Featured: National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo Cowboy Poetry at the BAR-D Ranch www.CowboyPoetry.com

2005 Kanab Cowboy Poetry Rodeo poets, judges, and other officials
photo by Jeri L. Dobrowski, obtain permission for reproduction rights
copies available for $6 postpaid (5x7) and $11 postpaid (8x10)
from Jeri L. Dobrowski, 1471 Carlyle Road, Beach, ND 58621 email 406-795-8168

Back row: Brad Hainsworth, Sam Jackson, Robert
Houston, State Senator Tom Hatch, J.R. Jones and State Representative Mike Noel

The focus of the Cowboy Poetry Rodeo is "excellence through competition," and past competitors such as our Honored Guests Pat Richardson and Doris Daley, are examples of poets who competed and didn't win their first time out. Both say they became better poets because of the competition, and both won in subsequent years. (Pat Richardson became the AWA Male Poet of the Year in 2003 and Doris Daley was named AWA Female Poet of the Year in 2004.)

There are two divisions, Rising Stars and the Silver Buckle Bunch (returning winners and those interested in competing with them), and this year's winners were:

The winners received buckles, statues, plaques, and their share of the large purse.

Call for Cowboy Poets:

The Western Legends Round-up, Cowboy Poetry Rodeo, at Kanab Utah, is looking for a “Few Good Poets”, preferably those who enjoy competition, would like to enhance their entertainment skills, win a few $$ and get some good press while they’re at it.

Note our slogan ---“Excellence through Competition!”

You’re wondering-- what the heck is a Cowboy Poetry Rodeo? Fair question—As you well know, cowboy poetry as public entertainment is a fairly new "kid-on-the-block.". It’s debut was in Elko Nevada a few years back when a feller, name of Hal Cannon, figured time was right for some old timers to get together and set down their stories and songs about cowboys and ranch life. The good news is; from that small beginning, cowboy poetry snowballed—the bad news—its popularity soon out ran the talent pool with some folks announcing themselves as “Cowboy Poet Entertainers” a bit sooner than [perhaps] they should have. But back to your question: The Cowboy Poetry Rodeo is a means of encouraging “bad poets to become good-- and good poets to become better!” and in our six years running has proven a *resounding success.

Well, that seems a noble quest, mind explaining why?

Glad to, it’s very simple: Several years ago myself and a couple other fellers were chewing over the fact that cowboy poetry could become a valuable tool in keeping our western heritage in front of the publics eye, however to gain-- then keep--an integrated audience, the art form must be written and presented in the most professional manner possible.

Mind giving me a brief run-down on it’s mechanics? Sure enough: It is normally a two day event which, for more ‘western’ flavor, is organized as much like a stock rodeo as possible. Each contestant (Rider) pays an entry fee and may enter any one, or all, of the four events: “Poet/serious” or “Poet/humorous” (a “Poet” performs their own work) “Reciter/serious” or “Reciter/humorous” (a “Reciter” performs the work of others). Each “ride” (delivery of a performance) is judged by a panel of 5 individuals with extensive backgrounds in cowboy poetry. The top 50% of the poets from the first days go-round advance to the second. The four highest final scores in each event receive prize monies totaling around $6,000.00 (100% of entry fees plus $3,000.00 donated by Western Legends) The top score in each event also receives a championship buckle, and an invitation to perform in the evening headliner shows with the likes of Baxter Black, Waddie Mitchell, and Red Steagall.

Are there any other reasons leading you to believe that “up-grading” the talent level is important? Yes, the short answer is; So people will listen! but taking it a bit further; it’s common knowledge that ranchers and other folks here in the West, take a lot of undeserved heat for the [alleged ruination] of the publics playgrounds by using them for such frivolous projects as raising food. Perhaps if Cowboy Poetry entertainment was upgraded to a level of excellence acceptable to the general public, it could also help spread the Gospel of Western Horse Sense, which reasons that “Underneath those ten gallon hats, live some Good-ol’-Boys who are perfectly capable of managing our western lands in a manner that would benefit everyone. In summary; the better entertainers we become, the larger, more diversified and influential our audience becomes!

How do the poets handle competing with each other? Much the same as you see in the stock rodeos; cheering each other on and helping in every way you can imagine. The majority think it’s the best thing since the good Lord gave horses four legs instead of three! Ninety percent of the riders, regardless of whether they get throwed or receive a high score, come away feeling they profited from the experience. Of course, as with any competition, you run across those few who feel ‘not winning the gold’ means failure, and quickly look around for someone or something to blame, but to the majority, ‘not-winning’ simply means; “I’m not as good as I could be, and will try to do better!” Those folks are the real winners in any competition. For most poets it does one of two things; they get better--or quit! Either way the genre is better off.. Please note that I refrain from using the word; ‘losers’, as no one in any competition ‘looses’ unless they bring it on themselves. Perhaps the money or the silver buckles ride home in someone else’s outfit, but the astute gain something far more valuable by watching, listening to and discussing methods with their peers. To quote an old proverb; “An hour with a wise man is more valuable than a year of self learning.”

