The process of "becoming Buffalo Bill Cody" has been a long one.
It started out as wanting a way to do more western and cowboy stories and cowboy poetry.
This didn't start out as an exercise to do another character impersonation. Mark Twain already takes up much of my calendar and I really love doing my own stories and stories that are not Mr. Twain's.
Then someone mentioned to me that since I was already having great success with Mr. Twain I should do exactly as television series do and do a spinoff of sorts.
Yes, there could be a market for me as a storyteller doing western and cowboy stories, but a character might get more gigs than Stephen Hollen, Storyteller.
I have always had an appetite for old westerns and was intrigued several years ago when I read an article that suggested that Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West developed the format for all westerns as well as for the modern rodeo. Hmmm
Then I had opportunity about 5 or 6 years ago to go to Denver, Colorado for business. On the way to the conference I was to attend I went up the mountain to the grave of William F. Cody - Buffalo Bill. The overlooks were stunning and I stood looking at his simple grave but unable to keep my eyes away from the majesty of the mountains.
Then I heard of the controversy about his burial place. Seems folks around Denver offered his widow money to bury him in Golden, Colorado instead of in Cody,Wyoming. Though he was not destitute, his fortune was estimated at only $100,000 at his death. Money won. Though his wife argued he wanted to be buried on the mountain in Golden, his earlier will suggested Wyoming.
I could not get enough as I read about this great man. Civil War Soldier, Pony Express Rider, Army Scout, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient and perhaps the world's first International Celebrity! It is said he was the most recognized person in the world in his day.
There was a character I could be proud to impersonate. There was a vehicle for stories, cowboy poetry and a chance to tell folks the story of a great man.
So, for the past year I have read, wrote scripts, researched and planned. Costuming, including gaiter style boots, just the right hat, a fringed suede jacket all had to be sought out and acquired.
Now it is done. Marketing has gone out, publicity photos are awaiting the hat and boots, but gigs are planned and in April William F. Cody and his Wild West is back on the road!
You can invite Buffalo Bill to speak, tell stories and sing a few songs by contacting Stephen at stephen@stephenhollen.com or calling 937-371-4071.
This didn't start out as an exercise to do another character impersonation. Mark Twain already takes up much of my calendar and I really love doing my own stories and stories that are not Mr. Twain's.
Then someone mentioned to me that since I was already having great success with Mr. Twain I should do exactly as television series do and do a spinoff of sorts.
Yes, there could be a market for me as a storyteller doing western and cowboy stories, but a character might get more gigs than Stephen Hollen, Storyteller.
I have always had an appetite for old westerns and was intrigued several years ago when I read an article that suggested that Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West developed the format for all westerns as well as for the modern rodeo. Hmmm
Then I had opportunity about 5 or 6 years ago to go to Denver, Colorado for business. On the way to the conference I was to attend I went up the mountain to the grave of William F. Cody - Buffalo Bill. The overlooks were stunning and I stood looking at his simple grave but unable to keep my eyes away from the majesty of the mountains.
Then I heard of the controversy about his burial place. Seems folks around Denver offered his widow money to bury him in Golden, Colorado instead of in Cody,Wyoming. Though he was not destitute, his fortune was estimated at only $100,000 at his death. Money won. Though his wife argued he wanted to be buried on the mountain in Golden, his earlier will suggested Wyoming.
I could not get enough as I read about this great man. Civil War Soldier, Pony Express Rider, Army Scout, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient and perhaps the world's first International Celebrity! It is said he was the most recognized person in the world in his day.
There was a character I could be proud to impersonate. There was a vehicle for stories, cowboy poetry and a chance to tell folks the story of a great man.
So, for the past year I have read, wrote scripts, researched and planned. Costuming, including gaiter style boots, just the right hat, a fringed suede jacket all had to be sought out and acquired.
Now it is done. Marketing has gone out, publicity photos are awaiting the hat and boots, but gigs are planned and in April William F. Cody and his Wild West is back on the road!
You can invite Buffalo Bill to speak, tell stories and sing a few songs by contacting Stephen at stephen@stephenhollen.com or calling 937-371-4071.
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