The 20th Annual

Wednesday through Sunday January 14-18, 2009

20performers’ Biographies

Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard Arvada, Colorado 80003 720-898-7200 www.arvadacenter.org ELI BARSI of Rockaway Beach, JERRY BROOKS (Brooksie) of Missouri, is a full time musical Sevier, Utah, still likes reciting cowgirl, growing up on a ranch poetry – mostly cowboy poetry! and once living the western life, She was raised in New England she now travels internationally where she worked on horse farms singing and writing about this schooling green jumpers. Having lifestyle. She is an award winning the wanderlust of youth, she head- recording artist originally from the ed west and fell in love with the prairies of Saskatchewan Canada beauty of south central Utah and now based out of the Ozarks of the Tushar Mountains. Retired Missouri. She has recorded ten after 26 years as an underground CDs, released numerous charting coalmine foreman, she’s perfectly radio hits, and had three videos on happy to caretake an 80-acre CMT. Her show is lively family fun, a true western experience - stretch of Clear Creek Canyon, encourage water to run down- with smooth vocals, great yodeling, strong musicianship, hill, cut firewood, and shoot whistle pigs. Brooksie has been compelling originals, and tasteful standards all paying tribute featured on compilations CDs produced by the Bar-D Ranch to our Western Heritage. (CowboyPoetry.com). She’s nearly finished with her first solo project, a CD called Shoulder to Shoulder – her recitations of classic western poetry which includes Buck Ramsey’s masterpiece Anthem.

BILL BARWICK of Denver, Colorado, is hailed as a cowboy’s cowboy-song singer, and accom- panied by superb guitar work, DEB CARPENTER-NOLTING Bill’s singing, songwriting and sto- of Bushnell, Nebraska, had rytelling are a performance not to Nebraska homesteaders for great- be missed. Nominated 2008 grandparents, and Deb was raised Western Music Male Vocalist of with a great appreciation of family the Year, by both the Academy of history as well as the history of Western Artists and the Western place. Deb, a teacher by trade, has Music Association. Bill appears taught in one-room schools, high regularly at Denver’s historic school and college classes on the Buckhorn Exchange. You might Pine Ridge Reservation, and com- also recognize him as the on-air spokesperson for Encore position classes at Chadron State television’s Westerns Channel, or the numerous radio and TV College in Nebraska. Married to ads he’s done. An award-winning entertainer and songwriter, gifted Western poet Tim Nolting, Bill’s albums all feature great western music and that deep, she currently teaches English and College Composition class- rich voice. es at Gering High School. Deb is also a freelance writer, poet, songwriter, and performing artist; a proud mother of two grown daughters, and a breast cancer survivor.

BAXTER BLACK of Benson, Arizona, can shoe a horse, string a bob wire fence and bang out a JON CHANDLER of Commerce Bob Wills classic on his flat top City, Colorado, is a Spur Award- guitar. Cowboy poet, and former winning author and a unique large animal veterinarian, he was singer of the West. He has per- raised in New Mexico, spent his formed across the country, from workin’ life in the mountain west Washington D.C. to San Antonio, tormenting cows, now he travels from the Ryman Auditorium in the country tormenting cowboys. Nashville to the National Cowboy He still doesn’t own a television Poetry Gathering in Elko. Known or a cell phone, and his idea of a as a superb wordsmith, his new modern convenience is Velcro chaps. Since 1982, Baxter Black CD, The Grand Dame of the has been rhyming his way into the national spotlight. He’s Rockies was released in written several books, recorded over a dozen audio and video December to rave reviews. The tapes, CDs and DVDs, and has achieved notoriety as a syndi- host of America’s Soul Live!, a televised monthly concert series, cated columnist, radio commentator, and more recently with his he is the recipient of the 2009 Editors’ Choice Best of the West TV program Out There on RFD-TV. From the Tonight Show and Award as Best Living Solo Musician of the West from True PBS to NPR and the NFR, Baxter’s wacko verse has been West Magazine. Together with Ernie Martinez and Butch seen and heard by millions. He can be followed nationwide Hause, they are The Wichitones. Jon has recorded many through his column, National Public Radio, public