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The sixth annual Cowboy Poetry Week was celebrated April 15-21, 2007.
This is page 2 of Cowboy Poetry Week information, which lists some ideas for getting involved.
This page lists the 2007 activities of friends of Cowboy Poetry, poets, performers, radio disk jockeys, and others. Read about those below.
Elsewhere, there are Cowboy Poetry Week Wrap-ups; Reports on Activities and Event Reports: reports and photos from Cowboy Poetry Week Events.
See the description of Cowboy Poetry Week and more on Page 1.

Poets and friends of cowboy poetry:

In 2008, get your schools, libraries, and community involved! Perform your poetry, donate a book, share your knowledge.
Write to your states' Representatives and Senators, and to your states' Art Council. Let them know about Cowboy Poetry Week and send a short poem. See more about that below.
Many poets and others will pursue Cowboy Poetry Week proclamations from Governors and Mayors. You can represent your state (see more about how to do that below).
Read about poets' and others' 2007 activities below.

Reproduction prohibited without express written permission
"At His Own Pace" by Tim Cox

We were honored to have top Western artist Tim Cox' painting, "At His Own Pace," as the 2007 Cowboy Poetry Week poster art. Read more about that here. Posters are not sold. They are offered to libraries in our Rural Library Project and to supporters of the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry, which sponsors CowboyPoetry.com, Cowboy Poetry Week, the Rural Library project, and all of our programs.
"At His Own Pace" was featured in our Art Spur project, an invitation to poets to let selections of contemporary Western art inspire their poetry.

Read more about Tim Cox in our feature here and at his web site: www.TimCox.com.

Cowboy Poetry Week News and Events

Below:
Cowboy Poetry Week News
Cowboy Poetry Week Events
Cowboy Poetry Week Wrap-ups; Reports on Activities separate page
Event Reports: reports and photos from Cowboy Poetry Week Events separate page

Get involved in Cowboy Poetry Week activities! We have ideas and information about how you can be a part of the celebration and involve your libraries, schools, and communities; get your governor and mayor involved; write to your states' representatives and senators; send information to your arts council; report to newspapers and radios; write a poem for Art Spur; and more. Read how you can be a part of Cowboy Poetry week below.

For Cowboy Poetry Week's second year, in April 2003, the United States Senate passed a resolution, with unanimous approval, recognizing our Cowboy Week celebration. For the 2006 celebration, sixteen states’ governors officially proclaimed Cowboy Poetry Week and there were activities across the West and beyond. In 2007, poets and others have contacted their governors and mayors:
Those involved include Hal Swift (Nevada), Paul Kern (Utah), Francie Ganje and Jim Thompson (South Dakota and Spearfish), Van Criddle (Oregon), Clark Crouch (Washington), Smoke Wade (Idaho), Rod Nichols (Texas), Glen Enloe (Missouri), Joe Baker (New Mexico), Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns (Wyoming), Ann Blackford/Gila Valley Cowboy Poets (Arizona and Safford), DW Groethe (Montana), Jay Snider (Oklahoma), Donna Hatton ( Colorado), Doc Stovall (Georgia), Diane Tribitt (Minnesota), Jim Hawkins (North Carolina), and Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry (California).

News for Cowboy Poetry Week 2007

We've been posting reports from poets and others who were a part of Cowboy Poetry Week activities in a special Cowboy Poetry Week Wrap-up feature. Humorist, radio host, and Western Music Association Poet of the Year Andy Nelson brought poetry to the students of Pinedale, Wyoming's Elementary School during Cowboy Poetry Week in 2007 and he reports on his school visit. Andy Nelson wears many important hats during Cowboy Poetry Week, including that of co-producer of The Bar-D Roundup CDs. Read more along with his report here.

Posted 5/4

Jo Lynne Kirkwood and Laurali Noteman have reports and photos from the First Annual Kane County Cowboy Poetry Gathering and the Annual Cowboy Poets of Utah Dinner and Awards. Events, which also marked the celebration of Cowboy Poetry Week, were held in April in Kanab, Utah,

Two special awards were presented by the Cowboy Poets of Utah: Barbara Hall was the recipient of the Pioneer Heritage Award and Sam Jackson was honored for his significant contribution to cowboy poetry in Utah with his National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo.

