Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
Apr-May 2008
Beyond The Brand
Dan Roberts
Somewhere between Chris Ledoux and George Strait, that’s how some observers have described Dan Roberts. His latest CD Beyond the Brand is a return to the roots of ranching and cowboy life. When I heard Ride Safe, I immediately dropped it into the Spirit of the West music list. Any ranching family can readily identify with this song.
Originally from Oregon, Dan followed the rodeo circuit, had some success on both bulls and saddle broncs, while making his way to Music City following his dream of being a songwriter. He eventually hocked his bronc saddle and bought a set of horse shoeing tools. He wound up shoeing horses for several country music stars including Garth Brooks. After co-writing the major hit Beaches of Cheyenne with Brooks, Dan was recruited as the opening act for the Garth Brooks World Tour of 1997/98. In 2000, he received the Will Rogers Award as Male Vocalist of the Year from the Academy of Western Artists, and then named WMA Entertainer of the Year in 2001.
The studio musician line up reads like the best of Texas; Hoot Hester and Dale Morris, Jr. on twin fiddles; the great Tommy Alsup on rhythm guitar, Pete Wade on lead guitar and dobro are just a few of the great players.
His music career and his life took on a whole new meaning after his daughter, Austin, fought and won a two-year battle with brain cancer. Dan and his wife Carol established the Refuse to Lose Fund. The goal is to raise 4.5 million dollars to purchase the same technology that saved his daughters life. A portion of the sales of this cd will go to the fund. Visit refusetolose.org. Order this one from danroberts.net.
Photo courtesy of Dan Roberts
Dan Roberts with the 2000 Will Rogers Award for AWA Entertainer of the Year, the same year Hugh was awarded Broadcaster of the Year in Fort Worth, Texas
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