2008 Will Rogers Medallion Awards
A November, 2007 media release:
The Will Rogers Medallion Award To Expand
The Will Rogers Medallion Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Publishing of Cowboy Poetry is being expanded to include other forms of Western literature. The new categories include Western Fiction, Western Non-fiction, Photographic Essays, Western Fiction for Children, Western Non-fiction for Children, Western Cookbooks and Documentary/Short Subject Films. The initial awards in the new categories will be presented in 2008 for works published in 2007. The deadline for submissions is February 1st.
Will Rogers was a respected writer as well as cowboy entertainer. The Medallion Committee hopes and believes that the Will Rogers Medallion Awards will help to expand the heritage of literature which honors the traditions and values of the American Cowboy, which Will did so much to embody and demonstrate. The Medallion Award was created to encourage the continued upgrading of the quality of published books of Cowboy Poetry. The goal for expanding the honoring Western Literature continues to be the recognizing of this tradition of presenting the American Cowboy and the American West to the general public in an appealing and accessible manner.
Each category will be judged by a blind jury of knowledgeable persons to rigorous criteria. The details of the criteria may be found at www.willrogersmedallionaward.org.
The actual award will continue to be the highly prized plaques produced by The Old West Cedarmill of Yukon, Oklahoma. Time and date for the presentation will be announced.
Forms for submissions are on the website: www.willrogersmedallionaward.org.
Questions may be directed to:
Charles Williams, Executive Director
Will Rogers Medallion Award
6245 Chesley Lane
Dallas, Texas 75214
cewcbpo8@sbcglobal.net
2007 Will Rogers Medallion Award
for Cowboy Poetry BooksThe Will Rogers Medallion Award is presented annually to select Cowboy Poetry books of outstanding excellence in content and design, volumes of enduring quality that preserve and celebrate the history and spirit of the West.
West River Waltz, by DW Groethe (Cowboy Miner Productions)
Arizona Women—Weird, Wild and Wonderful, by Dee Strickland Johnson (Cowboy Miner Productions)
The Campfire Ain't Quite Out, by Kent Stockton (Cowboy Miner Productions)
2006 Will Rogers Medallion Award
for Cowboy Poetry BooksThe Will Rogers Medallion Award is presented annually to select Cowboy Poetry books of outstanding excellence in content and design, volumes of enduring quality that preserve and celebrate the history and spirit of the West.
From My Window
by Yvonne Hollenbeck
published by Pine Hill Press
ISBN: 1-57579-321-0
30549 291st Street
Clearfield, South Dakota 57580
605/557-3559
Sixty five new poems (including "What Would Martha Do?") together with pioneer stories and vintage photos never before published along with holiday poetry and poems about quilts and quilters.
Buck Ramsey's Grass
edited by Bette Ramsey and Scott Braucher published by Texas Tech
University Press
800.832.4042
ISBN -0-89672-569-3
Buck Ramsey's prose and poetry, Walt LaRue's original drawings, commentary from poets, folklorists, and friends, rare photos; images of historic Texas brands; with an accompanying CD of Buck Ramsey reciting his epic poem.
2005 Will Rogers Medallion Award
for Cowboy Poetry Books
The Will Rogers Medallion Award is presented annually to select Cowboy Poetry books of outstanding excellence in content and design, volumes of enduring quality that preserve and celebrate the history and spirit of the West.
Where Sagebrush Grows
by Darin Brookman
illustrated by Brian Asher
published by Pair'a Spurs Press
ISBN: 09749518-03
Pair'a Spurs Press
Rt. 2 Box 20
Hollis, OK 73550
www.silvercreekcowboy.com
Exceptional poetry and art bring the world of cowboys, cattle and horses to life on the page.
Short Poems & Tall Cowboys
by Jesse Colt
illustrated by Val Moker
published by Friesens Business Machines, ISBN: 0-9734619-0-x
100 McKee Crescent
Regina Saskatchewan, Canada
S4S 5N6
www.valmoker.com
A poetic tribute to the cowboy, "the man who is true to himself," accompanied by impressive illustrations.
Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers
by Rolf Flake
published by Cowboy Miner Productions
ISBN 1-931725-06-3
Cowboy Miner Productions
P. O. Box 9674
Phoenix, Arizona 85068
www.cowboyminer.com
A half century of cowboying and ranching experience informs the stories and poems of a respected Arizona writer.
Cowboy Poetry: The Reunion
edited by Virginia Bennett
illustrations by Walt La Rue
published by Gibbs Smith, Publisher
ISBN: 1-58685-349x
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667
Layton, UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com
A definitive collection of modern and classic poets, released in conjunction with the 20th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
2004 Will Rogers Medallion Award
for Cowboy Poetry Books
Arizona Herstory: Tales from Her Storied Past
by Dee Strickland Johnson (Buckshot Dot)
published by Cowboy Miner Productions
ISBN: 1931725055
Buckshot Dot Enterprises
HC 3 Box 593-F
Payson, Arizona 85541
(928) 474-8305
www.buckshotdot.com
This impressive collection celebrates the history of the author's beloved
native state with careful scholarship, captivating tales, and no small
amount of humor. Native people, vaqueros, soldiers, cowboys, outlaws,
sheriffs, mule skinners, chuckwagon cooks, and settlers populate the poetry
and stories, and a panoramic view of the history and the settlement of the
West results.
Born to This Land
by Red Steagall and Skeeter Hagler
published by Texas Tech
University Press
ISBN: 0896724921
Red Steagall's Cowboy Favorites
P.O. Box 136639
Fort Worth, TX 76136
800-457-7966 http://www.redsteagall.comThis stunning book combines the acclaimed poetry of Red Steagall, The Official Cowboy Poet of Texas, and the Pulitzer Prize winning photos of Skeeter Hagler. They examine the traditions passed from generation to generation, while exploring the impact of cowboying on those who choose it as a way of life.
Ground Tied
by Lyn Messersmith
published by EZ Rein Publishing
printed by Pine Hill Press
ISBN: 1575792567
Lyn Messersmith
HC 75 Box 13
Seneca, NE 69161Acclaimed poet and third-generation rancher Lyn Messersmith best describes
her excellent volume "These poems and I were born of the land, and we don't
stray very far from it." The book is thoughtful illustrated by Bobbi
DeNaeyer Owens, a Montana rancher and the author's daughter.
Pat Richardson Unhobbled
by Pat Richardson
published by Pine Hill Press
ISBN: 1575792729
Pat Richardson
562 Breeze Avenue
Merced, California 95348
209/722-4612
AWA Cowboy Poet of the Year Pat Richardson draws on his rodeo days --literally and figuratively; his own fine drawings are included--his dangerous imagination, and many rich experiences in his unique observations that result in his carefully written, hilarious poetry.
Time Not Measured by a Clock
by Carole Jarvis
published by Cowboy Miner Productions
ISBN: 1931725071
Carole Jarvis
43909 West Highway 60
Wickenburg, Arizona 85390
www.CowboyShowcase.com/cowboypoetry4.htm
Years of cowboying and ranching across the West inform Carole Jarvis's
impressive prose and poetry. From humorous ranch-wife stories to well
crafted poetry, her knowledge and honesty lay a firm foundation for her
engaging work. The sensitive illustrations by Larry Bute unfailingly match
the spirit of the writing.
Turning to Face the Wind
by Jane Ambrose Morton
published by Cowboy Miner Productions
ISBN: 193172508x
Jane Morton, 12710 Abert Way, Colorado
Springs, CO 80908
The poems, stories, and vintage photos of this much published writer
chronicle her family's Colorado ranching history. Morton's clear and candid
writing brings these sturdy people to life in these warm and honest tales of
hardships and rewards from the family's pioneering beginnings to the
challenges it and all ranching families face today.
2003 Will Rogers Medallion Award
A Little Bit of Texas
by Rod Nichols
published by: Passage Publishing
ISBN: 0-9715926-9-1
P.O. Box 215,6140 Hwy. 6
Missouri City, TX 77459
web site
This proud son of Texas captures the heart and humor of Cowboy and Western
life in a collection of nearly 100 poems with a wide range of styles and subjects. Rod Nichols' work has been featured in numerous publications and in books such as Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day
O'Connor's recent biography about growing up on the Lazy B Ranch.