Among the many performers at the events were Kenny Hall, Jerry "Brooksie" Brooks, Marion Manwill, Michael Robinson, Don Kennington, Laurali Noteman, Latigo, Laurie Tye, Gordon Thomas, Curly Syndergaard, Paul Kern, Doug Keller, Jo Lynne Kirkwood, Caib, Braden and Aubree Brian, Mike Noteman, Myrna Cox, Brad Exton, Brenn Hill, and others.

Read both reports here.

[Pictured: Arlene and Don Kennington]

Posted 5/2

Poets and others who were a part of Cowboy Poetry Week activities offer reports and commentary about their efforts in a special Cowboy Poetry Week Wrap-up feature. Included are articles by Francie Ganje, who reports on Rural Library Project efforts in South Dakota; Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns, with commentary on Cowboy Poetry Week from her weekly "Over the Corral Fence" column; "Cowboy Poetry Week in the Rear View Mirror" by Smoke Wade; "Some Thoughts About Celebrating Cowboy Poetry Week" by Hal Swift; and a link to Colorado's Woodland Park Middle School report.

Your reports and comments on Cowboy Poetry Week activities are welcome. Email us.

Read all the wrap-up articles and find links to additional information here.

Posted 5/2

Bobbie Hunter has a report with photos by Smoke Wade from the 20th Annual St. Anthony Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which was held in Idaho in April. Over 60 performers took part, including Sam DeLeeuw, Valerie White, Jamie Baker, John Westbrook, Gary "Ferg" Ferguson, Dave Tingey, Sam Mattise, Bobbie Hunter, Layle Bagley, Fall River Boys—Rand Hillman and Mark Seeley, Ken Wellard, Kevin Inman, Mike Burns, Doc Hayes, Mike Hurwitz, Bad Water Cattle Co.—Gene and Sandy Jones, STAMPEDE!—Steve and Terri Taylor, and David Anderson, Larry Gibson, Denise McRea, Smoke Wade, Rees Butikofer, Phil Kennington, Wayne Nelson, Ellie Corrigan Johnson, Gordon Peterson, Linda Merrill and Carol Findlay, Bill Chiles, Vern Woodbury, Oral Elser, and Garde Bowman.

Special awards were given, including the Silver Quill to Sam DeLeeuw; the Golden Note award to Sam Mattise; and Hall of Fame awards to Barbara Hall and John Howell.

The event also celebrated Cowboy Poetry Week.

Read the entire report here.

[pictured: Golden Note award winner Sam Mattise]

Posted 5/1

From Agri-News editor Tami Jo Blake:

Readers from all across the nation—Pennsylvania to Tennessee, from Arizona to Montana—recently entered the Agri-News Cowboy Poetry Contest to help celebrate National Cowboy Poetry Week. Agri-News is a weekly general ag publication based in Billings, Montana. With 23,000 readers nationwide, it provides up-to-date ag news, great photos, interesting features and fun contests!
Forty-three adults entered the Agri-News poetry contest, with Dixie Lee Hammers of James Creek, Pennsylvania coming out on top with her poem "Cowgirl Child." Second place in the adult division went to "Made For This" by LeAnne Delaney of Grass Range, Montana, and third to "The Internet Cowboy" by Bob Lewis of Lusk, Wyoming. There were many wonderful poems to choose from in this division.
First place in the upper division youth contest went to 14-year-old Anne West of Jaroso, Colorado with her poem "A Cowboy... A Hero... My Grandpa." Four students aged 13 to 17 entered the contest.
First place in the lower division youth contest went to "Branding's the Business," by 10-year-old Rachel Parsons of Milesville, South Dakota. Rachel attends Mileville School, a K-8 country school with only 16 total students! Her teachers are Theresa Deuchar and Carmen One Skunk. Second place in this same division went to Joseph One Skunk of Philip, South Dakota, for his poem "Farming Is Fun." Joseph also attends Milesville School. Eight students aged eight to twelve entered the contest.
Winners in the contest won free Agri-News subscriptions and Agri-News ball caps. To learn more about Agri-News, visit www.cattleplus.com.

Posted 5/1

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has issued Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation, obtained by Diane Tribitt. See the proclamation here.
Posted 4/20

Ken Overcast's popular, nationally syndicated radio program, The Cowboy Show, helped celebrate Cowboy Poetry Week by including The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Two and the 2007 Cowboy Poetry Week poster by Tim Cox in the show's monthly giveaway (along with other items). You can read more about the monthly giveaway and sign up here at Ken's site. See the schedule for The Cowboy Show and listen to archived broadcasts of the show here at The Cowboy Show site.