appear- musical albums and has authored many books. ances, television and also through his books, CDs, videos and website, www.baxterblack.com. DORIS DALEY of Turner Valley, MIKE FLEMING of Santa Clarita, Alberta, Canada, comes from a California, grew up in Colorado gene pool in Southern Alberta where he developed his perfor- that includes Mounties, cowboys, mance and songwriting skills in desperados, fancy two-steppers, theater and music, including sev- sorry team ropers, and good pie eral years as a Barnstormer at the makers. She comes to the festi- Country Dinner Playhouse. He has val this year with a brand new been described by reviewers as CD, Beneath a Western Sky. “a creative and perceptive song- Play these poems to your calves writer” whose work is “among the and watch them gain weight! Doris has been an emcee and most innovative in Western featured poet at every cowboy festival in Canada and many in Music.” Mike has won the the United States. She is one of only three Canadian cowboy Academy of Western Artists Will Rogers - Best Western poets who has never roped a bear. Doris has many additional Swing Song award for Sometimes This Old Cowboy Gets the CDs available. Blues, as well as the WMA/Song of the Year and AWA Best Song with co-writer, Les Buffham, for Below the Kinney Rim. His band New West won the 1999 Will Rogers Award for Best JACK DeWERFF of Mesa, Western Group. Arizona, has spent his entire life around horses, cattle, and cow- boys. His working days were in MARK GARDNER of the farming and livestock industry Cascade, Colorado, and and although now retired, he’s still REX RIDEOUT of Conifer, a cowboy and pursues those inter- Colorado, have been per- ests whenever possible. Jack forming the historic music of started writing poems about his the American West for over observations over the years. He 25 years. They approach has shared his observations at “cowboy” music as histori- most of the cowboy poetry gatherings around the country and ans and musicologists, with groups ranging from annual meetings of major corpora- consulting rare diaries and tions to private birthday parties. Some of his poems are true, journals, early sheet music, some are partly true, and “them that ain’t, outta be.” vintage recordings, and oral sources. In their performances and recordings, they feature vintage instruments and use historic playing styles. In 2008, the New Mexico Humanities Council DUANE DICKINSON of Scobey, sent Mark & Rex on a concert tour of New Mexico in celebra- Montana, was born on a small tion of the centennial of the publication of the first book of ranch in the northeastern corner cowboy ballads, Jack Thorp’s Songs of the Cowboys. Thorp’s of that state. He began learning songbook was printed in Estancia, New Mexico, in 1908. The traditional cowboy songs and tour involved concerts in nine New Mexico communities, as sentimental Victorian ballads from well as special performances for elementary and high school his father, and has some 350 students and senior citizens. When all was said and done, Mark songs in his head. His fellow per- & Rex had traveled 2,715 miles and consumed gallons of formers highly respect him as one green chili. of the best sources of the old cow- boy songs and many consider him a national treasure. With song-collecting as a hobby, Duane ranched near Ryegate, Montana, until 1996, when he sold the PEGGY GODFREY of Moffat, ranch and semi-retired. He still owns an impressive fleet of Colorado, has been ranching for antique farm implements! Duane has recorded several cas- 35 years – the past twenty in the settes of both popular and obscure material and a CD, When San Luis Valley of south central the Work’s All Done This Fall. Colorado. Composting disasters has provided a fertile medium for sprouting poems and stories, her personal variation on value-added ELIZABETH EBERT of agriculture. For the past four Lemmon, South Dakota, is a years, she has worked with a local retired rancher and recent widow. non-profit producing a ranching Her beloved husband of 63 years, heritage video project featuring SJ, passed away last summer. local ranch folks and ranching Elizabeth was a closet poet until activities season by season. During the past couple of years, 1989, and has since recited at she gained experiential evidence that her poetry exposing arro- gatherings from California to gance and greed does not set well with the afflicted; however, Boston and from Canada to Texas. poets usually get the last word! Peggy’s first performance