Bob Stinson's Grave Babes

[Bob Boze Bell]

March 16, 2010
Several days ago I posted one of Bob Stinson's "grave babes" as Trish Brink calls them. With my blessing, Mr. Stinson has taken several Las Vegas show girls to Old West graves and posed them with the grave of an True West legend. Here is the photo of Debbie Dayton at Alferd Packer's snow covered grave in Littleton, Colorado:

The Top Secret Writer came out yesterday and we had a fine lunch at Tonto Bar & Grill where we discussed finishing Mickey Free, among other things. After lunch Paul Hutton came back to the True West World Headquarters and saw this photo on my desktop (for some reason, one of the image settings, CMYK, does not allow the photo to show up on Microsoft computers. We were in the process of changing it to RGB when Hutton did a double take). Paul said he loves the idea and the image and the obvious talents of the model, but doesn't think it belongs in our magazine.

So, what does a distinguished professor of history at a major university know about historically accurate show girls paying tribute to Western icons? Quite a bit, actually, but he doesn't think it belongs in True West magazine.

What do you think?

"A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm."

—Charles Schwab

[Ginny Morgan]

ummmm...Why? Just curious as to the idea behind the grave babe thing...? I have to agree with the professor...it seems a bit ludicrous to me....

[Wolfgang]

Photo would have been better with some of that sunlight seen in the back ground on the historically correct model that was by the historically correct tombstone. ;)

Taking Vagas showgirls to grave sites sounds . . . . well it . . . sounds . . . something. Must be a good hobby, . . better than just taking along the camera :)

[Bob Boze Bell]

You are not alone Ginny. Most of the women in my office find the concept "tacky", or as you put it "ludicrous." And Hutton loves Broadway show tunes (not that there is anything wrong with that, but just sayin'. . .). I think it's quite fun and outrageous, and by the way, what's wrong with ludicrous?

[Flying R]

Its historical, its interesting, its different and it has hot showgirls. I can't see a down side to it!!!

[Chet Rollins]

1. I would like to thank Mr. Bell for spending the extra time posting the photo so we could all enjoy it.
2. "Tacky", "Ludicrous"...Bah humbug! I am constantly amazed in the new and inovative ways people find to highlight or enjoy history. I have a photo of myself with long hair, a hat on and smoking a cigar at Doc Holadays grave, some might say that any one or all of these things are disrespectful or tacky...so what. Personally I would love it if a beautiful model posed at my gravesite, preferably while I'm still alive. And I know the Mrs. wouldn't mind if a shirtless Matthew McConaughey posed at hers.
3. Now where are the rest of the photo's?

[Bob Boze Bell]

LOL. A shirtless Matthew McConaughey, eh? We're on deadline, issues goes out Thursday, but I'll try to get the Doc Holliday grave girl next.

[Jeff Prechtel]

Bob, I gotta say, from an artistic stand point, I like the idea and concept.....like for a calendar, or etc. But in TW? I have to agree with Paul and the ladies in your office on this one...not that it's "tacky", but that in the end I think it would somehow cheapen TW. Now I'm sure you were fervently waiting to see what "I" thought about the subject. LOL!

[Bob Boze Bell]

Maybe not "fervently" Jeff, but I was waiting.

[Wolfgang]

As Jeff Smith said : "Showgirls at Soapy's grave in Skagway! We can call it Soapy Babes. Each week a new gal. Do you realize how many hits we'd get!"

Do that on yur "Soapy Smith" web site. With a callender available. Should increase traffic :)

[Jim Holden]

Although I'm enthused by the concept, I have to agree that from a historical point, I don't think the photo's go well with True West. But it surely isn't any different than many of the "babes" we see advertising Western Wear in the pages of many magazines, like AC, C&I, etc. Publish one and see what feedback you get. Crap, I've changed my mind in one paragraph! Oh well.