Posted 4/21

   Humorist, radio host, and Western Music Association Poet of the Year Andy Nelson took part in the good-natured, decidedly tongue-in-cheek "Five Questions" column, which Ron Davis writes weekly in the Times-Tribune in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The column, titled, "I Reckon You Better Read This Column," celebrates Cowboy Poetry Week. Read it here.

Posted 4/21

The Prairie Star (Great Falls, Montana) includes an article about Cowboy Poetry Week in the April 19, 2007, edition, "Cowboy poetry has positive affect on students," from a media release written by Rhonda Stearns. Read the article here and more about it below.

Posted 4/21

Many web sites have announced this year's Cowboy Poetry Week celebration with links and more, including: Cowboy Poets of Utah, Cowboy Showcase, The Booth Western Art Museum; The British Columbia Cowboy Heritage Society, Rod Nichols' Cowboy Poetry Board, Rod Nichols, NC Horse News, Charlie Russell's Stagecoach, Merv Webster's Bush Poetry and Yarns, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Poetry Soup, Writers West, E. G. Fisher Public Library, and many others. (Email us if your site should be listed.)

Posted 4/21

An April 13, 2007 article in the Shawnee News Star reports that Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has issued a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation.

Posted 4/21

Idaho's Western Heritage Show on KRLC in Lewiston, Idaho with Toe Tappin' Tommy Tucker, Smoke Wade, and others, celebrated Cowboy Poetry Week with tracks from The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Two on Friday, April 20.

Posted 4/21

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued a letter of recognition for Cowboy Poetry Week, obtained by the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry. The Governor writes:

Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry

It's a pleasure and honor to send my warmest greetings to all who are observing Cowboy Poetry Week.

Ever since the days of the "Old West," people around the world have been captivated by the life and times of the cowboy. Steeped in folklore, stories about cowboys are an indelible part of our nation's heritage. California also celebrates its own rich cowboy history, dating back to Spanish colonial times when skilled vaqueros rode across this land.

Much has been written about cowboys—both those who rode in frontier times and those who still ride and ranch today—and this week provides a special opportunity to enjoy and learn more about these unique works. I commend all those whose dedicated efforts not only help preserve these writings, but promote an ongoing artistic appreciation of cowboy culture.

On behalf of all Californians, please accept my gratitude for your contributions to the arts and my best wishes for an enjoyable observance.

View the letter here.

Posted 4/20

John Nicklas teaches language arts at Woodland Park Middle School in Colorado, and for the past two years, his students have participated in a cowboy poetry workshop during the month of April. Tom and Donna Hatton have been involved with the workshop. See a description and photos on the school district's website: http://new.wpsdk12.org.

Posted 4/20

Hal Swift received a Senatorial Declaration of Recognition for Cowboy Poetry Week from Nevada Senator John Ensign. See the declaration here.

Posted 4/20

North Carolina Governor Michael F. Easley has issued a letter of recognition for Cowboy Poetry Week, obtained by Jim Hawkins. See the letter here.

Posted 4/18

A media release by Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns has a focus on Montana and cowboy poetry activities for young people at the Billings Educational Academy:

COWBOY POETRY IMPACTS STUDENTS POSITIVELY

Billings, Montana--April is National Poetry Month, and April 15 – 21 marks the sixth annual Cowboy Poetry Week. That recognition was implemented through a unanimous resolution passed in the United States Senate in April 2003, and is reaffirmed each year through gubernatorial proclamations and special activities across the West and beyond.

This year, at the urging of Montana cowboy poets represented by D. W. Groethe of Bainville, Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana joins governors of many other states in officially saluting Cowboy Poetry Week, noting the importance of “public awareness to this form of art and its value to the people of Montana.”

“I am pleased to recognize Cowboy Poetry Week in the state of Montana,” Schweitzer said. “Cowboy poetry has a rich history in Montana and has been an active part of schools and communities in Montana.”

One such school is the Billings Educational Academy, a community-oriented holistic learning center focusing on the individual learning style of each child, in an environment that encourages and supports each child’s unique gifts.

Acclaimed cowboy poet, songwriter, musician, vocalist and entertainer T.J. Casey of Billings was impressed by the Academy’s mission to nurture creativity, love of learning, personal growth and intellectual integrity, and develop life long learners. T.J. is dedicated to working with young people, and eagerly gives of his time and talents to introduce students at BEA and other schools in several states to cowboy poetry.

