The Los Angeles DreamShapers

Cowboy Ken

American Cowboy

Cowboy Ken brings to life the American Cowboy era from 1865-1890 from which came one of the most colorful characters in American History. Cowboy Ken's programs include a 45-minute stage show of old cowboy songs, tall tales, true stories, historical facts, trick roping, bull whipping and lots of audience participation and fun. Cowboy Ken is also available for walk around trick roping demonstrations. Cowboy Ken has an additional show called: Our American Heritage. This program includes stories and songs from George Washington through the turn of the 20th Century as well as an old trick roping demonstration that Will Rogers made famous around the world.

Programs and Descriptions:

Availability: All of Southern California
Length: 45-50 minutes (adjustable) except preschool
Walk Around Trick Roping - 1 ½ hours

The American Cowboy
Pre-k / K-6 / Family Audiences

Cowboy Ken brings to life the American Cowboy era from 1865-1890. This energetic and participatory program with songs, stories, historical facts, trick roping and bull whips depicts one of the most colorful characters in American history as well as the image of American to the world, the Cowboy. Sing along with cowboy classics like Whoopie Ti Yi Yo and Home on the range, laugh along with stories like Prairie Mom and Skeeters, learn along with historical information about branding and the cowboy’s Mexican heritage; and be amazed at wonderful trick roping (each described and explained) and bull whipping feats (complete with explanations).

Stories can include: Skeeters, Prairie Mom, Bill Picket, Prairie Coal, A Trail Drive.
Songs can include: Texas Cowboy; Cowboy’s Dream; Old Texas Now; Chisholm Trail; I’m a Poor Lonesome Cowboy; Ride an Old Paint; and Home on the Range.
Historical facts: Roots of the singing cowboy; Mexican heritage; branding and brands; trail drives; railroad influences; end of the era; and more.
Rope Ticks include: The Butterfly, Flat Loop, Cowboy Trade Off, Merry-Go-Round, One Foot Spoke Hop, Two Foot Spoke Hop, The Old In and Out, Wedding Ring, The Pop-Off and sometimes Will Roger’s Flying Loop Trick. (Space limitations sometimes do no allow for all)
Bull Whips: Description of the tool, Circus Crack, Overhead Crack, Brush Crack, Texas Flash and The Rapid Fire Crack. (Space limitations sometimes do no allow for all)

The American Cowboy Preschool Show
Length: 30 minutes - Preschoolers (2-5 years)

Cowboy Ken brings to life the American Cowboy for very young children. He gives preschoolers an opportunity to meet a “Real Live Cowboy” and develop a real image of this great American Icon. This participatory program with songs, stories and trick roping was designed to entertain and involve children from 2 – 5 years. Children get to pretend to ride and rope like cowboys, the get to make all sorts of animal sounds and participate (depending on the age) with trick ropes. They will also get to meet the Great White Bear (a large polar bear puppet) and laugh as Cowboy Ken and the Bear interact with one another. Finally they will receive a demonstration of some classic cowboy trick roping tricks.

Story: “How the Bear Became the Greatest of all Fishermen”

Songs can include: Cowboy’s Like to Ride; Cowboy’s Dream; I Had Me a Rooster; Apples and Bananas; Hi De Room; Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes.
Rope Ticks include: The Butterfly, Flat Loop, Cowboy Trade Off, Merry-Go-Round, One Foot Spoke Hop, Two Foot Spoke Hop, The Old In and Out, Wedding Ring and The Pop-Off. (Space limitations sometimes do no allow for all)

An American Heritage Program
K-6 and Family audiences

This entertaining and participatory program features songs and stories from a wide variety of periods in American History. The program begins with a song and a story that features a young boy and his encounter with General George Washington. We then move on to the California Gold Rush and the 49rs. Next we visit Abraham Lincoln and a story he told at the White House as well as his favorite song: The Blue Tail Fly. Finally the program ends in the late 1800’s with a visit to the old west.

Stories can include: George Washington & Little Tommie McAlister; Abe Lincoln and the Hay Wagon; Prairie Mom; Brehr Rabbit & Tar Baby; Pecos Bill.
Songs can include: Yankee Doodle, I had me a Rooster; She’ll be Commin’ Round the Mountain; Apples and Bananas; Blue Tail Fly; Cumberland Gap; Whoopie Ti Yi Yo; Home on the Range; Oh California and more.

Some comments about Ken's shows:

"The children were absorbed into your show from the beginning to the end."
   -Linda Weathers, Teacher, Palmyra Elementary, Orange

"I know when I book you that we will have a great show with lots of audience participation."
   -Janine Jacobs, Children's librarian, Fullerton Main Library

"You always provide wonderful shows."
   -Llene Abramson, Children's Librarian, Los Angeles Main Library

"Thank you from the Palm Desert Library for sharing your stories and songs with all of the children who attended our Library Festival on April 16, 2003. As you could tell from their response and interaction with you, they all had a great time and you certainly helped make our festival a success."
   -Lynn De Santis, Palm Desert Library, Palm Desert

"Ken did a superb job! We really enjoyed his "history lesson." We also enjoyed his wonderful music. He made us smile!"
   -Lisa Chung, Eastwood Elementary School, Westminster