National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Shows

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Shows

The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is a week-long festival of cowboy poetry, music, and art, rooted in tradition but focused on today’s rural West. It began in 1985 as a time and place where western ranchers and cowboys could gather to share poems about their lives working cattle. Three decades later, the Gathering encompasses western poets, musicians, artisans, and storytellers, sharing their creativity across the country, telling their stories of hard work, heartbreak, and hilarity, and what it means to make your way in the rangeland West.

The 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering will take place Jan. 30-Feb. 4, 2023, in Elko, NV. Tickets go on sale to Western Folklife Center members Sept. 6, 2022. More information: https://www.nationalcowboypoetrygathering.org/

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National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Shows
  • Both Feet on the Ground

    FEATURING: Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Andy Hedges, Ismay, Lara Manzanares.

    Bask in an evening of well-grounded vibrations. Texas folkster Andy Hedges and living legend Ramblin' Jack Elliott may have an eye toward the sky, but their songs land right here on earth. Ismay's music explores the connectio...

  • Highlights of the Open Mic

    FEATURING: Floyd Beard, John Doran, Meghan Doran, Sariah Knight, Larry Maurice, Philip Page.

    For the second year, the G Three stage hosts a handful of poets and musicians who have graced the open mic stages during the week. Selected by audience feedback, these wordslingers and tunesmiths--amateu...

  • Gimme Open Roads & Fresh Air

    FEATURING: Tish Hinojosa, Carolyn Martin's Swing Band, Halladay + Rob Quist, Olivia Romo.

    This is a journey through the Great American West you won't want to miss! The tour bus is outfitted with a sassy and classy crew, fueled by a high octane mix of music and poetry, and headed to western place...

  • Songs for a New West

    FEATURING: Margo Cilker, Ismay, Carin Mari

    Three acts share original music from the heart of a new generation. Washinton's wanderer Margo Cilker, Northern California's contemplative Ismay and Colorado's passionate Carin Marin bring fresh sounds to the G Three Theater. It's an adventure and stori...

  • Wish Upon a Western Star

    FEATURING: Margo Cilker, Michael Martin Murphey, Dave Stamey.

    These singer-songwriters share old and new songs of the West. Three artists share the stories and life that inspired their songs. Margo Cilker shares her experiences from the West Coast, Michael Martin Murphey tells tales from his chi...

  • A Consternation of Critters

    FEATURING: Maria Lisa Eastman, Dick Gibford, DW Groethe, Brenn Hill, Joel Nelson.

    A cowboy's life is all about critters. Four-legged, six-legged, even eight-legged (for all your arachnophobes out there) and they're all out to get ya and show you who's really in charge. Ride along with us as poet...

  • Horse Tails

    Featuring: Mike Beck with Flapjack, Juni Fisher, Dick Gibford, Gail Steiger.

    There's just something about horses. And the rhyming, singing caballeros and caballeras that they inspire. Mike Beck wields skill with horses off-stage and songs on-stage, fronting with his new folk rock band Flapjack. ...

  • Back in Elko Town

    FEATURING:
    Patricia Frolander, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Jessie Veeder.

    As self-proclaimed "ranch wives," Wyoming wordsmith Patricia Frolander, and South Dakotan verse-spinner Yvonne Hollenbeck are no strangers to a challenge. Nor is North Dakotan singer-songwriter Jessie Veeder -- she doesn't just sin...

  • Muses Don't Need No Stinkin' GPS

    FEATURING: 3hattrio, Mike Beck, Rob and Halladay Quist, Paul Zarzyski.

    Stories and songs float on the wind, and those anointed by Muses hear them, translate the words and music, and offer them back to us. This magical night features: songs from horseman, guitar wizard and storyteller Mike Beck; ...

  • The Western Trail

    FEATURING: Andy Hedges, Waddie Mitchell, Michael Martin Murphey.

    You know of the Ol' Chisholm Trail, but do you know of the younger, longer, parallel trail that was the backdrop for the epic "Lonesome Dove?" At the tailend of the cattle drive era, herds drove up The "Great" Western Trail from Te...

  • Ride + Write 'em Pretty

    FEATURING: Ned LeDoux, Corb Lund, Rob and Halladay Quist, Paul Zarzyski.

    There are skills that good riders acquire over years of being a-horseback, but the best riders also develop a sixth sense that enables them to communicate with the horse. So when they ride 'em pretty, there's poetry in moti...

