29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Begins at Western Folklife Center Today

The 29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering -the nation's greatest celebration of the American West, its people, culture and traditions-will take place today, January 28 to February 2, 2013, in Elko, Nevada. Produced by the Western Folklife Center, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering features performances of poetry and music from the cowboy and ranching occupation, but also presents exhibitions, films, workshops, dances and discussions-all centered on land-based culture in the American West, its traditional arts and the challenges it faces in the 21st century.

The 29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering will host butteri, cowboys from Italy, who have their own unique poetry, music, gear and traditional techniques, but still have much in common with their counterparts in the American West and cattle cultures across the globe. The Italian cultural exchange is part of the Western Folklife Center's ongoing effort to build understanding among herding cultures worldwide, and is exclusively sponsored by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation.

In addition to its Italian guests, the 29th Gathering will present more than 50 poets, musicians and musical groups from the U.S. and Canada, performing on seven stages at four different venues. The line-up includes cowboy poets Baxter Black, Wally McRae, Paul Zarzyski, Waddie Mitchell, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Joel Nelson, Elizabeth Ebert and many others. Music is as integral to the Gathering as poetry; the musical line-up includes Don Edwards, Tom Russell, The Quebe Sisters Band, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Brenn Hill, Wylie & The Wild West, Dave Stamey, Corb Lund & The Hurtin' Albertans, Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs, Cowboy Celtic, The Saddle Cats and more. See below for a full list of participating artists and visit www.westernfolklife.org for bios and information.

The Gathering also features hands-on workshops in traditional western arts such as rawhide braiding and cinch-making as well as songwriting, Italian cooking and rhythm guitar. The event offers western dances, film screenings, open-mic poetry and music sessions, and discussions about subjects important in the West such as water and land conservation, horsemanship, and agriculture and the creative muse. For tickets and information, visit www.westernfolklife.org, call 775-738-7508, or toll-free 888-880-5885.

The 29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is supported by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation, Edmund W. Littlefield, Jr., NV Energy, Eldorado Hotel Casino, Barrick Gold of North America, Newmont Mining Corporation, Blach Distributing, Zions Bank, Goldcorp Marigold Mine, Nevada Humanities, Wells Fargo Bank and many more foundations, businesses and individuals.

The Western Folklife Center is dedicated to exploring, presenting and preserving the diverse and dynamic cultural heritage of the American West. We celebrate the wisdom, artistry and ingenuity of western folkways through exhibitions, educational programs, national radio and television programs, research and preservation projects, our website, and our premier event, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. We nurture connections among rural and ranching cultures globally, exploring universal themes in working traditions and artistic expression, which we believe are vital links to the past, present and future of the American West.

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Performers:

R.P. Smith. Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland.
Adrian, Williams, CA
Baxter Black, Benson, AZ
Dave Bourne, Agoura Hills, CA
Cowboy Celtic, Turner Valley, AB, Canada
John Dofflemyer, Lemon Cove, CA
Carolyn Dufurrena, Winnemucca, NV
Elizabeth Ebert, Lemmon, SD
Don Edwards, Hico, TX
Ramblin' Jack Elliott ,Northern California
Dick Gibford, New Cuyama, CA
DW Groethe, Bainville, MT
Kristyn Harris, McKinney, TX
Andy Hedges, Lubbock, TX
Jessica Hedges, Burns, OR
Brenn Hill, Clinton, UT
Yvonne Hollenbeck, Clearfield, SD
Jess Howard, Wibaux, MT
Linda Hussa, Cedarville, CA
Chris Isaacs, Eagar, AZ
Kay Kelley Nowell, Alpine, TX
Ross Knox, Catheys Valley, CA
Bill Lowman, Sentinel Butte, ND
Corb Lund & the Hurtin' Albertans, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Mary McCaslin, Santa Cruz, CA
Gary McMahan with Ernie Martinez, Bellvue, CO
Wally McRae, Forsyth, MT
Waddie Mitchell, Twin Bridges, NV
Andy Nelson, Pinedale, WY
Joel Nelson, Alpine, TX
Rodney Nelson, Almont, ND
Glenn Ohrlin, Mountain View, AR
Ed Peekeekoot, Crofton, BC, Canada
The Quebe Sisters Band, Burleson, TX
Vess Quinlan, San Acacio, CO
Henry Real Bird, Garryowen, MT
Pat Richardson, Merced, CA
Randy Rieman, Dillon, MT
Tom Russell, Wimberley, TX
The Saddle Cats, Oakland, CA
Georgie Sicking, Kaycee, WY
Al Simmons, Anola, MB, Canada
Jesse Smith, Cora, WY
R.P. Smith, Broken Bow, NE
Sourdough Slim & Robert Armstrong, Paradise, CA
Dave Stamey, Orange Grove, CA
Gail Steiger, Prescott, AZ
Los Texmaniacs, San Antonio, TX
Keith Ward, Vilas, NC
Wylie & The Wild West, Conrad, MT
Paul Zarzyski, Great Falls, MT

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