[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 84 (Monday, May 20, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING BARRY ``BONES'' PATTON

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                             HON. RON ESTES

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 20, 2019

  Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the musical 
accomplishments of Barry ``Bones'' Patton.
  When traveling near Winfield in south central Kansas, there are two 
sounds that one might hear: cattle and bluegrass.
  Winfield--home of the nationally recognized Walnut Valley Festival 
for bluegrass and acoustic music--is where Barry Patton uses cattle rib 
bones to create unique music that has put him on the world stage. His 
exceptional talent earned him the nickname Barry ``Bones'' Patton.
  Refining his craft since the age of 13, Patton told KAKE-TV in a 2006 
interview that he'd been encouraged to ``carry that tradition on of 
bone playing because it's really an old lost art.'' And that's 
precisely what he's done.
  The art of playing bones finds its roots in ancient history, from 
Mesopotamia and Egypt to the Roman Empire and ancient Greece. The 
instrument--often associated with folk music--takes the simple remains 
of an animal and turns it into a complex rhythm that takes skill and 
practice to perfect.
  The fact that Patton can play bones well in both hands makes the 
sound of his music even more impressive.
  Representing the United States at the Fleadh by the Feale music 
festival in Abbeyfeale, Ireland, Barry ``Bones'' Patton competed in 
their International Bone Playing Competition and earned the title of 
best bone player in the world on May 6.
  I want to congratulate Patton on his international recognition and 
ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating his bona fide success.

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