41st Gathering Featured Artists
Enjoy this collection of performances by the invited performers for the 41st National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, January 26 - 31, 2026.
Artwork - Headin' Out (2025), acrylic by Clara Smith.
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Dear John
Lara shares a break up song. Lara Manzanares sings "Dear John" during the "Be the Poem, Be the Song" show at the 40th National Cowboy Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Lara Manzanares
Tierra Amarilla, NM
Lara Manzanares is a bilingual singer-songwriter from Northern New Mexico. She grew up singing th... -
Jackson's Hired Man
Sam Platts and the Plainsmen sing an honest song about working hard on the land. They perform "Jackson's Hired Man" during "The Real Deal" show at the 2022 Wild Ride.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Sam Platts and the Plainsmen
Silver Star, MT
Sam Platts & the Plainsmen is an energetic Americana band that br... -
Mornin' After Yesterday
Henry shares a short but sweet poem. Henry Real Bird recites "Mornin' After Yesterday" during the "Bull-Slingers, Braggarts & Blowhards" at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Henry Real Bird
Garryowen, MT
Henry Real Bird, a member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation, grew ... -
Highway Two
Dave sings about traveling down the highway. Dave Redboy Schildt performs his song, "Highway Two."
Dave Redboy Schildt
Birch Creek (Tough Creek), MT
David Redboy Schildt was born in Killeen, Texas. His folks are enrolled in the Blackfeet Tribe at Browning, Montana. A producer in rodeo, Dave has... -
Close to the Land (America's Heartland)
Murph shares a tune about the hard working people who live close to the land. Michael Martin Murphey + the Rio Grande Band perform "Close to the Land (America's Heartland)" during the "Poetry, Song and Beyond" show during the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Michael Marti...
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All is Not Lost
Rusty ponders the passing of a legacy. Rusty Phillips recites "All is Not Lost."
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Rusty Phillips
Liberty Hill, TX
Rusty Phillips is a native of Texas Hill Country, with ranching roots dating back to the Republic of Texas. Growing up with stories of the Great Depression and the 1... -
Over the Mountain
Carin sings a song of hope. Carin Mari performs "Over the Mountain" during the "Songs for a New West" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Carin Mari
Buena Vista, CO
Inspired by the mountains of Colorado where she was born and raised, Carin Mari is passionate abou... -
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... -
Streets of Laredo
R.W. shares an old traditional cowboy song. R.W. Hampton sings "Streets of Laredo" during the "Cowboy Caffeine, Extra Strong" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
R.W. Hampton
Cimarron, NM
R.W. Hampton has lived and worked on ranches throughout the West. Whether d... -
Freedom In Your Bridle Reins
Clancy shares the experience and freedom of rounding up cows on horseback. Clancy Ballard sings "Freedom in Your Bridle Reins."
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Clancy Ballard
Kanab, UT
Clancy Ballard grew up ranching in southern Utah, where he developed a great love for the cowboy lifestyle. He finds joy in b... -
Bee de la Manche
Geno and the guys get your blood pumping with a lively creole number. Geno Delafose + French Rockin' Boogie perform "Bee de la Manche" during the "Battle of the Bands" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie
Eunice, LA
Geno Dela... -
Air to Earth
Maria Lisa beautifully illustrates "...an alchemy of air to earth." Maria Lisa Eastman reads her poem "Air to Earth" during the 2024 "Ranch Family Show" at the 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Maria Lisa Eastman
Sonoita, AZ
Maria Lisa Eastman and her husband Skip recentl... -
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... -
Buckaroo
Jeff addresses the changes through the life of a buckaroo. Jeff Carson recites "Buckaroo."
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jeff Carson
Heber City, UT
Jeff Carson is a renowned cowboy poet from Heber City, Utah, known for his humorous and heartfelt verse that captures the essence of his western way of life. F... -
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... -
Why Here, Then Gone?
George mulls over mediations and musings brought up by abandoned homesteads. George Wallace recites "Why Here, Then Gone?" featured during the 37th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering "Rodear Year."
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George Wallace
Fort Collins, CO
George Wallace has farmed and ranched north of For... -
Cowboy Up
Joni shares a cowboy philosophy. Joni Harms sings "Cowboy Up."
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Joni Harms
Canby, OR
Joni Harms has a warm sincerity and ease to her voice—a voice that shines through on stories and melodies of a western way of life, making you feel you are part of the entire experience she sing... -
The Ivory and the Iron
Caleb sings about being caught in a place where you shouldn't be. Caleb Smith sings "The Ivory and the Iron."
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Caleb Smith
Broken Bow, NE
Raised on a ranch south of Broken Bow, Nebraska, Caleb Smith is no stranger to agriculture or the cowboy way of life. Working as a dayworker,... -
Work (Girl)
Jessie flexes her rhythmic muscles with a work song that waits for no man. Jessie Veeder performs "Work (Girl)" during the "Better Part of Living" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jessie Veeder
Watford City, ND
Jessie Veeder writes and sings about the badland... -
The Brutal Boss
Dick laments working for this gol danged ranch boss. Dick Warwick recites "The Brutal Boss" from his barn.
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Dick Warwick
Oakesdale, WA
Dick Warwick lives with his wife Sue on the old home place amid the rolling hills of the Palouse country of eastern Washington state. Together, ... -
Bubba and the Goat
A story from Dave about his brother, a football helmet and a goat. Dave Stamey performs "Bubba and the Goat" during the "Humor + Horror" show at the 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Dave Stamey has been a cowboy, a mule packer, and a dude wrangler. Now, he is one of the m...
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A Job in Town
Carson shares the sad reality for many ranchers. Carson Houser recites "A Job in Town."
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Carson Houser
McClusky, ND
Carson Houser is a rancher, bull rider, and cowboy poet from McClusky, North Dakota. Raised working on his family's cow-calf operation, Carson developed a passion ... -
Indigo
Trinity asked her son if there was a song she should sing in Elko. He picked this lively tune. Trinity Seely sings "Indigo" during the 2024 "Ranch Family Show" at the 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Trinity Seely
Ojai, CA
Trinity Seely's life has taken her to many diffe... -
Equilibrium, in Memory of Eric Levi Big Leggins
M.L. shares a memorial poem of grief. M.L. Smoker performs "Equilibrium, in Memory of Eric Levi Big Leggins" during the "Living Nations, Living Words" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
M.L. Smoker
Helena, MT
M.L. Smoker, a member of the Assiniboine and Sioux Nat...
