More On Joe Delk's Patriotic Fiddle

Several editions of The Westerner ago I wrote about Joe Delk's activities on behalf of rural New Mexicans and posted a picture of Joe playing the National Anthem at the PRCA Turquoise Circuit Finals.

Dona Ana County rancher and author Steve Wilmeth saw Joe perform our anthem at the Cowboys For Cancer Research annual dinner and dance and wrote the following:


Amazing . . . . Anthem

Through a few moments of grace on Friday night, a very powerful performance was experienced by the attendants of the Cowboy for Cancer dinner dance at Dickerson’s Barn. The mandatory recognition of supporters, contributors, and active fundraising events had been concluded and the Delk Family Band had stepped to the stage for the commencement of the dance. As folks milled around talking and anticipating this very popular part of the evening, the sound of a lone fiddle drifted through the room and all eyes and ears turned to the stage. Joe Delk was the musician and the tune was none other than the National Anthem. Within moments the crowd was hushed and standing. By the end of the first stanza, part of the crowd was softly singing the words, and, by the end of the second, there were few dry eyes in the hall. By that time, it was just Mr. Delk and his fiddle in the spotlight. The mesmerized crowd might as well have been a hundred miles away as he concentrated and played. When the last note lifted away and was gone, the band struck up a two step and the dance began.

Wow! What a powerful performance it was. What an unsuspected gift and what an interesting response that came from the audience. Those who were there to witness such an unexpected salute to America will likely never forget it. For a moment, there was a unity of spirit and a remembrance of values. There was an emotion that was totally unexpected. It was an emotion that words didn’t prompt. It was a purely impromptu reminder that hope doesn’t come in packaged words or the pledge of new ideas. It comes from honest human endeavors that are self driven. It comes from the heart and it comes from independent and free Americans who still think for themselves. Thank you, Joe Delk. Your gift was special . . .