Ray Benson
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I was honored to be asked to write the welcome letter for the 22nd Annual MusicFest this year. When they asked me they said "each year the welcome letter comes from a relevant and esteemed contributor..." Even though the previous letters were written by politicians, after more than 35 years of touring and making music, it never gets old to hear that other people think you're both relevant and an esteemed contributor, especially when it comes to my craft.
I have been hearing stories from my friends about what a great event the MusicFest is, and although I have not made it there yet, my day will hopefully come soon and you can see all 6'7" of me schussing the slopes like Billy Kidd, or more likely Billy "The" Kid. Being as I wear size 16 pointy toed cowboy boots skis will not be needed! To be honest my best skiing is still done on a stage!
The MusicFest provides established as well as up and coming performers a stage to bring what some here in Texas take for granted day-to-day, Texas' rich musical heritage. Bringin' Texas music to an inviting and as receptive a place as Steamboat is a win win for everyone! You should also be aware that proceeds from this week go back to support the Center For Texas Music History. Preserving the Lone Star State's rich musical heritage is a cause near and dear to me. Hell I've spent 36 years as leader of Asleep at the Wheel preserving and spreading the word on Western Swing and Texas music around the globe, and hope today's crop of Texas artists will be remembered for their great contributions in the future for generations to come to enjoy.
You're going to experience enough hot Texas music to melt all the snow in Colorado. So strap on your boots and skis, pop a top, and enjoy your week! There's not a better way I could think of for you to kick off your New Year! Welcome to MusicFest!!
-Ray Benson |
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Governor-in-waiting
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Welcome to the MusicFest at Steamboat! The last time I was here, I drank a glass that, apparently, contained my girlfriend's contact lenses. This irritated her but it did give me some new insights into myself. One of the things I learned was that MusicFest is a great way to raise hell and awareness at the same time. Whether on the stage or on the ballot, independent voices are rare enough in this increasingly homogenized world. It's not terribly surprising that many of these voices emanate from the Lone Star State. Deep in our hearts, all Texans are independent. In music, this has manifested itself in the rugged, righteous individualism of artists such as Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Bob Wills, Buddy Holly, Billy Joe Shaver, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker, Doug Sahm, Ray Benson, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen and Cross Canadian Ragweed to name only a few. Some are dead and some are living. In my life, I've loved them all. Not sexually of course.
When I'm governor, Texas will be run by musicians instead of politicians. We may not get a lot of work done in the mornings, but Texas will be a better place when we get through. Steamboat already has most of our musicians of course, so Colorado doesn't really need any help. Wish I could be there, but somebody's got to mind the store. I'm running a spiritual campaign for governor, not a political one. In the words of my spiritual adviser, Billy Joe Shaver, "If you don't love Jesus, go to hell." In the meantime, hang on tight, spur hard, and let 'er buck. And may the God of your choice bless you.
Kinky Friedman,
Governor-in-waiting |
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Governor of Colorado
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Greetings!
On behalf of the State of Colorado, it is my pleasure
to welcome all the MusicFest participants to beautiful
Steamboat, Colorado. MusicFest at Steamboat has become
the largest group ski trip in the nation, and for a good
reason. By blending the best in country, blues, and rock
music with the breathtaking beauty and abundant activities
of the Rocky Mountains, MusicFest offers a unique experience
to all those involved. It’s also good news that portions
of funds raised from the trip will also benefit The Center
for Texas Music History.
It is my sincere hope that all of this year’s participants
will enjoy the Rocky Mountains as much as we do here in
Colorado. I wish you all the best of luck, now and in
the years to come.
Sincerely,
Bill Owens
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Governor of Texas
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Welcome to the Steamboat Music Fest!
Through the ages, the gift of music has been one of the most time-honored ways for Texans to express their joys and sorrows, their dreams and disappointments, their hopes for the future. Music is a hallmark of the Lone Star State and one of our most renowned and treasured forms of cultural expression.
This year, for six days and five nights, Texas music fans will come together in Steamboat, Colorado, to experience some of Texas’ finest musicians. All will hear why “you can’t hear American music without hearing Texas.”
