Greetings Smokys,

The Rodeo Year has come to completion with the 2007 IGRA Finals Rodeo and Royalty Competition October 12-14, 2007. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Chad B. for making it to, and competing in, Finals this year. While he didn't get the buckle (and was so close to making his ride Sunday), he deserves kudos for making it to Finals in his first year competing on the IGRA circuit! Great job Chad, and thanks for representing SMRA.

While I represented SMRA judging IGRA Royalty Horsemanship, Justin served as Alternate SMRA Trustee for Finals Rodeo. Additionally, Justin performed the Riderless Horse Ceremony song both days. Barry R. volunteered throughout the weekend working Security, and learning more about our rodeos in general. My thanks to them for contributing their time to Finals Rodeo.

From the Royalty Competition, please join me in recognizing and congratulating the 2008 IGRA Royalty Team:

• Miss IGRA Janet Jenkins (CGRA)
• Mr. IGRA Gary Rushton (AGRA)
• Mr. IGRA Runner-Up Randy Edlin (TGRA)

We now turn our energies toward Convention November 8-11, 2007 in Kansas City. I would like to thank the following people for their commitment to represent SMRA as YOUR delegates at Convention this year:

• Grigsby W.
• Bill T.
• Steve B.
• Barry R.
• Tam K.
• Jamilynn B. (Alternate)
• Justin J. (Alternate)

In addition, we still have a work and fun ahead of us for the remainder of the year with our Charity fundraisers and community events throughout the holiday season.

Best wishes to everyone for a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving.

The Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association held its monthly Dance Lesson and Beer Bust Fundraiser at Blue Gene's on Saturday October 6th. And, as can always be said, a good time was had by all. The cowboys and cowgirls started the evening off with some members strutting their stuff out on the dance floor and members of the community were soon to

Steve Bloodworth, Candidate for Mr. SMRA 2008, was a big hit with his Jell-O shooters (which sure didn't last long) as everyone enjoyed the wonderful little desserts. After all, everyone knows that there is always room for Jell-O. The only problem was that they seemed to disappear

The night switched over to karaoke a little later in the evening and we all had a chance to hear the talents of several of our friends and neighbors as they exercised their vocal chords and treated us all with a wide variety of music and songs. And we can't forget that SMRA kept the beer flowing (for donations) so we could make sure all of those thirsty dancers and singers didn't get too dehydrated.

We missed all of you that didn't get the chance to come out and join us on Saturday but we hope that next month, on November 3rd, we will have a chance to welcome you to a fun filled night of Cowboy dance and a wide range of vocal talents all on behalf of our charity partners.

So "cowboy up" and ride on in to Blue Gene's on Saturday November 3rd for the next SMRA Dance lesson and Beer Bust night.

On Saturday, September 1, 2007, Blue Gene's 37203 on Church Street in Nashville, hosted it's first SMRA Rodeo Night Fundraiser. As in the past, the evening began with country line dance lessons at 8:00 p.m. and continued with a beer bust at 10:00 p.m. featuring Bud Light. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Charity Partners of SMRA.

A large crowd enjoyed the dance floor that Blue Gene's installed for the occasion and danced to country karaoke as well as favorite country hits. Special thanks to Terry F. for teaching the dances and to all the staff at Blue Gene's for making SMRA and its guests feel welcome.

Mark your calendars and JOIN THE FUN on the first Saturday of the month throughout 2007 as Blue Gene's welcomes the SMRA gang back for Rodeo Night Fundraisers!

SMRA is working hard to put a little extra cheer into the holidays this year. The Fundraising Committee corraled numerous members, community clubs and our charity partners in to a Christmas Wreath Fundraiser. Thanks to a generous donation by Sharp's Greenhouse, we were able to supply wreaths to little elves throughout the community to decorate and return for several charity auctions.

Elves

• Terry Sharp & Todd Ryan
• James H.
• Alive Hospice
• Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation
• Vanderbilt Children's and Adolescent HIV/AIDS Clinic
• The Conductors
• The Raptors
• The Grizzlies

On Friday, Nov. 16th, two live auctions will be held to sell four of the decorated wreaths:

- Tribe at 10:30 p.m.
- Lucky's at 12:00 a.m.

Additionally, on Saturday, Dec. 1st (SMRA's Rodeo Night at Blue Gene's), a silent auction will be held to sell the remaining six wreaths from 8:00pm to 12:00am.

All proceeds benefit SMRA and its Charity Partners. Come out, buy a wreath and enjoy the fun!

Nominations for 2008 Executive Officers have been collected and the following members have proudly accepted nominations for the following offices.

