Continue reading »]]> A friend and customer of ours, Mel, wrote this song and performed it at a festival in Alaska. He shared it with us on our Facebook page, and we absolutely love it. Not only does he have a fantastic voice, but the lyrics are fun. And, how often are you able to hear true cowboy music these days? Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Mel. We love it!

Continue reading »]]> We love it when people enjoy our store. We work hard to make F.M. Light and Sons a fun place to be – a place where folks can relax and step back into a different way of life. A place where you’re sure to receive a smile, smell rich leather and denim mixing into a western perfume, and get a glimpse of the history of our small town.

A photographer stopped in and took almost 70 pictures in our store. Our wall full of Old Gringo, Dan Post, Liberty Black, Ariat, Justin and Lucchese cowboy boots was photographed, as was our hat wall covered in Stetsons and O’Farrell cowboy hats. We love seeing the store from others’ perspectives. Thank you for sharing your photography with us, Rich!

Continue reading »]]> Moms are special. So, it makes sense that there is a day to honor them. Our friend Steve Lucas is a talented cowboy poet, and he sent us this poem. We love it so much, and we think you will appreciate it, too. Please share it with your own mother this Sunday, and show your love.

A Cowboy’s Special Mom

By Steve Lucas

A cowboy’s mom is special, to that I can attest

‘Cause to put up with a cowboy, she’s got to be the best

At dryin’ tears and mendin’ scrapes, and nursin’ calves and colts

And carryin’ feed through boot top mud and holdin’ rusty bolts.

And keepin’ dinner hot ‘til her cowboy drags in late,

Stayin’ up with him, putting more food on his plate.

And when she knows he’s sleepin’, she’ll doze off in the night,

Knowin’ she’ll be up to see him off before first light.

A cowboy’s mom is special, ‘cause she knows that he won’t stay.

There’s no use in tryin’ to stop him, he’s gonna drift away.

So she tries to teach him how to be kind and fair,

To hold doors for the ladies and to always do his share.

She teaches by example, so all the world can see

That she loves her cowboy, and she prays that he

Will find a cowboy’s sweetheart at some point in his life,

And that she will be the one to become his cowboy wife.

So mom, I want to thank you, though we are miles apart

For bein’ my special cowboy’s mom, your thoughts are in my heart.

Continue reading »]]> When you have big country star names like Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban all in one video, you’d better listen closely. And, when it’s such a meaningful song, you’d better take notice. The latest release from Tim McGraw is his song: The Highway Don’t Care. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of texting and driving; an ever needed reminder in today’s media-infused world. Also, it’s a ton of fun to listen to.

Watch, listen, and share. And, let us know what you think of this video in the comments below!

Lyrics

Bet your window’s rolled down and your hair’s pulled back

And I bet you got no idea you’re going way too fast
You’re trying not to think about what went wrong
Trying not to stop ’til you get where you goin’
You’re trying to stay awake so I bet you turn on the radio
And the song goes

I can’t live without you, I can’t live without you, baby
I can’t live without you, I can’t live without you, baby, baby

The highway won’t hold you tonight
The highway don’t know you’re alive
The highway don’t care if you’re all alone
But I do, I do.
The highway won’t dry your tears
The highway don’t need you here
The highway don’t care if you’re coming home
But I do, I do.

I bet you got a dead cell phone in your shotgun seat
Yeah, I bet you’re bending God’s ear talking ’bout me.
You’re trying not to let the first tear fall out
Trying not to think about turning around
You’re trying not to get lost in the sound but that song is always on
So you sing along

I can’t live without you, I can’t live without you, baby
I can’t live without I can’t live without you baby, oh baby

The highway won’t hold you tonight
The highway don’t know you’re alive
The highway don’t care if you’re all alone
But I do, I do.
The highway won’t dry your tears
The highway don’t need you here
The highway don’t care if you’re coming home
But I do, I do.

I can’t live without you, I can’t live without you, baby
I can’t live without I can’t live without you, baby, oh baby

The highway don’t care
The highway don’t care
The highway don’t care
But I do, I do.

I can’t live without you, I can’t live without you, baby
I can’t live without I can’t live without you, baby, oh baby
The highway don’t care
The highway don’t care
The highway don’t care
But I do, I do

I can’t live without you, I can’t live without you, baby

Continue reading »]]> Here at F.M. Lights we want to wish Willie Nelson a wonderful 80th birthday! To celebrate, we’re sharing one of our favorite songs (but, can you really choose a favorite song by Willie?). This song wasn’t written by him, but we still love it.