as a Elizabeth work is preserved in a cowboy poet was here at the Arvada Center. book entitled Crazy Quilt and a CD Live from Thunder Hawk. She also appears on several compilation CDs. Two of her poems have even been set to music! She was given the Academy of Western Artists Award for Female Poet in 2001. She was featured at the Denver Storytelling Conference. Elizabeth’s new book, Prairie Wife is fresh off the press! SID HAUSMAN of Tesuque, New BOB HUFF of Pagosa Springs, Mexico, writes songs of folk and Colorado, was one of the poets Western Americana, and is a who participated in the first strong instrumentalist playing Arvada Gathering twenty years banjo, 12-string banjo, baritone ago and has returned frequently as ukulele, harmonica, and bones. a featured performer. His poems He tours throughout the United reflect ranch life in southwest States doing concerts and work- Colorado and packing in the San shops. This troubadour has also Juan Mountains. Some poems are performed five times at the intended to be humorous while Edinburgh Folk Festival in others are quite serious - he hopes Scotland. Sid has written and the audience can tell the difference. As the years advance, his illustrated two children’s books pack trips and rides have gotten shorter. He still monitors a with companion CDs titled One Bullfrog and Cactus Critter 30,000-acre grazing unit for the Forest Service. Days up in the Bash. His songs and stories reflect his experience with Native forest on a good old horse by himself are still some of the best Americans, the influence of Hispanic culture, and the rural envi- that life can provide. ronment of the Southwest. LESLIE KELTNER of Cody, Wyoming, comes from a family so “cowboy” that both of her daugh- BRENN HILL of Hooper, Utah, is ters were born with cowlicks! The a singer/songwriter who creates Keltners live in the beautiful music that not only pays homage Southfork Valley near Yellowstone to Western music’s finest tradi- Park. They have lived every aspect tions, but also serves as a of the western life from rodeos to passport to today’s Mountain ranches, farming to feedlots, West. There’s a certain mystique mountain trails to desert pastures. surrounding the West that has Leslie is a campfire cook, a cow- continued to fascinate people for boy poet, western songstress, occasional yodeler, centuries. It’s reflected in the washtub-bass-playin’ guitar-pickin’ teller of tales, and keeper rugged beauty of the land and the of history. She is a frequent featured guest performer on spirit of its people. It’s those com- Cody’s newly established weekly radio show Comfort Food, pelling landscapes that are Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes for Your Mind. Leslie has per- brought vividly to life in the music of Brenn Hill. Brenn does formed at poetry and music gathering and ranching events just that again on his sixth album, What A Man’s Got To Do, a throughout the West. potent collection of songs filled with interesting characters and eagle-eyed observations on life, love, and the indomitable western spirit. JILL JONES of Driftwood, Texas, grew up on a ranch in the Texas hill country where the family raised hors- es. Her love for horses and music combined over twenty years ago. As YVONNE HOLLENBECK of a solo performer or with her group, Clearfield, South Dakota, and her The Lone Star Chorale, she is now a husband, Glen, own and operate a veteran of cowboy gatherings across working cattle ranch where she the county. Her band was featured on actively participates in every duty A Prairie Home Companion in 2000 involved with its operation. Her and they won the 2002 Academy of poetry is a reflection of this life, Western Artists Cowboy Group of the Year Award. Jill is also an although an occasional event or award winning yodeler and is currently in a musical play with Ray memory may also stir her creativ- Benson and Asleep At the Wheel called A Ride With Bob, a tribute ity. Yvonne is the number one to the western swing legend Bob Wills. award-winning cowgirl poet in America, one of the most pub- lished cowgirl poets in the West, CHUCK LARSEN of Saratoga, and is the only person to have won both the Humorous and Wyoming, grew up on a farm in South Serious Categories in the World’s Only Cowboy Poetry Rodeo. Dakota where he had ample oppor- The title track of her CD, What Would Martha Do? was the tunity to “do it all” when it came to most requested poem on radio. Yvonne and Jean Prescott have working livestock. Although Chuck’s just won