7th Annual CMT Awards

The CMT Awards, the only fan-voted music awards in country music, were held in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday, April 24th, 2008. And just like seasons past, the red carpet was overflowing with country music’s biggest stars donned in cowboy boots and cowboy hats. Even Rodeo Star, Ty Murray, was on hand in his best western wear to find out who the country music fans picked as the best of 2008.

2008 CMT Awards: Performances

The 2008 awards were hosted by the father and daughter team of Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, who is also known as the star of the Hannah Montana TV series. However, they weren’t the only stars on stage. Between the announcements of the winners, musical performances by some of the hottest country singers filled the air. Performers included everyone from Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban to the biggest winner of the night, Taylor Swift who went from shoeless while presenting to sporting her best pair of boots for her big performance.

2008 CMT Award Winners

The fan-voted winners of this year’s CMT awards were as follows:

• Video of the Year: Taylor Swift, “Our Song”

• Duo Video of the Year: Sugarland, “Stay”

• Male Video of the Year: Trace Adkins, “I Got My Game On”

• Wide Open Country Video of the Year: Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, “Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)”

• Collaborative Video of the Year: Bon Jovi featuring LeAnn Rimes, “Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore”

• Female Video of the Year: Taylor Swift, “Our Song”

• Performance of the Year: Kellie Pickler, “I Wonder”

• Comedy Video of the Year: Brad Paisley, “Online”

• Tearjerker Video of the Year: Kellie Pickler, “I Wonder”

• Supporting Character of the Year: Rodney Carrington, “I Got My Game On”

• Video Director of the Year: Michael Salomon

• USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year: Kellie Pickler, “I Wonder”

• Group Video of the Year: Rascal Flats, “Take Me There”

History of Cowboy Church

The history of Cowboy Church goes back to the Old West. During this time, cowboys and ranch hands rarely had access to churches. So when they could, they would gather with their families in a local meeting place, usually the saloon or a barn, and have their own church service. Today, Cowboy Churches exist all over the country and still believe that it doesn’t matter where you get your religion as long as you get it. There are even rodeo ministries that travel around to different rodeos and provide a church service to the participating cowboys and cowgirls.

One of the most famous cowboy churches is the Nashville Cowboy Church in the Opryland area of Nashville, TN. The Nashville Cowboy Church has a yearly attendance of over 20,000 and has visitors from all 50 states and several countries, such as Australia, Scotland, Brazil, England and Russia.

Boots, Jeans and Hats are Proper Attire at Cowboy Church

Cowboy Churches have a very unique dress code in that cowboy boots, cowboy hats and western wear are all considered proper attire. The thought is that if you are welcome to come as you are, than you are more likely to come. Just make sure that you remember to remove that cowboy hat during a prayer, but as soon as you hear “Amen,” you can put it right back on.

Cowboy Church Offers More than Just Church

Most of the cowboy churches offer many events to bring the parishioners together. Almost all churches offer horse riding outings with the pastor; and some even offer rodeo style contests such as boot races.

There is a Cowboy Church near You

If you are interested in checking out Cowboy church, you are in luck because chances are there is one near you. Check out cowboychurch.net for a listing of all Cowboy Churches in North America and Canada. We here at Allens Boots even have one not too far down the road.

*-Photo by April M. Fronick - EAGLE 102 News

Ariat Boots for Women: Always In Style

Why we don’t see more Ariat boots on ladies’ feet, we’ll never know. Fashionable, a great fit, a lasting investment, and affordable to boot Ariats make a girl smile. Not just your browns and blacks, Ariat covers the color wheel, lingering over the reds and pinks. And we dare you to find a pair of Ariats priced anywhere over $200–a rare find among quality boots.

Ariat Boots: A History

Ariat Boots was founded in 1990 by two women who were fed up with clunky, stiff cowboy boots. For three years, they worked with a team of the world’s top footwear engineers and designers to develop a dependable line of boots for both English and Western riders. Only then did Ariat release its first pair of boots, in 1993. Ariat Boots is a company founded on the drive to achieve the best results in equestrian footwear, but that drive tributaried into something else: one of the most fashionable lines of women’s boots. A classic example of form following function.