I commend the participants, organizers and sponsors for your ongoing support of the Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University. This relationship will benefit and preserve Texas’ rich musical heritage for generations to come.
Anita joins me in sending best wishes for an enjoyable festival.
Sincerely,
Rick Perry
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Steamboat
Ski and Resort Corporation
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Dear John,
As the Director
of Sales for the Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation, I would
like to thank you for all the business you send our way. Dickson
Productions has sent over 20,000 students to Steamboat making
you one of our largest suppliers of college ski trips. John,
we would recommend and encourage all college students looking
for a great winter holiday to contact Dickson Productions. Your
integrity, work ethic, and strong conviction to align Dickson
Productions with top destinations add up to a great vacation
for your customers.Look forward to seeing you again this winter.
Sincerely,
Katie Brown
Director of Sales
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Travel
Associates
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dear John:
I want to thank
you for bringing the largest single collegiate ski group to
Steamboat Springs and to Travel Associates year after year.
Because you and your staff are so dedicated and conscientious,
your product is truly second-to-none. Being "on-site"
with you and your clients is an extremely rewarding experience.
This year was no exception. With your evening parties, on mountain
activities, and the impressive "Crawfest," Dickson
Productions has carved a niche that is beyond compare! It is
a pleasure to work with such a dynamic group of professionals.
Why a college student would go with anyone
but Dickson Productions is a mystery to me.
Thank you for allowing me the privilege
of your trust and loyalty. I wish you many years of continued
success.
Warm regards,
Susan E. Horn, CTC President
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Steamboat
Resorts
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Hi John,
I wanted to let you know how well everything
has gone this season with you and Dickson Productions. All of
the students staying with us in January and March had such a
great time here in Steamboat. I am sure this was due to the
large number of activities you had planned for them as well
as the great snow conditions here in Steamboat. Once again,
you and your staff were so helpful during check-in and check-outs;
it really made hosting your groups a pleasure for all of our
employees.
I hope that you have a great summer and
I look forward to having your groups stay with us again this
winter.
Sincerely,
Beth Wilhelm
Group Sales Manager
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Billy
Kidd Performance Center
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Dear John,
Just a note of thanks to you and the rest
of the Dickson Team for your continued support of Steamboat
over the past many years. Steamboat Ski Corp.'s Director of
Sales Katie Brown recently shared some background with me on
your college ski trip sales activity over the past 15 years.
Katie reports that you and your Dickson colleagues are responsible
for bringing a major share of college students to our resort.
As you know, all of us here in Steamboat love sharing Ski Town
USA!
I hope to see you out on the slopes one
day soon, John. We're famous for our Champagne Powder snow,
so come on out and help me pack some down this ski season!
Best,
Billy Kidd
Director of Skiing
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City
of Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Welcome to Ski Town USA!
On behalf of the community of Steamboat
Springs, it is a pleasure to welcome Dickson Productions during
collegiate week.
Since the 1900's Steamboat has fostered
43 Olympians, the most Olympians from any city in the United
States. Olympic tradition began in the winter arena with skiing
and ski jumping. Recent Olympians include Anne Battells (Moguls)
Todd Lodwick (Nordic Combined), and Shannon Dunn (Snowboarding).
From winter Nordic and Alpine skiing of
magnificent terrain, to incredible summers filled with bright
sunshine and endless activities; in Steamboat Springs there
is always plenty of action to choose from. Winter highlights
include: champagne powder tree skiing, Nordic Combined World
Cup, backcountry touring, Winter Carnival, and Bumps and Jumps.
We hope you enjoy our western hospitality and ski safely.
Sincerely,
Kevin Bennett
Steamboat Springs City Council President
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Texas
State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, Texas
Hi John,
Hope everybody made it back home safely. It was great spending
time with you, Robin, and the others in Steamboat Springs.
Francine and I had a wonderful time. I wanted to tell you
again how grateful I am to you and everyone at Dickson Productions
for your warm hospitality at Music Fest. Everyone on your
staff was very professional and accommodating and clearly
devoted to helping promote good music.