the Best Collaboration award from the Western day job takes up most of his time, he Music Association. still lends a hand on near-by ranch- es. In his “spare time”, he keeps busy ridin’ colts, fixin’ fence and packin’ a string of mules into the high country. Chuck’s unique style of writing and performing his poetry will allow you to “visualize” his cowboyin’ experiences. Blue Cowboy Moon and Chuck’s latest recording Stock Tank Reflections are available on CD, and his book You’re Gonna Get A Kick Outta This would be a great addition to your cowboy poetry collection. LIZ MASTERSON of Denver, JACKIE MORGAN of Pinedale, Colorado, has, since 1982, been Wyoming, is a true westerner! recognized as a “trail blazer” in the When her great-grandma Maggie revival of western music. Her dis- Duffy transplanted herself from tinctive singing, yodeling and New York to homestead just south expertise as a Master of of Denver, little did she know just Ceremonies, has earned her how deep those Western roots acclaim throughout North would grow. Jackie’s granddad America. In 2007, she yodeled broke horses for the original owner on the Discovery Channel’s of the Highland Ranch. Her grand- Mythbusters in the episode on mother’s spurs hang in her living Avalanches! Liz specializes in room; her Dad rode broncs at concerts, folk festivals, agricul- Calgary; her brother rode in Autry’s tural events, cowboy poetry gathering cultural centers and European Wild West Show. Jackie’s daughters are “horse poor” educational programs. Past venues include the Smithsonian and her granddaughter rodeos. Her mother wrote the family his- Institution, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and the tory and Jackie writes its poetry. Jackie puts an Irish Blessing Lincoln Center in New York City. Liz toured 38 states and on you - one and all: “May the Frost Forever Ignore your Spuds!” recorded six albums of western and swing music with the late, great Sean Blackburn. Now, on a new frontier, she has just released her seventh CD, Roads to Colorado, aimed at the hearts of travelers and homebodies. She performs solo, and with various musical partners. ANDY NELSON of Pinedale, Wyoming, is a second-generation farrier whose experience, talents, and humor bring authenticity and entertainment to an audience. In GARY McMAHAN of Bellvue, 2006, Andy was named the Colorado, is known for his award- Western Music Association’s Male winning songs, hilarious humor, Poet of the Year. He performs fre- captivating stories, and national quently throughout the U.S. and championship yodeling. Artists has been a featured performer at such as Ian Tyson, Garth Brooks, many gatherings. Recently Andy Chris LeDoux, and Riders in the has added CD Producer to his Sky have recorded his songs. resume and has assisted “techni- Gary’s poetry isn’t the stuff you cally-challenged” western performers record their work for hated in high school. On the con- posterity. Andy and his brother Jim host a weekly syndicated trary, his simple style embodies radio show Clear Out West (C.O.W.) Radio and have been what many believe to be the heart named DJ’s of the Year by the Western Music Association and of the new West. McMahan the Academy of Western Artists. Andy’s new book Jonah comes by his cowboy heritage naturally – he was born into it combines Andy’s poetry with stunning photography. and has ridden, wrangled, and roped all over the West, always collecting reflections. Those reflections are the backbone of all his songs, stories, and poems. Gary was one of the dri- ving forces involved getting our gathering started in 1990. JOHN NELSON of Gunnison, Colorado, is at home on horse- back leading a pack string in the Colorado wilderness or down a AL “DOC” MEHL of Boulder, remote Four Corners canyon. For Colorado, traces his family roots 30 years, John has operated the to central Kansas, where his Gunnison Country Guide Service. grandfather raised six children on In the early days of that career, he the family homestead. From the often worked as a ranch hand tales of his family’s experiences, and range rider during the off- “Doc” Mehl weaves the history season of the outfitting business. and the mystery of the West into In the late 1980s, he began writ- his original poetry and music. He ing and reciting cowboy poetry to has performed in cowboy poetry entertain guests and wranglers in the backcountry. Since festivals from El Paso to then, he has performed for numerous gatherings, other Cheyenne. His debut music CD is events, guest