Country Lifestyle
Behind the Scenes

Hit Songwriters
By Jan Sikes
We all recognize songs made famous by the artists who sing them, but what about the songwriters, who are often behind the scenes? A good example of this is Merle Haggard’s mega-hit song, “The Way I Am.” Many people think he wrote the song. And while Haggard did write a good many of his own hits, that particular song was written by Sonny Throckmorton. That’s just one example.
A good many artists today write their own material and record it almost exclusively. But, there are other top-name performers who do not write at all and are always looking for their next big hit from songwriters’ catalogues.
I want to introduce you to some phenomenal Oklahoma-born songwriters. While you might not have heard of these writers, you will instantly recognize their songs.
Dallas Frazier was born in Spiro, Okla., in 1939 and is still alive and well in Tennessee. He is well-respected by recording artists and other songwriters alike. Frazier has quite a story. He states that his family was in the “Grapes of Wrath” migration from Oklahoma to California. The ‘40s were tough for his family. They worked cotton fields and lived in labor camps.
He entered a singing contest sponsored by Ferlin Husky when he was only twelve and won. Mr. Husky wound up hiring Frazier to work for him. At the age of fourteen, Frazier signed with Capitol Records.
Throughout the years, Frazier has written hundreds of songs, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry. He is responsible for such huge hits as “Alley Oop,” “There Goes my Everything,” “Elvira,” “Mohair Sam,” “Son of a Hickory Hollow Tramp,” and hundreds more. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Association International Hall of Fame in 1976. Another tidbit of fact about Frazier is that Elvis Presley recorded five of his songs during his career.
With a long and successful career, Frazier said in a 2012 interview, “A guy doesn’t do this just all on his own. You get breaks here and there and a lot of people gave me a helping hand in the business down through the years.”
I think that sums it up quite well. Frazier went into the ministry and pastored a church in Tennessee for many years. Now he considers himself retired.
Jimmy Webb is known as “America’s songwriter” and established worldwide recognition as a master of his trade. Born in 1946 in Elk City, Okla., he is the only artist to have ever received Grammy Awards for music, lyrics and orchestration. The first commercial recording of a Webb song was “My Christmas Tree” by The Supremes in 1965.
The following year, Webb met singer and producer, Johnny Rivers and recorded “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” which became a mega-hit for Glen Campbell. You might recognize a few of his other hits, such as, “Up, Up And Away,” “Wichita Lineman,” “MacArthur Park,” (which garnered a Grammy for Waylon Jennings), “The Highwayman,” “Galveston,” and “The Worst That Could Happen.” His songs have been recorded by artists from The Fifth Dimension to Glen Campbell and Waylon Jennings to Kanye West.
Webb was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 1986, The Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 1990 and received the National Academy of Songwriters Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993. According to BMI, Webb’s song, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” was the most performed song in the 50 years between 1940 and 1990. Webb has written what is referred to as a musician’s bible, Tunesmith – Inside the Art of Songwriting. But, more recently, he released a memoir entitled The Cake and the Rain, where he tells the stories behind the songs.
Pick up the November issue to learn more!
Country Lifestyle
Riding for the Brand

By: Christopher Dysinger
According to the Code of the West a man who has integrity is one who rides for the brand. If you are unfamiliar with cowboy parlance this phrase is used to describe being loyal to the outfit you work for. Cowboys were, “intensely loyal to the outfit they were working for and would fight to the death for it. They would follow their wagon boss through hell and never complain.” -Teddy Blue Abbot. Riding for the brand means being loyal and when I consider what it means to be loyal I am reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus to His disciples in Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” To me, to take up the cross and follow the Lord is the epitome of what it means to ride for the brand.
When you place your trust in the Lord Jesus you are signing on to His outfit, to speak the language of the West. When you called upon the name of the Lord Jesus by faith, He saved you and from this point you are riding for His brand. In taking up your cross and following Him you have pledged to be loyal, and this means you face any hardship or trial like a cowboy on the trail moving the herd. Any complaint must be swallowed in the same way you would swallow a cup of coffee. When I hear our faith and loyalty to the Lord Jesus put into these terms it stirs something within me that moves me to keep right on riding for the brand.
Louis L’amour wrote, “Riding for the brand was an expression of loyalty to a man’s employer or the particular outfit he rode for. It was considered a compliment of the highest order in an almost feudal society. If a man didn’t like a ranch or the way they conducted their affairs he was free to quit, and many did; but if he stayed, he gave loyalty and expected it. A man was rarely judged by his past only by his actions. Many a man who came west left things behind him he would rather forget, so it was not the custom to ask questions. Much was forgiven if a man had courage and integrity and if he did his job. If a man gave less than his best, somebody always had to pick up the slack, and he was not admired.” It is the same when a person gives his or her heart to Jesus.
When you come to the Lord Jesus you are not judged by your past. When you come to the Lord Jesus, repenting of sin and seeking forgiveness, everything from your past is left behind. All will be forgiven. 1 John 1:9 reads, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When you place your faith in the Lord Jesus you are promising to be loyal and in return you will receive the same. He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. When you walk with the Lord Jesus through life you are indeed, “riding for the brand.”
“Riding for the brand” is not just an expression of loyalty nor is it just an expression of pride, it is also an expression of love. When a cowboy claims to be riding for the brand, he is telling any other outfit who may seek his loyalty, that he cannot give it, because he has given his word to another. It is the same when we pledge our faith and loyalty to the Lord Jesus. If any would call us away from Christ we cannot go, because we are riding for the brand.
The End
This article is an excerpt from the book, The Bible and the Code of the West by Dr. Christopher Dysinger.
Country Lifestyle
Farm Dogs & Table Scraps