What is your favorite song? Let us know in the comments!

Here are a few fun facts about Willie that we thought we’d share:

1. Was raised by his paternal grandparents: William Alfred Nelson and Nancy Elizabeth Smothers.

2. Born in Abbott, Texas, USA.

3. Toby Keith asked if he wanted to record a duet with him. Willie agreed after simply hearing the title of the song without even reading the lyrics: “Whiskey For My Men, Beer For My Horses”.

4. Because Willie’s favorite Martin classical acoustic guitar never had a scratch plate, his persistent use of a pick for over 30 years has worn a gaping hole through his instrument’s body. Further defacement of the wooden body was caused by Willie’s insistence that friends and associates inscribe their autographs on his guitar using a ball-point pen. Some of the numerous signatures collected over the years include, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, Gene Autry Leon Russell, Roger Miller, along with various football coaches and lawyers, etc.

5. One of the three “outlaws” of country music, named because of their wild personalities, free spirits, and liberal politics. The other two are Merle Haggard and the late Waylon Jennings.

6. He was a member of Ray Price’s Cherokee Cowboys during the fifties.

7. Attended Baylor University for one year.

8. Owns a selection of about 15 guitars, but the one he plays mostly on tour, is his Martin acoustic which he refers to as “Trigger,” named after Roy Rogers’s horse.

9. His character of Billy “Catch” Pooler in the 1997 movie “Gone Fishin’” was inspired by a real person, Loren “Totch” Brown of Chokoloskee, Florida. “Totch” had a small role in the 1958 movie “Wind Across the Everglades”, portraying “One-Note” and acting under the name Totch Brown.

10. He was the subject of the Toby Keith song “I’ll Never Smoke Weed with Willie Again”.

Facts and trivia taken from IMDB.com.

Continue reading »]]> We know we love cowboy boots. But, does the rest of the world have a passion for them as well? We think so. Check out the latest on the cover of 5280 Magazine. Isn’t this great? We love seeing cowboy boots and western wear in mainstream culture and fashion. Here’s to the best footwear we all know and love!

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Western weddings are beautiful. The mixture of leather and lace, glamour and rawhide, and rustic and sophistication is perfect. This wedding is a great example. Aren’t her cowboy boots beautiful? She is wearing the Golondrita boot by Old Gringo. Kathryn, thank you so much for sharing your photo with us!

Are you planning a western or country style wedding? Read our wedding guide for inspiration and ideas!

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The day is drawing near, and every second counts. Planning for your wedding is a big undertaking. We want to help your planning go much more smoothly. If your wedding has a country or western theme, then this is the article for you to read.

Decision 1: Choose the Stage

The first decision to make is regarding the venue. A country wedding in a ritzy motel might work, but it probably won’t set the stage as well as a barn, lodge, or outdoor area. Choose a rustic location that will set the mood the instant your guests arrive. Country weddings are usually inspired by nature, so finding a place that compliments your color scheme and style is essential.

Photo Credits: Example one - Janelle Stephanie Photography. Example two – Unknown. Example three – Unknown).

Tip: If you happen to know someone with a barn or a big yard or field, consider approaching them about using their property. This could save you money on rental fees, and you’ll most likely have much more freedom with your decorating. 

Decision 2: Set the Stage

Color Scheme:

Choose a color scheme that reflects your rustic style. Western weddings are influenced by nature and a rustic way of life. Consider choosing an earthy tone for the base and then accent with a bright hue. For example, select a simple brown cowboy boot for your bridesmaids, and pair it with a rich purple or vibrant orange.

Flowers:

As always, flowers play a huge part in your western wedding. Choosing flowers that reflect the country feel of your event will further inspire the impression you wish to create. One of our favorites is the sunflower; its simplicity and bright colors create a very bold and beautiful statement. Wildflowers are an obvious choice, and lend a wilder, more rugged atmosphere. Another interesting choice would be cacti – they create a southwestern vibe when incorporated into your centerpieces. Even if you don’t choose a specifically western flower, mix in some western touches, such as holding together bouquets with twine, or some aspen branches. Country style is best described using opposites – pairing a delicate flower with rough burlap, for example.

(Photo credit: Example one is made of artificial flowers and can be purchased here. Example two – David Blair Photography. Example three -  Watson Studios).