  • Bridging the 49th

    FEATURING: Jamie Fox, Corb Lund, Sid Marty with Denise Withnell and David Wilkie, Ian Tyson, Colter Wall.

    A border by cartography standards, the 49th parallel north distinguishes Canada from the United States. On maps, anyway. But, try telling these musicians that as they sing themselves from si...

  • A Cavvy of Horse Poems + Songs

    FEATURING: Mike Beck, Daron Little, Shadd Piehl, Forrest VanTuyl.

    Explore the connection between people and horses in poetry and song. Three singer songwriters and a poet share their love, frustrations, and work experiences with horses.

    Hosted by Annie Hatch.

    From the 35th National Cowboy Poet...

  • Ranch Knowledge + Ingenuity

    FEATURING: Yvonne Hollenbeck, The Munsick Boys, Jonathan Odermann, Jack Sammon.

    Sit back and enjoy poetry and songs by those who make their living on the land. Yvonne Hollenbeck's wit and creative thinking will have you gasping for breath with laughter, Jonathan Odermann's poetry will take you...

  • Home

    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...

  • Cowboy Classics

    FEATURING: Randy Rieman, Jay Snider, Michael Stevens.

    Fortify yourself with a healthy dose of tradition! Expert reciter, traveling horseman, and Montana legend Randy Rieman infuses vitality, inflection, and life into the cowboy poetry canon. Master poet Jay Snider shares his Oklahoma wisdom, ref...

  • Tribute to Don Edwards

    FEATURING: Dom Flemons, Pipp Gillette, Andy Hedges, R.W. Hampton, Brenn Hill, Hot Club of Cowtown, Elana James, Waddie Mitchell, Joel Nelson, Lauren Padgett, Randy Rieman, Dave Stamey, Denise Withnell, Lloyd Wright.

    With more than 55 years of crooning, yipping, and picking under his belt, the l...

  • Ian Tyson Tribute

    FEATURING: Mike Beck, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, R.W. Hampton, Brenn Hill, Ross Knox, Shandee Layne, Corb Lund, Gary McMahan, Michael Martin Murphey, Dave Stamey, Dave Wilkie + Denise Withnell, Paul Zarzyski.

    A full show honoring The Legendary Ian Tyson. Celebrate Ian's return to Elko with a show of...

  • The Real Deal

    FEATURING: Juni Fisher, Pipp Gillette, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Waddie Mitchell.

    These seasoned performers take you on a journey through original and classic poetry, original songs, and childhood memories to aging with wild abandon.

    Hosted by Kristin Windbigler.

    From the 2022 Wild Ride.

    .....

    PLAY...

  • The New Wave

    FEATURING: Brenn Hill, Brigid & Johnny Reedy, Matt Robertson, Trinity Seely.

    A balance of up-and-coming and solidly established, this wave of western musicians hits the sagebrush sea with rich musical expressions that stay true to their roots while adding some new flair.

    From “The New Wave” eve...

  • Straight Chutin' Champions

    FEATURING: Henry Real Bird, Cat Clifford, Miko Marks, Paul Zarzyski

    These rodeo pros steer an evening of entertainment from the chute to the dirt, bringing you stories, poems and music from far-flung arenas and the roads in between.

    Hosted by Debbie Fant.

    From the 36th National Cowboy Poetry ...

  • Ranch Family Show 2020

    FEATURING: The Munsick Boys, Brigid + Johnny + John Reedy, Jessie + Gene Veeder

    Celebrate family ranching and family music-making with these three father-led family units. It's a show of shared experience, shared genes, and shared songs. Four-man Wyoming operation The Munsick Boys bring fiddling...

  • Cowboy Caffeine, Extra Strong

    FEATURING: R.W. Hampton, Ned LeDoux, Trinity Seely.

    What does it take to be a cowboy? These songsters will tell you. Pour a cup of coffee, sit back, and listen to these songs of strength. Get a nice buzz with cowpuncher entertainer R.W. Hampton, sagebrush storyteller Ned LeDoux, and cowgirl cha...

  • Lesson Poems, Songs & Stories

    FEATURING: Dylan Clough, Tom Swearingen, Jessie Veeder.

    Do you learn lessons easily or do you ascribe to the "School of Hard Knocks?" This show takes you on a thoughtful ride through lessons that were learned in life, love, and friendship. This trio of performers will wow you with their talent...