"Writing Michael Martin Murphey's Story"

Howdy Folks,
 

On Friday I had the privilege and honor of interviewing Michael Martin Murpey for a story in my Heartbeats column in Trail Blazer. I figured it needed to be in the April issue, because my story about David Lichman's "Horses Helping Humans North American Benefit Tour" was my March Heartbeats story.

After Michael's interview was scheduled, for Friday at noon, I sent Bobbie Jo, the fantastic editor at Trail Blazer, an email about my upcoming story for April. It must be in April, I said, because one of his major fundraisers, a nationwide trail ride event to raise money for the, "Fiona Rose Murphey Foundation," was happening in June and I'd like my story to help that, too. Bobbie Jo loved the idea and said she was just about to ask me about moving David Lichman's story to a "Feature Article." So if I could get Michael's story to her by Monday, his could be the March Heartbeats! Of course I said, "You Bet!"

Michael Martin Murphey

I never had two stories in one magazine issue before! The fact that I only had two days did not sink in yet ... Happily, I'm all set to do the interview at noon on Friday.

A good interview takes me about two hours. I figure we'll do the interview, I'll take a short ride, then start writing about five Friday evening, and finish it Saturday. Then send it to Michael and his publicist to proof. It usually takes me ten to twelve hours to write, edit, polish and complete a story for a magazine. I figure I'll get the proof back Monday, make the suggested corrections, and get it to Bobbie Jo by midday Monday right on schedule. Good to go. Almost.

Friday morning I'm talking with the publicist, about getting photos, and I verify the time, "12:00 Eastern, right?" 

"Oh no, you're Eastern, that's right." He says. "That would be 3:00, your time."

Oh darn. Well that's okay, I'll just ride first. No big deal. And I did. Then at three, I called Michael. No answer. I leave a message. I call back at 3:30, no answer, and the mail box is full, but the number is there for his assistant. I call her, leave a message. Then I call the publicist, and leave a message. It's about 4:00 now. I hang out, table set, paper, pens and recorder ready to go for the interview, just waiting for a call.

About 6:30, Gary Holt, from Equine Legacy Radio, who had suggested and arranged for the story, calls me to see how the interview went. I said, "It didn't." I told him what happened, and knowing it had to be to Bobbie Jo by Monday, Gary said he'd try to contact everyone.

Gary called back to tell me he too found Michael's mail box full, but left a message with his publicist. I knew I couldn't work on the story at all on Sunday, I'd be gone all day, and that couldn't change. I also had an obligation Saturday morning. So now I worried about my completion time. Bobbie Jo had probably even begun to change the layout of the magazine by now.

As soon as Gary and I say goodbye, Michael called. It was getting close to 7:00. He literally called me as he was unlocking his motel room door. Apologizing, a lot, he explained he planned to call as he drove, but he had no, or not very good service in the desert, and couldn't call until he got to Reno. "What would you like to know?" He asked. "We have about forty-five minutes before my appointment with a major sponsor."

Oh my gosh. Forty-five minutes! I need a lot more time than that. I'm a different kind of interviewer. Never had any training, barely graduated high school, so I just have a visit, and listen. As if we're having coffee. I don't really know how to ask a lot of questions. I just spend time with them, like I do with horses, and let them lead the way. And the story comes to me. That's it. That's how I work ... But 45 minutes, holy cow!

I used every bit of the time we had. Michael was terrific! We had a most delightful chat, and an hour later, I felt like we were long time friends. I think he was getting ready for his meeting while we talked, but like the pro he is, he made sure we had a perfect interview. Including the true story behind his beautiful song, Wildfire." And what those lyrics mean to him.

I wrote the first paragraph Friday night. – "Growing up in the city, but spending the summers of his youth on his grandparents' ranch, Michael learned the horse, human bond early. It was there the spark of enjoying the world from horseback was first ignited deep within him. Life on the ranch was busy for a young Michael, but that busy time forged ideas and plans that shaped a lifetime. The ideas did not take long to sprout into real life adventures and by the age of fifteen, he vowed he would see as much of America from horseback as possible. And he would help others see it too."

I always try to get my story started soon after the interview. I usually go out to Kessy, or go lay down a bit, let things bounce around in my hollow head, then write the beginning. I'm good then, the rest can grow as it needs to. It was nearly 10:00pm by the time I had that first paragraph, but now I had my footing.

Saturday morning at 11:00 I started right off. Let me here explain, every story must not only tell the tale, but it has a beginning, a middle and an end. It also has a rhythm, and transitions. My opening paragraph carried me into the story. I read my notes, listened to our recording and did really great. It all came together and flowed gently. Until about 3:00. I was in a big transition, knew where the story wanted to take me but it just wouldn't work. When it doesn't flow, well, it just doesn't. Everything was in my head, but nothing worked smoothly.

Only one answer, saddle Kessy, and let her help. So I did. We had a delightful ride, lots of gaiting and racking. We had a blast. We were half an hour from home when my transition sentence came to me. I couldn't wait to get back. The rest of the story, even the last sentence, was shouting to be written before I could see the barn! The last sentence by the way, made Bobbie Jo cry … Me too.

