Life in the West
From North Dakota to Louisiana to California and everywhere in between, life in the American West is rich and multifaceted. These songs celebrate a diversity of perspectives on what it means to be a Westerner.
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Nothing's Forever
Jessie sings about returning to the family ranch to raise her family. Jessie Veeder performs "Nothing's Forever" during the "Ranch Family Show" at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Jessie Veeder
Watford City, ND
Jessie Veeder writes and sings about the Badlands of west... -
It Ain't Easy
We often give more value to the things in our lives that don't come easy. Jessie Veeder sings "It Ain't Easy" during the "Lesson Poems, Songs + Stories" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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essie Veeder
Watford City, ND
Jessie Veeder writes and sings about the bad... -
Suits Me Fine
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... -
Lights of Town
Matt shares a song about how the landscape of the American West is changing. Matt Robertson and Gail Steiger perform "Lights of Town" during the "Ranch Family Show" at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Matt Robertson
Prescott, AZ
Raised in Wheatland, Wyoming, Matt Rob... -
Yonder Mountain
Forrest shares a song that reflects the landscape and moves in a horse-like way. Forrest VanTuyl performs "Yonder Mountain" during the "New Visions" show at the 2022 Wild Ride.
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Forrest VanTuyl
Enterprise, OR
Forrest VanTuyl paid for his songwriting and wandering addiction with ... -
Cowboy Life
Ned shares a song his father helped him write. Ned LeDoux performs "Cowboy Life" during the "Cowboy Caffeine, Extra Strong" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Ned LeDoux
Northeastern KS
Ned LeDoux is a musician and the son of singer-songwriter and rodeo icon Chr... -
Western Swing + Waltzes
Colter sings a punchy tune about western life in his corner of the world. Colter Wall performs "Western Swing + Waltzes" during the "Bridging the 49th" show during the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Colter Wall
Swift Current, SK, Canada
After two years of relentless tou... -
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.
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Jessie Veeder
Watford City, ND
Jessie Veeder writes and sings about the Badlands of w... -
Ol' Nevada
Hunter sings about Nevada from his point of view. Hunter Ostler performs his song, "Ol' Nevada" during the "New Visions" show at the 2022 Wild Ride.
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Hunter Ostler sings about Nevada from his point of view.
Hunter Ostler
Battle Mountain, NV
Hunter comes from a family farm in rura... -
Low Maintenance Girl
Trinity says her husband thought he was marrying a low maintenance girl, but horses and all the gear are very expensive. Trinity Seely performs, "Low Maintenance Girl" during the "Cowboy Caffeine, Extra Strong" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Trinity Seely
Oj... -
Old Poly Rope
Trinity shares a true cowboy love song and the difference between "complete" and "finish." Trinity Seely performs "Old Poly Rope" accompanied by Butch Hause during the "Anchoring the Tradition" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Butch Hause
Berthoud, CO
In addi... -
Comfortable Shoes
Dave defends his life-changing choice not to wear cowboy boots. Dave Stamey performs "Comfortable Shoes" during the "Laugh Kills Lonesome" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Dave Stamey
Orange Cove, CA
Dave Stamey has made it his life's work to celebrate the ru... -
I Eat Meat
DW wrote this catchy jingle for all you "red, dead moo" lovers out there. DW Groethe performs "I Eat Meat" during "That Seventies Show" at the 36th 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 t... -
Long Johns On
Andy keeps it clean with this all-good song. Andy Hedges performs "Long Johns On" during the "The Western Trail" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Andy Hedges
Lubbock, TX
Andy Hedges is a songster, reciter, storyteller, guitarist, and collector of cowboy songs... -
Ridin' the Highline
Rob & Halladay do-ba-di-do their way down Highway 2. Rob & Halladay Quist perform "Ridin' the Highline" during the "Family Ties" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Rob & Halladay Quist
Kalispell, MT
Rob & Halladay Quist are a father/daughter musical duo from M... -
Environmental Muscle Truck
Brigid all but duckwalks as she trucks through this ranch rocker about a '57 Chevy pickup. Brigid Reedy performs "Environmental Muscle Truck" during the "Family Ties" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Brigid Reedy
Whitehall, MT
Featured at the Gathering for he... -
Bee de la Manche
Geno and the guys get your blood pumping with a lively creole number. Geno Delafose + French Rockin' Boogie perform "Bee de la Manche" during the "Battle of the Bands" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie
Eunice, LA
Geno Dela... -
Louis Riel Reel
Jamie's fiddle comes alive with the bold spirit of this now-classic Métis tune. Jamie Fox & Philip Aaberg perform "Louis Riel Reel" during the "Bridging the 49th" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Jamie Fox
Harlem, MT
Jamie Fox is a fiddler of the Métis tradit... -
K-Pop Dream Boy
The Martin Sisters entreat their teen idol to propose by presenting grandma with cows-in-disguise. Dachuneeh and Tewakeedah Martin perform "K-Pop Dream Boy" during the 37th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering "Rodear Year."
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The Martin Sisters
Montezuma Creek, UT
Sisters Tewakeed... -
High in Wyoming (160 Horses)
Forrest ain't scared of finding rhymes somewhere high in Wyoming. An American Forrest performs "High in Wyoming (160 Horses)" during the "Blazing Trails" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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An American Forrest
Goldendale, WA
Forrest VanTuyl paid for his songwrit... -
Some People Do
Ned and his guitar get to the heart of the middle of nowhere. Ned LeDoux performs "Some People Do" during the "Chronicling the West" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Ned LeDoux
Northeastern KS
Ned LeDoux is a musician and the son of singer-songwriter and rod... -
Makin' Merry with John Perry on the Old Bar Cross
Ramblin' Jack turns some phrase in a true tale of Barlow, the crossover Bar Cross cow boss. Ramblin' Jack Elliott performs "Makin' Merry with John Perry on the Old Bar Cross" with Andy Hedges during the "Ramblin' Jack Elliott" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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