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 life and the verses of a legendary grandfather, ranch foreman and multitalented artist Gail Steiger knows firsthand how cowboy poetry captures the heart of rural existence. Its stories of resilience, struggle, and triumph resonate across cultural and occupational boundaries. It serves as a platform for raising awareness about contemporary issues facing rural communities, and it creates spaces for meaningful conversations. Gail will share insight on cowboy poetry's vital role in today's world and set the stage for a Gathering that emphasizes what matters.

Hosted by Kristin Windbigler.

From the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS

James Shoshone
Owyhee, NV
R. James Shoshone, Jr. was raised Washoe and is a member of the Timbisha Shoshone, based in Owyhee, Nevada, on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. A renowned buckaroo, James has worked on many of the Great Basin’s legendary ranches, including the 25, Cross Ranch, IL Ranch, Spanish Ranch, Whitehorse, YP, and ZX. James embodies vaquero traditions in his lifestyle, gear, and art. Skilled at pen-and-ink illustration and other mediums, many of James’ images are recreated from memory, drawn from bunkhouse stories or scenes from his daily ranch life. In giving these moments new life on paper, James shares his love for the stories conveyed and hopes others will connect with them on a personal level.

Gail Steiger
Prescott, AZ
Gail Steiger, foreman of the 50,000-acre Spider Ranch in Yavapai County, Arizona, has been playing guitar and writing songs for over 30 years. He has released two albums, The Romance of Western Life and A Matter of Believin’. A talented filmmaker, Gail produced and directed the acclaimed documentary film Ranch Album. Speaking about his life spent in the saddle and how it influenced his artistic pursuits Gail says, “I think we are very fortunate to get to live the kind of life we live and I try to share that any way I can, through music, poetry, video, stories, etc.” His wife Amy Hale has been helping him on the ranch since 2008.

Chief Phillip Whiteman Jr.
Lame Deer, MT
Heove ve ’keso (Yellowbird), Chief Phillip Whiteman Jr, is a traditional Northern Cheyenne chief and an award-winning traditional storyteller, singer, and flute player. He comes from a long line of horse people, who are the caretakers of horse medicine and songs. He has found that teachings passed down among generations are a powerful counter-remedy to the intergenerational effects of genocide and climate change. Chief Phillip works with Indigenous communities through horse medicine camps and by organizing runs that connect indigenous youth to their ancestors. He has been doing this work for over 20 years with Indigenous Peoples across North America and presented at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. He is also working to bring buffalo back for his people. He was recently inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame as a two-time Indian National Finals Rodeo World champion in the saddle bronc.

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Filmed in front of a live audience at the Elko Convention Center’s Laurena Moren Theater on Jan. 30, 2025.

Made possible by Nevada Humanities and the Humanities Center at Great Basin College with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and 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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