40th Gathering Featured Artists
Enjoy this collection of performances by the invited performers for the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, January 27 - February 1, 2025.
Poster artwork "Blowing Cold" (2024) watercolor by Don Weller
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La Julia
Lone Piñon, shares a light-hearted, old-fashioned satirical Northern New Mexican song (polka). "La Julia" was passed down through generations and the elders always laugh at this song.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Lone Piñon
Santa Fe & Albuquerque, NM
Lone Piñon is a New Mexican string band, or orquesta tí... -
The Butterfly
Darrell recounts a "true" story of his experience with a rattlesnake and a butterfly. Darrell Holden performs "The Butterfly" during the "Talking it All in Stride" show at the 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Darrell Holden is a proud fifth-generation rancher who raises c...
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Yellow Horse
Doug tells the story of a legendary horse in song. Doug Figgs performs "Yellow Horse" during the "Home Is Where the Horses Are" show at the 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Doug Figgs is an AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier, horseman, and western music singer-songwriter fr...
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Untitled Poem
Ross asks, "Are these new conditions better than the times that used to be?" Ross Knox recites his poem in this vintage video clip from the first Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV in 1985.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Ross Knox
Skull Valley, AZ
Ross Knox first aspired to be a cowboy as a little boy, when... -
The Brutal Boss
Dick laments working for this gol danged ranch boss. Dick Warwick recites "The Brutal Boss" from his barn.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Dick Warwick
Oakesdale, WA
Dick Warwick lives with his wife Sue on the old home place amid the rolling hills of the Palouse country of eastern Washington state. Together, ... -
Bragging
We either know or are someone like Jarle describes in this poem. Jarle Kvale recites "Bragging" during the "I Just Wanna Be a Comic Cowboy" at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT T HE ARTIST
Jarle Kvale
Dunseith, ND
Jarle turns his experiences with horses, rodeo, and North Dakota r... -
Spurs
Darrell describes a beloved family member through the history of a pair of spurs. Darrell Holden recites "Spurs" during the Juab Poetry Gathering in Nephi, Utah in 2024.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Darrell Holden
Vernon, UT
Darrell Holden is a proud fifth-generation rancher who raises cattle on Utah’s Wes... -
In Elko
Jonathan shares some rhyme over warm-hearted memories of Elko and a warm cup of cocoa. Jonathan Odermann performs "In Elko" during the 37th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering "Rodear Year."
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jonathan Odermann
Medora, ND
Jonathan Odermann is a third-generation rancher who raises ca... -
Night Riders Lament
Sterling sings and yodels a familiar cowboy song. Sterling Drake performs "Night Rider's Lament" with Thorleifur Gaukur Davidsson on harmonica.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Sterling Drake
Big Cypress, FL
Steeped in the traditions of roots music, songwriter Sterling Drake’s journey has taken him from the Bi... -
Slow Burn
Marleen dramatizes the "glamourous" life of a ranch wife. Marleen Bussma recites "Slow Burn" at her local library.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Marleen Bussma
Dammeron Valley, UT
As a young girl, long hours spent on horseback herding cattle stirred Marleen Bussma’s imagination and sparked a desire to emula... -
Max's Last Ride
Andy offers advice when scattering a friend's ashes. Andy Nelson recites "Max's Last Ride" from his ranch in Wyoming.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Andy Nelson
Pinedale, WY
Andy Nelson is an energetic and high-spirited cowboy poet and humorist from Pinedale, Wyoming. As a second-generation farrier raised in... -
Drifting Down to Elko Town
Dick and Adrian share the stage. Adrian Brannan sings "Drifting Down to Elko Town" while Dick Gibford recites "We Remain Buckaroo" during "The Long Ride" show at the 26th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Adrian Brannan
Ventura, CA
Adrian Brannan is a chart-topping singer-song... -
How Quick Could a Good Picker Pick
Ed demonstrates his blazing guitar licks and his understated Cree humor. Ed Peekeekoot performs a medley during the "Tuneful Troublemakers" show at the 29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Ed Peekeekoot
Crofton, BC, Canada
Multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and storyte... -
Fall Works Poem
Amy gives us a glimpse into her life on the land where love and hard work equal joy. Amy Hale performs "Fall Works Poem" during the "Family Ties" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Amy Hale
Prescott, AZ
Amy Hale is an award-winning author who lives and works on ... -
Spanish Is the Loving Tongue
Michael Martin Murphey plays this well-circulated song based on a Badger Clark poem. Michael Martin Murphey performs "Spanish is the Loving Tongue" during the "Ian Tyson Tribute" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Michael Martin Murphey
Walden, CO
Michael Mart... -
If You Were a Cowboy
Jessie premieres a song about the merits of being with a cowboy. Jessie Veeder performs "If You Were a Cowboy" during the "Back in Elko Town" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jessie Veeder
Watford City, ND
Jessie Veeder writes and sings about the Badlands of w... -
The Moonshine Steer
Gail schools us with a moral lesson about moonshine and bovines. Gail Steiger recites "The Moonshine Steer" by his grandfather Gail I. Gardner during the "After a Night on a Cowboy Town" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Gail Steiger
Prescott, AZ
Gail Steiger... -
Ornery Old Woman
Dave shares a tune about an older couple still in love. Dave Stamey performs "Ornery Old Woman" during the "Family, Friends + Community" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Dave Stamey
Orange Cove, CA
Dave Stamey has made it his life's work to celebrate the rural... -
Equilibrium, in Memory of Eric Levi Big Leggins
M.L. shares a memorial poem of grief. M.L. Smoker performs "Equilibrium, in Memory of Eric Levi Big Leggins" during the "Living Nations, Living Words" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
M.L. Smoker
Helena, MT
M.L. Smoker, a member of the Assiniboine and Sioux Nat... -
June
R.P. composes himself amidst the fracas as family foreman. Family togetherness, ranch style. R.P. performs "June" during the "I Just Wanna Be a Comic Cowboy" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
R.P. Smith
Broken Bow, NE
R.P. Smith is a fourth-generation rancher... -
From Force to Feel
Tom shares what colts taught him about the relationship of horse and rider. Tom Sharpe performs "From Force to Feel" during the "Opening Lines" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Tom Sharpe
Loma, CO
Born and raised in south central Colorado, Tom Sharpe grew up w... -
My Home's In Montana + Cattle Call
Trinity shares a medley of two familiar songs. Trinity Seely sings "My Home's In Montana" and "Cattle Call" during the "Cowboy Caffeine, Extra Strong" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Trinity Seely
Ojai, CA
Trinity Seely grew up in the heart of cow country in ... -
Roadrunner
Olivia shares a tale of a magical journey in the desert. Olivia Romo recites "Roadrunner: the Chosen Prophet," during the "Gimme Open Roads + Fresh Air" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Olivia Romo
Santa Fe, NM
Olivia Romo is a farmer, poet and water rights ac... -
Sins of Bucking Horses
Matt shares a song about the irresistible draw of a hump-backed bronc. Matt Robertson performs "Sins of Bucking Horses" during his solo show as part of the 2022 Wild Ride.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Matt Robertson
Okotoks, AB, Canada
Raised in Wheatland, Wyoming, Matt Robertson currently resides in Sout...