Mrs. Margo Haak, fulltime instructor and Administrator at the Academy says, “The kids LOVE T.J. and his poems and music! He is always the first one they ask for when the school year begins. Two of our students have had their poetry on T.J.’s website. That was awesome for them!”

In Casey’s mind, introducing students to cowboy poetry is seriously important. “I believe in our roots and heritage,” he says. “We all need to stand up and protect the traditions and legacies we've inherited, and I've got a story to tell. I want to be an image for kids to look up to, and hopefully instill in them this same love of country and customs I know and respect. Without our heritage, our children lose focus. Without our children's focus, we lose our world.”

So believing, T.J. aims to utilize the natural talent and imaginations of kids through teaching them to use cowboy poetry as a vehicle of expression. He further understands that this process gives them confidence to believe in themselves and their abilities.

Through their association with T.J., and the window he opened for them into the lives, beliefs and values of cowboys, the students and teachers of Billings Educational Academy became excited about and involved in the Giving Back Foundation (GBF), a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting ranchers and farmers hard hit by natural disasters.

T. J. and his wife Marcie were instrumental bringing the GBF to life at Billings, Montana last winter.

Every man, woman and child in America is dependent on the farmer and rancher for food, clothing and other necessities of life,” Casey said. “The rancher and farmer have been the backbone of America for years and it’s time we give something back . . . we appreciate their hard work and what they provide for us, so we should let them know.”

When GBF decided to kick off their efforts with an Appreciation Concert and Auction in Billings last December, the Billings Educational Academy was among the first to volunteer help.

Learning of the need for the GBF and understanding its mission, then assisting with the Concert and Auction, gave the students an even deeper introduction to cowboy poetry and music; along with the historic Western principle of helping one another.

Margo Haak believes that experience widened her student’s horizons by raising their awareness of people and situations beyond their community. She said it was “definitely a positive!” and continued, “It helped my students to realize the extent of others’ misfortunes, and how important it is to help.”

Helping is a concept BEA students are familiar with. Margo says, “A big part of the student’s education here is learning to be good citizens and give of themselves. We participate in the community through cooking and serving meals at the Rescue Mission, adopting Foster Grandparents, and helping with Eagle Mount, Angel Horses, Special Olympics and Adopt-A-Highway. The Giving Back Concert was a wonderful experience because it was so different. I’m sure my students didn’t realize the problems and plights of farmers and ranchers – what an eye opener! We are so ready to be involved again.”

The BEA students said they were eager to be involved “to help people.” On learning of ag producer’s losses through fire, drought and blizzard, seven-year-old Jordan said, “I didn’t like to hear about it because they have to pay for it . . . it made me glad it didn’t hit me but sad it hit them.”

Eleven-year old Michaya was astounded to learn “how many businesses in agriculture it affected.”

And ten-year-old Danielle wisely realized, “All the stuff we have in every day farmer’s life is more important than a computer, because they do so much to help.”

The students enjoyed being on stage, being videoed and helping the effort, but were disappointed the concert did not last longer and the auction items did not bring more money.

They would all enjoy another opportunity to hear cowboy poetry and songs on stage, and they urge you to purchase the Giving Back Foundation CD set of cowboy poetry and song to support the good work of that nonprofit group. Cowboy Poetry Week is a perfect time to do that! More information on GBF and how to get your own CD can be found at www.ranchersandfarmers.org.

T.J. Casey continues to bring young people into the fold of those who appreciate and enjoy – and hopefully write and perform – cowboy poetry. In recent months he has taught at schools in North Dakota and Roundup, Montana.

Students appreciate the time he shares with them. Danielle at BEA says, “I feel really happy because he could be doing a million other things but he’s not. His songs make me happy.”

Jordan comments, “I love it. It is nice having someone coming here who loves the school and takes time and effort out of his heart for us.”

“I’m really happy he chooses this school because there’s like a hundred other public schools he could go to . . . and I like that he lets us do poetry,” Michaya says.

Tera, a teacher and parent at BEA says, “I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing T.J. Casey at the school yet, but I am sure the next time he visits it will be as wonderful as the concert.”

In addition to schools, libraries across the West benefit through Cowboy Poetry Week. The Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry and the website www.cowboypoetry.com has a mission to serve rural communities as it works to preserve and promote cowboy poetry and Western heritage.