I also wanted to thank you
for including the Center for Texas Music History in the Music
Fest activities celebrating Texas music. It was a tremendous
opportunity for us to publicize our program and the important
work we do. Thanks so much for giving us this high-profile
recognition and helping us get the word out about the Center
for Texas Music History.
You have done an outstanding
job of honoring the musical history of our state and helping
educate the public about the rich cultural history of the
American Southwest. Not only have you helped nurture younger
artists, but you've also helped acknowledge veteran musicians
who have had a profound impact on shaping American music.
As a program devoted to the
preservation and study of Texas music history, the Center
for Texas Music History is very proud to be working in collaboration
with you and everyone else at Dickson Productions to help
celebrate Texas music and to encourage others to better understand
the history behind our state's unique brand of music.
Thanks again for your friendship
and for your strong support and encouragement. I look forward
to working with you on other projects in the future.
All my best wishes to you
and your family.
Dr. Gary Hartman
Director, Center of Texas Music History
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Thank you for your continued support. Dickson Productions has the best customer service I've ever encountered. I've dealt with yall for three years now, and yall are just awesome. Thanks. We'll see you in the Mountains!
Lane Olin McNeese
AMAN U.S. NAVY
USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65)
C.B.C.S. (Making a reservation from the Indian Ocean)
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Forty-two of my friends and
myself visited Steamboat Springs for National College Ski Week.
I cannot explain in words what an experience of a lifetime it
was. When people ask us how our trip was, we don’t have
words to explain how awesome it was.
I was very, very impressed
with your company. I have organized trips before, but none were
as organized and without flaws as this one. Thank you for working
one on one with me and making sure everything went as planned.
Everyone has agreed to make
this an annual trip. All who were on the trip have built such
strong bonds between each other. Like I said, it’s hard
to explain, we built so many wonderful, wonderful memories that
will last us a lifetime. Anyway, enough rambling on, I just
wanted to let yall know how grateful we are to you and your
company.
A special thanks to Robin and
John, I’m sure you don’t get recognized very much
for how much hard work you do, so I wanted to let yall know
that we all appreciated everything yall did to make our trip
an unforgettable one. See you on the slopes next year!!!
Sincerely,
Suzanne Fruge
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Had a great time in Steamboat.
Are you doing it again next year? Will it be the same dates?
We (our group) would like to go again next year around the same
time. Please send me information so we can sign up. Thank You.P.S. The entertainment (P.Green,
C. Morrow, etc.) was wonderful. Please include them next year.
Also, Shiner was great. Thanks again.
Mike Waterstradt
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We just wanted to let you know
that we had a GREAT time at Steamboat, and hope to enjoy more
trips in the future. Pat (Green) was awesome! We had fun running
into him at various places- particularly on the gondola ride
up to the concert. It was a trip we will never forget.
K. Strain and D. Smith
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I just wanted to thank you
for putting the Pat Green & Cory Morrow (&guest) ski
trip together! My friends & I had a great time. Thanks again
for all the effort in putting the whole thing together. See
ya next year!
Anne Jones
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I just wanted to say
that I went on the Steamboat trip last week and I had a great
time. It was like the best of both worlds. We had music and
people mixed in the rocky mountains and skiing. I hope that
this trip continues on for years to come.
Brian Woodruff
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That was the baddest week. The concert and interaction with Roger, Doug, and Dub was great. I hope they do it
again next year cause it can only get better.
Thanks, Jason
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Dickson Productions,
My son, Jordan Bradford, recently
went on the ski trip sponsored by Dickson. I would like to say
how please we were with all the arrangements and how well Dickson
Productions performed.
Sincerely,
Ken Bradford
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Dickson Productions,
D.P.’s assistance on-site was great. I really appreciate
the hands-on work John does while everyone is skiing and how
he is always around assisting trip participants.
Thanks,
J. Harrel
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I just wanted to let you
know that we had a wonderful vacation in Steamboat, and our
stay at LaCasa Condos made it perfect. Thanks to you and your
staff and hope ya’ll have a great New Year!
