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.

Watch free Share
Next Generation
  • 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 Tames 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...

  • Roadrunner

    Olivia shares a tale of a magical journey in the desert. Olivia Romo recites "Roadrunner: the Chosen Prophet," during the "Gimme Open Roads + Fresh Air" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Olivia Romo
    Santa Fe, NM
    Olivia Romo is a farmer, poet and water rights ac...

  • Where I'm From

    Annie reminisces about her connections to her past and present. Annie Mackenzie performs her poem "Where I'm From" during the "Big Skies" show at the "The Wild Ride" 2020.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

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

  • 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...

  • Lights of Town

    Matt sings about the wild places that are disappearing. Matt Robertson sings "Lights of Town" during "The New Wave" show from "The Wild Ride" 2022.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Matt Robertson
    Bruneau, ID
    Raised in Wheatland, Wyoming, Matt Robertson roams the West cowboying and training horses. Since the ag...

  • Buckaroo Man

    Marinna loves to sing cowboy songs and she does it so well. Ranch kid Marinna Mori sings "Buckaroo Man" during the "Anchoring the Tradition" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Marinna Mori
    Tuscarora, NV
    Marinna Mori is an 10-year-old singer, guitarist, and poet...

  • A Cowboy Is All

    Proud big brother Ned, sings about his little brother Beau in this catchy tune from 2020. Ned LeDoux performs "A Cowboy Is All" during "Cowboy Caffeine, Extra Strong" at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Ned LeDoux
    Northeastern KS
    Ned LeDoux is a musician and the son o...

  • Low Maintenance Girl

    Trinity says her husband thought he was marrying a low maintenance girl, but horses and all the gear are very expensive. Trinity Seely performs, "Low Maintenance Girl" during the "Cowboy Caffeine, Extra Strong" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Trinity Seely
    Oj...

  • Seasons Come and Go

    Cat keeps the rodeo songs coming with this selection from his stockpile. Cat Clifford performs "Reason" during the "Straight Chutin' Champions" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

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

  • Cowboy's Lament

    Dylan brings out the blues in his take on this cowboy standard. Dylan Clough performs "Cowboy's Lament" during the "Blazing Trails" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Dylan Clough
    Spanish Fork, UT
    Dylan Clough is a horseman, rambler, folklore enthusiast, and s...

  • Old Poly Rope

    Trinity shares a true cowboy love song and the difference between "complete" and "finish." Trinity Seely performs "Old Poly Rope" accompanied by Butch Hause during the "Anchoring the Tradition" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Butch Hause
    Berthoud, CO
    In addi...

  • Let Nature Speak

    Annie reminds us of the power of listening. Annie Mackenzie performs "Let Nature Speak" during the 37th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering "Rodear Year."

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

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

  • Handmade

    Brigid performs her poetic ode to quilting across the generations of women in her family. Brigid Reedy recites "Handmade" during the "Family Ties" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Brigid Reedy
    Whitehall, MT
    Brigid Reedy has become a singular young voice repr...

  • Rawhide

    Forrest does a goofy little love song he wrote. Forrest VanTuyl (An American Forrest) performs "Rawhide" during "The Rambling Boys" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    An American Forrest
    Goldendale, WA
    Forrest VanTuyl paid for his songwriting and wandering add...

  • Sierry Petes

    Jack performs a poem that's been with him a while (and with some of you a bit longer). Jack George performs the classic "Sierry Petes" during the "Highlights of the Open Mic" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Jack George
    Quemado, NM
    Jack George works on many ...