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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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.
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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 during the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Lara Manzanares
Tierra Amarilla, NM
Lara Manza... -
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
