Jake tells one of those first-person sidesplitters that’s only funny after the fact. In fact, it’s “almost entirely true”—happened to him in Farmington, New Mexico, in 2000. Jake Riley performs his poem "Sheep Camp" during the "Better Part of Living" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gather...

Waddie remembers a cowboy who influenced his youth and beyond. Waddie Mitchell recites "Shorty" during the "Paying Tribute" show at the 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Waddie Mitchell
Jiggs, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the cowboy way of entertaining as a boy on t...

Brigid and Johnny entertain with a song first recorded in 1917. Brigid and Johnny perform "Tiger Rag" during the "Ranch Family Show" at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Brigid and Johnny Reedy
Whitehall, MT
Brigid Reedy first entertained Elko crowds by yodeling at th...

Sam Platts and the Plainsmen share a song about a real character of a cattle hauler. They perform "Buster" during "The Real Deal" show from "The Wild Ride" in 2022.

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Sam Platts and the Plainsmen is an energetic Americana band from Montana, focused on bringing traditional country...

The Munsick Boys perform a song written by Tris Munsick. The Munsick Boys sing "Santa Ana Wind" by Tris Munsick during the "Ranch Truck Radio Show" at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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The Munsick Boys
Dayton, WY
The Munsick Boys (Dave, Sam, and Tris) have a natural a...

Lara tells the history of a Spaniard who brought settlers into New Mexico via Mexico. Lara Manzanares performs "The Big Man (Veritas Atrox)" during the "Both Feet on the Ground" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Lara Manzanares
Tierra Amarilla, NM
Lara Manzanare...

Annie learns a lesson from Georgie Sicking. Annie Mackenzie recites "To Be a Top Hand" by Georgie Sicking during the "Paying Tribute" show at the 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Annie Mackenzie
Jordan Valley, OR
While known as the family rambler, Annie Mackenzie has her ...

Bill expounds upon life in the Badlands. Bill Lowman recites "Second Cutting" during the "Wild Abandon" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Bill Lowman
Sentinel Butte, ND
Bill Lowman, a multi-talented visual, literary, and performing artist, is a charter member o...

Hot Club of Cowtown performs "Farr Away Blues" during the "Stay a Little Longer" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Hot Club of Cowtown
Austin, TX
Hot Club of Cowtown has been stunning audiences worldwide for over 20 years. Their trademark blend of hot jazz, we...

Yvonne shares an "affectionate" little poem. Yvonne Hollenbeck recites "My Daughter-In-Law" during the "Wild Abandon" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Yvonne Hollenbeck
Clearfield, SD
Yvonne Hollenbeck is a South Dakota cattleman’s wife who writes poetry about...

Brenn does an ode to cowgirls, and to his friend, mentor, champion, and personal hero, Ian Tyson. Brenn Hill covers "Barrel Racing Angel" during the "Ian Tyson Tribute" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Brenn Hill
Hooper, UT
Brenn Hill is a singer/songwriter w...

Andy recites a Larry McWhorter piece—one of our all-time favorite poems with a lesson. Andy performs "The Red Cow" during the "Words Growing Wild in the West" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Andy Hedges
Lubbock, TX
Andy Hedges is a songster, reciter, storyte...

Kristyn shares a song about married life in 400 square feet. Kristyn Harris performs "Suits Me Fine" during the "Rosin the Bow" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Kristyn Harris
Burleson, TX
Kristyn Harris is a multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, and enterta...

Gary Haleamau + Kāwili perform "Killa Killa Narafrader" on location during the 37th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering "Rodear Year."

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Gary Haleamau & Kāwili
Las Vegas, NV
Gary Kawiliau Haleamau of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, began his musical career at age 12; first as a solo artist ...

Wylie and crew keep it lean and mean with a working man's song about bucking bales. Wylie & the Wild West perform "200 Tons To Go" during the "Battle of the Bands" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Wylie Gustafson
Conrad, MT
Singer, songwriter, rancher, horsem...

DW describes a confounded funeral experience. DW Groethe performs "The Funeral" during "That Seventies Show" at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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DW Groethe
Bainville, MT
DW Groethe is the son of a son of pioneers. He was born and raised in the west of Dakota and has l...

Pipp and Lloyd joke and sing about the foolhardiness of the best-laid plans, with the help of lyrics penned by Waddie Mitchell. Pipp Gillette and Lloyd Wright perform "Grandpa" during the "Cowboy Stew" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Pipp Gillette
Crockett,...

Dick shares a classic horse poem. Dick Gibford recites "That Little Blue Roan" by Bruce Kiskaddon during the "Horse Tails" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Dick Gibford
New Cuyama, CA
Dick Gibford was raised on a small cow outfit on the central coast of Califo...

Patricia memorializes Rodney Nelson. Patricia Frolander shares "Tall Grass Lonesome, in Memory of Rod Nelson" during the "Back in Elko Town" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Patricia Frolander
Sundance, WY
Patricia Frolander, Wyoming's fifth Poet Laureate, live...

Dom does his rendition of a classic cowboy misfortune ballad penned by collector Jack Thorp. Dom Flemons performs "Little Joe the Wrangler" during the "Tribute to Don Edwards" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Dom Flemons
Naperville, IL
Dom Flemons is an award...

Juni sings a song from the perspective of the horse. There is special magic when the horse and rider become one. Juni Fisher performs "Listen" during the "The Real Deal" show as part of the 2022 Wild Ride.

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Juni Fisher
Strathmore, CA
Juni played music with her sisters as a child, formed a...

FEATURING: Maria Lisa Eastman, John Dofflemyer, Carolyn Dufurrena

Three poets, who live on ranches in sparsely populated areas, read their poems about life, people, critters, and living in remote areas of the West. Sit back as they introduce you to their lives.

From the 36th National Cowboy Poe...

FEATURING: John Dofflemyer

Filmed on location, John shares his verse, his heart, and his land. Take a journey with John Dofflemyer on his California ranch where he finds inspiration. He writes with the spirit of place, with love and humility. John is the poet and the poem.

From the 37th Nationa...

Deanna shares a poem about living in a cow camp. Deanna Dickinson McCall recites "His Queen" during the "Ranch Family Show" at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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Deanna Dickinson McCall
Piñon, NM
Deanna Dickinson McCall writes about both the past and current-day West. C...