ranches, radio and TV, and has had his work titled Asphalt Cowboy, a second published in a poetry CD and DVD, both called, Word music CD titled I’d Rather Be… was released in 2008, and he Wranglin’ and Rhymin’. has also published a CD of original poetry titled Cowboy Pottery. His poems have been featured on the website www.CowboyPoetry.com, and his recordings are available at www.cdbaby.com. NEW WEST of California, is GWEN PETERSEN of Big all about NEW Western Timber, Montana, has been deal- music. Founded in 1995, ing with the foibles of cows, this dynamic trio performs sheep, pigs, and miniature hors- songs that pay tribute to the es for over 40 years. She is rancher, the vaquero and surprised to learn she is 80 years the men and women of the old! In her “dotage,” she has American West. The band taken up guitar pickin’, singin’, features award winning and writing songs and song par- songwriter, Mike Fleming, odies. Her advice: “Get outta the renowned lead guitarist and way, here she comes!” Gwen mandolin player, Raul writes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, Reynoso, and the incredi- plays, and a weekly humor col- bly talented Dave Jackson on bass. Since their debut they umn. Her book How to Shovel Manure and Other Life have garnered three best song awards from the Academy of Lessons for the Country Woman won an award from the Western Artists and The Western Music Association and the Midwest Independent Publishers Association. Her career Will Rogers Award for Best Western Group. New West toured highlights include an appearance on the Tonight Show with the Midwest in 2003 and 2004 and has been a featured act at Johnny Carson. Gwen plans to have fun until the end of the the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, the trail…and beyond! Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield Kansas, The Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival in Southern California, and the Strawberry Music Festival in Northern California. JEAN PRESCOTT of Ovalo, Texas, is a nationally acclaimed singer/songwriter whose music is TIM NOLTING, of Bushnell, described as “the spiritual essence Nebraska, is a western and cow- of the west.” A multiple award-win- boy poet who has been a regular ner, she is one of the nation’s top performer in cowboy poetry cir- western singers. With her rich cles for over 20 years. He has melodious voice, Jean captivates become well known for his tradi- and delights her audiences with tional cowboy poetry. Tim’s poetry songs about the cowboys and ranges from the wildly humorous cowgirls of the American West. to the quiet contemplations of a Whether on a concert stage or cowboy and his life. He has been around the campfire, folks find a featured poet at gatherings themselves tapping their toes to her original and classic cow- throughout the west in Nevada, boy songs. Jean and husband, singer/songwriter Gary Wyoming, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Arizona and Prescott, carry on the ranching tradition in West Texas, raising Colorado. Tim has been honored as the 2004 Colorado State quarter horses and several spoiled dogs and cats. She has a Fair Champion Cowboy Poet and as the 2005 All-Around brand new gospel album, Whisperings of Jesus. Cowboy Entertainer in Estes Park, Colorado. Tim performed at our very first Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

CHUCK PYLE of Palmer Lake, O’BRIEN FAMILY BAND Colorado, is admired as a sly of Evergreen, Colorado, lays humorist and an innovative gui- claim to being, “The Family tarist. He has performed for the that Entertains Families.” Colorado Legislature, on Austin Their energetic mix of City Limits, and at Bill Gates’ Western/Cowboy, hot- home. An accomplished song- pickin’, yodeling, original writer, Chuck’s songs have been tunes and even a little blue- recorded by John Denver, The grass keeps toes tapping Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Suzy and lips smiling. If you Bogguss. Country fans know him haven’t seen the O’Brien’s best for writing, Cadillac Cowboy, for a while, get ready for recorded by the late Chris some changes. Kyle (18) is LeDoux, and Jaded Lover, recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker. He now the tall one (6’5”) with flashy mandolin, guitar, and fiddle also wrote and performed the theme song for the PBS series playing. Maura (15) plays fiddle and banjo, sings, and delights Spirit of Colorado. Pyle has ten albums to his credit, including audiences with her championship