Richard Twidwell has not lived in Laramie for over fifty years, but his Laramie childhood and teen years made such an impression on him that he has been moved to write an original song along with his good friend about the Gem City of the Plains. Click the YouTube link at the end of this article to listen to the full song.

“Sitting on the front porch looking at the lights, Gem City of The Plains like a diamond in the night, I might leave this place tomorrow, and drive down Laramie way, but I’ve done that too many times and I know I couldn’t stay.”

Laramie, an original song written by Richard Twidwell and Craig Kuchler

A 1963 Laramie High School Graduate, Twidwell explains how the inspiration for the song came from his teenage excursions. “With Laramie having not much for kids to do at that time, we got into a lot of trouble. One of the things we did was go rabbit hunting. We were doing that south of town once, and after we got a trunk full of bloody carcasses, we were headed back across the cattle guard… A rancher was sitting there, and we turned around and he chased us for a bit.”

Twidwell continues to describe how the group of kids drove until they rounded the bend to see the glittering lights of Laramie, a sight that has given the town it’s nickname. “I’ve heard of the Gem City of the Plaines since I was standing up in the truck seat beside my dad, every time we came into town he’d say that. And that was what I was thinking of when I decided to write this.”

“I’ll leave you where I lost you just inside the Buckhorn Bar, they’re more your kind of people there, I know that’s where you are.”

Laramie, an original song written by Richard Twidwell and Craig Kuchler

Craig Kuchler, Twidwell’s good friend, collaborated with him on the song to write the music and sing Twidwell’s lyrics. “I had to put the words to music, and I knew Craig was quite capable of that.” Kuchler lives in Arizona as well and has never had the chance to visit Laramie.

Remembering fond and funny memories about life in Laramie, Twidwell says, “We used to say ‘no better place in the world for two months out of the year, you just never know which two months and they were never consecutive…’ It makes you resilient and tough though, it makes the Flagstaff [Arizona] winters a piece of cake.”

“I know that I could be there in about an hours time, but it would open up those wounds again I’ve been trying to deny.”

Laramie, an original song written by Richard Twidwell and Craig Kuchler

Twidwell has lived in Flagstaff, Arizona for over 45 years, but he has been able to visit family in Laramie, watching the town grow and change. “When I grew up in Laramie, it was a different place than what you see now. It’s a kinder gentler place now.”

“Even though you’re calling, and Laramie’s on my mind, let’s leave Laramie as a memory I knew once upon a time.”

Laramie, an original song written by Richard Twidwell and Craig Kuchler

To listen to Twidwell and Kuchler’s full original song, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAMw6IUsD6k&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1xwOfyZ_tBYmHTPMQmB6Dcbg4ESD7awP4IPQWU6vay1H6C3_dfqFtY-6I