Friday, January 31, 2014

TALES FROM THE TEEL RANCH - Monty Moncrief Teel - One Free Book

My husband James and I volunteer at the main campus of our church every other Saturday night. We actually go to services at the North Richland Hills campus, which is closer to our home. One Saturday night, James met a man on the parking lot, where he drives one of the carts, who needed some help with his pickup truck. It was Monty Moncrief Teel. At a later event at church, we spent the evening with Monty, and I found him a very interesting person. So I offered to feature him and his poetry on this blog. 

Welcome, Monty. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?
Monty Moncrief Teel grew up on a ranch in Northeast Texas and his family had a ranch in the Texas Hill Country. Monty has performed his own brand of cowboy and Christian poetry all over “The West.” Monty is a member of Gateway Church and serves in the Fresh Start Ministry.

Tell us about your family.
Monty has two sisters and a brother. He enjoys spending time with family. He was born on his mother’s birthday. He has written a book about his Cowboy and Pioneer Heritage which captures the family’s genealogy. The Moncrief Clan dates back to 12th century Scotland on his mother’s side of the family. Monty plans to go to Scotland this summer with the Clan Moncreiffe Society of North America.

How long have you been writing poetry?
Monty has been writing poetry for about 15 years. He has written three books and has recorded 3 cowboy poetry CDs.

Do you write anything besides cowboy poetry?
Monty also writes Christian poetry. The last chapter of Tales from the Teel Ranch features Christian poems. These poems capture his journey with Christ by his side.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?
No, I am writing and producing individual poems as art work. One of my favorite poems in my book Tales from the Teel Ranch was featured in the February 2008 edition of Western Horseman called “Majestic Texas.” It has been reproduced to fit an 8 X 10 frame. They are available at $5 each.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?
Monty enjoys playing tennis and golf. His passion is growing at Gateway Church and reciting his poetry for fun. He attends rodeos, cowboy gatherings, and western music and poetry festivals. He is Superintendent of the 4-H, FFA, and collegiate Dairy Judging Contest at the Fort Worth Stock Show. He also loves musicals and his favorite is Oklahoma.

Why did you write the featured book?
Monty’s father, Marion Ray Teel was his cowboy hero. Monty dedicated Tales from the Teel Ranch to him. The book captures the best and worst times growing up on a cow calf operation in Texas. Monty thinks it also shares with readers his love for “The West” and the character and values of the cowboy code instilled by his Dad.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?
Monty wants to share his love for the land and its people through the eyes of a Native Texas son.

Please share one of your poems with us here.

Majestic Texas
By Monty Moncrief Teel © 2007

From the Texas panhandle
To the fertile coastal plains.
From the mountains and the basins
To East Texas sugarcane.

Now Cowboys, Spurs, and Rockets
They call our Texas home.
It’s the land where George Strait and
Red Steagall ranch and roam.

Dale Evans hailed from here, and
Bob Wills is still the king.
We love our country music
And our vintage Western Swing.

With Bowie, Crocket, and Travis
We relive the Alamo.
And then there is Sam Houston
A man we honor so.

I love the sprawling ranches here
And that old rodeo.
So if you live in Texas, just
Put on your boots and go.

My Texas, I salute you
With all your many charms.
I love the state of Texas,
Her cities and her farms.

Fort Worth’s rustic Cowtown
Begins the Wild Wild West,
But of all the Texas greats
The friendships are the best.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?
                       
For Books, Poems, and CDs:
Monty Moncrief Teel
P. O. Box 992
Euless, Texas 76039
                       
903.243.3305 cell


Thank you for sharing your life and book with us.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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7 comments:

Melanie Backus said...

I loved meeting Monty Moncrief Teel. From reading Magestic Texas, I know that he is a wonderful writer and I would thoroughly enjoy his book. We are big Ft.Worth Stock Show goers and hopefully one day will run into Monty there. Thank you for a great interview and giveaway.

Melanie Backus, TX

Unknown said...

Lena, Monty sounds like a very interesting person. I love the idea of the poems being put on prints. The poem was a nice change of pace from novels. I love the state of Texas (have family there) and this would be a great read.
Thank you.
Ohio
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com

Mary Preston said...

A book my Father would have enjoyed a well.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Mr. Moncrief has read Stephen Bly's Cowboy Poetry. Tales from Teel Ranch would make a nice addition to our church library's western section.
Julie (WI)

Susan P said...

I love it! He certainly has a talent. Thanks for sharing!
Michigan

Library Lady said...

We have a SS Class of Christian Cowboys & I would love to win a copy of Monty's book so that it would be available for them to check out.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

Britney Adams said...

I enjoyed Monty's interview and loved the poem he shared. TALES FROM THE TEEL RANCH sounds like a very special book. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!

Britney Adams, TX