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BURNET — For the past 17 years, Tex Copsetta has charged out of the sheriff’s office carrying his wheel gun and looking to make many a bad man rethink his actions. And the veteran gunslinger has no thoughts of slowing down.
“I’m still loving this now as much as I did 17 years ago,” he said.
But the sheriff did pause when he learned The Picayune readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners had selected the Burnet Gunfighters, of which Copsetta is the sheriff, as their favorite Burnet-area organization for the 2016 Locals Love Us honors.
“I’m strutting around prouder than the NBC peacock right now,” he said. “This is so great. I never did expect it.”
The Burnet Gunfighters stage Wild West shows Saturdays from January-May and September-November at the set located just off the square in Burnet. They are a big draw when the Austin Steam Train Association’s train pulls into town as well — though there are a few times throughout the year some “outlaws” hitch a ride on the rails and try to separate folks from their valuables. But Sheriff Copsetta and his deputies are ready and waiting for the bad guys when they pull into Burnet.
And while the Burnet Gunfighters are fun to watch, there’s more to the group than their handsome looks and Western style.
The Burnet Gunfighters raise money for a variety of nonprofit organizations and good causes. They often help the Hill Country Area Crime Stoppers.
“You know, we haven’t turned any organization down that’s needed help,” Copsetta said before correcting himself. “Well, we did turn a group down from Laredo, but we just weren’t going to Laredo. But if it’s around the Hill Country and Highland Lakes, we’ll help nonprofits out.”
While the gunfights help support local causes, it’s also just good, ol’ fun. Of course, there are outlaws afoot with nefarious intentions.
The shows feature an entire cast of characters, including bartenders, dancing girls and deputies. And sometimes those characters step right out of the audience to become part of the show.
“One of our most popular things is our ‘Choose-a-Flooze’ program,” he said. “It’s where woman and even girls can come out into the show and be dancing girls or saloon girls. Even guys can participate and be bartenders.”
Copsetta recalled one woman who jumped at the chance to be a saloon girl.
“She had grown up a big fan of Miss Kitty of ‘Gunsmoke,’” Copsetta said. “It had been her dream to play Miss Kitty or something like that role. And when she had the chance during one of our shows, she said it was like a dream come true, something she’d wanted to do for 30 years or so.”
Helping area nonprofits and making folks dreams come true are two big reasons The Picayune readers and KBEY listeners voted the Burnet Gunfighters the Locals Love Us favorite Burnet-area organization.
Follow the Burnet Gunfighters on their Facebook page or call (512) 756-1872 for more information.
daniel@thepicayune.com
