Singer, songwriter and sometimes yodeler, Patience Moore is an artist who embraces country music's classic past while keeping one cowgirl-booted foot in the present. That combination shines brightest in her most recent release, Buckaroos Sleep Too!, a 2-CD collection of music for families, country in nature (from "western swing and boogies" to "acoustic ballads and lullabies") with G-rated lyrics, A-list Nashville musicians, and fresh arrangements, all highlighting Patience's many musical talents.
Patience was chosen to be the featured yodeler at the annual Patsy Montana Birthday Celebration at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and played festivals with Johnny Cash and Rider's in the Sky. After hearing Patience sing the Patsy Montana classic, "I Want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," Montana's grandson, Michael, confessed that Patience's rendition reminded him so much of his grandma; he thought she sang it the best of anyone he had ever heard. (And he's heard 'em all!)
After earning a music degree from Yale University (where she roomed with Jodie Foster), Patience moved to New York City. Her band, Patience and the Cowboy Angels, became a top draw at local clubs, which inspired her move to Nashville in 1998. Once in Nashville, she and producer/multi-instrumentalist Van Manakas teamed up to create her self-titled album, released on Rab Records.
Patience, the CD, contains 13 tracks, 7 penned by Patience. Stylistically ranging from western swing and traditional country to a more contemporary sound, they're all served up by Patience's velvety voice and emotional delivery. Selected songs have received airplay on Power Country 102.9 FM, Nashville, and her song " My Own Boyfriend" is included on the soundtrack to "Keeping Sound," an independent documentary film.
The timing of releasing Buckaroos Sleep Too! could not have been any better. Married in 2000, Patience and husband, Van Manakas, welcomed their son Theo into the world in 2001. Their newest baby boy, August, was born in October 2003. Now the entire family enjoys the music inspired by Patience's love of cowboy life, which began with childhood-summers spent under Rocky Mountain skies.
Patience has also enjoyed expressing her talent as an actress. She has been directed by Woody Allen in "Alice"; appeared in the cult classic, "Homeboy" opposite Mickey Rourke, Christopher Walken, and Mink Deville, as well as alongside Michael Caine in "Shock to the System". She starred in "Sweet Nothings", a movie written and directed by Amanda Silver, who went on to write the hit "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle".
As the youngest of nine children (with seventeen years between Patience and her oldest sister), Patience feels a close bond with her family, even though they've all spread out and started their own families. She enjoys late-summer family gatherings in the Adirondacks, spending time with her 18 nieces and nephews at an old hunting and fishing camp, purchased by her grandfather way back when.
Patience grew up in the shadow of Washington, DC's National Cathedral and, later, on the grounds of New York City's famous Cathedral of St. John the Divine, where her father was Episcopal Bishop. After her mother's death, when Patience was only eleven, she discovered cozy times by stopping by St. John's library after school, where renowned author Madeline L'Engle ("Wrinkle in Time") served her hot Tang and read her stories.
Raised in a politically progressive family, her parents threw many fundraising parties. Patience spent time with a diverse group of visitors, including John Lennon, Warren Beatty, Shirley Mclain, Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul & Mary), Kurt Vonnegut, Desmond Tutu and the Archbishop of Canterbury. James Taylor and his wife spent many Christmases with her family. Patience's only regret is that she didn't take him up on his offer back then to give her guitar lessons!
"As artists like They Might Be Giants and Dan Zane of The Del Fuegos have proven, children's music needn't be the domain of purple dinosaurs and other cloying creatures, nor does it require dreadfully inane melodies that grate on parents' nerves. This Nashville singer-songwriter, a.k.a. The Cowboy Girl, enters the playpen with her double CD Buckaroos Sleep Too! The first disc, "Playtime," favors percolating honky-tonk and Western swing, and "Quiettime" focuses on soothing arrangements and campfire fare. Moore has a lovely voice that's sure to comfort the kids, but the A-list players, including Moore's husband Van Manakas on guitars and mandolin, put plenty of fire in the tracks and should keep adults entertained. Ranger Doug from Riders in the Sky joins Moore for two duets, including the bouncy title track, which manages to make getting ready for bed sound like fun."
-Jack Silverman
Nashville Scene
"Patience Moore (aka The Cowboy Girl) has had two beautiful children with her string wizard and co-producer husband Van Manakas since we first heard her scintillating and lauded debut. That's how these things happen, artists move into a new sphere of attention, and voila! A beautiful family album is the result, with two full discs, "playtime" and "quiettime." An impressive list of Nashville heavyweights appear, masterfully supporting the lovely voice of the Cowboy Girl. Ranger Doug from Riders in the Sky does some toneful yodeling in duets with the artist, we sure like "That's How A Cowboy Says His Goodnights." Buckaroos Sleep Too is a country and western swing-laced jewel of a double album. I wish more music for grownups sounded this good! We endorse it highly, and welcome you to the Listen page to hear the clips for yourself."
-PureMusic.com
"I couldn't resist dancing and singing along with the original songs on this CD set. Little buckaroos who love music, humor, and fun will kick up their heels, too."
-Edith Kunhardt
Children's Book Author of 67 books including best sellers, "Pat the Cat" and "Pat the Puppy"
"Rarely does a CD radiate 'labor of love' so profoundly as The Cowboy Girl's latest, Buckaroos Sleep Too!. It's fun, listenable, incredible playing by Van Manakas and his posse, and I know that kids will love it. Best of all, so will the parents!"
- Peter Dergee
PBS Tahra*Time Creator and Producer
"When I put the first CD on and a child's wonderful, trilling laughter filled the room -- Heaven! All the material is great; not a clunker in the bunch. From the swingin', foot-taping Honky Tonk Kitty to the beautiful, heart-breaking (and heart-warming) Molly's Song, The Cowboy Girl's talents as a songwriter and producer will blow your mind. And what a voice - from goofy and playful to beautiful and haunting, and everything in between! As a mother of two I have suffered through countless, unbearable hours in the car listening to some horrible kids' CD that my children adore. It is such a relief and a joy to have a children's CD where all the songs are arranged with such sophistication and such high production values. Now that I have Buckaroos Sleep Too!, I'm ready for a nice long car trip."
- Nelsie Spencer
Author of The Playgroup
"The new CD by Patience Moore (aka The Cowboy Girl) is a delight in true western tradition. I wish I'd had something like it when my kids were small. I have to say that I know mother would have loved it. She would be proud of this work by Patience."
- Beverly Losey
Daughter of Western Swing Legend Patsy Montana, Mother of two
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