“As a part of our outreach program, Rural Library Project, libraries are receiving the Cowboy Poetry Week poster and an invitation for a complimentary copy of The BAR-D Roundup: Volume II (2007),” they say. “In 2007, libraries in the following states and provinces are receiving posters: Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.”
This year Cowboy Poetry Week happily coincides with National Library Week, making the Rural Library Project especially timely.   The Cowboy Poetry Week poster given to participating libraries features a beautiful Tim Cox painting of a cowboy moving cattle, titled “At His Own Pace.”

Tim Cox comments on this painting: "This depicts a ranch hand on the T-4 Ranch near Tucumcari, New Mexico. This is during fall works and we were always taught that the fastest way to work cows is slow: at his own pace."

Cowboy Poetry Week posters are not sold. They are offered to libraries in the Rural Library Project and to supporters of the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry, which sponsors CowboyPoetry.com, Cowboy Poetry Week, the Rural Library project, and other great programs.

Read more about Tim Cox at his web site: www.TimCox.com; and about Cowboy Poetry Week and the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry at www.cowboypoetry.com.

Cowboy poets in most states are involved in programs at libraries and schools this week. Watch your local media for times and places, or check out http://www.cowboypoetry.com/week2007.htm

Posted 4/18

Hal Swift received a letter of recognition for Cowboy Poetry Week from United States Senate Majority Leader, Nevada Senator Harry Reid. Senator Reid comments:

"...Cowboy Poetry is an important part of our Western heritage, and the efforts of many Cowboy poets, like you, help preserve this valuable tradition. I appreciate you informing me of Governor Gibbons' proclamation, and I will also work to honor this important tradition in the United States Senate...."

See the letter here.

Posted 4/17

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation, and visited the Booth Museum of Western Art on April 5, 2007. He was presented with a framed Cowboy Poetry Week poster and a custom-made cowboy hat. Doc Stovall obtained the proclamation, which you can view here.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue issued a 2007 Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation and is pictured above with Dave Scrogum, Jerry Warren, and Doc Stovall of the Booth Museum of Western Art.

Updated 4/17

An article in South Dakota's Lawrence County Journal, "Spearfish puts on 'The Best of the West' during Cowboy Poetry Week," describes the many area activities. Francie Ganje (pictured), director of the Heritage of the American West show, was the force behind the many events, including many library events throughout the northern Black Hills, Governor Mike Rounds' Cowboy Poetry Week Proclamation; a ceremony with Spearfish Mayor Jerry Krambeck for the presentation of a City Proclamation, the special Cowboy Poetry Week Heritage of the American West show, and more. Read the article here.

Posted 4/17

Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival Director Mick Vernon's popular Radio Ranch show featured every track of The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Two, on his April 15, 2007 show, in celebration of Cowboy Poetry Week. The show is sponsored by the Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival, and airs each Sunday from 5pm to 7pm on KNRY 1240 AM (and live on the web at www.knry.com).

Read more about Mick Vernon in our feature here, and visit the Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival web site.

[photo © 2005, Henry Benson]

Posted 4/16

   Texas Governor Rick Perry has issued a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation, obtained by Rod Nichols. See the proclamation here.
Posted 4/13

Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano has issued a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation, obtained by Ann Blackford and the Gila Valley Cowboy Poets.
Safford Mayor Ronald M. Green issued a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation, also obtained by Ann Blackford and the Gila Valley Cowboy Poets. View the proclamation here.
The April 12, 2007 issue of the Eastern Arizona Courier includes an article about the Cowboy Poetry Week activities of the Gila Valley Cowboy Poets. Read the article here.
Updated 4/13

   Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal has issued a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation, obtained by Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns. See the proclamation here.
Posted 4/12

Idaho Governor C. L. "Butch Otter has issued a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation, obtained by Smoke Wade. See the proclamation here.
Posted 4/11

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has issued a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation, obtained by Donna Hatton. See the proclamation here.
Posted 4/10

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has issued a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation, obtained by Glen Enloe. See the proclamation here.
Posted 4/9

   Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has issued a statement of recognition of Cowboy Poetry Week, obtained by DW Groethe. See his letter here.

Updated 4/9

  South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds has issued a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation, obtained by Francie Ganje of the Heritage of the American West (Creative Broadcast Services). See the proclamation here.