Sincerely,
The Lazo, Drummond, Greaves Clan
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Check-in went smooth. Steamboat
and the lodging were great. Ashley was very helpful.
Sonny Scruggs
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Steamboat is AWESOME! I’ve
heard nothing negative about Steamboat. It is definitely my
favorite. Everyone liked the lodging. Check-in and check-out
was very organized. We liked the bus departure information (reminder)
slipped under our door the night before we left. I couldn’t
have organized this group without Ashley! It’s been a pleasure
working with Ashley and John over the past few years.
Paul Swanston
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We really enjoyed the place
we stayed. And Steamboat is really an excellent ski resort for
this college trip. Dickson Productions assistance on the trip
was excellent. Ashley was especially helpful. John was always
available for questions. The high performance ski rentals and
the ski jacket were an excellent addition to my free trip. Thanks
a bunch. I had a great time and hope to do it again in the future.
Lori Ezzo
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I first want to say that
I had the time of my life in Steamboat Springs. I never knew
that I could attend so many events in such a short time. The
concerts were great and so was meeting the musicians…I look forward to future trips with Dickson Productions.
N. Weber
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I
just wanted to let ya’ll know again how much fun we had
and how much we are looking forward to next year – K.
Neid
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| I felt it necessary to
take a minute to thank you all for the wonderful time I had
on the ski trip. Thank you all ever so much for the opportunity
to represent Dickson Productions at U.L. I feel fortunate to
have made such friends - Jeff Maddox , Lafayette |
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| I just wanted to let
you know how much I enjoyed working with you (as a group rep.)
over the last few years. It gave me an opportunity that I would
not have had otherwise… - Rick Colyn, Detroit |
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| I just wanted to let
you know how much we appreciate the time and effort you have
taken to find us a room to fit our changing needs! Since vacations
only come about once a year, it’s comforting to know that
you are truly dedicated to making this the best trip possible
for all of us. It’s been a pleasure working with you. -
Robin Barker, Houston |
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| Howdy! I was one of the
many Aggies who went on your trip to Steamboat this past January.
It was my first trip with your organization and I was completely
impressed. It was one of the greatest weeks of my life. That
week I spent in Colorado will be one that I will never forget.
Thank you very much. I look forward to my next trip with ya’ll
no matter where it is. - Cheryl Taake, College Station |
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"I snowboard,
therefore I go to Steamboat."
-Chris
Monk, UNT "Steamboat is the
best mountain in Colorado, second to none in nightlife."
-Dustin Fuselier, LSU  "The parties and
the band were excellent... this was my fourth trip to Steamboat and
it was great as usual."
-Tres Jumonville, LSU
"The people in Steamboat are exceptionally
nice. I'm moving there after I graduate for the (ski) season...before
I get out in the real world."
-Stephanie Roberts, UT
"Dickson (Productions) condos are the
BEST and we had no trouble checking in...lots of great parties and the
concerts were great!"
-Shanna Nugent, Texas A&M
"See ya next year."
-Nathan Goodyear, Ohio State
"Steamboat
was GREAT. Everything was within walking distance."
R. Rathcamp, UTSA 
" Just
wanted to share some of our pictures with you from the Steamboat trip.
Thanks for a great trip and Birthday.
Thanks again."
-Wendy Lala
"I
went on the ski trip and had a blast. I want to know when I can sign
up for next year, and tell Pat and Cory thanks for hanging out with
the fans."
- Seth Hardage
"Mr. Dickson, I appreciate what you
have done for me. I will not forget this. My experiences with your company
have been great. I will inform my friends that Dickson Productions is
an excellent company and that they should do business with you. Thanks
again sir."
- T. Cleighton
"Dickson Productions
was very helpful and friendly. Steamboat was great skiing. I liked the
number of lifts and slopes."
-R. Rogers
" I had the time
of my life in Steamboat Springs. I never knew that I could attend so
many events in such a short time."
- N. Weber 
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