40th Gathering Featured Artists

40th Gathering Featured Artists

Enjoy this collection of performances by the invited performers for the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, January 27 - February 1, 2025.

Poster artwork "Blowing Cold" (2024) watercolor by Don Weller

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40th Gathering Featured Artists
  • Sins of Bucking Horses

    Matt shares a song about the irresistible draw of a hump-backed bronc. Matt Robertson performs "Sins of Bucking Horses" during his solo show as part of the 2022 Wild Ride.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Matt Robertson
    Okotoks, AB, Canada
    Raised in Wheatland, Wyoming, Matt Robertson currently resides in Sout...

  • Sheep Camp

    Jake tells one of those first-person sidesplitters that’s only funny after the fact. In fact, it’s “almost entirely true”—happened to him in Farmington, New Mexico, in 2000. Jake Riley performs his poem "Sheep Camp" during the "Better Part of Living" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gather...

  • 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...

  • Tiger Rag

    Brigid and Johnny entertain with a song first recorded in 1917. Brigid and Johnny perform "Tiger Rag" during the "Ranch Family Show" at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTISTS

    Brigid and Johnny Reedy
    Whitehall, MT
    Brigid Reedy first entertained Elko crowds by yodeling at th...

  • Buster

    Sam Platts and the Plainsmen share a song about a real character of a cattle hauler. They perform "Buster" during "The Real Deal" show from "The Wild Ride" in 2022.

    ABOUT THE ARTISTS
    Sam Platts and the Plainsmen is an energetic Americana band from Montana, focused on bringing traditional country...

  • Santa Ana Wind

    The Munsick Boys perform a song written by Tris Munsick. The Munsick Boys sing "Santa Ana Wind" by Tris Munsick during the "Ranch Truck Radio Show" at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTISTS

    The Munsick Boys
    Dayton, WY
    The Munsick Boys (Dave, Sam, and Tris) have a natural a...

  • The Big Man (Veritas Atrox)

    Lara tells the history of a Spaniard who brought settlers into New Mexico via Mexico. Lara Manzanares performs "The Big Man (Veritas Atrox)" during the "Both Feet on the Ground" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST
    Lara Manzanares
    Tierra Amarilla, NM
    Lara Manzanare...

  • To Be a Top Hand

    Annie learns a lesson from Georgie Sicking. Annie Mackenzie recites "To Be a Top Hand" by Georgie Sicking during the "Paying Tribute" show at the 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Annie Mackenzie
    Jordan Valley, OR
    While known as the family rambler, Annie Mackenzie has her ...

  • Second Cutting

    Bill expounds upon life in the Badlands. Bill Lowman recites "Second Cutting" during the "Wild Abandon" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Bill Lowman
    Sentinel Butte, ND
    Bill Lowman, a multi-talented visual, literary, and performing artist, is a charter member o...

  • Farr Away Blues

    Hot Club of Cowtown performs "Farr Away Blues" during the "Stay a Little Longer" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Hot Club of Cowtown
    Austin, TX
    Hot Club of Cowtown has been stunning audiences worldwide for over 20 years. Their trademark blend of hot jazz, we...

  • My Daughter-In-Law

    Yvonne shares an "affectionate" little poem. Yvonne Hollenbeck recites "My Daughter-In-Law" during the "Wild Abandon" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Yvonne Hollenbeck
    Clearfield, SD
    Yvonne Hollenbeck is a South Dakota cattleman’s wife who writes poetry about...

  • Barrel Racing Angel

    Brenn does an ode to cowgirls, and to his friend, mentor, champion, and personal hero, Ian Tyson. Brenn Hill covers "Barrel Racing Angel" during the "Ian Tyson Tribute" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Brenn Hill
    Hooper, UT
    Brenn Hill is a singer/songwriter w...

  • 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.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Andy Hedges
    Lubbock, TX
    Andy Hedges is a songster, reciter, storyte...

  • Suits Me Fine

    Kristyn shares a song about married life in 400 square feet. Kristyn Harris performs "Suits Me Fine" during the "Rosin the Bow" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Kristyn Harris
    Burleson, TX
    Kristyn Harris is a multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, and enterta...

  • Killa Killa Narafrader

    Gary Haleamau + Kāwili perform "Killa Killa Narafrader" on location during the 37th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering "Rodear Year."

    ABOUT THE ARTISTS

    Gary Haleamau & Kāwili
    Las Vegas, NV
    Gary Kawiliau Haleamau of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, began his musical career at age 12; first as a solo artist ...

  • 200 Tons To Go

    Wylie and crew keep it lean and mean with a working man's song about bucking bales. Wylie & the Wild West perform "200 Tons To Go" during the "Battle of the Bands" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Wylie Gustafson
    Conrad, MT
    Singer, songwriter, rancher, horsem...

  • The Funeral

    DW describes a confounded funeral experience. DW Groethe performs "The Funeral" during "That Seventies Show" at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    DW Groethe
    Bainville, MT
    DW Groethe is the son of a son of pioneers. He was born and raised in the west of Dakota and has l...

  • Grandpa

    Pipp and Lloyd joke and sing about the foolhardiness of the best-laid plans, with the help of lyrics penned by Waddie Mitchell. Pipp Gillette and Lloyd Wright perform "Grandpa" during the "Cowboy Stew" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTISTS

    Pipp Gillette
    Crockett,...

  • That Little Blue Roan

    Dick shares a classic horse poem. Dick Gibford recites "That Little Blue Roan" by Bruce Kiskaddon during the "Horse Tails" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Dick Gibford
    New Cuyama, CA
    Dick Gibford was raised on a small cow outfit on the central coast of Califo...

  • Tall Grass Lonesome

    Patricia memorializes Rodney Nelson. Patricia Frolander shares "Tall Grass Lonesome, in Memory of Rod Nelson" during the "Back in Elko Town" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST
    Patricia Frolander
    Sundance, WY
    Patricia Frolander, Wyoming's fifth Poet Laureate, live...

  • Little Joe the Wrangler

    Dom does his rendition of a classic cowboy misfortune ballad penned by collector Jack Thorp. Dom Flemons performs "Little Joe the Wrangler" during the "Tribute to Don Edwards" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Dom Flemons
    Naperville, IL
    Dom Flemons is an award...

  • Listen

    Juni sings a song from the perspective of the horse. There is special magic when the horse and rider become one. Juni Fisher performs "Listen" during the "The Real Deal" show as part of the 2022 Wild Ride.

    .....

    Juni Fisher
    Strathmore, CA
    Juni played music with her sisters as a child, formed a...

  • 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...

  • John Dofflemyer

    FEATURING: John Dofflemyer

    Filmed on location, John shares his verse, his heart, and his land. Take a journey with John Dofflemyer on his California ranch where he finds inspiration. He writes with the spirit of place, with love and humility. John is the poet and the poem.

    From the 37th Nationa...