Source:  News Release

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering a Forum
for Discussion of Issues Important to the Rural West

Elko, Nevada—Cowboy poetry is an occupational tradition, born out of a livelihood that is dependent on land, water and weather. At a time when demand for the West’s natural resources is at an all-time high, and a changing climate is contributing to drought and its devastating consequences, it is critical to bring together those who depend on the land and those who are tasked with ensuring its sustainability, to share stories and solutions to the region’s growing resource concerns. The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which takes place in Elko, Nevada, January 28 to February 2, 2013, is a natural forum for discussions about these and other subjects pertinent to the rural West.

People in the rural West are hungry for solutions to the challenges we face,” says Meg Glaser, Artistic Director of the Western Folklife Center, which produces the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. “The Gathering is a place where urban and rural westerners can come together to share their experiences with each other and get best practices advice from other professionals. Because people are sharing an artistic experience at the Gathering, the atmosphere is terrific for listening and creative problem-solving.”

Among the topics of discussion at the 29th Gathering will be the challenges of water in the West. A roundtable discussion among four presenters will offer a range of perspectives and experiences on topics ranging from regional drought to resource conservation, sharing local stories to working collaboratively. The intent is to generate food for thought and provide practical tools for water conservation. There will also be a follow-up conversation with audience members. Panelists are Bill Zeedyk, a consultant who helps ranchers restore wetlands and riparian habitats using “low-tech” bio-engineering methods and native materials; Lisa Hamilton, a photographer and writer who collects and shares stories of individuals’ relationships to water in the West; John Ehrmann, who, as founder of the Meridian Institute, has pioneered the use of collaborative decision-making in many challenging areas, including water conservation; and Jack Loeffler, an aural historian, radio producer and writer whose focus includes restoration and preservation of habitat, the relationships of indigenous cultures to homeland, and understanding the role of cultural diversity in preservation of habitat.

The Gathering will also host the following presentations:

A discussion of evidence-based horsemanship with well-known horseman Martin Black and neuropsychologist Dr. Stephen Peters, who have studied the horse’s brain and its development for keys to horse behavior and in an effort to find solutions for best practices in horsemanship.

A conversation about agriculture and the creative muse with poets and ranchers Sean Sexton, Linda Hussa and John Dofflemyer. Writer and artist Teresa Jordan will host this discussion of how the natural world is a source of artistic inspiration for those who work the land for a living, and how their creative lives are enriched and challenged by their ranching occupation.

In presentations about the practice of poetry and storytelling, cowboy poets will share their insights on choosing poems to recite, and how to enhance the performance of poetry. Photographer and writer Lisa Hamilton will share stories of farmers and ranchers throughout the West and discuss the communication challenges of telling rural stories to an urban public.

The following discussions will take place as part of the cultural exchange with Italian cowboys (butteri) at the 29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering:

Ranching in Italy’s Marrema: Past, Present and Future—a presentation on the deep roots of ranching in Italy as well as the contemporary realities of making a living raising cattle in this part of the world.

Italian Ranching East and West—a discussion of the current state of ranching in the American West and Italy, and thoughts for the future of the occupation in both countries.

Ranch Women Swapping Stories—a sharing of stories, poetry and prose among Italian and American ranch women.

Italian American Ranching Stories—an afternoon of stories that connect the dots between Italy and the American West, honoring the generations that immigrated and those who continue to ranch in northern Nevada.

These presentations and discussions are free with the purchase of a 3-day Deluxe Pass, which is currently priced at $60 and good for Thursday, January 31 through Saturday, February 2. Single Day Passes are also available for each of these three days at a cost of $25. A full schedule is available online.

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 Gathering will present more than 50 poets, musicians and musical groups from the U.S., Canada and Italy, 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, Los Texmaniacs, Cowboy Celtic, The Saddle Cats and more. Visit www.westernfolklife.org for a full list of participating artists and their bios. Press passes are available for the media. Contact Darcy Minter at dminter@westernfolklife.org for more information.

For tickets and information visit westernfolklife.org or call 775-738-7508 or toll-free 888-880-5885. The 29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is supported by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation, Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group, Timken-Sturgis Foundation 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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