Restaurant Happenings - May 2006

If you’re looking for a fantastic way to spend the evening that includes a great supper and more rib-tickling fun than you’ve had in a long time, then look no further! Step back in time to when the west was really wild and re-live the days of the “American Cowboy” at the Bar-M Chuckwagon. More than a great meal, the Bar-M Chuckwagon is a fun, evening, family experience for folks of all types and ages.

Set in an “old west” town, the Bar-M is Moab’s own unique western dinner theater. A full evening of delightful activities awaits you at the Bar-M, including games, gunfights, a delicious Cowboy Supper and a live western stage show featuring the music and comedy of the “Bar-M Wranglers.”

Just 7 miles north of Moab on Highway 191 you’ll see the covered wagon with a BAR-M on it. Pick up your tickets at “Doc’s Medicine Wagon” in the parking area, then head down the trail to the “Bar-M town.” Don’t forget to pay your “respects” at Boot Hill along the way. The ticket booth and grounds open at 6:30 PM. Be sure to arrive early enough to belly up to the Saloon for a cold one, pitch a game of horse shoes, rope the steer or browse through the gift shop full of western souvenirs and more.

The wild and wacky gunfight re-enactment starts about 7:00. Around 7:25 everyone enters the large dining hall to get ready for the Cowboy Supper. The decor includes a dusty saddle or two and a great deal of other western memorabilia. The mouth watering Cowboy supper begins at 7:30 and is served trail style with metal plates and cups. You’ll have a choice between sliced roast beef in barbecue sauce or barbecued chicken, baked pinto beans, baked potato, cinnamon applesauce, buttermilk biscuits and spice cake, with cowboy coffee, lemonade and iced tea to drink. A vegetarian meal is available with advance notice. There are always seconds on supper so no one ever goes away hungry.

After you’ve eaten all the wonderful cowboy vittles you can, the Bar-M Wranglers take the stage for an hour to entertain you with old west stories, comedy and classic cowboy songs like “Cool Water” and “’Ghost Riders in the Sky.” The Bar-M Wranglers are a professional 4-piece band and are very big on audience participation, as you’ll see. They have recorded two music CD’s that are available at the Bar-M. The “Wranglers” have two new band members this year, a bass guitar player and a steel guitar player.
Clay Maxam is a returning Bar-M Wrangler this year playing steel guitar and Dobro. Clay was a Wrangler from 1999 to 2002 and retired to do some traveling with his wife Judy. Now he’s back for more pickin’ and grinnin’. Clay is originally from the Portland, Oregon area and has played music for many years.

Now a resident of Mesquite, Nevada, Clay lends his never-ending supply of energy and humor to the group, not to mention that fine steel guitar sound.

Konrad Maurer is the newest Bar-M Wrangler and plays a 5 string bass guitar and sings. Konrad grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and is a recent graduate from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. He played in several music groups in the Nashville area before moving to Moab. Konrad recently moved here to the red rocks to enjoy his love of rock climbing.

The other half of The Bar-M Wranglers are your hosts and owners of the Bar-M Chuckwagon, Alan Brown and Valerie Hunt Brown. You’ll discover over the course of the evening that their passion for the business and their terrific musical talents are a magical combination that makes the Bar-M so much fun.

Originally from Utah, Valerie performed with many Salt Lake City based bands before moving to Nashville in 1983 to pursue her career in music. Valerie toured with singer/piano player Terri Gibbs and was a recording artist on MCA Records with the music/comedy trio “’Ethel & the Shameless Hussies.” Valerie has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada. She sings, yodels, and plays acoustic guitar and mandolin.

Alan grew up in central Illinois and started singing at age 5. He performed and toured with many music groups during high school and college. He studied music for a while at Berklee College of music in Boston. In 1978/79, Alan toured throughout the U. S., Canada and Europe with the internationally famous group “Up With People.” Alan played music for several years in the New York City area and Atlantic City before moving to Nashville to pursue song writing. On the Bar-M “Bunk House Stage’” Alan sings, yodels, plays electric and acoustic guitar, harmonica and Ute flute.

Valerie and Alan met and married in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1992, Alan and Valerie moved from Nashville to Moab and bought the Bar-M Chuckwagon. They chose Valerie’s home state of Utah to raise their two sons, Wyatt and Garrett, and continue their life’s work as entertainers.

The Bar-M Chuckwagon’s season runs April through October. Dates and times vary with the season, please call for schedule. There is year-round availability for special events. The Bar-M operates rain or shine to serve you or your group in a big, c1imate-controlled, indoor facility. Large groups are always welcome! Visit the website at www.barmchuckwagon.com.

Admission price includes dinner, live western show, games, gunfights, and gratuity: $23.95 for adults, $11.98 for children four to ten years old. Kids three and under are free. Make sure to call ahead for reservations so you don’t miss out on all the fun! Call 259-BAR-M (2276) to make your reservations today and tell them you read about the Bar-M in “Moab Happenings.”

THE BAR-M IS LOCATED 7 MILES NORTH OF MOAB ON HWY 191 - LOOK FOR THE COVERED WAGON WITH “BAR-M” ON IT. Call 435-259-2276 or 1-800-214-2085 for reservations.