Ariat Boots + Allens = A+

Ariat Boots is the “Official Boot and Belt” of the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSRA), one of Ariat’s many honors. Allens Boots is proud to be one of the 4,000 retailers in the world at which Ariat boots are sold. It’s incredibly easy to put your best foot forward in a colorful pair of Ariat Boots, whether for fashion or function.

After a visit to Texas, Guy Kawasaki, popular entrepreneur, venture capitalist and blogger, decided he needed some new Lucchese boots. A short Google search later and Guy found a great pair of Lucchese Classics on AllensBoots.com. We talk with Guy about his boot buying adventure.

Q: How did you discover Allens Boots?

A: I was trying to find some Lucchese boots on Zappos, but it simply didn’t have the selection that I wanted, so I went to Google and typed in Lucchese and came upon [Allens] Boots.

Q: You were in town for SXSW. Did you make it by the store?

A: I was, but I didn’t know about the store then. Nor was I looking for boots. It’s a long convoluted story: I met a bunch of crazy web folks from Houston at SXSW. In a few weeks I’m speaking in San Antonio, so I decided to hop on over to Houston to see those folks again. One day the guy who taught me how to ice skate showed me his Lucchese [boots], so I decided I had to have a pair for my San Antonio-Houston boondoggle. That led to my search for boots online.

Q: Cowboy boots don’t necessarily seem like the natural footwear choice for someone from Hawaii who went to school at Stanford and became a tech executive and author. When did you start wearing boots, and why?

A: My wife made me buy a pair years ago, but I hardly wore them. Then I spoke in Phoenix for a fast-food association, and they gave all the guests a pair of boots. I liked them so much that I decided I wanted another one in black. My wife told me to buy Lucchese from Zappos.

Q: How often do you wear your boots?

A: I go in spurts. I’ll wear them every day for a week, then not at all for a month, then every day for a week. I like to travel with them because they’re easy to put on after passing through airport security, but having to pack three pairs of shoes (sneakers to work out in, dress shoes for speaking in and boots) can be a pain.

Q: What do you wear your boots with - traditional blue jeans, slacks, khakis?

A: Jeans. Boots are only made for jeans.

Q: How many pairs of boots do you own?

A: Four, not counting the one I ordered.

Q: What made you choose the Men’s Lucchese Classics Tan Mad Dog Goat?

A: It’s the simplest design I could find. I don’t want to look like a pimp who is trying too hard, and ostrich gives me the creeps.

Q: You have a lot of projects going on - what’s your biggest at the moment and why?

A: My primary project is Alltop.com. This is a collection of sites covering a diversity of topics on the Internet like wine, food, art, music, fashion, politics, economics, journalism, cars, gadgets, design, environment, etc. We assemble all the top stories and present their headlines on one page. You can think of it as an “online magazine rack.”

Q: What’s next for the cowboy boot wearing Guy Kawasaki?

A: There’s lots of work to do with Alltop. I’m also a venture capitalist looking for the next Google. Incidentally, as a venture capitalist, I have to deal with a lot of bullsh*t, so that’s why I need boots.

About Guy Kawasaki

Popular entrepreneur, venture capitalist and blogger, Guy Kawasaki is a managing director of Garage Technology Ventures and a columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine. Previously an Apple Fellow at Apple Computer, Inc., Guy is the author of eight books including The Art of the Start, Rules for Revolutionaries, and How to Drive Your Competition Crazy. Currently Guy is focused on Alltop, a metasite providing immersive content on dozens of topics.

Fashion Trend of Spring: Color, Color, Color

The biggest fashion trend of spring 2008 is all about color. We are talking blues, pinks, oranges, purples, reds, yellows – you name the color and if it is bright and alive it is in. Put your blacks, grays, browns and boring monotones in the back of your closet and wake up your spirit by adding some excitement to your wardrobe. According to an article in the Austin American-Statesman; “When it comes to wearing color, the rule of thumb this season is simple: the bolder, the better.”

Fashion Trend of Spring: Colorful Cowboy Boots

Cowboy boots are no exception to the rule of color for this spring’s fashion trend. Cowboy boots come in all shapes, sizes and colors. You can walk down the aisles of Allens Boots and you will see orange, red, blue, purple and even pink. Some have bold prints to go with the bold colors, and for the not so daring, some are a little simpler. Not to mention, cowboy boots go with every style and every color those designers are putting out there.

