40th Gathering
This collection features performances for the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 2025.
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Daddy's Rope
Kye spins a tale from the perspective of a rope. Kye Rieff recites "Daddy's Rope" during the "Thrown But Not Broken" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Kye Rieff
Sarcoxie, MO
Kye Rieff’s poetry provides an authentic look into the joy, humor, heartbreak, and hard...
Extras
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Class of '85 & That Other Guy
FEATURING: Hal Cannon, Ross Knox, Waddie Mitchell, Gail Steiger.
What’s better than friendship? Pardship, of course! And who knows what could happen when these old-school buckaroo bard pards take our stage to reminisce about the past 40 years through story, poetry, and song. (Hint: It’s going to...
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I Held You as a Pup
FEATURING: Adrian Brannan + Dick Gibford, Dave + Tris Munsick, Jessie + Gene Veeder.
Love has lasted a lifetime for these pairs. From the first moment they met, they were bound together. By blood or by love, there’s a special connection that forms between generations. One minute, one begins as a...
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The Ridge Running Roan
Ross tells a tale of regret with the ridge-running roan. Ross Knox recites "The Ridge Running Roan" during the "Nevada on My Mind" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Ross Knox
Sasabe, AZ
Ross first aspires to be a cowboy as a little boy, when he watched his fat... -
Trade Off
Pipp and Lloyd share a song written with Waddie about an Elko County Fair attendee.
Pipp and Lloyd share a song written with Waddie about an Elko County Fair attendee. Pipp Gillette and Lloyd Wright perform "Trade Off" during the "Cohorts & Collaborators" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry ...
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Life Advice
Gail sings a song of life advice straight from Waddie Mitchell. Gail Steiger performs "Life Advice" during the "Cohorts & Collaborators" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Gail Steiger
Prescott, AZ
Gail Steiger, foreman of the 50,000-acre Spider Ranch in Yavapai... -
The Last of the Lazy P Cows
Darrell shares a personal poem of loss. Darrell Holden recites "The Last of the Lazy P Cows" during the "Words With Heart" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Darrell Holden
Vernon, UT
Darrell Ekker Holden is a proud fifth-generation rancher and cowboy poet from... -
Bird Vision
Terry relates an adventure with a chicken. Terry Nash tells his story "Bird Vision" during the "Words With Heart" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Terry Nash
Loma, CO
Western Colorado beef producer and acclaimed poet Terry Nash knows how to draw you into his p... -
Gail Steiger: A Helluva Lot More than Poetry
FEATURING: Gail Steiger, Chief Phillip Whiteman Jr., James Shoshone, and Kristin Windbigler
From cow camps to the mainstage, cowboy poetry is a cherished oral tradition, uniting people from different walks of life. But why does cowboy poetry matter? Growing up surrounded by the rhythms of ranch ...
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Worthy of the Name
Sterling reflects on the qualities needed to be a cowboy. Sterling Drake sings "Worthy of the Name" during the "Be the Poem, Be the Song" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Sterling Drake
Philipsburg, MT
Songwriter Sterling Drake’s journey has taken him from the... -
Sunrise Side of the Sierra
Richard celebrates the beauty of the desert. Richard Elloyan sings "Sunrise Side of the Sierra" during the "Nevada on My Mind" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Richard Elloyan
Virginia City, NV
Singer, songwriter, and poet Richard Elloyan grew up in the histor... -
School Boys' Lament
R.P. laments that he and his boy never rode a horse to school. R.P. Smith recites "School Boys' Lament" during the "Bellyaches + Heartbreaks" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
R.P. Smith
Broken Bow, NE
R.P. Smith is the fourth generation of his family to have the privile... -
Charlotte S. Bigham Cow Kids Stampede 2025
FEATURING: Jessie Veeder
Jessie shares her love of ranching and all things cowboy and cowgirl. Jessie Veeder, along with her father Gene Veeder on guitar and harmonica, and Mike Enrud on dobro and guitar, entertain with song and story.
From the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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P...
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A Rope 'n' Tail
Jake explains why you need to know that there are always exceptions to the rule. Jake Riley performs "A Rope 'n' Tail" during the "Bellyaches + Heartbreaks" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Jake Riley
Riverdale, NE
Jake Riley grew up, for the most part, in the... -
My Wife Is Gonna Kill Me
Jarle shares some matrimonial advice. Jarle Kvale recites "My Wife Is Gonna Kill Me" during the "Bellyaches + Heartbreaks" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jarle Kvale
Dunseith, ND
Jarle Kvale turns his experiences with horses, rodeo, and North Dakota rural liv... -
Bottle of Memories
R.P. immortalizes grandma's memories. R.P. Smith recites "Bottle of Memories" during the "Rebel Rousers" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
R.P. Smith
Broken Bow, NE
R.P. Smith is the fourth generation of his family to have the privilege to care for a small par... -
The Battle of the Breadbasket
Jake describes an incident with a wad of chew. Jake Riley recites "The Battle of the Breadbasket" during the "Bellyaches + Heartaches" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Jake Riley
Riverdale, NE
Jake Riley grew up, for the most part, in the upper Arkansas Valley... -
Those Advertising Caps
Yvonne is known for her poetry and quilting, but she is also a creative recycler. Yvonne Hollenbeck entertains us with "Those Advertising Caps" during the "Bellyaches + Heartbreaks" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Yvonne Hollenbeck
Winner, SD
Yvonne Hollenbec... -
January Dawns
Annie shares her list of New Year's resolutions. Annie Mackenzie recites "January Dawns" during the "Rebel Rousers" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Annie Mackenzie
Jordan Valley, OR
Annie Mackenzie is a fourth-generation rancher and part-time cowboy poet. Sh... -
Lazarus
R.P. recounts a difficult calving with a wild heifer. R.P. Smith performs "Lazarus" during the "Bellyaches + Heartbreaks" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
R.P. Smith
Broken Bow, NE
R.P. Smith is the fourth generation of his family to have the privilege to care... -
Requiem in Lace
Pat shares bittersweet memories of a beloved grandmother. Patricia Frolander recites "Requiem in Lace" during the "Rebel Rousers" show at the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Patricia Frolander
Sundance, WY
Wyoming Poet Laureate Emeritus Patricia Frolander is author of aw... -
Bellyaches + Heartbreaks
FEATURING: Doug Figgs, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Jarle Kvale, Jake Riley, R.P. Smith.
Making a living in agriculture isn't for the faint of heart. Nor is it for the humorless. Some days the ups and downs happen with the intensity of a bucking bronc buzzed by a bee. To keep cool while the ranch tests yo...
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Rebel Rousers
Two ranch wives, a cowgirl and a cowboy walk into the Pioneer Saloon. . . . These four rebel rousers provide a look into life, from the absurd to the ridiculous with a pinch of reflection and reverence. Wyoming Poet Laureate Emeritus Patricia Frolander, Yvonne Hollenbeck aka the "Erma Bombeck" of...
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I Held You as a Pup
Love has lasted a lifetime for these pairs. From the first moment they met, they were bound together. By blood or by love, there’s a special connection that forms between generations. One minute, one begins as a mentor holding a baby. The next, that baby is holding them steady. The roles switch b...
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Be the Poem, Be the Song
Close out the 40th by gathering in the spirit of the Gathering’s essence, by gathering for the good and the true. Here, the creative possibilities are endless. The inspiration of everyday people is epic. The poetic expressions become a medium through which we envision, and enact, new possibilitie...
