Phill shares an ode to his father that reminds us family connections come in many forms. Phill Laubacher recites "Joe" during the "Upside Down in a Cow Town" show at the 41st National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Phill Laubacher
Montague, CA
Phill Laubacher has been called a “rancher in remission.” Mostly retired these days, he still trims a few horses, enjoying the chance to get paid to visit with friends. A rancher, horseshoer and trimmer, car salesman, carpenter, logger, and Vietnam veteran, Phill is also a poet. It was during his logging camp days that he first began learning poems not fit to repeat. Now, he enjoys bringing humor to real life (and to listeners) through his own, slightly more seemly, poetic repertoire.

"Joe"

Filmed in front of a live audience at the Elko Convention Center’s Laurena Moren Theater on Jan.31, 2026.

Made possible by Blach Distributing 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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