yodeling. Mom, Janette, his most recent CD, Higher Ground - Songs of Colorado. sings and plays the “dog-house” bass and Dad, Dan, sings, plays guitar, and writes many of the band’s tunes. Maura and Kyle are both Western Music Association International Youth Yodeling Champions. Having been home-schooled until recently, this is the only year they are both attending public school together - Kyle is a senior and Maura is a freshman at Evergreen High School. They are both singing and picking better than ever. RIDERS IN THE SKY of GEORGIE SICKING of Kaycee, Nashville, Tennessee, are Wyoming, grew up with horses truly exceptional. By defin- and cattle in rugged northern ition, empirical data, and Arizona, and they have been her critical acclaim, they stand life. She drew a cowboy’s pay on “hats & shoulders” above many big outfits, ran mustangs, the rest of the purveyors ranched in several states, and of C & W – “Comedy & reared a daughter and two sons. Western!” For over thirty She’s earned the Gail Gardener years, Riders In The Sky Working Cowboy Poet Award from have been keepers of the Prescott, the Pioneer Woman flame passed on by the Award from the National Cowboy Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Symposium, National Cowgirl Hall Autry, and Roy Rogers, reviving and revitalizing Western of Fame induction, and the 100,000 Miles on Horseback plaque music. And while remaining true to the integrity of the genre, from Nevada Cattlemen’s Association. In her mid-80’s and they have themselves become modern-day icons by branding legally blind, she still rides her horses. Three books and an it with their own legendary wacky humor and way-out Western award-winning documentary film celebrate her life. wit, and all along encouraging buckaroos and buckarettes to live life “The Cowboy Way!” Riders In The Sky are stars of the stage, screen, the Grand Ole Opry, National Public Radio, XM SONS AND BROTHERS Satellite Radio, Saturday morning TV, and are the only exclu- of Westcliffe, Colorado, sively Western artist to have won a Grammy Award. They truly consists of brothers Mike, are “America’s Favorite Cowboys!” Aaron, and Joe, and their uncle Fred. They recently lost their father Frank to cancer – a loss also felt by their many friends at this OTTO ROSFELD of Valentine, gathering as well as the Nebraska, was born and raised Western and Bluegrass in Rushville, Nebraska, in what is worlds internationally. known by literary people as Together they present songs Sandoz country. A balladeer, of mountains and range with poet, and storyteller, Otto has a their string band music, bachelor of music degree from powerful vocals, and a Chadron State College with grad- Western attitude. The band uate hours from schools in has traveled, with great success, to concerts and festivals in Greeley, Colorado, and Kearney, numerous states over the past eight years, as well as Scotland, Nebraska. After more than 30 England and Wales. According to Dave Higgs, columnist for years as a public school teacher, “Bluegrass Now” magazine, “It’s not only Sons and Brothers Otto took early retirement to pur- powerful paint-peeling vocals that make them one of the most sue his love for the performing arts on a full time basis. An strikingly original band in Bluegrass, but it’s their sound…an independent scholar and musician, he has been performing his arresting brand of Bluegrass, flavored by the wide open spaces, programs since the early 1990s. grandeur and panoramic majesty of the West.” Waddie Mitchell says “Seldom does such a talented group get presented to the public. Likewise, seldom does one family possess such a talent, work ethic, faith and determination as do the Wolkings, JOHN SCHAFFNER, of Wray, who are the Sons and Brothers!” Colorado, was born and raised in Louisiana, and learned the art of cowboyin’ from a genuine old time DAVE STAMEY of Nipomo, cowboy named Carter Wailes California, has been named “the (born in 1882.) For many years, Charley Russell of Western John has been sharing the cow- Music” by Cowboy and Indians boy culture with others around Magazine. Dave has been the country through his original stepped on by mules and cowboy poetry as well as the old dragged around branding pens classic poems that were actually by cattle of many sizes. He has written as the West was being set- been a cowboy, a mule packer, tled. He has his own chuckwagon a dude wrangler, and is now one from which he serves up some of the best cowboy grub in all of the most popular Western the