2005 Patsy Montana Yodeling Champion…

Pictured Above: Janet McBride “The Yodel Queen” who taught LeAnn Rimes to yodel and the “2005 Patsy Montana National Yodeling Champion” – Chelsea Beck of Laverne, OK.

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:
Jane/Larry Frost
(417) 223-2201
rfrost@olemac.net

Not yet in her teens, Chelsea Beck, 12 years old, of Laverne, OK captured the title of "2005 Patsy Montana National Yodeling Champion," on Saturday, June 4, in Pineville, Missouri.

Chelsea is the daughter of Steve and Shiloh Beck who were in attendance when the coveted gold medal was presented to their daughter. The Beck's ten year old son, Schuyler, also attended the weekend festivities.

The new National Yodeling Champion began singing when quite young, but yodeling and playing guitar are relatively new to the blue eyed cowgirl. "I have been yodeling just since last year and playing guitar about eight or nine months."

Although it has taken a great deal of hard work and focus to accomplish such quick success, Chelsea Beck also points to the abundance of help and encouragement she has received from professionals. "I owe Janet McBride, The Yodel Queen, so much. I could not have done all of this without her help."

It was only a year ago that the champion first attended the Janet McBride Yodel Camp and the Patsy Montana National Yodeling Championship. This was her introduction to yodeling and guitar-playing cowgirls. "I saw all those girls playing their guitars and singing and yodeling and decided I wanted to do that," she said.

Chelsea was also quick to point out why Patsy Montana was so important to females in country and western music. "Patsy Montana," she noted, "was the first female country/western artist to sell one million records with the song she wrote, 'I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart.' It is the only song performed in the National Championship."

According to Jane and Larry Frost, festival directors, Chelsea Beck is already a polished songwriter. "It is quite unusual," said the Frosts, "to have someone so young, sensitive and with the skills necessary, to write with the depth that Chelsea exhibits. Her self penned "Cowboy Roy," is a tribute to not only her grandfather, Leroy Hibbs of Beaver, Oklahoma, but also to the American Cowboy."

"It is also personal to me," said Larry Frost. "My first name is Roy and I, too, am a grandfather...and my father, Roy Frost, is also a grandfather. It is a good song and very well written. Of course it doesn't hurt," he added, "to have a talented cowgirl perform the song."

In addition to the national title, Chelsea also graduated from the Janet McBride Yodel Camp with the designation, Master Yodeler. "She's been a good student." McBride said, "and a fast learner."

Chelsea is also becoming a mentor to beginners. During the festive weekend, her brother, Schuyler, worked with fiddle instructor Jake Simpson from Wyandotte, OK. During an opening in the schedule, Chelsea provided her sibling an opportunity to play fiddle on stage with Fiddlin’ Jake.

The Patsy Montana National Yodeling Championship and Janet McBride Yodel Camp are held each year, the first weekend in June, at Pineville, Missouri. For additional information, contact festival coordinators at rfrost@olemac.net.

Check out Chelsea's website at: www.chelseabeck.com. You can find her debut CD there that will be played over 130 radio stations throughout the U.S and Canada.

Chelsea is also one of the top 5 nominees for “Yodeler of the Year” and “Rising Star” with the Academy of Western Artists. She will find out how she does on July 12th at the Will Rogers Awards Ceremony held in Richardson, TX.