Posted 4/5

The Nevada Observer recognizes Cowboy Poetry Week with a front-page image announcing Hal Swift's April 17, 2007 program, Cowboy Poetry at the Sparks Library in Sparks, Nevada. The image is of the bookmarks Hal created for the event. The event, free and open to the public, starts at 5:30 PM at the Sparks Library, 1125 12th Street, Sparks, NV 89431, 775-352-3203.
Posted 4/2

As a part of our outreach program, Rural Library Project, libraries are receiving the Cowboy Poetry Week poster and an invitation for a complimentary copy of The BAR-D Roundup: Volume II (2007). In 2007, libraries in the following states and provinces are receiving posters: Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Posted 3/27

In 2007, National Library Week is celebrated the same week at Cowboy Poetry Week (April 15-21); an apt coincidence for our Rural Library Project. National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA). Read more about National Library Week here at the ALA web site.
[Thanks to Hal Swift for the information about National Library Week]
Posted 3/26

Van Criddle has received word that a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation will be issued by Oregon's governor.
Posted 3/23

Diane Tribitt has received word that a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation will be issued by Minnesota's governor.
Updated 3/23

Washington state Governor Christine Gregoire has issued a Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation, obtained by Clark Crouch. See the proclamation here.

Posted 3/19

Hal Swift is pursuing recognition for Cowboy Poetry Week from the Mayor of Sparks, Nevada.
Posted 3/16

Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons has issued a 2007 Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation, which is posted at the Governor's web site, here and at CowboyPoetry.com here. Hal Swift obtained the proclamation.
Posted 3/7

Utah Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. has issued a 2007 Cowboy Poetry Week declaration, obtained by Paul Kern. See the proclamation here.

Posted 3/8

Joe Baker has received confirmation that New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will issue a 2007 Cowboy Poetry Week proclamation.
Posted 3/7

The Rural Library Project, an outreach program to libraries, is an important part of Cowboy Poetry Week. Most rural libraries—important community centers—are under-funded and in some areas, they are endangered. Read a March 4, 2007 article by Meredith May in the San Francisco Chronicle, "Largest library closure in U.S. looms; Federal funding dries up, leaving 15 branches in Oregon county on brink" for a look at what is happening in Oregon's Jackson County.
Ted Stark, the county's interim library director, is quoted, "Libraries are so much more than just libraries in rural areas. This is where all the town meetings are held, where all the kids come after school, where everything—everything—happens."

The Rural Library Project offers our Cowboy Poetry poster and The BAR-D Roundup to libraries across the West. All of our projects are made possible by supporters of the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry, which sponsors CowboyPoetry.com, Cowboy Poetry Week, the Rural Library project, and all of our programs.

Posted 3/5

2007 Events

See our complete Events Calendar here.

Below:

April 4-24, Woodland Hills, Colorado
April 14, Yreka, California
April 14-15, Rochester, Minnesota
April 16, Spearfish, South Dakota
April 17, Clearfield, South Dakota
April 17, Belle Fourche, South Dakota
April 17, Sparks, Nevada
April 18, Spearfish, South Dakota
April 19, Stillwater, Oklahoma
April 19, Sulphur Springs, Texas
April 19, Whitewood, South Dakota
April 19, Deadwood, South Dakota
April 20, Pinedale, Wyoming
April 20, Rogers, Minnesota
April 20, Conifer, Colorado
April 20-21, St. Anthony, Idaho
April 20-21, Kanab, Utah
April 20-21, Safford, Arizona
April 21, Pima, Arizona
April 21, Brainerd, Minnesota
April 23, Colorado Springs, Colorado
April 28, Fairbanks, Alaska

Radio and other programs celebrating Cowboy Poetry Week, available on the internet:

Clear Out West (C. O. W.)
Live! With Jim Thompson
Heritage of the American West
Radio Ranch (April 15)
Around the Campfire
Al Gustin radio

Email us your event info.

Texas poet Monty Teel appears on Enola Gay's KSST radio program on Thursday, April 19, 2007, at 7:00 AM, talking about Cowboy Poetry Week. Visit Monty Teel's web site for more about him, his poetry, and recordings.

