to learn more about Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association and what it's all about. Grab a drink, meet some members and learn about gay rodeo and the work that SMRA does for its Charity Partners.

Have you ever wanted to help charities but you get busy and it seems very difficult and time consuming? SMRA may have the answer. We are participating in the Nashville CARES AIDS Walk on October 6th, 2007. This is SMRA's third year now. We would also love everyone to walk with us. It fills you with such pride to be walking with all the other teams and individuals. You share in their enthusiasm and care for such a worthy cause. There is so much excitement in the air! We are trying to raise a record amount of funds this year. Last year we raised about $1,400.00 and this year, our goal is $2,000.00 I know we can achieve this! If you can't join the gang to walk, all you have to do is follow the simple links below to donate funds on behalf of SMRA.

This important fundraiser helps provide direct services to more than 1,500 people living with HIV/AIDS in the Middle Tennessee community. Annually, Nashville CARES education department reaches more than 40,000 youth and adults with life saving prevention information. All services are free of charge -- your donations make this possible.

This is the time, the 2007 AIDS Walk is the place, YOU are the one who can make a difference now.

If you would like to join the SMRA team:

1. First, go to http://www. nashvilleaidswalk.com/
2. Then, click on "Register" at the top of the page
3. A "Waiver/Agreement" page will come up. You have to click "I Agree" to join our team
4. Once you have agreed to the waiver, 5 options will come up. Please check the "Join a Team" option
5. After you do that, a drop down box will appear with all the registered teams listed. Look for "Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association (SMRA)" and click continue.
6. Fill out the requested information and then you'll be part of the best team!

If you just want to make a general donation under SMRA:

1. Go to "http://www. nashvilleaidswalk.com/
2. On the right hand side of the page you will see "Team Rank". Find our team on the list.
3. Then click on our name and it will take you to our team's page
4. At the top of the page there are three tabs: Team Page, General Donation and Awareness Quiz. Click on "General Team Donation" and follow the instructions. It's just that easy!

SMRA wants to thank all who can make donations! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me via email.

Sincerely,
Justin James, Mr. SMRA 2007

On Saturday, August 18, 2007 beginning at 6:00 p.m., SMRA's 2008 Royalty Candidates will be hosting a BBQ Bash Fundraiser at TRAX. One of the requirements of Royalty Candidacy is to participate in fundraising activities and raise a minimum requirement for charity. Currently, the following individuals have declared their candidacy for 2008's Royalty Team

• Steve Bloodworth, Candidate - Mr. SMRA 2008
• Skip Flathers, Candidate - Mr. SMRA 2008
• Mark Rollins, Candidate - Mr. SMRA 2008
• Kitty Kincaid, Candidate - Miss SMRA 2008
• Jami Lynn Beck, Candidate - Ms. SMRA 2008

Please join the gang at TRAX to support our royalty candidates and their fundraising efforts. To learn more about SMRA Royalty, please visit the new "Royalty Section" at www.smra.net.

Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association, on behalf of it's Charity Partners, is pleased to announce that they will be hosting their inaugural Cowboy Classic Golf Tournament on Saturday September 15, 2007 at Shelby Golf Club in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament will be a scratch singles tournament with cash prizes being awarded to the top three players. Plans for a $10,000 hole-in-one contest plus additional prizes are anticipated. Registration will be $75.00 per golfer and will include greens fee, cart rental fee, lunch and one (1) door prize ticket per player.

Space is limited and registration has begun. Download a Registration Form now!

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Additional information can be found at www.smra.net.

Hey everyone! Don't miss out on an inexpensive advertising opportunity that has the potential to reach all accross the US and Canada (via www.smra.net). SMRA, on behalf of its Charity Partners, is preparing the Pony Ad-Press that will be distributed at many of our events: Rodeo Nights, Pride Events, Play Days, Trail Blazes, Pub Crawls, etc. For a one time fee supporters can place an advertisement in the Pony Ad-Press for the remainder of the year. If they choose to update the ad to reflect current events prior to printing of the Pony Ad-Press, all they have to do is send us an updated advertisement and we'll be happy to place it in the current edition.

Ad prices are extremely reasonable considering the high amount of exposure that they will receive. CLICK HERE to learn about rates! And CLICK HERE to learn about ad specifications!

This is a great way to support SMRA and our Charity Partners for as little as $25! SMRA is flexible and understanding. Give us a shot! We are very easy to work with. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us at jameswall77 @yahoo.com or membership@ smra.net.

Thank you,

Mr. SMRA 2007 Justin James and Steve Bloodworth
Fundraising Co-Chairs

Click here to see the current issue of Pony AdPress

August 17-20, 2007
Zia Regional Rodeo - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hosted by the New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association

August 24-26, 2007
Windy City Rodeo - Chicago, Illinois
Hosted by Illinois Gay Rodeo Association

October 12-14, 2007
IGRA Finals Rodeo - Denver, Colorado
Hosted by Colorado Gay Rodeo Association

ARTICLE III - AFFILIATION

A. The Corporation shall affiliate itself with the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) and all state, national and international organizations that adhere to the objectives, beliefs and purposes of the Corporation.

CLICK HERE if you would like to print a copy of SMRA's current Bylaws. Questions or comments concerning SMRA Bylaws and Guidelines can be directed to the Bylaws Chair at bylaws@smra.net.

The Wild Drag Race is an audience favorite all across the IGRA rodeo circuit. Even though the competition is serious and the payoff sizable, a large number of competitors also believe this to be a very entertaining event for the audience. The drag costumes come from "Goodwill" stores, from second- hand stores, and many from raiding mom's closet. A team is made up of one male, one female, one "drag" (either male or female), and one wild steer. The steer, with a halter and a 25-foot lead rope, is in a bucking chute at the beginning of the event. The cowgirl holds the rope and the cowboy and drag stand 40 feet from the chute. When the chute gate opens, the team tries to direct (or harass) the steer toward the finish line, which is 70 feet from the chute. They must get the steer across the finish line, mount the "drag," and then ride back across the finish line. The "drag" must be mounted on the steer before the steer starts back across the finish line and must stay on the steer until all four feet of the steer have crossed back across the finish line. Sounds easy, but the "drag" may get bucked off several times before the event is ever completed!