Lighting and Centerpieces:

Set the mood with western lighting, such as candles, torches or lanterns. The simplicity of these lend a rustic air, and invoke the crackling of a campfire. Check with your venue first to make sure these options are possible. If you are prohibited to use open flames, floating candles in mason jars or other glassware are considered “closed.” Strands of Christmas lights also set a romantic mood, especially if you are planning an evening wedding. When deciding on centerpieces, consider using items such as tree stumps for the base. A slice of tree trunk topped with delicate blooms and candles is simple to create. Float candels or house flowers in mason jars which offer a very country feel!

In example one, a tree trunk is the perfect base for the centerpiece (photo credit: Emily Takes Photos).

Example two shows us the use of mason jars as a candleholder. We also love the burlap table cloths! (Photo credit: Daniel Meigs Photography).

The idea in example three is fantastic – hang a ladder and dangle mason jars filled with flowers and candles. It creates a beautiful atmosphere.

Decision 3: Choose your Apparel

For the Bride:

Make sure you find the perfect pair to wear under your dress. The choice is entirely up toyou. Why not find a pair of boots with a burst of color? Or, you could choose a simple white or brown. Either way, it’s best to decide on a pair that will last a lifetime so that you always have the memento from your special day.

In the first picture, the bride chose simple brown cowgirl boots – a classic western look. She paired them with bright flowers in her bouquet for some color (photo credit: Chard Photographer)

In example two, the bright went with a little bit bolder of a look; the black boots with white cutouts is beautiful when paired with the turquoise jewelry.

The bride in example three went with a statement boot to wear under her dress; going with a bolder boot will make for a very fun photo shoot later. Why not wear your favorite color?

Our pick is the Marrione boot from Old Gringo. Its bright, bold color would compliment most color schemes, and it is  unique and beautiful! Inquire about it here.

Tip: Are you looking for a dress? Consider a dress from Jenny Lee. In their recent ads, they have featured a western theme – which we love!

For the Groom:

Cowboy boots are a classic choice. Also, you’ll need to decide if the groom will wear a classic western tuxedo, a blazer with jeans, or simply cowboy boots with a traditional tux.

The groom in the first photo is wearing a much more casual look – jeans with a blazer is great for an outdoor wedding (photo credit: Austin Gros Photography).

In example two, the groom is much dressier; the black tuxedo is classic, and when paired with a cowboy hat – utterly western.

The groom in example three is wearing the traditional black suit, but pairs it with a “good-guy” white cowboy hat (photo credit: McGowan Images).

For the Bridesmaids:

Choosing to have your bridesmaids wear cowboy boots is a growing trend. Make sure you choose a pair that is affordable, or splurge on the boots and choose a simple dress!

The bridesmaids in example one pair their blue dresses perfectly with brown boots (photo credit: Watson Studios).

In example two, the dresses are the focal point – the yellow hue is bright and happy. The brown cowboy boots are a great contrast with the feminine dresses (photo credit: Austin Gros Photography).

In example three (this is Miranda Lambert and her wedding party!), the boots are most definitely the focal point. Each dress is different, and each pair of boots is different – the only thing that draws them together is the hue of the dresses and the fact that they’re wearing boots.

Decision 4: Vittles and Favors

The food you choose is completely up to you. Just make sure it follows the traditional of old fashioned, hearty food and you’ll be safe. The wedding favors are the fun part  - there is a plethora of beautiful country themes. The cake below incorporates barb wire, which captures the essence of the west – rustic elegance.

Example one – Katelyn James Photography. Example two – Weddings by Billy. Example three – WeddingWire.com).

Resources:

Check out our Cowboy & Cowgirl Weddings Pinterest board for more inspiration! You’ll find examples of how to wear cowboy boots, color schemes, reception planning tips, flower choices, and much more!

Old Gringo is a fantastic boot company that is chosen often for weddings. They have a Facebook album showcasing brides who wear their boots, and wedding parties that do as well.

RusticWeddingChic.com has some amazing ideas and inspiration for western weddings.

Are you interested in having your wedding in Steamboat Springs, CO? Here is all the information you’ll need to get started!

Steamboat Mountain Weddings. Marlene Fischer is a wedding officiant in Steamboat Springs, and understands the western culture very well (her husband is great musician and singer John Fischer of the Yampa Valley Boys – a great friends of ours).

