News Since the Last Newsletter Page 5 Cowboy Poetry at the BAR-D Ranch www.CowboyPoetry.com

The Western Folklife Center has announced information for the 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, January 30 to February 4, 2012, in Elko, Nevada.

Excerpts from their August newsletter:

The 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering will include a focus on the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. This special programming is in recognition of the centennial of statehood for both states, which were admitted to the Union in 1912. Also integral to the American Southwest is West Texas (People in New Mexico like to call that part of Texas "far eastern" New Mexico, and Texans like to call eastern New Mexico "far west" Texas), so it will also be included in our Southwest programs, which will feature poets, musicians and other artists from the region, and an exhibition of Southwest ranching culture in our Wiegand Gallery.

Poets and musicians performing at the 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering are: Amy Hale Auker; Mike Beck & the Bohemian Saints; Baxter Black; Dave Bourne;Jerry Brooks; Ken Cook; Doris Daley; Stephanie Davis; John Dofflemyer; Ramblin' Jack Elliott; Rolf Flake; Dick Gibford; The Gillette Brothers; Skip Gorman, Connie Dover & the Waddie Pals; DW Groethe; R.W. Hampton; Carol Heuchan; Yvonne Hollenbeck; Hot Club of Cowtown; Jess Howard; Tim Hus & The Rocky Mountain Two; Ross Knox; Marley's Ghost; Michael Martin Murphey & The Rio Grande Band featuring Pat Flynn; Wally McRae; Waddie Mitchell; Andy Nelson; Joel Nelson; Rodney Nelson; Glenn Ohrlin; Vess Quinlan; Henry Real Bird; Pat Richardson; Randy Rieman; Ronstadt Generations; Martha Scanlan; Georgie Sicking; Sourdough Slim; R.P. Smith; Jay Snider; Dave Stamey; Gail Steiger; Rod Taylor; Ian Tyson; Dick Warwick; Andy Wilkinson & Andy Hedges; Wylie & The Wild West; and Paul Zarzyski.

Find more about each of the performers here at National Cowboy Poetry Gathering web site.
Also from the newsletter:

Early in the week of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, we offer hands-on workshops where people can learn a skill or craft such as rawhide braiding, leather carving, writing poetry or cooking a traditional dish. People who participate in workshops at the Gathering have a unique experience that connects them personally to the artistic traditions of the West. They meet new people and make lasting friendships and return home with a new skill and usually a piece of art that they can enjoy for years to come.

Visit the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering web site for more information. The schedule of ticketed events is available here.

From the Western Folklife Center:

The 2012 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, January 30 to February 4, will include a focus on the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. This special programming is in recognition of the centennial of statehood for both states, which were admitted to the Union in 1912. Also integral to the American Southwest is West Texas (We know, people in New Mexico like to call that part of Texas “far eastern” New Mexico, and Texans like to call eastern New Mexico “far west” Texas), so it will also be included in our Southwest programs, which will feature poets, musicians and other artists from the region, and an exhibition of Southwest ranching culture in our Wiegand Gallery. Tickets for the 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering will go on sale to members of the Western Folklife Center on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, and to non-members on Thursday, October 6.

The roster of artists who will be performing at the Gathering will be announced in June.

The Gathering's poster is from a painting, "Cow Camp," by Montana artist Clyde Aspevig (www.clydeaspevig.com).

[image: "Cow Camp," by Clyde Aspevig (www.clydeaspevig.com); courtesy of the Western Folklife Center]

The Silver State Trade Show returns to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 2012.

Located at the Fair Grounds (13 Fair Grounds Rd,) open from Wed - Sat: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, the event is described: Buckaroo Gear, Silver, Rawhide, Art Description Home of the Bunkhouse Circle and the day tables artisans, Amanda's Saloon, Buckaroo Theatre and free coffee and popcorn all day...

Visit their Facebook page and contact Shannon Wrango at www.kansassaddlery.com for additional information.

The Western Folklife Center's blog features interviews with some of the artists appearing at the 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, including the Gillette Brothers, Mike Beck, Paul Zarzyski, Sourdough Slim, Skip Gorman, and Andy Wilkinson and Andy Hedges.

Find links to all the interviews here in the Western Folklife Center.

Selected news from the December, 2011 Western Folklife Center newsletter:

The Ronstadt Generations: Traditional Music From the Southwest

Every year, we welcome exciting new poets and musicians to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. This year, in honor of the centennial celebrations of Arizona and New Mexico, we searched the Southwest for a band that embodies the rich history and traditions of the region. We are thrilled to bring The Ronstadt Generations of Tucson, Arizona, to the Gathering for the first time. Michael J. Ronstadt, younger brother of Linda Ronstadt, continues the family musical tradition with his two sons, Michael G. and Petie.

These three voices—all multi-instrumentalists and solo artists in their own right— bring to life a repertoire that reaches back to the end of the 19th century while continually looking ahead into the 21st, with a rich innovation of original material alongside traditional Southwestern and Mexican songs. Each band member comes with the highest credentials, having appeared around the world in performances and on recordings with such diverse artists as Linda Ronstadt, Los Lobos, the Dixie Hummingbirds, Muriel Anderson, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and countless others. Watch a video of the Ronstadt Generations performing at Jack's Stir Brew Coffee in Tucson.

The Ronstadt Generations will kick off the Gathering on Monday, January 30, at 7:00 pm, in the Western Folklife Center's G Three Bar Theater. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.westernfolklife.org or by calling 888-880-5885 or 775-738-7508.

