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2009 Cowboy Spirit Award

Every year the Cowboy Spirit Award is presented to recognize those men and women who have set the example of Western heroes with the integrity, strength of spirit. and moral character  depicted by the American Cowboy.  From its inception in 1992 when Dale Evans, "Queen of the West," and Patsy Montana, "America's No. 1 Cowboy Sweetheart," received their bronzes, this star-studded presentation ceremony was destined to become the high point of the National Festival of the West.  Since that time, thousands of visitors have witnessed and become an integral part of the presentation ceremony. In 1993, Rusty Richard's, long time member of the Sons of the Pioneers and song writer, received the award; in 1994, Gene Autry, the quintessential all-American cowboy, was honored; in 1995, Roy Rogers, "King of the Cowboys," received the bronze; in 1997, co-recipients Ben Johnson, World Champion Cowboy and Academy Award winner, and Harry Carey, Jr. received their awards; in 1997, Denver Pyle and Herb Drinkwater were brought to center stage; and in 1998, an unprecedented three bronze saddles were awarded to Rex Allen, the "Last of the Silver Screen Cowboys", Buck Taylor, star of Gunsmoke, and, the beautiful and multi-talented Christina Paine. In 1999 during a tribute to the Black Cowboys, author Matt Braun and singer Herb Jeffries received their awards.  In 2000 Lynn Anderson and Jane Russell were given their awards in a special presentation featuring Ms. Dale Evans. In 2001 the Cowboy Heroes of Today were honored, with Michael Martin Murphey and Bruce Boxleitner receiving the award. With a special tribute to the Lawmen in 2002, the award was presented to Clint Walker and Dennis Weaver. In 2003, in a special tribute to the Balladeers, The National Festival of the West proudly added Ernest Borgnine, Marty Robbins and Johnny Western to the roster of recipients.  1n 2004 Jack Palance, Robert Fuller and the Westerns Channel received the award. In 2005 the recipients were Mickey Rooney, Rick Schroder, Peter Brown and Johnny Crawford.  Robert Horton and Morgan Woodward received the award in 2006.  In 2007, The National Festival of the West honored John Smith, Ben Cooper and Shirley Jones with the award.  The Rider's in the Sky and John Wayne were the recipients for 2008. In 2009, The National Festival of the West honored Hugh O'Brian, Bruce Dern and Rex Allen, Jr.

Patsy Montana	Dale Evans	Rusty Richards	Gene Autry	Roy Rogers	Ben Johnson
Harry Carey, Jr.	Denver Pyle	Herb Drinkwater	Buck Taylor	Christina Paine	Rex Allen
Herb Jeffries	Matt Braun	Jane Russell	Lynn Anderson	Michael Martin Murphey	Bruce Boxleitner
DennisWeaver	Clint Walker	Ernest Borgnine	Marty Robbins	Johnny Western	Jack Palance
Robert Fuller	Westerns Channel	Micky Rooney	Rick Schroder	Peter Brown	Johnny Crawford
Robert Horton	Morgan Woodward	John Smith	Ben Cooper	Shirley Jones	Riders in the Sky
	John Wayne	Hugh O'Brian	Bruce Dern	Rex Allen, Jr.

602-996-4387 E-mail:email@festivalofthewest.com P.O. Box 12966 Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2966