Hollywood in Cowtown

'Yellowstone' stars hit the red carpet for season 5 premiere in Fort Worth Stockyards

On a chilly fall Sunday evening, the cast and crew of Yellowstone descended on Fort Worth for the hit Paramount TV show's long-awaited season 5 premiere.

Stars and supporters of both Yellowstone and its Fort Worth-shot prequel 1883 - including creator Taylor Sheridan and his wife, Nicole - hit the red carpet (okay, technically it was black) at the Fort Worth Stockyards' Hotel Drover before sitting down to a screening at the Downtown Cowtown at the Isis theater on Sunday, November 13.

The premiere-event was a homecoming for Sheridan, an honorary Fort Worthian who attended Pascal High School and lives on a ranch in Weatherford. It also preceded a day of shooting in the small North Texas town of Venus on Tuesday, November 15, WFAA reported.

Sheridan's Yellowstone chronicles the Dutton family of Montana, led by John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner), who controls the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the U.S. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds and hard-earned respect, the ranch is in constant conflict with those it borders: an expanding town, an Indian reservation and America’s first national park.

Although Yellowstone's biggest star, Costner, was not in Fort Worth for the premiere, other "Duttons" in attendance included Luke Grimes (Kayce Dutton), Kelsey Asbille (Monica Dutton), Brecken Merrill (Tate Dutton), and Kylie Rogers (young Beth Dutton).

After the screening, guests attended a reception at the Barn at the Hotel Drover, where they were met by a Texas Longhorn and three Drovers from the Fort Worth herd. The reception featured Yellowstone-themed “Blue Montana” and “Dutton Ranch” beverages as signature cocktails.

Country singer Hayes Carll entertained,and a unique “Shop the Scenes” experience allowed attendees to simulate living on the Yellowstone ranch.

Guests were able to wander virtual sets and shop authentic products from the shows. Other fun activities included a custom Wrangler Denim Jacket Station, custom luggage tags with “Yellowstone” signature “Y” branding, a 3D photo booth, a boot shiner and “Yellowstone 1883” Reserve wine tasting.

VIP attendees included cast and crew Gil Birmingham, Mo Brings Plenty, Wendy Moniz, Jefferson White, Ian Bohen, Denim Richards, Jen Landon, Piper Perabo, Hassie Harrison, John Emmet Tracy, Ethan Lee, Dawn Olivieri, Kai Caster, Kathryn Kelly, Kyle Silverstein, Eric and Sainty Nelson, Dave Annable, Jake Ream, Buck Taylor, Christian Wassana, and directors Stephen Kay and Christina Voros. Additional notable guests included Craig Cavileer, managing Partner of Stockyards Heritage Development Co. and Hotel Drover; Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Paramount Media Networks; David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios; and Jenny Wood, president of Bosque Ranch.

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images for Paramount

Taylor Sheridan and Nicole Sheridan at the Yellowstone season 5 premiere in Fort Worth.

The event was presented at the conclusion of the 16th annual Lone Star Film Festival, which screened a variety of narrative feature films, documentaries and short films at various destinations in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Two days earlier at the LSFF Gala, Sheridan had received the 2022 Larry McMurtry Award, the festival's highest honor.

The award, presented by the Lone Star Film Festival and the Fort Worth Film Commission, honors native Texans who have made great contributions to the film, television, and creative industries.

In 2023, Sheridan will receive the state's highest honor for achievement in the arts, a Texas Medal of Arts Award.

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Hot-to-trot party

Former Fort Worth mayor helps corral big bucks at New Hope Equine gala

Photo by Savanna Romano

Betsy Price, Scott Murray

As the sun set over expansive pastures north of Fort Worth, hundreds of city slickers headed up to the country, to Lucky Spur Ranch Retreat in Justin for the 2024 Hope Gala.

Benefiting New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy, the October 25 fundraising party went all in on the horse theme, offering guests "A Night at the Races."

About 220 attendees arrived donning Derby hats and fascinators, bowties, fedoras, and cowboy boots - it was on a ranch after all, and not Churchill Downs. They mingled and posed with New Hope horses, browsed an impressive array of silent auction items, tossed horseshoes at whiskey bottles, and wet their whistles at an open bar alfresco.

When the dinner bell rang, folks moseyed inside and filled up on a buffet of Southwestern favorites, including beef skirt steak, grilled chicken, street corn, and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. Nothing Bundt Cakes provided enough cake bites to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Master of ceremonies, former NBC5 sports anchor Scott Murray, welcomed guests and acknowledged New Hope leadership, including gala event chair Jason Hodson.

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Claire Messerle, Betsy Price, Katie MesserlePhoto by Savanna Romano

Moments later came a rousing "Howdy, y'all!" - the familiar greeting from former Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price, who served as the event's honorary chair. She underscored the importance of the organization's mission.

"New Hope isn't just a service, but it opens doors for those who think they don't have the strength, they don't have the courage or the connections to regain their sense of independence," she told the crowd.

Photo by Savanna Romano

Hope Gala honorary chair Betsy Price with emcee Scott Murray.

Since 2012, New Hope has been healing through therapeutic horsemanship for people of all ages with physical, intellectual, or developmental special needs. In 2022, they debuted the Natural Horsemanship program for veterans and first responders grappling with post-traumatic stress.

Funds raised at the gala support the “New Hope” that riders need for a better quality of life.

But the horses benefit, too. The majority of New Hope horses enjoy a second life with the organization; some were even on local kill lists.

"This is Texas, folks! We ride horses in Texas," Price concluded. "And every dollar that you give tonight or that you invest somewhere along the way will be doubled or tripled in the returns to these folks who need the therapy and the ones who work in the barns and help us."

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Guests bid in the live auction.Photo by Savanna Romano

Auctioneer Mike Trent got bidding going fast and furiously in a live auction for one-of-a-kind trips and experiences, including a vacation to Hilton Head (sold for $2,600), a dinner with several Dallas Cowboys legends (sold for $7,000), and a luxury suite concert experience at Dickies Arena (sold for more than $10,000).

In total, the gala raised $95,000 for New Hope programs.

"The annual cost to care for one horse runs about $6,000, so your generosity will help us care for our horses that provide vital therapy to our over 40 participants," organizers said afterwards.

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Champagne Yacht Club Band kept the dance floor lively.Photo by Savanna Romano

As some guests wandered outside to enjoy the fresh nighttime air, others got moving and grooving on the dance floor to the sounds of the Champagne Yacht Club Band.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night were New Hope patrons, staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters, including Hamilton Sneed, Jennifer Kiedrowski, Nicole Matwijiw, Jennifer Morris, Pat Fultz, Red Fultz, Devan Peplow, Kathleen Beisly, Emily Rogers-Hicks, Susan Altshuler, Lauren Cobb, Ashley Cox, Mikenley Johnson, Blake Johnson, Kathleen Alexander, Melissa Howard, Claire Messerle, Katie Messerle, Sharla Kershen, Dave Kershen, Jason Hodson, Aaron Sturman, Jennifer Kiedrowski, Neal Bondy, Paul Barstad, Melanie Barstad, Mark Powers, DeAnna Powers, Kim Martin, Darlene Jacobs, Jim Jacobs, Debbie Thayer, and hundreds more.