The New Classics
Written during the poetry renaissance ignited by the first Gathering, these are the new classics.
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Shorty
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... -
He Talked About Montana
A gem from the Grand Dame of cowboy poetry. Elizabeth Ebert recites "He Talked About Montana" at the 10th Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the web at arts.gov.
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Elizabeth Ebert
Thunder Hawk, SD
Elizabeth Eb... -
Anthem
Buck's renowned epic prologue is a moving, soul-stirring anthem to the good and the true. Buck Ramsey performs his "Anthem" at the 7th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the web at arts.gov.
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Buck Ram...
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The Horse Trade
Sunny deadpans a yarn about trying to come out on top a booger of a deal. Sunny Hancock performs "The Horse Trade" at the 5th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the web at arts.gov.
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Sunny Hancock was b... -
A Cowboyin' Day
Gary rolls through this rundown without a hitch, but with plenty of savvy. Gary McMahan performs "A Cowboyin' Day" during "An Evening of Cowboy Poetry, Music and Entertainment" at the 5th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts....
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What Will I Tell Him
Waddie gives advice to his eldest son. Waddie Mitchell performs, "What Will I Tell Him" during the "Cowboy Jubilee" show at the 10th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the web at arts.gov.
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Waddie Mitc...
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The Man From Snowy River
Carol gives life to her local lore with this delivery of a famous Australian bush ballad. Carol Heuchan recites "The Man From Snowy River" by Banjo Paterson during the "Classic Poetry" show at the 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Carol Heuchan
Cooranbong, NSW, Australia... -
Reincarnation
Wally ponders the big questions with serious cowboy philosophy in one of his most well-known poems. Wallace McRae performs his "Reincarnation" during the "Montana Poets" session at the first Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 1985 (in 2000, the event was renamed the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering by an...
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The Vegetarian's Nightmare (or A Dissertation on Plants' Rights)
Baxter puts forth his notorious piece on plants' rights. Baxter Black performs "The Vegetarian's Nightmare (or A Dissertation on Plants' Rights)" during the first evening "concert" at the first Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 1985 (in 2000, the event was renamed the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering by...
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Words Growing Wild in the Woods
Paul rollicks through a formative day in the woods with characteristically wild wordplay. Paul Zarzyski performs his "Words Growing Wild in the Woods" during the "Paul Zarzyski" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Paul Zarzyski
Great Falls, MT
Paul Zarzyski, vet... -
A Colt .45 and a Chili Queen
Drum tells a hilarious tale of self reliance gone wrong...or maybe right.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the web at arts.gov.
Drum Hadley recites "A Colt .45 and a Chili Queen" during the very first Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 1985. Drum was a longt...
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The Red Cow
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... -
Anthem
Joel shares a poem written by the poet and singer Buck Ramsey. Joel Nelson recites "Anthem" during the "Texas Poets" show at the 10th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the web at arts.gov.
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Joel Nels...
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The Sounds a Cowboy Hears
Waddie takes you on an auditory tour of a cowboy’s life. Waddie Mitchell performs his "The Sounds a Cowboy Hears" during the "Cowboy Stew" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the cowboy way of enter... -
Bucking Horse Moon
Paul weaves a rodeo romance in this original poem (that also spawned a song of the same name). Paul Zarzyski performs "Bucking Horse Moon" during the "Straight Chutin' Champions" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Paul Zarzyski
Great Falls, MT
Paul Zarzyski, v... -
For Woody
There are horses who live large in our memories and for some we have to make the decision to end their suffering. Waddie Mitchell shares this moving poem, "For Woody" during the "Real Deal" show from the 2022 Wild Ride.
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Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was imme... -
Old Folks Rodeo
Yvonne says she saw some things at a Senior Pro Rodeo in Burwell, Nebraska. Yvonne shares her "Old Folks Rodeo" during the "I Just Wanna Be a Comic Cowboy" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Yvonne Hollenbeck
Clearfield, SD
Yvonne Hollenbeck is a South Dakota c... -
Legacy of a Rodeo Man
Baxter with a long one 'for the boys in the rodeo.' Baxter Black performs his "Legacy of a Rodeo Man" during the "Colorado Poets" session at the first Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 1985 (in 2000, the event was renamed the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering by an official act of Congress).
This projec...
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Evening Chat
Waddie speaks with the soothing words of a man to his horse at the close of a day. Waddie Mitchell recites his "Evening Chat" during the Keynote Address at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the cowboy way... -
Ol' Proc
Andy bandies words praising Proc's ways with stock, penned by Wally McRae. Andy Hedges recites "Ol' Proc" during the "Words Growing Wild in the West" at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Andy Hedges
Lubbock, TX
Andy Hedges is a songster, reciter, storyteller, guitaris... -
The Barn Cats
Vess reflects on milking cows, mewling barn cats, and money’s shortfalls. Vess Quinlan performs "The Barn Cats" during the "Words Growing Wild in the West" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Vess Quinlan
Florence, CO
Vess Quinlan began writing poetry and prose ... -
Belle of the Ball
Waddie has a humorous heartwarmer for anyone who’s lost patience with their dance cards. Waddie Mitchell performs "Belle of the Ball" during the "Elko Saturday Night" show at the 26th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immers... -
The Medicine Keepers
Randy does justice to J.B.’s tribute to words written by working hands. Randy Rieman recites "The Medicine Keepers" by J.B. Allen during the "Words Growing Wild in the West" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Randy Rieman
Cascade, MT
Randy Rieman has had a love... -
The Bra
Waddie tells a cautionary tale about underestimating an everyday garment. Waddie Mitchell recites "The Bra" by Bill Hirschi during the "Laugh Kills Lonesome" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the...
