Next Generation

Next Generation

Enjoy the fresh faces and fresh sounds of these future-bound western poets and musicians. The performers in this showcase are up-and-coming, next-generation voices speaking for the future of the rural West. Sounds to us like the future is in good hands.

Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland.

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Next Generation
  • Road to Las Cruces

    Margo sings a familiar tune to the delight of the audience. Margo Cilker performs "Road to Las Cruces" by Ian Tyson during the "Free Life and Fresh Air" show at the 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Margo Cilker
    Goldendale, WA
    Originally from California, singer-songwriter ...

  • Waterskiing Poem

    A cowboy on water skis? Jake explains why this may not have been a prudent choice. Jake Riley performs his "Waterskiing Poem" during the "Better Part of Living" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Jake Riley
    Riverdale, NE
    Jake Riley grew up, for the most part, in...

  • The County

    Forrest recounts a time when he learned to rely on himself and his horse. Forrest VanTuyl sings "The County" during the "Free Life and Fresh Air" show at the 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Forrest VanTuyl
    Goldendale, WA
    Forrest VanTuyl is a songwriter and poet from Gol...

  • Rockjack

    Forrest sings of the changing of seasons. Forrest VanTuyl performs "Rockjack" during the "New Visions" show at the 2022 Wild Ride.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Forrest VanTuyl

    Goldendale, WA

    Forrest VanTuyl is a songwriter and poet from Goldendale, Washington. Much of his work is based on years spent p...

  • Feather in the Grass

    Cat shares a song inspired by a feather he found in the Badlands. Cat Clifford sings "Feather in the Grass" during the "Blazing Trails" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Cat Clifford
    Porcupine, SD
    Cat Clifford, born and reared on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservati...

  • Lowland Trail

    When the going gets tough Margo looks for a lowland trail. Margo Cilker performs "Lowland Trail" during the "Wish Upon a Western Star" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Margo Cilker
    Goldendale, WA
    Originally from California, singer-songwriter Margo Cilker has s...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • Barbed Wire

    Margo sings for all of us who have fought barbed wire. Margo Cilker performs "Barbed Wire" during the "Wish Upon a Western Star" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST
    Margo Cilker
    Goldendale, WA
    Originally from California, singer-songwriter Margo Cilker has spent th...

  • Yonder Mountain

    Forrest shares a song that reflects the landscape and moves in a horse-like way. Forrest VanTuyl performs "Yonder Mountain" during the "New Visions" show at the 2022 Wild Ride.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Forrest VanTuyl
    Enterprise, OR
    Forrest VanTuyl paid for his songwriting and wandering addiction with ...

  • Come Along Daisy

    Brigid + Johnny, an amazingly talented sibling duo, share a tune they co-wrote. Brigid + Johnny Reedy perform "Come Along Daisy" during "The New Wave" show for the 2022 Wild Ride.

    ABOUT THE ARTISTS
    Brigid + Johnny Reedy
    Whitehall, MT
    Brigid Reedy first entertained Elko crowds by yodeling at the...

  • Cowboy Life

    Ned shares a song his father helped him write. Ned LeDoux performs "Cowboy Life" during the "Cowboy Caffeine, Extra Strong" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Ned LeDoux
    Northeastern KS
    Ned LeDoux is a musician and the son of singer-songwriter and rodeo icon Chr...

  • Traveling Man

    Jade sings about a man who cannot settle down. Jade Brodie performs "Traveling Man" during the "New Visions" show at the 2022 Wild Ride.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Jade Brodie
    Winnemucca, NV
    Jade Brodie is a railroading songstress from northern Nevada. Drawing inspiration from the Blue Collar Hero and th...

  • Western Swing + Waltzes

    Colter sings a punchy tune about western life in his corner of the world. Colter Wall performs "Western Swing + Waltzes" during the "Bridging the 49th" show during the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Colter Wall
    Swift Current, SK, Canada
    After two years of relentless tou...

  • My Home's In Montana + Cattle Call

    Trinity shares a medley of two familiar songs. Trinity Seely sings "My Home's In Montana" and "Cattle Call" during the "Cowboy Caffeine, Extra Strong" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Trinity Seely
    Ojai, CA
    Trinity Seely grew up in the heart of cow country in ...

  • Eagle Island Blues + Caribou Reel

    Jamie Fox & Philip Aaberg perform "Eagle Island Blues" + "Caribou Reel" during the "Bridging the 49th" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTISTS

    Jamie Fox
    Harlem, MT
    Jamie Fox is a fiddler of the Métis tradition, which grew out of a mixture of Celtic, French, and Nat...

  • Aint Been Tamed Yet

    Forrest writes songs about riding and living in Northeast Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains. Forrest Van Tuyl performs "Ain't Been Tamed Yet" during "A Cavvy of Horse Poems + Songs" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Forrest Van Tuyl
    Enterprise, OR
    Forrest Van Tuyl so...

  • Skinny

    Jake explains "it ain't all roses being slight." Jake Riley performs his poem "Skinny" during the "Big Skies" show at the The Wild Ride 2022.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Jake Riley
    Riverdale, NE
    Jake Riley grew up, for the most part, in the upper Arkansas Valley of the Colorado mountains and graduated fro...

  • 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...

  • Dog Tired

    Annie shares a lesson about getting an early start. Annie Mackenzie recites "Dog Tired" during the "Big Skies" show at the 2022 Wild Ride.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Annie Mackenzie
    Jordan Valley, OR
    While known as the family rambler, Annie Mackenzie has her roots planted firmly at the fourth-generation ...

  • Ol' Nevada

    Hunter sings about Nevada from his point of view. Hunter Ostler performs his song, "Ol' Nevada" during the "New Visions" show at the 2022 Wild Ride.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST
    Hunter Ostler sings about Nevada from his point of view.
    Hunter Ostler
    Battle Mountain, NV
    Hunter comes from a family farm in rura...

  • My Sweet Laura

    Jade sings about a horse who is good, sometimes. Jade Brodie performs "My Sweet Laura" during the "New Visions" show at the 2022 Wild Ride.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Jade Brodie
    Winnemucca, NV
    Jade Brodie is a railroading songstress from northern Nevada. Drawing inspiration from the Blue Collar Hero and...

  • The Four Sacred Mountains

    Dachuneeh shares a Diné (Navajo) song. Dachuneeh Martin performs "The Four Sacred Mountains" during the "Big Skies" show at "The Wild Ride" 2022.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Dachuneeh Martin
    Montezuma Creek, UT
    Singer-songwriter Dachuneeh "Rising Sun" Martin is a member of the Diné (Navajo) and Dakota Sio...