Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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3 buckles back wherever John Travolta goes, the nation seems to follow. From the staccato beat of disco in the film Saturday Night Fever, he has led us also to the alternative sound of country and western in the movie Urban Cowboy. Though he may not have been a success in some of his movie ventures, he can be credited for influencing our tastes in sound, step and style. Finally, there is an alternative to disco where everyone can just be themselves, whether they aspire to be the Urban Cowboy or not. It ' s now cool to be in a bar wearing something (most likely denim), probably held up by an oakleaf engraved leather belt with a name on the back, sporting a big, shiny, silver buckle. And the feet can finally relax — replacing the spike heels with something flat and heel-stomping solid. A few years ago, I wouldn ' t have been caught dead wearing a pair of cowboy boots. But I found out that they ' re some of the most comfortable and practical things you can put on your feet, Denise Gatzoulis, junior in business administration said. Even if a person doesn ' t plan to break bucking broncs wearing elephant- or ostrich- hide boots, one can probably find another suitable way to put them to use. Like spikes found their home in the hustle, boots can glide into the two-step or Texas swing. With hair flying and boots shuffling, Whip ' er around —Sheryl Russell, senior in secondary education, and Brian Keith, sophomore in animal science and industry, swing dance in the Rockin ' K. couples can twist their bodies into strange contortions such as the pretzel or windmill. Even without the urge to swing, one can sit and pretend to cool off with a couple of beers. As one sips, the tunes of Waylon and Willie, Kenny Rogers, Crystal Gayle, Red Steagall, and the Oakridge Boys vibrate from the jukebox. Bands in Manhattan please the crowds with the country and western beat, getting whoops and hollers, replacing snapping fingers. The homier atmospheres have been more popular places for these activities. Rockin ' K and Cowboy Palace draw the crowd demanding more than just a little bit of country. Brother ' s Non-Disco isn ' t always country and western, but is certainly what it advertises. Another bar sporting country notes is Enoch ' s Tavern, where the beer ' s cheap and the atmosphere ' s different than Aggie, Dale Richardson, senior in electronical engineering technology, said. As the night wears on, cowboys, their dress inspired by the movie Urban Cowboy, still come through the doors to try the swinging thrill or just to relax. Nevertheless, they defy the words of Willie Nelson, as he sings and advises their mammas, don ' t let your babies grow up to be cowboys. Cari Cavassa photos by Criag Chandler

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photos by Bo Rader Student Life the coastal beaches, the urban and the rural farming areas, over 19,000 students filter into the Manhattan community. But, the geographic backgrounds are not the only differing characteristics. Each K-State varies in attitudes, activities and even attire. Some students dress in izod sweaters, blazers or skirts, while others can be found in everyday blue jeans. Whatever the difference, K-State students are bound together by the heartland rhythm. 12:20 Rush- Between lecture courses, the halls and sidewalks are flooded with students. Some leisurely stroll while other students hurry to make it from the Union to Ackert in ten minutes. FTD Florist?- Capped by the increasingly popular winged hat, a student listens to the live entertainment at the fall festival, held on the lawn west of Weber Hall. The Oct. 3 event featured Southern Comfort, Celebration and The Clocks. student life 11

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Bar room bronco— A bullriding daredevil takes a spin on El Toro, the mechanical bull at Cowboy Palace. lish approach te small, wiry contestan ew a leg over the bull ' s back, scooted himself place, and gripped the rigging with a id hand. He jerked his right arm into iir — signaling that he was ready to ti on El Toro — the mechanical bull arming at one of Manhattan ' s clubs. ith a sudden twisting writhe, El Toro, operated by a rodeo professional, to knock off its rider. But 21 old Randy Powell, Fort Riley, knew he had to do to win the contest. of rodeo experience had given him for the unpredicatable contortions angry bull. Arching with the bull ' s and jolts, Powell rode for the 8- and duration — the time required to . His score of 77 gave him some , as he topped the other scores by at least 8 points. who hopes to ride in the Pro Association, but not for a few years, he said, This is harder than bull. A real one has a neck you can so you know which way you want go. increasing number of bars are placing a bucking machine in their midst. Enoch ' s and Cowboy Palace in Manhattan have ventured to add this to their line of entertainment. And the crowds go curious after seeing this machine that was featured in the movie Urban Cowboy. El Toro was introduced in Cowboy Palace on Sept. 28 and 30. I ' ve been thinking of having it here for a year, but I was worried about its liabilities, and because it takes up so much room it ' s a prohibitive factor, John Gilman, co-owner of Cowboy Palace, said. The bull used the entire area of the Palace ' s dance floor. Placed dead center on the floor it was surrounded by wall to wall piles of cushy foam to comfort riders who were thrown. The bull itself, made from a hard rubber substance, was covered with foam along its backside, cushioning some of the jolts. I ' ll probably have blisters, Lana Hinton, Manhattan, said. Hinton, 4 feet 11 inches, rode the bull seven times in one day. One of those rides won her the girls ' bull-riding contest. The rides were scored on a point basis from 25-100 points. Hinton scored a 57 on her winning ride. Because of her small size, she has an advantage over most contestants. It helps when you ' re smaller. There ' s not as much weight to throw around. The ideal cowboy is 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet, 6 inches and around 145 pounds. And small people are really just as strong as big people, Chuck Elliott, one of the professionals controlling the bull ' s kicks and spins, said. But whether a contestant was large or small, these bull-riding daredevils kept hopping up one after the other. I ' m enjoying the enthusiasm of the participants; I think it ' s a great idea. It ' s exciting. It ' s the closest thing you can find to a rodeo in a bar, Don Paustian, former employee of Cowboy Palace, said. As Gilman said, This thing is tougher than any bull that ever lived. It ' s the meanest; it ' s El Toro! Git on!, another pseudo-cowboy bit the dust. Cart Cavassa alternatives to disco 13