The Yodeling Cowboy.

Wow, this is a fun one to listen to!

How in the world does a professor in Maryland become a member of the Western Music Association and the Academy of Western Artists become a yodeling cowboy singer? In today’s world, that’s not so hard to do. This excellent old-timey yodeling cowboy singer has been influenced by not only Janet McBride who is going to host a cowboy-western night this year at LeMars, but also K G & The Ranger, who will also be with us for that show. We would certainly welcome Tom Hawk’s easy to listen to old-time yodeling songs in western style. I can’t get over it, he is also a mutual friend to Mike Johnson who lives near Washington DC, and Tom I have to tell you, Mike is going to be with us for the big cowboy show too.

Greg Latta helped Tom put this particular CD together, playing 6 and 12-string guitars, some banjo, some bass, some harmonica, and occasionally sleigh bells. Wow this is a fun one to listen to. I can yodel a little, but only in the Jimmie Rodgers blues style, but this guy Tom Hawk is right into the original ‘cowboy and western’ style of yodeling, so it’s a great change for me. I’d have to say he’s pretty accurate on everything he’s doing on this CD. I particularly liked “Out on the Lone Prairie” where no doubt yodeling could become a passionate substitute for loneliness and away from family for long periods of time. Good going I say, this is a well constructed and well done CD that certainly bring the ‘cowboy’ way to life. Professor Tom, if you can make your way to LeMars, Iowa, I’ll not only buy you an ice cream cone from the Blue Bunny company which is located here, I’ll also put you on the “Cowboy and Western Show” which will take place August 31.

Bob Everhart, President, National Traditional Country Music Association
for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show (Jul-Sept 2011)