2008 Fables of the West Press Release… 

Get ready to ride with the biggest little cowboys on the Old West trail. If you’re coming to the fair in 2008, you’re sure to get a ‘kick’ from the Fables Of The West gang and their trusty steeds, as they head out on the 2008 ‘Trail Of Tales’ Tour. 

The cowboy comedy team (often referred to as ‘the little cowboys on the little horses’) has, in just seven years time, performed at over 450 fairs and events (in their entirety) from Alaska to Florida to Texas to their home state of California.

And just what is it these ‘Fables’ cowboys do? Well if you’ve been to a fair in the US in the last few years, you’ve most likely run across their path. “Its high energy and interactive, and we try to involve fair guests by literally making them the main focus of the show”, says Ken McMeans, owner and founder of the Fables team. The group is actually labeled as a 'strolling grounds act'- never really having a specific show time nor needing (or wanting) to be on a stage (“too far away from the crowd,” says Ken).  “I guess I should give some credit to the horses we ride (‘faux’ Muppet-like miniatures), though they seem to sometimes steal our thunder.”

The show is always 100% G-rated, family entertainment. Even when the gang performs at a casino or an adult only type venue, they still stick to their guns and keep it clean.

The cast has been pared down to just a handful of cowboys, a far cry from the 30 plus cast members (eight teams) that they had on the road way back in 2004. After experiencing the ‘growing too fast’ business syndrome, Ken decided things would be much less stressful with a few less ‘little’ cowboys on the trail. “We have an absolute type of performer we look for, and there’s just not that many that we’ve been able to find that can do this the way Eric, Bob (Ken’s brother), and I do. Most fall by the wayside as they find out how hard we actually work. And then on top of that, to get riders that are both rough and edgy, and still lovable (and funny), well that’s a trick.”

The latest addition to the team is Ken’s new wife, Elizabeth, who performed at a half dozen events with him before they tied the knot in December of last year. 

Fables Of The West continues to rank as one of the most booked touring acts in North America each year and is considered by many to be the top grounds act in the nation. “We hope to reign for many years as the 'Outlaw Kings Of Old West Foolishness', it’s a way of life for us,” Ken explained.  “But we do have some new bits, gags, and diversions planned- if only for own sanity, we try to keep it fresh.”

Ken points out that every show is different and fresh, because, after all, the majority of it is improv. “We mostly make it up on the spot as we go along.”