ALL MY FRIENDS ARE COWBOYS - While alone, on a stint in Japan for six months, a long time ago, I decided to do something I had always wanted to do – write a musical play. So, I drew upon my classical upbringing – in the livestock center of Utah – and wrote an equally classic and sophisticated musical play entitled “All My Friends Are Cowboys.” Then something weird happened. I gave a copy of the script and cassette tape (if you don’t know what that is ask a really old person to tell you) of the music to someone. Surprisingly, that person actually liked it. Then eventually – making a long story short – "All My Friends Are Cowboys" was adapted into a PBS television special and a soundtrack album, featuring the likes of Wilford Brimley, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Don Edwards, Joe Diffie, Ty England, Kristen Zang, Waddie Mitchell and Roy Rogers. This was Roy Rogers last performance of any kind.
Joe Diffie, Wilford Brimley and Ty England around the campfire
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 Johnny Cash sings "Heroes in Black and White"
When the crew went to Nashville to record Johnny Cash, I was sitting on the couch in the control room of the studio. Suddenly, the light in the room went dim, because something very large was blocking the door and the hallway light. It was Johnny Cash. Now I am not a small person, but next to Johnny Cash I seemed to be – Johnny Cash was a big guy. A booming voice echoed around the room, “Where is the guy who wrote these songs?” All heads turned in my direction and in a meek voice I said “Right here.” Johnny Cash put his huge hand on my shoulder and said, “Those two songs are the reason I’m here.” Now, one does not always get to brag – but for me, that was a glorious day. Johnny Cash, who sold over 66 million records in his life, liked my songs.
When Wilford Brimley got his demo of the soundtrack album, he called me and asked: “Did you write all those songs?” Never knowing where Wilford might be going with something, I simply said “yes.” Then Wilford said, “Well, you gave me the best d__n ones!” That’s the way Wilford talks. And wouldn’t you know it, he was perfect for the role of Charlie.
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