ANOTHER COWBOY POETRY GATHERING

 

After a 2 year hiatus due to Covid, it was time again for the  38th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada.  It's not just poetry, mind you, but plenty of cowboy music too.  This was our 3rd trip to Elko for The Gathering, so it's become a yearly event for us.  For those of you who aren't familiar with Elko, it's in Northern Nevada and although not in the Middle of Nowhere, you have to go through the Middle of Nowhere to get there.  Held at the end of January each year, it is usually a cold and sometimes snowy drive to get there.  This year was no exception and with a stop in Ely, NV for an overnight we learned what cold was all about.  Upon checking in to our hotel the desk clerk filled us in on the previous night's temperatures.  Minus 20 with a wind chill of minus 40.   We lucked out as our overnight temp was a balmy minus 5.  But you get the idea, it was cold.

We made it to Elko in one piece and checked in to our hotel for the next 4 nights looking forward to the first of many shows that evening.  The Gathering is presented much like a professional conference, with a choice of different sessions you can attend.  From poets, to fiddle and guitar players, to yodelers to full on bands, there is a lot to chose from.  One session that is on going is Open Mic.  If you've got a poem you want to try out, this is for you.  We just go to listen and are usually pleasantly surprised with some pretty good poetry.  Of course there are plenty of well known Cowboy Poets, in the cowboy poet world.  Also some great songsters, a few of you may have actually heard of, or maybe not.  How about Michael Martin Murphy?  His song Wildfire was a big hit way back when.  Now 77 years old, he still put on a great performance.  Also in attendance was Corb Lund, well known in Canada, is a very entertaining singer and song writer.

PLAYING THE SAW

Marley's Ghost, in the below photo, consists of six old guys who have been playing together for 35 years.  They can play just about any kind of music, from rock to blues to gospel and country.  They were really good and one of our favorites.

OPEN MIC

Below is R.P. Smith, a rancher from Broken Bow, Nebraska, has become my favorite poet.  He'll get you laughing till your sides hurt.  As with the majority of poets at the Gathering, he is a real cowboy from a working ranch.

A short poem by R.P. Smith entitled  Ranch Romance

Come away with me, my darling wife,

and share my morning song.

come out with me, oh love of my life,

for you presence I do long.

And we shall taste the morning dew,

then greet the coming dawn.

My heart does beat only for you:

Without you, I can't go on.

We shall be linked together,

And my destiny you will control.

For you see, my love,

.....the pickup's stuck.

Could you come give me a pull?

CORB LUND

MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHY

HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN

Of course, after a full day of music and poetry which extends into the evening, a stop at the local cowboy watering hole is in store.

We really enjoyed this year's gathering listening to all the poets and musicians.  Saw some we had seen before, but discovered many new, at least to us, performers.  We intend on going next year and it is such an enjoyable get away.

The downside is the drive home, with blizzard conditions, we opted not to drive through the Middle of Nowhere, but instead took the long way through Salt Lake City.  Still in a blizzard much of the way, but at least we were Somewhere.