Hank Mattson is a working Cracker Cowboy Poet who lives in Florida.

He has performed at cowboy poetry gatherings from Florida to Utah. He’s a member of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, the Pro. Rodeo Hall of Fame Society and the Friends of Florida Folk.

Hank uses his own works and those of turn-of-the-century punchers to chronicle and preserve the life and times of the many Florida Folks who for over 400 years have been workin’ cattle.

As Hank says, “Iffin yer hard-pressed to find a speaker who’s willin’ ta work fer a little less than ya think ya ken afford, I’m yer man.”

For bookings, call: (863) 699-0562;

write to:

Hank Mattson

916 Catfish Creek Road

Lake Placid, FL 33852-9492

Or click here to email: hank@crackercowboypoet.com

You may order Hank’s audio CD, Tellin’ It Like It Was,

by mailing a check or money order in the amount of $15.00

(shipping and handling included) made payable to

Hank Mattson at the above “write to” address.

If you’re in Lake Placid, Florida, you can purchase

Hank’s audio CD at

LAKE PLACID FEED & WESTERN WEAR

417 US 27 South

Telephone: (863) 465-4731

Have you heard? Hank was named the winner of the

2011 Laura Rider Award

for

Florida Folk Poetry

My thanks to Jimmy Peters for this photo (jimpetersphotography.com).

You can view the

Cow Cavalry Memorial Monument Dedication

slide show at:

http://www.plantcityudc.com/

You can watch a video of Hank

Reciting the Poem, “Whisperin’ Bill”

by clicking here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWdyqozFqis

Hank will be speaking at these events:

Saturday, January 28, 2012
5:00 PM
Clewiston Museum 2nd Annual BBQ Fundraiser
to be held at the
Hilliard Ranch Log Cabin
5500 Flaghole Road
Clewison, FL 33440
For information, contact Jeff Barwick
jeffer77@embarqmail.com

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Saturday, February 11, 2012
6:00 PM
Trinity Lutheran Church
25 Lakeview Street
Lake Placid, FL 33852
Phone - (863) 465-5253

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Saturday, February 25, 2012
11:00 AM - Noon
Charlotte County Historical Center
22959 Bayshore Road
Port Charlotte, FL 33980
Phone (941) 629-7278
Web Site: www.charlottecountyfl.com

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Saturday, March 17, 2012
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Manatee Village
Heritage Days Open House
1404 Manatee Ave East
Bradenton, FL 34208
Phone (941) 741-4075

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Thursday, March 22, 2012
11:00 AM
South Florida Community College
Lifetime Learner's Institute
600 West College Drive
Avon Park, FL 33825-9356
Phone (863) 453-6661
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Saturday, March 31, 2012
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Buttonwood Bay RV Resort
10001 US 27
Sebring, FL 33876
For info call (866) 786-1241
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Read one of Hank’s works, below:

When This Old Hat Was New

A Song by Hank Mattson

I am an old Cowhunter boys

Come listen to my tale

Memories now are twice as sweet

Of the old cracker trail.

Fer Jacob Summerlin we rid

Fences then were few

When I was just a skinny kid

And this old had was new

When the yearly ‘round up came

We rode off unaware

How often we’d be preyed upon

By Seminole or bear.

But when the herd was sold

And shipped across the blue

What bounty we’d behold

When this old hat was new.

At the Summerlin Hotel

Old Jake he’d take his place

And shake our hands as we came in

A smile upon his face.

His son sat at the table

And gave each man his due

In Spanish gold, believe me boy

When this old hat was new.

But the good times quickly changed

The Country was at war

And while the battle raged up north

Down here, the Federals closed our shore.

But Jake the blockade runner

Kept goods a sailin’ through

And Cuban trade was still maintained

When this old hat was new.

Well we lost the war but not the land

Full pardons we was given

Our beef again was in demand

And we thanked Jake and Heaven.

But lovin’ the work ya do’s the thing

It made our dreams come true

When Jake was Cracker Cowhunter King

And this old hat was new.

The above photo of Hank appeared in the Highlands Today Newspaper, on page 8A, February 18, 2007. Photo by KATHY WATERS.