Waddie Mitchell
Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the cowboy way of entertaining as a boy on the Nevada ranches where his father worked. The art of spinning tales in rhyme and meter about a rich lifestyle of pushing cows and living off the land came to be called cowboy poetry. Waddie recites the older classics as well as his own works, eloquently expressing moments grand and common, humorous and tragic. In 1985, Waddie helped organize Elko’s first Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Waddie has been inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame and has received the Nevada Heritage Award from the Nevada Arts Council. In 2017, he released "Cohorts & Collaborators," an album featuring nine top western artists who have co-written songs with Waddie. He keeps busy writing, publishing, and recording.
Photo by Bob Kisken
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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.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Jiggs, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the cowboy way of entertaining as a boy on t... -
A Conversation with Jeremiah Watt
Master saddlemaker Jeremiah Watt discusses his process and the intricate details of his craft with cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell. An internationally-recognized master saddlemaker, silverworker, bitmaker, and spurmaker, Watt designed and created every detail of this custom saddle in his Coalinga, Ca...
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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.
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PLAY...
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Poetry, Song, and Beyond
FEATURING: Corb Lund, Waddie Mitchell, Michael Martin Murphey + the Rio Grande Band,.
What happens when you combine a talented Texan, an accomplished Albertan and a novel Nevadan on stage? A stellar show you don't want to miss. Michael Martin Murphey + the Rio Grande Band's cosmic cowboy sound w...
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Anchoring the Tradition
FEATURING: Waddie Mitchell, Marinna Mori, Trinity Seely.
Two penmasters who were born to the ranching life open the gate to a herd of words. The inimitable Waddie Mitchell, a Gathering founder, pairs perspectives with singer, songwriter, and ranchwoman Trinity Seely. This show pairs the promise...
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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.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the cowboy way of enter... -
The Cowboy's Dream
Waddie will sleep easier knowing you’ve heard a Kiskaddon poem today. Waddie Mitchell recites "The Cowboy's Dream" by Bruce Kiskaddon during "That Seventies Show" at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the ... -
Sierry Petes
Waddie does a half-true classic every cowboy knows about tying knots in the devil’s tail. Waddie Mitchell recites "Sierry Petes" by Gail I. Gardner during "The Western Trail" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was... -
When They've Finished Shipping Cattle in the Fall
Waddie eases rhythmically into this reverie on memories brought on by autumn's turn. Waddie Mitchell recites "When They've Finished Shipping Cattle in the Fall" by Bruce Kiskaddon during the "From the Front Porch" show at the 30th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Waddie Mitche... -
Experience of Life
Waddie shares some sage advice. Waddie Mitchell recites "Experience of Life" during "Poetry, Song, and Beyond" at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Jiggs, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the cowboy way of entertaining as a boy on the Nevada ranches w... -
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.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the... -
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.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitc...
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The Old Night Hawk
Waddie relates the musings of a man charged with the string beneath the morning star. Waddie Mitchell recites "The Old Night Hawk" by Bruce Kiskaddon during "The Western Trail" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell w... -
Bronco Twister's Prayer
Waddie and Lloyd bring a graceful interpretation to this Kiskaddon classic. Waddie Mitchell and Lloyd Wright perform "The Bronco Twister's Prayer" by Bruce Kiskaddon during the "Cowboy Stew" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
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Bet at the Bar
Waddie explains why sometimes you just can't win. Waddie Mitchell performs "Bet at the Bar" during "The Real Deal" show from "The Wild Ride" 2022.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NVWaddie Mitchell was immersed in the cowboy way of entertaining as a boy on the Nevada ranches whe...
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The Walking Man
Waddie finds the mood in Knibbs' "The Walking Man" with this compelling recitation. Waddie Mitchell recites "The Walking Man" during the "Anchoring the Tradition" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed i... -
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.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immers... -
Blood, Sweat, and Steers
Sage advice from our pard Waddie, "It ain't always smart to offer aid to situations you ain't made." Waddie Mitchell recites, "Blood, Sweat, and Steers" during the "Laugh Kills Lonesome" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie ... -
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.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was imme... -
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.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the cowboy way...