Fashion Trend of Spring: Bright Western Wear

Just because it is has a style all its own, it doesn’t mean that western wear can’t be on the cutting edge of fashion. The spring 2008 lines of western shirts by Southern Thread, Panhandle Slim, Rockies and many more are all about bright and bold colors. Let’s face it; life is more exciting when you add a splash of color to it.

Fashion Trend of Spring: Big and Bold Jewelry

No outfit this spring is going to be complete without big and bold accessories, this includes jewelry. Big cuffs, gold jewelry, and natural gemstones, like Turquoise top the list this spring for the hottest fashion accessories. So when you have found your perfect pair of springtime boots, make sure you take a gander at our Montana Silversmiths and Vogt jewelry lines. We are pretty sure you will find what you need to be a fashion icon.

Japan Loves Cowboy Boots

The Japanese have always been lovers of western world fashion, so it should be no surprise that this includes cowboy boots. Cowboy boots can be seen all over Japan from the casual hang-out spots of the teenagers and young adults to the high-rise office building full of professionals in their late twenties and early thirties. The Japanese seem to have fallen for the fact that cowboy boots add a casual touch to skirts and dresses, but can also dress up a pair of jeans. It is the flexibility of what you can wear with your cowboy boots, according to Japan Mode Extra Edition, that have made especially popular with the women of Japan.

Japan Buys Cowboy Boots by Way of the Internet

With so many stores in Japan having problems keeping cowboy boots on the shelves, its pretty great that people in Japan can order cowboy boots online from us here at Allens Boots. We try to make it as simple and convenient as possible to buy cowboy boots, and even our western wear, online. Our shoppers in Japan can find all their favorite cowboy boot brands, like Justin Ropers, all in one place. We strive to make the Allens Boots’ online shopping experience almost (and we stress the word almost) as good as actually coming into the store.

Buying Cowboy Boots in Japan

Who knew we’d be selling cowboy boots in Japan? We sure didn’t. But hey, now that we are, we think it’s pretty cool. Then again, if you really think about it, with our amazing selection of men’s cowboy boots, women’s cowboy boots, cowboy hats and western wear it makes complete sense that the fine folks in Japan would come to Allens Boots. Now the next time you find yourself traveling in a land far, far away and you realize that you need to order cowboy boots from Japan, just hop on our site and shop to your heart’s content. By the way, shopping on our site works even if you just live down the street.

Horsewomen Are Invited to a Cow Girl Journey

Cow girls, saddle up! On May 7, 2008, Cow Girl Adventures will set out on its first trip, which offers an authentic Wild West travel sojourn to cow girls, their cowboys and those who simply enjoy the great outdoors from a female perspective. The company, founded by true cow girls Christy Cramer and Sheila Davis, will coordinate three trips this year in scenic rural Colorado. Group size is limited - only six cow girls per trip! - so you may want to visit Cow Girl Adventures before they fill up.

Cow Girls Should Be Ready For Anything

Cramer warns would-be cow girls to be prepared for some distinctively non-urban activities during the first six-day trip. Cow Girl Adventures has an arrangement with a working horse ranch, where cow girls will rope, ride and herd. Make sure to pack your toughest cow girl jeans and dustiest cowboy boots for this one.

The second cow girl adventure takes riders to Williams Fork in August. Sited in an aspen grove in the midst of the Flat Top Wilderness Range, Williams Fork promises to be a natural oasis to cow girls who want a more luxurious Western ambiance. Planned diversions include yoga, massage and trail riding.

The final cow girl trek of 2008 takes place in Browns Park, a mountain valley at the north end of the state, near the Sand Wash Basin Wild Mustang Preserve. Once the refuge of ranchers, trappers and outlaws, Browns Park offers cow girls an intimate glimpse of those eponymous wild mustangs as they run and forage.

You Go, Cow Girl

The Cow Girl Adventures treks cost from $1200-1400 per person. Check it out and see if it might be the perfect vacation for you. And if you decide to go, don’t forget to get fitted for new boots and shop for Western wear at Allens Boots!