Posted 4/18

   Humorist, radio host, and Western Music Association Poet of the Year Andy Nelson will bring cowboy poetry to students at the Pinedale, Wyoming elementary school on Friday, April 20, in a special Cowboy Poetry Week celebration. Andy Nelson recorded the Public Service Announcement (PSA) for The BAR-D Roundup: Volume Two (2007), and has co-produced both the 2007 and 2006 CDs.
Posted 4/17

Francie Ganje—director of the Heritage of the American West show, produced by Creative Broadcast Services (CBSI)—has made impressive efforts in programming events for Cowboy Poetry Week in South Dakota.
Events include the Heritage of the American West show's own April 18, 2007 program, "Cowboy to the End," starring Bob Petermann and including special exhibits, along with films about Georgie Sicking and Badger Clark; a number of South Dakota library events with regional cowboy poets and more at Spearfish, Deadwood, Belle Fourche, and Whitewood; and a special signing of a City of Spearfish Cowboy Poetry Week Proclamation by Mayor Jerry Krambeck. In 2005, Francie Ganje obtained the first Cowboy Poetry Week proclamations, from her state's governor and the city's mayor. That effort grew to sixteen Western states' governors recognizing Cowboy Poetry Week the following year.
You can read more about the South Dakota activities below and at two attractive, informative pages at the CBSI web site here (pdf) (and you can view those pages here at the BAR-D).

Among the activities planned in celebration of Cowboy Poetry Week:

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 ~ 7:00 p. m. Mountain
    The Heritage of the American West show takes place before a live audience at the High Plains Western Heritage
   Center in Spearfish, South Dakota. The special Cowboy Poetry Week show, "Cowboy to the End," stars Bob Petermann
   and includes special exhibits, along with films about Georgie Sicking and Badger Clark. You can listen live on the web,
   and past shows are archived for listening.

        Monday, April 16 ~ 7:00 p.m.
               Mayor Jerry Krambeck of the City of Spearfish will sign and present a Cowboy Poetry Week Proclamation in the Council
            Chambers.

South Dakota Libraries will host the following programs:

Tuesday, April 17th ~ 7:00 p.m.
     Belle Fourche Public Library
          Featuring Georgene Conley and Onalee Hoffman

Wednesday, April 18th ~ Noon-1:00 p.m.
     Grace Ballock Memorial Library (Spearfish)
          Featuring Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns

Thursday, April 19th ~ 6:30-7:30 p.m.
     Whitewood Public Library
          Featuring Robert "Jinglebob" Dennis
Thursday, April 19th ~ 6:00 -7:00 p.m.
     Deadwood Public Library
          Featuring Bill Wood & Jan Swan Wood

Following is a media release from CBSI:

The Heritage of the American Wes Performance Series is proud to announce its lineup of events in recognition of Cowboy Poetry Week, April 15 – 21, 2007.

Showcasing official proclamations from the United States Senate, the Governor of South Dakota and the City of Spearfish, the live stage show also broadcast on radio and the web, will feature Montana rancher, poet and singer/songwriter Bob Petermann. “For this show, we wanted to present as close to the traditional cowboy poet entertainer as we could get,” says director Francie Ganje. “Bob’s work and presentation certainly represents that.”

Held in the Bruce Miller Theater at the High Plains Western Heritage Center, Spearfish, S. D., the pre-show exhibit and reception that begins at 6:00 p.m. will present historical pictures and works of two well known Black Hills area cowboy poets, Robert V. Carr and Soldier Green. The exhibit encompasses the work of Deadwood, SD historian and researcher Jerry Bryant whose collection includes rarely seen journals published by Robert V. Carr, titled “The Jawbone,” produced by Carr in the early 1900’s while living in Whitewood, SD.

In addition, the life story of Wyoming cowboy poet Georgie Sicking will be playing on the big screen as will a documentary on South Dakota cowboy poet Badger Clark.

As part of its efforts in supporting Cowboy Poetry Week and the music, poetry and song of the Great American Cowboy, the Heritage of the American West and other supporters of cowboy poetry, have assisted in expanding the Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry’s Rural Library Project into northern Black Hills libraries.

“Initially, we had hoped to secure a single sum of funding that would allow us to present poets in a variety of locations, including libraries,” notes Ganje. “We were disappointed when that didn’t materialize. It was Margo Metegrano, managing editor of CowboyPoetry.com who gave us the idea of another approach to take. And that one did work.”

Contacting libraries directly where there was some funding available in some locations put wheels under the idea of presenting cowboy poetry in a number of locations throughout Cowboy Poetry Week. “And the help of private individuals. Without that cash infusion, we would not have been as successful as we were in placing cowboy poetry performances in four area libraries,” says Ganje.

“I am so proud of the efforts that have b