Living legend Ramblin' Jack has an eye toward the sky, but this song lands here on earth. Ramblin' Jack Elliott, with Mike Beck and Andy Hedges, performs "Buffalo Skinners" during the "Both Feet on the Ground" show during the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Mike Beck
Manhattan, MT
Mike Beck is a professional musician and working cowboy whose songs reflect his experiences in California, Oregon, Montana, and Nevada. Born and raised in Monterey County, California, he studied with legendary horseman Bill Dorrance and now travels the United States and Europe conducting horsemanship clinics and making music. Mike’s mellow sound combines real cowboy experience with a unique blend of western, rock, and Americana styles.

Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Marshall, CA
Ramblin’ Jack Elliott chose the cowboy way at the age of 14, trading life at home for one on the rodeo circuit. His rough-edged enthusiasm and musical instinct drew the attention of his avowed idol Woody Guthrie, initiating an invaluable, lifelong association. Jack was a good friend of Johnny Cash and inspired the likes of Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger. His love for a good song is equaled only by an abiding respect for his fellow man and a profound contempt for injustice. Ramblin’ Jack has been part of the Gathering for a long time, and he’s been a major influence on many Gathering artists and audience members. This National Medal of Arts recipient and two-time Grammy winner is a truly unique American treasure.

Andy Hedges
Lubbock, TX
Andy Hedges is a songster, reciter, storyteller, guitarist, and collector of cowboy songs and poems. The son of an Italian schoolteacher and a rodeo-cowboy-turned-preacher, Andy grew up in the small community of Tokio, Texas, where his family paid rent on an old farmhouse by looking after a few head of cattle. It was there that Andy fell in love with traditional music by listening to his father’s cassettes of cowboy songs. Andy’s vast and varied repertoire includes classic cowboy poetry recitations, obscure cowboy songs, Dust Bowl ballads, and blues. His podcast, Cowboy Crossroads, features in-depth interviews with fellow musicians and poets. Andy has performed many times with folk legend Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and the duo’s performance at the 60th Newport Folk Festival was named one of the “10 Best Things We Saw” by Rolling Stone.

"Buffalo Skinners" words + music by Bob Dylan

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Filmed in front of a live audience at the Western Folklife Center’s G Three Theater in Elko, NV on Feb. 4, 2023.

Made possible by the multitude of staff, artists, volunteers, and community members working behind the scenes to make this show happen.

Brought to you by the Western Folklife Center, using story and cultural expression to connect the American West to the world.
www.westernfolklife.org

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