What’s Safe and What’s Not?
Growing up on a farm, our dogs were tough. They roamed the pastures, slept under the barn, and ate just about anything they could get their paws on—whether we meant for them to or not. I’ll admit, I never thought twice when one of our old cow dogs snatched a biscuit off the table or licked up a spill from the barn floor. I’ve even seen a dog steal a whole rib bone off a plate and trot off like he’d won the lottery. And somehow, they always seemed fine.
But here’s the thing—just because they survived doesn’t mean it was safe. For every farm dog that lucked out, there’s another that wasn’t so fortunate. Some human foods can be downright toxic to dogs, and a little bit of bad luck (or a smaller, more sensitive dog) can turn a harmless snack into an emergency.
Common toxic foods lying around the farmhouse
If you’ve got a farm dog—or any dog, really—you need to be aware of the dangers lurking in everyday foods. Some of the biggest culprits include:
Chocolate – The darker it is, the worse it is. Even a little can cause vomiting, seizures, or worse.
Grapes & Raisins – No one’s exactly sure why, but they can cause kidney failure fast.
Onions & Garlic – In large enough amounts, these can destroy red blood cells, leading to anemia.
Xylitol (Found in Sugar-Free Gum & Candy) – This artificial sweetener can send a dog’s blood sugar crashing and cause liver failure.
Alcohol – Even small amounts can be deadly to dogs, affecting their nervous system much more than it does ours.
Bones from Cooked Meat – While not necessarily toxic, they can splinter and cause serious internal injuries.
Macadamia Nuts – These can lead to weakness, vomiting, and even paralysis in dogs.
What to do if your dog eats something toxic
First, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. If you know your dog ate something dangerous, call your vet immediately. They can tell you whether to induce vomiting or if it’s something that requires urgent care. If it’s after hours, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).
Prevention is always the best medicine, so keep toxic foods out of reach. That might mean keeping the trash can secured, making sure kids don’t slip the dog a treat under the table, or just being more mindful of what’s left on the counter.
Our farm dogs might have been lucky, but luck isn’t a great strategy when it comes to their health. A little awareness goes a long way in making sure they stay happy, healthy, and ready for the next day’s work.
For more information
ASPCA Animal Poison Control: www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
Pet Poison Helpline: www.petpoisonhelpline.com
Visit www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/foods-your-dog-should-never-eat
Country Lifestyle
Summer Squash and Corn Chowder

By Lacey Vilhauer
Total time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6-7
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled and 1 1/2 Tbsp rendered bacon fat reserved
- 1 1/2 lbs yellow squash, chopped (about 3 medium)
- 2/3 cup thinly sliced celery
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 Tbsp flour
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 3/4 cup milk (I used 1%)
- 5 cups canned or fresh cut corn (from about 6 ears corn), divided
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried)
- 3/4 tsp salt, then more to taste
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, then more to taste if desired
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, for serving
- Chopped green onion for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Heat 4 tsp reserved bacon fat in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add celery and onion and sauté 2 minutes then add the squash.
Saute until tender, about 6 minutes, adding in garlic and flour during last 2 minutes of sauteing. Reduce heat slightly.
Add 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 cups of the corn, thyme, salt and pepper to the sauteed veggies.
To a blender add remaining 3 cups of corn, remaining 1 1/4 cups milk and the cream. Process in blender until nearly smooth (about 30 seconds).
Add pureed mixture to pot and stir to blend. Cook until mixture reaches a light boil.
Serve warm with shredded cheese, crumbled bacon and sliced green onions if desired.
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