The Master Pieces

Lon’s life is his most precious collage, encompassing places, choices, memories and experiences evolving over time, reflecting his personal journey and serving as an artistic expression of his years on the trail. 

A sharp-dressed young buck 

Embracing the spirit of the west 

With his western tie

A silver belt buckle

And little boots 

His mother likely purchased 

On layaway

Before he had a phone or a television, he was just a little boy growing up in the 1950s, immersed in the world of Zane Grey’s adventure stories and Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan books. From reading on the porch of a neighbor's ranch house to warming himself, reading by the heater on chilly El Paso nights, his love for literature became a cherished part of his childhood memories.

During the summertime as a young boy, Lon would visit his grandparents in Luna, New Mexico where he would attend cowboy camp meetings near Ruidoso.  His grandparents camped out in a small trailer, and at night, Lon and the other kids often slept outdoors beneath a tree or the trailer itself.  The daytime gatherings were  Christian-oriented with activities which included a lot of preaching and a Men's Prayer Tree, but as a child, Lon was much more captivated by the evening events.  There, Joe Evans, a rancher from the east of El Paso, Texas, and a cowboy poet know as  Pecós Higgins would entertain with their tales and poetry by the campfire.  Like today's artists sell their music and merch after a show, these storytellers made their living selling the booklets of their stories and poems at the end of the night. It was through these captivating evenings that Lon was first exposed to the art of Cowboy Poetry. Further influenced by tales from his uncles and  the emerging folk scene of the sixties, Lon found his way down the songwriter's trail.

As a young folk musician, Lon was inspired and guided by the simple sounds and influential spirit of Woody Guthrie. Guthrie's impact was profound,  igniting artistic expression that would forever shape his musical journey. Timeless ballads and protest anthems fostered a sense of kinship. Guthrie's unapologetic storytelling opened a window to a new world.  Lon embarked on a quest to use his own voice and guitar as instruments of transformation.  Through Guthrie's songs, Lon discovered the potency of music as a vehicle for sharing stories, stirring hearts, and creating strong folk communities. The belief that music had the power to unify and heal resonated profoundly, reinforcing his own belief in the transformative potential of art.

People like Faith Petric and the artists that made up her strong community were paramount figures in Lon's young life.  As part of this community, Lon recognized that he too could create and express himself through music.  Petric, known as the "Grande Dame of San Francisco Folk Music," used her lyrics to voice the injustices faced by the marginalized.  Her creative work and welcoming home attracted the attention of  young singer-songwriters, impressing upon them the power of music as a tool for social activism.  Music, in their hands, was a blueprint for using their craft not just for entertainment, but as a medium of education, community and cultural progression.  The impact extends beyond her art, establishing a powerful legacy that resonates with generations of songwriters striving to influence change.