Each month the Arts Commission recognizes individuals or groups who have made a significant contribution to the artistic and cultural life of the Santa Clarita Valley. This month the Commission was proud to recognize Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell for their huge contribution to the artistic and cultural life of Santa Clarita.
Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell are passionate about the American West and the creative spirit of those that interpret its story. It all began when they moved to California in 1991 and visited the Autry Museum. That experience inspired Bobbi to become a volunteer at the museum, and she was eventually invited to join the staff working directly with visitors and curatorial staff.
The years at the Autry Museum exposed the Bells to the engaging history of the West, and they realized that this was their life’s calling. Hence, OutWest was born! Launched in late 2007 as an on-line Western boutique, and finally, on the National Day of the Cowboy 2009, they opened their brick-and-mortar store on Main Street in Old Town Newhall. It was a natural step for this couple who met working at JC Penney and who, together, have decades of retail experience.
In 2009, OutWest was also invited as a Community Partner organizing the Buckaroo Book Shop during the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival. Each year, they host this popular venue inviting 20 authors to participate with live interviews, panel discussions, and book signings.
August 2009, they held their first live, in-store music concert featuring three award-winning Western performers – Joni Harms, Eli Barsi, and Canadian Cowgirl Poet Doris Daley. In June 2010, SCVTV joined in to film a performance by the multi-award-winning Juni Fisher, and they’ve been filming ever since.
The cultural impact by the Bells also extends to radio. For several years, Bobbi co-hosted a popular radio show on KHTS, “Around the Barn,” with Nancy Pitchford Zhe, Julie Pomilia, and Mike Dowler. Today she continues to provide radio platforms for musicians and authors, co-hosting two online programs: “Campfire Café” with Gary Holt out of Nashville and “The Writer’s Block Radio Show” with host author Jim Christina on LA Talk Radio.
Today, OutWest is an online retail venue continuing to serve both the local and international communities with curated unique merchandise collections as well as links to concerts and radio shows. Their tag line “We deliver the West door-to-door, coast-to-coast, and over the air” is really true. Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell have embraced the western culture of Santa Clarita and have brought immense cultural experiences to the local community.
Arts Commission Chair Dr. Michael Millar shared on behalf of the Commission how grateful the community is for the Bells’ passion and artistic leadership within the City of Santa Clarita. He also shared the following testimonials:
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From Andrea Kidd: Award Winning Cowgirl Poet and Equestrian
I want to convey my profound gratitude and respect and “Thank You” to Jim and Bobbi for all your help, assistance and support, for the opportunities that you provided me and most of all for your wonderful and most treasured friendship.
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Jerry Hall and Trick Shot: Executive Vice President, Western Music Association
Jim and Bobbi treated us like family while the events were very well organized and professionally produced.
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Juni Fisher: Multi Award Winning Songwriter, Singer, Performer, and Equestrian
Every time I was honored to play one of their shows, I was rewarded with their gracious hospitality and true enthusiasm for the community! I can think of no one else in the area that has done so much to bring the level of talent and diversity that Western Music has to offer!
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Marvin O’Dell: President of Western Music Association
The City of Santa Clarita has been fortunate to have these two upstanding members in its community; their work ensures that Santa Clarita will continue to reach a national and even international community with its ongoing western events.
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Jim Christina: Western Author
It has always been apparent with me the amount of time and effort Bobbi and Jim put into their community and the sacrifices they made while doing it.
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J.R. Sanders: Author
Their live concerts, book signings, radio programs and other events have become fixtures of the SoCal arts scene, as they’ve fed the hunger for Western culture in older generations who grew up with it – and introduced it to younger generations who didn’t – through music, literature, art, fashion, and much more.
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Bob and Marie Mann: Big Hat Entertainment
We’ve enjoyed witnessing your accomplishments and wish you continued success and prosperity.
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Doris Daley: Award Winning Canadian Cowgirl Poet
“If cowboy poetry performances were old western TV shows, then my memories of OutWest, Santa Clarita, Jim and Bobbi Jean are Bonanza, Rawhide and Gunsmoke all rolled into one, with a little bit of F Troop thrown in for good measure!”
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Jim Jones: Award Winning Songwriter, Performer, Author
Not only are Jim and Bobbi Jean enthusiastic purveyors of Western culture and lifestyle, they are high-quality human beings. I’m proud to call them my friends.
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D.B. Jackson: Novelist & Screenwriter
Bobbi Jean and Jim tirelessly continue to help bring artists and fans together in settings that are unique and personal.
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Joyce Woodson: Award winning Songwriter, performer
Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell have been fearless in giving their all by creating a place for talented musicians, writers, and poets to perform at their OutWest venues in Santa Clarita.
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John Zipperer: Songwriter, Performer
My experience with OutWest was superlative in every way. The nicest, most professional people I’ve had the pleasure to work with.
