Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
June - July 2009
 The Old Roan Horse
Matt Robertson
Those who lament the passing of the cowboy here in the 21st century have not been paying attention. Young men and women — gifted for not only handling horses and cattle, but who artistically portray the essence of the cowboy life — are still around. Matt Robertson is but one example.
I enjoyed watching him perform in front of a sell-out crowd at the recent Kamloops Cowboy Festival. Lyrics like, “a horse that’ll cut a cow when you drop the reins, or stand like a rock at the end of a tight rope,” and others that might be lost on those outside the culture brought nods of approval and appreciative applause from the ranch crowd. His CD, The Old Roan Horse, is a collection of 11 songs and one poem, all written and performed by this talented young cowboy.
Matt won the Country 103 Rising Star Showcase at the 2008 Kamloops Cowboy Festival. I hope the bottom line of the CD cover is right when it says: “There’s more to come.”
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