Here is a great example of a western wedding:

Continue reading »]]> What is a cowgirl? We thought about a good answer, but then we found this quote from Dale Evans, one of the most famous cowgirls in history. She says everything we want to say and more:

“Cowgirl is an attitude, really; a pioneer spirit, a special American brand of courage. The cowgirl faces life head on, lives by her own lights and makes no excuses. Cowgirls take stands. They speak up. They defend the things they hold dear. A cowgirl might be a rancher, or a barrel racer, or a bull rider, or an actress. But she’s just as likely to be a checker at the local Winn Dixie, a full-time mother, a banker, an attorney, or an astronaut.” – Dale Evans

What do you think? Share this poster on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter (using the links below) if you agree! 

Continue reading »]]> We received an email from a customer named Merrie who visited our store in January. The email included pictures from her family’s stop at our store. We love the photos so much, and we think you will, too! The pictures captures the fun of Steamboat and our store perfectly.

Thank you so much for sharing your photos, Merrie! We hope you had a fantastic time in our store and in Steamboat!

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Here are four kids from Ohio: Sydney, Jillian, Aidan and Avery. There are a couple things about these kids that we just love. First, they are wearing their cowboy and cowgirl hats. Second, they look so happy to be riding Lightning! Thirdly, they are from Ohio, where F.M. Light and his family was from originally. Altogether, we think this is just about the best picture we’ve received.

Sydney, looking like a real cowgirl!

Jillian looks very happy to be riding!

We think Aidan would make a mighty good sheriff.

Avery looks so cute in her pink cowgirl hat!

Thank you so much for sharing your photos. We love to see people enjoying our store, Lightning, and Steamboat!

Continue reading »]]> We love to see where our customers and friends are from. We love hearing from you all so much that we’ve dedicated pages on our website to showcase the pictures we receive. One of these of course, include our famous horse, Lightning. The other shows the travels and lives of our customers in our Around the World gallery. The latest picture we received is from Karl:

This is Karl, and he lives in Landers, Wyoming. He is wearing a “beautiful red wool Pendleton shirt” he bought at our store last winter. His trusty horse is named Abby, and she’s a 15 hand, 9 year old paint. Isn’t she beautiful? His truck has a name as well – this is Thelmalou (we love the “Let’er buck” sticker on the back, Karl).

Speaking of bumper stickers; check out Karl’s other truck:

Yep, that’s one of our bumper stickers. Note the Wyoming license plate. Our customers are from all over the country!

Another thing we should mention: the horses in these pictures are beautiful, aren’t they? Their names are Peanut, Captain Jack and Meg. They live on the Ready Ranch in Wyoming.

This is a better picture of Peanut. The man beside him is 6′ 4″ tall. Peanut’s a big horse!

Thank you so much for sharing your photos, Karl – we appreciate it so much!

Continue reading »]]> Sidewalk Sale: March 22 – 24th

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Great Savings at F.M. Light & Sons!

50% off all winter wear and footwear. Also, check out our 75% off rack!

While we can’t guarantee that the sidewalk will be open (we did just get more snow), we can promise that we have great deals on winter wear and footwear. We want to celebrate the beginning of spring by giving back to all of you. So, visit us this weekend for great deals, and say hello!

Continue reading »]]> Weekend Western

Sometimes, life just calls for a western to be watched. 

This classic western stars John Wayne as U.S. Marshal John Carruthers, who observes a robbery and finds himself hunting down the notorious and vile Polka Dot Bandit. Yes; you heard that right. The Polka Dot Bandit. Now you know you need to watch this movie! George “Gabby” Hayes co-stars. And, as anyone who has watched a western (such as Hopalong Cassidy) knows – Gabby is hilarious. We’re sure you’ll enjoy this classic western as much as we do.

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Happy Pi Day!

When we heard today was pie day, we naturally assumed that it was to celebrate the delicious, delectable dessert we all know and love. Imagine our dismay when we discovered it is to celebrate a mathematical number. Now, we have a question for you: Would you rather have pie or celebrate a letter in the Greek alphabet?

Yeah. That’s what we thought.

Let’s move on to what really matters: Here are some ways we are celebrating the best dessert known to man.

Fun Facts about Pie:

• Pie used to be common breakfast food – it was eaten in the 19th century before a long day. Now that’s a breakfast anyone can understand!

• It used to be against the law in Kansas to serve a dollop of ice cream on top of cherry pie. We’re not sure why; it seems like a fantastic idea to us.

• “Surprise Pies” used to be popular among wealthy English folks; live creatures would pop out when the pie was cut open. That’s a terrible idea. Talk about food that gives you a heart attack.