• Skip Flathers - President
• Steve Bloodworth - Vice President
• Jack Marshall - Vice President
• Terry Sharp - Secretary
• JamiLynn Beck - Treasurer

Members have also been asked to nominate qualified organzations to be one of SMRA's 2008 Charity Partners. Next year's Charity Partners will be two of the following worthy organizations.

On Saturday, December 15, 2007, SMRA's 2008 Royalty Team will be selected. The competition, to take place at Illusions II at 339 Wilhagen Road in Nashville, will begin at 8:00 p.m.

Selected members of Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association's Royalty Team are representatives for SMRA and IGRA, advocates for rodeo, ambassadors to the community and spokespeople for keeping the western heritage alive. Throughout the years, SMRA's Royalty Team has participated in countless fundraising activities at both the local and international levels. Royalty Team members work diligently to attain pre-set requirements outlined by the Royalty Guidelines to maintain their title and sash. Royalty Team members take their responsibilities very seriously.

Information about SMRA's Royalty Program, including the 2008 Royalty Candidates, can be found at http://www.smra.net/royalty.asp.

Howdy ya'll,

What a busy October! I began with the Nashville CARES AIDS Walk on October 6th here in Nashville. Even though I wasn't able to walk with the six other Smokys that were able to attend, I did come and check in send everyone off! *smile* SMRAs final grand total....drum please....is $3485.00!!! OH MY GOSH! That is an incredible amount of money! Our biggest money raiser is Tom S-W! He raised at least $1800! That is just awesome! Thank you Tom. You are an inspiration to all of us. I would like to thank Brad K., Jamilynn B., Satu P., Grigsby W. and Steve B. for walking on behalf of SMRA and we can't forget all of our donors. We all help where we can! This is a great example of how SMRA pulled together and did a great thing. Just like our slogan says, "Good people, havin a good time, doin a good thing!"

The following weekend, October 12-14, Barry R. and I went to IGRA Finals in Denver Colorado! What a great time! This was Barry's first IGRA finals. SMRA had our first ever finals competitor, Chad aka "Smurf" from North Carolina! He didn't buckle but it wasn't from lack of trying. I felt so proud seeing him there under SMRA's flag. Tam K., Trustee, was a judge for the Horse Showmanship portion of the Royalty Competition early in the week but had to leave before the actual rodeo. Thank you Tam for representing SMRA as a judge in the Royalty Competition and also donating some great prizes for the silent auction basket SMRA donated along with other IGRA associations to raise money for the 2008 Finals Rodeo in Denver, CO. SMRA's basket had items donated by Tam K, Barry R. and me. It raised $115! It was the second highest bid! I had the pleasure of seeing all my good buddies from other royalty programs from other associations. We traded association pins and had a few beers playing catch up! They are a great bunch of people who work very hard promoting gay rodeo and raising money for their associations and IGRA! I miss you guys and gals!

Right after Finals, October 19-21, I was invited to be a judge in Gateway Gay Rodeo Association's first Royalty contest in St. Louis, MO. I was hosted by Skeeter, a good buddy of mine there who is a member of GWGRA. Thanks for your hospitality! GWGRA had 4 contestants total! Once the contest was over, a Mr., Miss and Ms. was sashed. They now have a full royalty team for 2008. A great team which I hope our 2008 royalty team will get to meet and work with. I learned so much from this contest. I judged every category and judged with some rather experienced judges who some of which were past IGRA royalty. Janet Jenkinds from CGRA (Colorado Gay Rodeo Association), Miss IGRA 2008, was able to make it and help with the contest as well. She is such a wealth of knowledge and I respect her very, very much! It was great seeing you Janet!

I love the IGRA circuit and it was an honor to be there representing SMRA wherever I could. I take my responsibilities very seriously as I know our team next year will as well! Embarrassingly enough I didn't take very many pictures! I'm not very good at remembering to take pictures of myself. I have to work on that.

Terry Fisher was born in Loretto, Tennessee in southern Lawrence County. He grew up on a farm where his family raised cows, pigs and most all other kinds of livestock. Terry moved to Nashville in 1993 when he went to work at Nissan. He worked there for six years before accepting a position with the Postal Service as a Letter Carrier in Lavergne, Tennessee. In 2006, Terry purchased a home in Smyrna and he is in the process of a major remodel.

SMRA's Membership Committee is looking for an active member to serve as Assistant Editor. This volunteer will be a part of the creation, distribution, storage and maintenance of the association's monthly e-newsletter as well as other mass email projects as assigned.

This position involves the use of specialized online software that allows for maintenance and storage of distribution lists, templates, etc. So applicants can work from any location that has internet access.

Qualifications include excellent grammar skills and familiarity with digital photography as well as an ability to set and meet deadlines.

The President of the Corporation, with (a) the simple majority vote of the Executive Board of Directors, can call a special meeting of the general membership.