west. He often performs at Michael Martin Murphey’s entertainers working today. He “Westfest” and various cowboy gatherings across North finds he prefers this to being America. John is an auctioneer and a real estate broker licensed stomped by angry horses. Dave has been voted Entertainer in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. of the Year, Male Performer of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year by the Western Music Association; and Male Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists. Dave has a number of CDs available. SWEETHEARTS IN POP WAGNER of St. Paul, CARHARTTS - In 2006, Minnesota, has performed in 44 Jean Prescott recorded states and nine countries for a CD of songs honoring clubs, concerts and festivals. ranch wives. Most of the He is a crack fiddler-singer- songs were written by songwriter- storyteller-dance ranch women, including caller-lariat trick artist. Raised up five songs co-written in Roy Rogers country in Yellow by Jean and Yvonne Springs, Ohio, his musical Hollenbeck. D. W. yearning and learning came from Groethe, cowboy poet/singer wrote the title cut. Liz his grandfather’s banjo playing and the folk music “boom” Masterson sang harmony on the project and Sweethearts in of the ‘60s, and his passion for horses, cowboying and rope Carhartts the CD and group came into being. Their spon- tricks along the way. Today, Pop keeps the folk tradition taneity and camaraderie is contagious and the harmony and alive with his great performances, endearing recordings and magic they bring to the stage is perfectly delightful! Women his trusty lariats. He has a new CD called Honky Tonk Ranch contributing to the project include Doris Daley, Georgie that is receiving major airplay and glowing reviews. Sicking, and others. This concept project and group was born out of friendships made at cowboy poetry gatherings over the years making both a unique and complimentary mix of stories, relationships and history. Julia Hays will add her stunning fiddling to the Friday night concert. ANGEL VIGIL of Denver, Colorado, is an accomplished author, performer, and teacher. He is a Colorado State Heritage Artist specializing in traditional Hispanic MILTON TAYLOR of Hartley, stories. He created an historical New South Wales, Australia, is character performance for the “back home” again at Arvada. He Colorado Endowment of the brings a breath of difference with Humanities on “Diego Martin, El his Australian bush poetry; same Vaquero, Stories of America’s language, different accent, but First Cowboy.” His awards identical in sentiment as the local include the Governor’s Award for product. Multi-times winner of the Excellence in Education, a Australian Bush Poetry title, he Heritage Artist Award, and a Master Artist Award from the presents his own work as well as Colorado Council on the Arts. Angel is the author of five that of his contemporary col- award winning books about Hispanic and Western culture. leagues, plus that of the classic writers such as Banjo Paterson. His themes cover the complete range of emotions from the ludicrous thru to the tragic. He is very pleased to be able to offer you his latest CD I Love You at this year’s gathering. DICK WARWICK of Oakesdale, Washington, lives amid the Palouse Hills of eastern Washington. There are about 30 horses on his place, but that is DIANE TRIBITT of Hillman, his wife, Sue’s fault. Dick, in con- Minnesota, is a rancher, mother trast, opted into the lucrative of four, and grandmother of four. occupation of poet and has per- She is also the Senior Executive formed his material in such Editor of I.M. Cowgirl magazine, diverse places as Eulo, Elko, runs a grain bin construction busi- Kinvara, Denio, Pinjarra, Tekoa, ness; writes cowboy poetry, Gillette, Katoomba, and Arvada. makes lariat and leather craft He draws inspiration from ani- items, and secretaries team rop- mals, nature, human interaction and a lifetime’s worth of ing events at their ranch arena. self-inflicted follies. He has produced two books and sever- Diane is the current Poet Lariat al recordings, but his best writing was on the bulk tank of a Laureate of CowboyPoetry.com John Deere combine that, unfortunately, was dismantled and the Academy of Western and sold for scrap. Artists 2008 Female Cowboy Poet of the Year. She is an artist- in-residence for the Minnesota Arts Board, and has a new CD in the hopper. Diane loves what she does, and in her spare time she tries to catch a few hours of sleep each night!