Solving Problems, Sharing Solutions: Discussions at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering offers more than just entertainment. For many years, the Gathering has been a place where westerners can discuss the issues that affect our region. These discussions provide a non-threatening atmosphere where people with divergent viewpoint, can pose questions and debate solutions to complex problems. Whether the topic is about ranching and land use, the urban/rural divide or music and poetry, the conversations are always thought-provoking and meaningful. The 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering will host four discussions and talks.

Both Feet on the Ground: Cowboy Poetry and Music in Today's World—Amy Hale Auker, Vess Quinlan, Andy Hedges and Brenn Hill will discuss the relevance of their art forms and the tensions of maintaining a traditional art form in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving world. Thursday, February 2, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Elko Convention Center Cedar Room. Free with a Deluxe or Day Pass.

A Border Runs Through it: A Closer Look at Southwest Ranching Culture—Scholars, ranchers and cultural experts from the Southwest come together to discuss this diverse and complex region of the American West. With Jim Griffith, Gail Steiger, Gary Paul Nabhan and Tom Sheridan. Friday, February 3, 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Elko Convention Center Cedar Room. Free with a Deluxe or Day Pass.

Agrarian Poetry: Why We Need its Messages and Beauty Now, More Than Ever Before—Gary Paul Nabhan looks at the history of land-based poetry and argues for its importance as a way to communicate the values, struggles and visions of food producers. Rancher and poet John Dofflemyer will moderate. Friday, February 3, 2:15 pm to 3:45 pm. Elko Convention Center Cedar Room. Free with a Deluxe or Day Pass.

Crossing Boundaries: Ranching in the 21st Century—This roundtable and follow-up discussion looks at how collaborative conservation groups founded and run by ranchers are mobilizing to meet the challenges of the 21st century. With Tom Sheridan, Pat and Sharon O'Toole, Bill McDonald and the Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group. Saturday, February 4, 10:00 am to 11:30 am, Elko Convention Center Turquoise Room. Lunch and follow-up conversation: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Elko Convention Center Cedar Room. This discussion is free; no Day or Deluxe Pass required. Please bring a donation if you plan to stay for lunch.

Thanks to Nevada Humanities, Jennifer Speers and Great Basin College for sponsoring these discussions. For more information, contact Meg Glaser at 775-738-7508 or mglaser@westernfolklife.org.

Learn a Skill and Make New Friends at a Gathering Workshop

Hands-on, participatory workshops are an important part of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. These workshops, which offer education in western gear-making, writing, music, cooking and other art forms, take place early in the week of the Gathering, starting Sunday, January 29, and running through Wednesday, February 1. Dance workshops take place Friday, February 3, and Saturday, February 4. These workshops give participants a chance to learn a new skill or perfect an old one in an intimate environment while getting to know others who share their interests. Many people attend workshops year after year. People who have participated in workshops during the Gathering have great things to say about their experience.

“I have taken several writing workshops, and from them I have found the courage to seek my voice, to write about things I would have probably otherwise not even noticed.”

“Through the workshops I have been able to enhance my own creativity.”

“Taking a workshop with other people of like interest has developed into great friendships.”

Workshops at the 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering include rawhide braiding, leather crafting, hat making, blogging, fiddling, cooking southwestern and Italian food, ranch dancing, waltz, polka, two-step and swing dancing. You can also take a tour of Elko-area ranches. Prices range from $20 for a two-hour dance workshop to $425 for a three-day hat-making workshop. For full descriptions of the workshops, click here. Sign up for workshops online or call 888-880-5885 or 775-738-7508. If workshops do not have enough participants by January 6, they will be canceled, so hurry up and call!

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Cybercast Canceled: Sponsors Needed

The Gathering Cybercast, a live broadcast of National Cowboy Poetry Gathering performances that has allowed people to watch the action from afar via the Internet, has been canceled due to lack of funding. The Western Folklife Center is currently looking at ways that we can make video available after the Gathering via our YouTube channel and our website. Most likely, however, it will not be broadcasts of entire shows; rather, it will be short videos of individual performances. We are very sorry for this unfortunate loss. We need a sponsor of the cybercast so that we can reinstate it in the future. Please consider a donation so that we can continue offering the cybercast. If you are interested, please contact Charlie Seemann at cseemann@westernfolklife.org or 775-738-7508.

Hal Cannon, Founding Director of the Western Folklife Center and the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering has announced his retirement from the Western Folklife Center, effective following this year's 28th annual Gathering, February 5, 2011. He says that he wants people to know that he plans on still being involved in the Gathering, producing radio shows, and supporting the Western Folklife Center. He also writes in a recent newsletter, "Please know I have a lifelong commitment to the mission of the [Western Folklife] Center so only my role will change."

Read more about Hal Cannon at his web site here and at Okehdokee Records.

[photo by Nick Adams]

Find our reports and photos from the 2011 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering here.

Visit the Western Folklife Center's special Gathering web site for archived webcasts of events, audio and video coverage, and more.

With special thanks to Archivist Steve Green of Western Folklife Center, in a feature celebrating the 20th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, we have program information that includes program covers, information and lists of invited performers for each year's Gathering.

Other features in that section include:

recollections from the performers and from the audience about their "first time" at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

poems celebrating the Gathering

We also maintain an index of all of the invited performers to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, since its inception in 1985.