Where Prairie Flowers Bloom
by Yvonne Hollenbeck
ISBN: 1-57579-242-7
30549 291st Street
Clearfield, South Dakota 57580
605/557-3559
This collection of poetry, stories, and photos tells the tales of western
prairie settlers and their modern day ranch family counterparts. South
Dakota rancher Yvonne Hollenbeck descends from many generations of ranchers and cowboys. She is a featured performer at Elko and other gatherings.
Horse Tracks Through the Sage
by Sunny Hancock and Jesse Smith
published by Cowboy Miner Productions
ISBN: 1-931725-02-0
P. O. Box 9674
Phoenix, AZ 85068
602-944-3763
www.cowboyminer.comTwo of today's top Cowboy Poets team up in a volume of over 50 of their
most-requested poems in this modern classic. Sunny Hancock and Jesse Smith
use their extensive cowboying experiences and great imaginations to create
memorable in poems that range from inspirational to hilarious. The book has
forewords by Baxter Black and Chris Isaacs and an introduction by the late
Larry McWhorter.
Somewhere Between Earth and Heaven
by Mike Dunn
Linda's Letters & Publications
3045 North Lemon
Mesa, Arizona 85215
408-641-7175
ldunn2@cox.net
This collection is a showcase for Arizonan Mike Dunn's versatility. Its
humorous, serious, and inspirational poems capture the past and present of
cowboy and ranching life. Dunn is recognized for his impressive delivery of his own work and the classics at gatherings across the West.
2002
Will Rogers Medallion Award
The Fence That Me and Shorty Built
by Red Steagall
published by Bunkhouse Press
ISBN: 0967761018
P.O. Box 136639
Fort Worth, TX 76136
800-457-7966
www.redsteagall.comThe latest inspirational book penned by world famous entertainer, singer,
songwriter and poet Red Steagall contains all of his poetry and music written since his first book, "Ride For the Brand." The book contains musical lead sheets, personal photos, and Red Steagall's commentary regarding the inspirations for many of his works. (Introduction by
President George W. Bush)
The Big Roundup
edited by Margo Metegrano
published by New West Library,
ISBN: 0971255032
P. O. Box 33044
San Francisco, CA 94133
800-345-6665
www.cowboypoetry.comAn anthology of over 140 classic and contemporary poems, with a "Best of
the West" appendix with international entries for the best Cowboy gatherings
and events, organizations, and museums; and a full author, title and first line index. (Foreword by Professor Tom Mayo, Dallas Morning News poetry
reviewer)
Rhymes, Reasons, and Pack Saddle Proverbs
by Chris Isaacs
published by Cowboy Miner Productions
ISBN: 0966209168
P. O. Box 9674
Phoenix, AZ 85068
602-944-3763
www.cowboyminer.comThis outstanding book is a collection of poetry, observations, and illustrations by Chris Isaacs, who has been a rodeo cowboy, working cowboy, guest ranch manager, horseshoer, and packer. (Introduction by Larry McWhorter)
Piled Higher and Deeper
by Mike Puhallo
with illustrations by Wendy Liddle published by Hancock House
ISBN: 088839487X
1431 Harrison Avenue,
Blaine, WA 98230
800-938-1114 www.hancockhouse.comThis collection of 45 poems by Mike Puhallo range from silly to serious.
Mike Puhallo has been a working cowboy, a saddle bronc rider, a packer, and horse trainer. This is the fifth book created in collaboration with
award-winning cartoonist Wendy Liddle; every poem is illustrated with her trademark wit and humor.
Rainman
by Lloyd Shelby
published by Painted Word Studios
P.O. Box 1606
Crosby, TX 77532
888-313-0334
Texas poet and storyteller Lloyd Shelby's book is a compilation of his acclaimed epic poetry, illustrated with original art. Lloyd Shelby worked his way through school shoeing horses and working with cutting horses. Today he performs at schools, libraries and other organizations and appears at
gatherings and events throughout the West.
The BAR-D Roundup | Cowboy Poetry Week
Authors retain copyright to their work; obtain an author's
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