• Originally, pies were made of meat and baked in long, slender pans  and were called “coffins” which means “basket or box.”

• You know those porcelain birds that are sometimes placed in the middle of pies today? Those came from the tradition instituted by European royalty of placing cooked birds on top of pies to identify the type of filling. We prefer the modern take on the whole bird and pie arrangement.

• Of course you want to know when fruit pies were first mentioned in print (these are important facts to know!). That would be in Robert Green’s “Arcadia,” written in 1590. “Thy breath is like the steame of apple-pyes.” So romantic.

• Mincemeat pie used to be banned. During the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell’s Puritan Council decided that the celebration of Christmas promoted pagan beliefs as well as gluttony, and therefore should be banned. This included the traditional mincemeat pie. You know you’re a little off when you start banning pie…

• We’ve all had to “eat humble pie” at least once in our lives. But, you should be glad it was just eating your words, and not the meal the idiom originally was derived from. “Umble pie” was a pie filled with the chopped or minced innards of an animal. Umble was derived from “humble” (or the French word nomble, which means deer’s innards). Despite the humble filling (which was usually eaten by the poor), there really isn’t a link between “umble” and “humble.” It just sounds the same.

Is all this talk about pie making you hungry?

View these boards we found on Pinterest® for some recipe inspiration!

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Join us Friday, March 8 from 4-8 pm, and Saturday, March 9 from 10-6pm to see an exclusive collection of 75 new boot styles that you have never seen.

Old Gringo is a trend-setting company. Their handcrafted, unique boots are works of art that you will treasure for a lifetime. Representative and expert boot fitter Buz Richmond (watch his interview on the Steamboat Today Show) will be present to help find the best boots for you! We’ll be serving lattes and truffles – it’s sure to be a great time!

During the trunk show, receive $50 off each pair of Old Gringos that you purchase!*

View the gallery to see a few of Old Gringo’s unique styles!**

*In-store only

**Specific styles may not be available in our store

Continue reading »]]> What is a trunk show? Why did we start doing them with the Old Gringo boot company? Why should you attend?

Instead of trying to explain (and since it’s way more fun), we’ll just show you this video with F.M. Light and Sons’ Del Lockhart and Old Gringo’s Buz Richmond. This interview took place on the Steamboat Today Morning Show.

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Today is the anniversary of Johnny Cash’s birth. Born on February 26, 1932, Johnny would have been 81 had he not passed away in 2003.

To commemorate his life, we’re sharing one of our favorite songs – The Man in Black. It was so difficult to choose a favorite, considering his incredible talent, but we thought this one both displayed that talent and helped explain the man behind it.

Here’s to the legend!

Lyrics:

Well, you wonder why I always dress in black
Why you never see bright colors on my back
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone
Well, there’s a reason for the things that I have on

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down
Livin’ in the hopeless, hungry side of town
I wear it for the prisoner who is long paid for his crime
But is there because he’s a victim of the times

I wear the black for those who’ve never read
Or listened to the words that Jesus said
About the road to happiness through love and charity
Why, you’d think He’s talking straight to you and me

Well, we’re doin’ mighty fine, I do suppose
In our streak of lightnin’ cars and fancy clothes
But just so we’re reminded of the ones who are held back
Up front there ought to be a Man In Black

I wear it for the sick and lonely old
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold
I wear the black in mournin’ for the lives that could have been
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men

And I wear it for the thousands who have died
Believin’ that the Lord was on their side
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died
Believin’ that we all were on their side

Well, there’s things that never will be right I know
And things need changin’ everywhere you go
But ’til we start to make a move to make a few things right
You’ll never see me wear a suit of white

Ah, I’d love to wear a rainbow every day And tell the world that everything’s okay But I’ll try to carry off a little darkness on my back Till things are brighter, I’m the Man In Black

To learn more about Johnny Cash, visit the official website. Photo compliments of Look Magazine and Wikimedia.

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We have a new Lightning Rider!

This is Stella, who dropped by after a rough-and-tough day on the mountain for a quick jaunt on Lightning. From the ski hill to horseback in just one day. What a talented girl. Thank you for stopping by, Stella – we hope you had an awesome time in Steamboat!

View the complete gallery of Lightning Riders. We have a lot of pictures from over the years of kids (and a dog named Aussie) riding Lightning. Read about where our horse is from, and about his important place in our town. He has quite the history!