Event Recaps

2007 Events

2008 HRC Wild West Showdown

SMRA participated in the annual HRC Wild West Showdown again this year with around 12 members in attendance. The night was filled with tons of food, folks and fun, including a highly successful Best Butt n Jeans contest that SMRA held raising close to $900. Contestants were given 30 minutes to collect votes for having the Best Butt n Jeans. At the end of the contest, one male and one female were crowned the winners with what else but Cowboy/Cowgirl hats. My thanks to all the volunteers who worked to make this an incredible evening: Justin W., Steve B., Miss SMRA, Kitty Kincaid, Taylor S., Brett W., Barry R., John S.
See photos from the Wild West Showdown

Nashville Cares Aids Walk

Saturday October 4th the SMRA team helped raise $920 for Nashville Cares. Congratulation to our team: Justin W, Bill T, Steve B, David W, and John S.

Rodeo Roundup in River City

September 26th a few of us Smoky’s headed to Louisville for the The Rodeo Roundup in River City @ Starbase Q. Justin W, Bill T and Steve B headed to Bowling Green where we met up with Michael F than off to Louisville. Two of our Cincy members Bill W and Scott (scooter) Hunter, met us there along with our Louisville member Ron Y.

The night was a lot of fun and the money raised, SMRA donated to the Louisville Aids walk.

Thanks to all who stepped up and helped out, and a special thanks to Ron Yearian for helping organize this event.

Gay Ol' Opry VII A Great Time

SMRA hosted another Gay Ole Opry on Friday, August 15. The gang at Play on Church Street treated us very well. Thanks to Joe Brown and all the club employees. Our show was well attended; thanks to all who came out in support.
See the Gay Ol' Opry Photos

SMRA Playday 2008

Roger Holmin and John helped to kick off the event with a Barbecue. Participants were treated to burgers, hotdogs, potato salad, chips and some fantastic baked beans courtesy of Roger's mother, Donna, and sweet corn on the cob which was grown at the ranch. As participants munched down on the lunch, SMRA Member, Barry Roberts gave them an overview of International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) and its events. Afterwards, Barry provided some instruction on roping with the help of ASGRA member, Patrick Hunter. Folks, then, got to try out their skills on the two hay bale calfs.

Of course, no type of instructional rodeo play day would be complete without a specialized drag event. The SMRA folks are no exception to this. If you thought the Dolly Madison Race of ASGRA was funny, you should see the wheelbarrow drag race (try saying that five times fast). Contestants are made up of two teams. One team member is pushed in the wheelbarrow to a pile of drag clothes sitting atop a racing barrel. Members must get dressed in the drag and then be wheelbarrowed back across the finish line in the best time.

However, the favorite event of all was the water balloon towel toss. Two teams of four members, four towels and volleyball net help to make up this event. Two members on each team take hold of one of the towels and must toss a water balloon over the net with the towel. Team members on the other side must then catch the balloon in the towel and then toss it back over. The teams volley the balloon back and forth until one team drops and busts the water balloon. If you think that it sounds hard to follow, you should try playing it. There ain't nothing funnier than watching two folks running hither and yon with a terry cloth like a fireman's catch net. Everyone, participants and spectators alike were in stitches.

In between events folks took time to relax and chat with one another; which may be one of the best parts of events like rodeo and rodeo play dates. It's the new people that you get to know, the old ones that you reconnect with. It's what first brings ya to events like this and it's a big part of what makes you come back.
See the SMRA Playday photos

Spring Roundup 2008

April 5th & 6th was SMRA Spring Roundup. If you missed it, you missed a fun time. Friday night at Play, Justin was selling bullet shots that seemed to be a favorite with the crowd; we also had a silent auction going on at the front of the bar, with lots of interesting donated items. The SMRA variety show was a blast.

Kitty Kincaid was, as usual, a graceful hostess and did a few numbers for the crowd. Justin James stepped in and did a few also. There were special performances by Ariana La'Moir who did a rendition of Dolly’s "PMS Blues", Markus who rocked the house, and Penn Mason who kept it country. And of course our special guest, Bianca Paige, who did Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” but with a country sound.

The fun continued Saturday down the street at Blue Gene’s with more Silent Auction items and Justin selling Jell-O shooters this time. The Best But t 'n Jeans contest was a hoot. Eleven contestants showed their best asset to vie for the title Best Butt 'n Jeans. Ben, of the Raptors, came away with the honor. The entire weekend was fun for all and helped us raise money for SMRA and our charity partners.

Thanks to all those who came out and special thanks to all those who helped us out by volunteering.
See Photos from Spring Roundup Weekend

IGRA University 2008

February 2008 Cowboys and cowgirls from around the nation decended on Las Vegas, Nevada February 22–25 for the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) University. IGRA University is an educational experience for members interested in learning skills that help with running a Rodeo and Association. Each class taken helps you to earn credits toward degrees in various tracks. SMRA had five members attending: Barry Roberts, Skip Flathers, Gary Jackson, Chad (Smurf) Billings and Steve Bloodworth.

Barry and Skip earned enough to receive an Associates Degree while Chad aka Smurf and Steve Bloodworth earned a Certificate of Achievement. Of course it wasn't all work, work work for the weekend. There was time for fun. Nevada Gay Rodeo Association (NGRA) organized some social events over the weekend.

Friday night was the NGRA Royalty Competition at Charlie's. Congratulations to the winners: Miss Katrina, Miss NGRA; Kandyce Kane, Miss NGRA first runner up; Michael Judkins, Mr. NGRA; Darren Warnette, Mr. NGRA first runner up. Saturday Night was "Dancing in the Desert" a dance held at the host hotel, the Tuscany Suite's and Casino. Sunday wrapped things up with an Academy Awards Party and Beerbust also held at Charlie's.

Not only was this opportunity to learn, have some fun, but also to make new friendships with people in other association. Thanks to NGRA for making everyone feel welcome.
See Photos from IGRA University Weekend

Good Time Had By All In Knoxville

January 19, 2008 What a great time had by all in Knoxville! Gene S., Kitty Kincaid, Bill T., Steve B and Justin made the road trip Saturday, January 19th! As always Becky and Kurt's Bar were very accommodating and just down right awesome! Boy do those Knoxville folks really know how to party. From the DJ to the bartenders, everyone was there to make sure all of us and the regular patrons had a great, cowboy time!

Our very own Miss Kitty Kincaid, Miss SMRA 2008, did a little impromptu number. She did a classic by Tammy Wynette, "Your Good Girls Gonna Go Bad". She did great! A special guest, Patrick Masse, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada wow'ed us with a number or two as well. Steve B. also sang a song or two and did some line dancing, including a new dance called the Cupid Shuffle. It was allot of fun! We may have to give it a try back here in Nashville!

Becky sponsored Jell-O shots for us as a fundraiser! SMRA thanks you so much! We raised around $245! Thank you Smoky's for helping to sell the Jell-O shooters: Kitty, Michael, Steve and me. We couldn't have done it without you!

We had a good strong showing by our Knoxville SMRA members as well: Tim, Michael, Steve and Symeon and others. It's always great to see everyone in Knoxville! Plus we had two of our newer members join us from Nashville as well: Bert and Michael! What fun! It is just as important that our fellow members come out to support the establishments that support us as it is for our members to do fundraisers. It takes all kinds to help make SMRA successful!

Be watching for future trips to Knoxville and Kurt's Bar!
See a slideshow of Knoxville photos