I finished the story at exactly 10:30 Saturday night. Sent it to Michael and his publicist for review. Sunday they sent it back, approved. They had one small edit. Michael said he liked it, "a lot." His publicist said I caught things few people do, and he really liked my, "conversational style of writing."

They sent me terrific pictures, and I got everything to Bobbie Jo by noon on Monday. It was a wild ride writing this one, but my story about how much more than a great singer/songwriter Michael is will be in the March issue of Trail Blazer. Thanks everybody for helping!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry 

By the way, if you'd like to know more about the June, "Fiona Rose Murphey Foundation," Nationwide fundraising ride  CLICK HERE 

 

"Feature Friday - Laura Leigh - Wild Horse Education -VOICES FOR THE VOICELESS"

 “Voices For The Voiceless”

How do I write this? Friends who know me, and know my style, know that I write about, "People & Horses Helping Horses & People," in an upbeat and happy way. Celebrating the good that people do. Championing the horses who heal people, change lives and give their spirit so that those who need healing can realize a new beginning. Every now and then, in order to celebrate the good people do, I must write about things as tears stream from my eyes to drip on the keyboard … This is one of those stories.

How do I write about horses chased by helicopters to the point of total exhaustion, and death? How do I write about tiny foals running in a desperate panic to keep sight of their mommas, running as fast as their tiny legs can manage, sometimes running right out of their hoofs, and left to die. How do I write about helicopter pilots ramming the slower horses repeatedly with the skids of their helicopters? How do I write about horses being hosed with water in the holding pens soaking them so completely the tiny foals freeze to death? How can I write about the crowded, sun-baked, filthy holding pens? How do I write about the truckloads of once noble and proud spiritual wild horses being trucked to slaughter? I don't think I can.

Laura Leigh

But Laura Leigh, a freelance photojournalist, founder of Wild Horse Education (WHE) is documenting in photos and videos the excessive and inhumane roundups that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is conducting against wild horses and burros. Laura was the first to bring the public daily reports of the conditions at the roundups, and continues to be the best source for information on what is happening in the field to our wild horses and burros. WHE has been essential in providing the public with documentation and investigation of the BLM practices in the roundups and long term holding of these captured wild animals, who in reality belong to the American people. The body of work is more than a collection of photos and videos. It has been used to fight in Federal Court for the welfare and well-being of wild horses and burros.

Laura has been an advocate for the rights of horses for many years. Yet her attention turned to wild horses in a daily marathon of documentation and research after looking into the eyes of an eight month old colt that was suffering from hoof slough (feet falling off) during the BLM Calico roundup of 9/10. She named that little red colt "Hope Springs Eternal." ... After being refused the opportunity to aid the colt, he subsequently died. Laura has worked every single day since then to stop the madness.

When her work began sparking public criticism, BLM sought to restrict her access to their operations and facilities. Laura, fighting for the very lives of our helpless wild horses, filed a lawsuit against BLM. The fight to document wild horses, wherever they are in the system, has been a "battlefield" in Federal Court. The case that has become known as the "First Amendment" suit won a landmark decision in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in February of 2012 and is scheduled to head back to the courtroom in February of 2013.

Her second suit against the BLM for "Humane Care," if it wins, could put an end to the cruel practices now ubiquitous in the BLM wild horse and burro program. WHE was able to halt two BLM operations through injunctions and restraining orders related to these suits. Just recently, WHE joined on as part of the investigation team into the allegations that BLM participated in the sale of mustangs from their feed lots to kill buyers. This case too is pending.

Last year Laura gained the first Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)

in the history of the BLM’s "Wild Horse and Burro Program" to inhumane conduct. Since then her documentation has gained a second TRO and an Injunction to conduct. The case against inhumane care of wild horses is still active in Federal Court. 

This September an investigation by Laura's organization was essential in helping journalist Dave Philips, a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter, break the huge story that clearly illustrates the relationship with the BLM and kill-buyers. Currently the IG's office is investigating on a Federal level and the state of Colorado has turned over information to the DA's office for prosecution.

This group is really doing the work in the field and getting the results in the courtroom protecting the voiceless who need our voice ... These cases, investigations and documentation, are supported solely through donations to Wild Horse Education.

Please visit the Wild Horse Education site http://wildhorseeducation.org/  … Spend some time viewing the videos, looking at the pictures … You may not want to believe your eyes … Also on the home page is a box that says "Educate Yourself: Myths and Facts." Here is the link to that and it is one of the best guides to what is wrong and what is going on that I have seen.  … http://wildhorseeducation.org/2012/11/10/educate-yourself-myths-and-facts/

Please share this blog and their link with your friends, ask them all to tell their friends, spread the truth, and give support.  So many lives depend on our voices and our help. What's being done by the BLM is not only wrong, it's cruel. With enough public notice and outcry, we can stop the BLM and save our wild horses and burros.

God Bless and thank you. ~ Dutch