Justin Boots Contest

A pair of Justin Boots is prize enough, but Justin Boots is participating in an even bigger prize: The Wrangler/Justin Boots Academy of Country Music Awards Sweepstakes. The CMAs will go down on May 18th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The award ceremony will be only one of many official events, including a few nights of country music on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas and a celebrity Motorcycle Ride for the Academy of Country Music’s charitable fund. Now there’s a place to wear your boots! Is there any greater combination than a pair of Justin Boots and a fine motorcycle?

Justin Boots Not the Only Prize

The lucky grandprize winner will receive an impressive gamut of prizes, from large to small:

• round trip coach air travel
• 2-nights standard hotel accommodations (double occupancy)
• 2 tickets to the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards
• 2 tickets to the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards’ All-Star Jam and New Artists shows
• ground transportation between Las Vegas airport and hotel
• 2 pairs of Justin Boots (non-exotic only)
• 3 pairs of Wrangler jeans
• 3 Wrangler shirts
• and, a selection of country music CDs

Even if you rope some “non-exotic” boots, any pair of Justin Boots would be pretty nice, especially when it’s enjoyed with that long list of accompanying prizes. Of course, there’s also a long list of official contest rules, but what contest doesn’t have rules?

Hurry Up to Win Your Justin Boots

The contest ends on Mar. 23rd, so hurry up and show your Justin Boots pride. It’s simply a matter of filling out an online form, and there’s no purchase necessary. It’s cheaper than playing the lottery, and the odds are certainly better. Why not enter to win? Good night, good luck, and good boots!

Rodeo Austin Joins Forces with Caritas of Austin

Rodeo Austin will host its first Caritas Theme Day tomorrow, Tuesday, March 4th. Primary day is stiff competition, but who can refuse $1 off Rodeo Austin admission? That’s right, if you bring three canned or non-perishable food items to the fairgrounds tomorrow, you get $1 off the price of your Rodeo Austin ticket. The canned goods will go towards Caritas’ lifesaving store of supplies that help them carry out their mission of fighting poverty and homelessness. If Rodeo Austin is anything, it’s the rodeo with a heart. It’s a great cause, so get out your cowboy boots to support your community.

Rodeo Austin and the Houston Livestock Show

Rodeo Austin is the counterpart to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; the two events cover the spectrum of truly Texas rodeos. Whereas the Houston Rodeo covers everything that can possibly be done or seen at a rodeo show, Rodeo Austin is often considered the softer side. Rodeo Austin is going on now through March 15th at the Walter E. Long Municipal Park.

What to See at Rodeo Austin

The attractions are what make Rodeo Austin unique, like Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey or the Western Shootout Comedy Show and Cowboy Music Review. There’s also a livestock barn, an exotic petting zoo, a lineup of bands performing throughout the day on the outdoor stage, and a famous carnival.

It’s a great event for the whole family, and a great place to show the kids the prime environment for western wear. Look no further for the cutest children’s boots than Allens, located just across town from the Austin Rodeo.

Of course, like all Texas rodeos, you’ll see a fair representation of the best cowboy boots in the world. Don’t forget to bring yours!

Houston Livestock Show + Public Art Project = Fiberglass Horses?

It’s true. By the start of the Houston Livestock Show on March 3rd, the city of Houston will play art gallery to a small herd of its own livestock–28 hand-painted fiberglass mustangs. The Houston Chronicle reports Houston’s latest public art project in the style of Chicago’s Cow Parade in 1999.

Houston started its own Cow Parade in 2001, just two years after the huge success of Chicago’s. The project matches big-name local sponsors with local artists, who adorn the chosen motif with a unique theme for each piece. After public display, the works’ original sponsors usually buy the pieces and auction them for charity or keep them in their own private displays. In keeping with Houston’s public art project last year, which was a collection of gigantic cowboy boots, the mustangs will be as much advertising to add to the Houston Rodeo as it will be charity fundraiser.

Most of the mustangs will be on display at Reliant Stadium for the duration of the livestock show, so try not to confuse the real livestock with fiberglass.

Matching the Houston Livestock Show

If you want to arrive at the Houston Livestock Show in style, you might check out all the cool mustang-themed accessories you can wear to match the city of Houston. You can sport your own livestock show in Houston–the style of choice in 2008.