One of my new favorite people is Cowboy Jimie, the CABAZON COWBOY. My first encounter with Cowboy Jimie was a few months ago. He was sitting outside our local Albertsons grocery store playing a wonderful twangy cowboy song on his guitar. It was an amazing sight seeing a street performer in our middle class conservative Mcmansion filled town. It touched me though. The wailing country twangy melody mixed with the balmy desert dusk moved me. I was instantly part of a cowboy roundup campfire. Listening to the sound of his guitar echo off the canyon walls. I wondered how long he would last. Our area is very conservative. Housewives stood not 20 feet from him on a corner last year with Anti gay marriage signs. I figured it would not be long until Cowboy Jimie would be shown the road.
Well yesterday we went to the local Stater Brothers grocery store and I was happy to see Cowboy Jimie. Looks like he did hit the road but not too far. The Stater Brothers is a better fit for Cowboy Jimie. It is in the old part of town where the mini ranches are. Lots of people have lived in this area for years. They were escaping the big city for a bit of country life. Hopefully a bit of Cowboy Jimie.
He's just too adorable. Did he do that himself? either way good find!
ReplyDeleteit is an actual postcard and he has written the top part in ink pin. Quite the find indeed.
ReplyDeleteI love it! I'm glad he found himself a better location. I'm sure he's much happier at Staer Bros. I wish we had a Cowboy Jimie. He would be loved and appreciated here.
ReplyDeleteErik says Jake could be "The Electric Rock boy" version of cowboy jimie.....RockBoy Jakie
ReplyDeleteI used to see him at Stater Bros. in Beaumont. Can anyone please update on his whereabouts. I miss seeing him and just wondering how he is doing. Hopefully he is still playing his guitar.
ReplyDeleteN.W.
The Cabazon-Cowboy is an Inland Empire icon. I first met him a couple years ago (2008) at a Stater Brothers market on Van Buren Blvd. in the Woodcrest area of Riverside. I loved him instantly. He's a true man - he believes in God – and wishes well to everyone that passes by. He’s never asked for money, although I give him $5 or $10 dollars, every time I see him. I had not seen him in quite some time until today, Tuesday, December 8, 2010 at the Stater Brothers market (Van Buren and Washington, Riverside). I came out of the market and put my groceries in the back of the car, and as I started to step inside I heard some guitar plunking that caught my ear. In my mind I said, “Wait a minute, I know that sound, it’s Jimmy.” I closed the car door and looked around – sure enough there was Jimmy about 10 parking spaces down – not his usual spot. I shook his hand, gave him a little hug and told him, “I love you.” He said, “I love you too, God bless you and have a merry Christmas.” I cried half way home. I’m crying now as I write this post.
ReplyDeleteCowboy Jimies doing fine. Saw him last night at Stater Bros in Riverside/wood crest area. His post cards now have his age...94!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to get his story next time
I saw him there last saturday, Oct 29,2011 I have a beautiful postcard, what a sweet man:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the updates. I dont see him often as I shop during off times to avoid the crowds. Hugh I cry just a bit too when I read your post.
ReplyDeleteMy daughters and I saw Cowboy Jimie yesterday afternoon at Stater Bros in Beaumont. We always look forward to seeing him. He touches our hearts. What a precious man.
ReplyDeletetoday, i saw him at stater brothers and got an autograph from him
ReplyDeletehe was so cool and his picture was was in front of a dino
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I saw Jimmie at the Stater Brothers in Woodcrest (Riverside)! Corner of VanBuren and Washington. We got an autographed postcard ;)
ReplyDeleteMet Jimmy for the first time @ the Stater Bros. in Beaumont. He is an amazing piece of history. As he handed me an autographed postcard, he proudly announced that he was 95!!! You keep on a 'pluckin' Jimmy!!! YOU ARE AWESOME!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I encountered Jimie for the first time last Friday in front of Petco, near Albertsons. What a treat to see someone like him :) Makes me smile! His last words to me were, "God will take care of you!."
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for the updates !!! I haven't seen him in quite some time.Nice to hear he's still out there
ReplyDeleteSunday, March 31st 2012
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I stopped at the Van Buren Staters last evening and saw Jimmy for the first time. We gave him $5 and he gave us one of his postcards...he's very sweet and seemed to be going well. I wish I knew more of his "story". Does anyone know???
I met Jimmie today at Stater Bros in Beaumont.I just moved to the city one week ago. Being a guitar player myself, I was drawn to him.
ReplyDeleteI asked him about his guitar and he told me he built it. I told him I have built a few guitars myself. I hope to run into him again.
Frank.
Jimmie was at the Stater Brothers in Woodcrest/Riverside today. He looked great. I wonder what the story is on him. He said he has been doing this for 35 years. :)
ReplyDeletewen to the Beaumont Staters today ad asked the security guard about him, he told me got real sick in the heat last june and hasn't been there since. I sure hope he is alright.
ReplyDeleteCowboy Jimmy passed away earlier this week. I am trying to find out more.
ReplyDeleteI AM SAD TO SAY COWBOY JIMMY"S OBIT IS IN THE RECORD GAZETTE FOR 9-27-2013. HE WILL BE MUCH MISSED, IN BEAUMONT CA
Delete