08/10/2026
Over the past week we have been taking in all the tributes to our friend Terry Buffalo Ware, and while we are not sure we have the right words to add to the well deserved words that have already been penned, we will try.
Without Buffalo there would be no WoodyFest. Those are not just words of hyperbole for this time of heartbreak, they are a statement of fact. Terry has been at WoodyFest since the very first festival and in 2003 he and his friends formed the official WoodyFest house band, making sure whoever needed a sideman at festival had one. We have been reminiscing over the many pictures of Buffalo and the dozens and dozens of stages and sets he played in Okemah over the last twenty-nine Julys, and we are so lucky he shared his talents with WoodyFest and its artist.
We know Buffalo wanted to be in Okemah this year as well, and up until just a week or so before the festival he was still planning and hoping to be. While we missed him terribly we took comfort in the hope he was giving his body and soul what they most needed during that time and that he could feel all the love going to him from Okemah.
Thank you, Buffalo for being such an integral part of WoodyFest but most of all for being you; the kindest person we have ever had the pleasure of sharing our stage with.
