'Yellowstone' is the rage on red dirt of Expo Center arena
In Abilene, we have Yellowhouse Machinery.
We have yellow pickups cruising the streets in search of pests to pulverize.
Until recently, we had Local Yella, a cream ale.
But our connection to "Yellowstone," the popular Paramount series, otherwise is thin, though star Kevin Costner was in Abilene for the 10th anniversary of the Outlaws & Legends Music Festival.
Our connection ramped up this week, however.
On Wednesday, Joe Leathers of the 6666 Ranch near Guthrie spoke at the Agriculture Legacy Luncheon, part of this year's Texas Farm-Ranch-Wildlife Expo. The Four Sixes has made its way into the series streaming since 2018. Additionally, another spinoff focused on the sprawling Texas ranch is planned.
But first, there was the look-alike contest.
Not many folks, you might imagine, look exactly like the characters, though West Texans more so than a resident of southern California or Manhattan.
No one showed up at the Taylor Telecom Arena looking like John Dutton, the Montana rancher who owns one of the biggest operations in the Lower 48.
But four showed up looking strikingly similar to Beth, Lloyd, Kayce and Laramie.
If you've never seen the show, they are:
Beth Dutton, John's feisty daughter: She was portrayed Tuesday by Krista Hale.
Lloyd Pierce, the top ranch hand: Terry Davis.
Kayce Dutton, John's son: Carter Laramore.
Laramie, a barrel racer who has a fling with Lloyd: Elizabeth Pisarek.
None drew competition for their character, so everyone went home a winner. That's rarely the case on "Yellowstone."
Davis was born in Odessa, he said, a fair distance from Billings. He was at the farm and ranch show with his high school sweetheart - they've recently re-connected, he said, and live here now.
He's a big "Yellowstone" fan, having watched every episode and the prequel "1887" and followup "1923" spinoffs. Why does he like it so much?
"I think it's about keeping the land and how it used to be," he said. "Keeping the beauty of it and not letting the cities take it over. They fight for their land.
"We really love it."
Davis said his favorite characters on the show are Kaycee and Rip, a ranch hand who has a fondness for Beth.
Davis has a bit of a connection to the show, specifically to Ryan Bingham, who plays a former prisoner and now ranch hand Walker,
"I grew up with his dad and his uncle in Hobbs, New Mexico," he said. "I've never met him but I know his uncle and brother."
It was the encouragement of Shannel Anderson of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce that drew Davis on Tuesday. She told him that he looked like Lloyd and he won, hands down.
"She kinda roped me into it," he said.
There is a lot of that in "Yellowstone."
Nearby "Lloyd" were two more winners, Laramore and Pisarek.
While their characters aren't a couple in the show, they are, engaged to be married next month.
With his hair falling out of his cowboy hat and facial hair, Laramore is a good Kayce. And tall, too, at 6-foot-5.
Pisarek is 5-10, she said. Taller in her boots.
"This is natural. This is just who we are," Laramore said. So, they didn't come to the Taylor Expo Center dressed to thrill "Yellowstone" fans.
Laramore is with Big Bend Consulting, a cybersecurity outfit that lists Gary Laramore as president.
"We're all about country and we're from the area, Lubbock and Abilene. This is just where it is," he said.
Both have watched all the episodes. The themes strike a chord with Laramore in particular.
"It's real. You don't have to worry about what message they're sending. They don't care about what political side. It's just how the world is," he said. "You don't get that in the shows today. It's all about the message the director is trying to push to you.
"'Yellowstone' is teaching you about a different way of life. A way that provides for all of us."
John Dutton has said as much in the show. A cattleman, he has little tolerance for vegans.
"I really do enjoy it," Pisarek said. "There are so many aspects of it. I can relate to the one that when mistakes happen, they own up to them. They use that for fuel and become better. The show is very straight-forward."
Why didn't they plan their wedding for the farm and ranch show?
"I would've if she'd let me," he said, smiling.
And then there's Hale, who pulls off a pretty good Beth, dressed head to toe in black. But, she admitted, lowering her voice, that she has yet to watch a full episode.
"I've never seen the show," said Hale, who is in hotel sales here. She did go to Outlaws and saw Costner.
"I've had over a hundred people tell me I look like Beth," she said.
How can she resist watching?
"I'm too cheap," she said, laughing. "Yellowstone" is not a network show, thus comes with a price.
But she has seen clips and admires Beth for ... being Beth.
"One of these days I'll watch it," she promised.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: 'Yellowstone' is the rage on red dirt of Expo Center arena