Keep in mind that we are located in one of the most beautiful settings on earth—totally surrounded by national parks; Canyon Lands, Lake Powell, Capital Reef, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon , the Kaibab plateau, and other scenic treats in every direction.. The weather in late August is beautiful, so bring your family and make it the vacation of a lifetime---and of course---you just might pay for it out of your winnings!

If you have an interest, give me a holler soon as our roster is just about full.

Best regards,

Sam Jackson, arena boss

4675 East Vermillion ave.

Kanab Utah 84741

(435) 544-5459 or (435) 899-1100

e-mail lastcamp@kanab.net

Posted 12/5/03

Sam Jackson wrote a series of articles, Lyrical Legends, for the Sun News in 2002, to help introduce readers to Cowboy Poetry.

His essay, Writing Cowboy Poetry, posted on another page, draws on the information in these articles.

There are only a hundred fifty more shopping days until the Western Legends Round-up, "Cowboy Poetry Rodeo," kicks off at the Old Barn Theater in Kanab Utah.

I'd like to use this time to give readers some insider information about this fast growing folk art. We will explore from its probable beginnings to what it is has become today, and give some reasons why it should be continued. To keep things more interesting, with each dose of cowboy poetry facts, I'll also treat you to some examples, which will include classics by the old masters as well as work from our present day cowboy poets. All of this, designed to entice a few into the pursuit of this informative, entertaining and artistic genre.

Cowboy poetry's origins can be traced back over a thousand years (now, eat your hearts out cowboys) to Scottish and Irish shepherds telling stories in song and verse, usually in rhyme for ease of remembering. It was probably first heard in this country when civil war veterans, many of them immigrants, found themselves making a living as cowboys thousands of miles away from home and family, and passing away the lonely hours with songs and poems of their adventures, or stories reminiscent of loved ones, and days-gone-by.

Wallace McCrae's popular poem, Reincarnation is a good one for this first session. Wallace McRae manages a 30,000 acre cow-calf ranch in Forsyth, Montana, is frequently a featured performer at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, and is the first Cowboy Poet to be awarded the National Heritage Award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Second article in the series

Howdy folks. The last time we visited, I was telling you that; about 1000 years ago, a bunch of Celtic sheepherders were probably the world' first "cowboy poets"!

Now, for those of you with whom I still have some credibility--read on: Although cowboy poetry was out there (mostly in song and ballad) it was relatively unknown prior to Hal Cannon, with an assist from the National Endowment for the Arts, organizing a "Cowboy Poet Gathering" at Elko Nevada in 1985. From there it began to gather momentum as cowboy poets slowly came "out of the closet." Although many had been writing for years, it seems they were embarrassed to admit it for any type of poetry was generally considered to be a "sissy hobby.". After noting the success at Elko and seeing how quickly "fame and fortune" could be obtained, the word "sissy" was quickly replaced with "macho" and the race was on.

This first group was quickly followed by a second, much larger, crowd who were new to the genre, but begin writing and performing their own brand of verse and wit. At this point "genuine died-in-the-wool" (no pun intended) cowboy poetry became somewhat diluted, but a bit more entertaining to general audiences as this new crop of bards were injecting a little more humor, and lets face it, when most folks go out for an evening's entertainment-they will accept a little bit of "the serious stuff, " but people want to laugh!

Many of the newcomers made a go of it, becoming successful writers entertainers and balladeers. Of course, others did not. Some of these "did-not's" had the desire but lacked the skills while others had the necessary skills but lacked the desire to put forth the required effort. I will write more on this at a later date.

That pretty well brings us up to the present time where we can now hear cowboy poetry spouting from under ten gallon hats across the width and breadth of North America. In fact-- if you happen to pass a pick-up truck driven by someone in a cowboy hat, talking to themselves, they may not be crazy but rather--just another cowboy poet memorizing lines as he guns it toward the next gathering. At last count (by Rope Burns, a cowboy poetry and music periodical) there are now somewhere between 2500 and 3000 cowboy poetry and western music festivals held annually.

Ok, here's your "poetic desert" for this time, a classic written by Bruce Kiskaddon in the 1920's, Pullin' Leather. Read what John Shaver of the Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering writes about him: "There is a cowboy poet whose work has the absolute, real, bona fide, gritty ring of experience and truth. Bruce Kiskaddon lived the life. He wrangled, he roped, he rode, he wrecked, he suffered all kinds of weather. He did not embellish the life. The meter was less than technically perfect. But he remembers and re-creates the historic world of the ranch and range of the late 19th and early 29th century. His words echo the ones heard on the frontier."

So far, we've talked about how and where Cowboy Poetry started, how it evolved to what it is today and where it might be heading. Before going much farther, let's back up a bit and try to define just what-in-the-heck this present day style cowboy poetry really is--- Here are the guidelines we use at the Western Legends Round-up, Cowboy Poetry Rodeo.

Over the years I've heard many "discussions" on this elusive term and have arrived at the conclusion that any attempt to tightly define "cowboy poetry" is as frivolous, as trying to firm-up a definition of "pretty girl," for
both mean different things to different people. Any explanation beyond just saying' "It's an informal way of telling stories, usually in rhyme" becomes garbled and quite controversial. So in an attempt to explain "what it is"---let's see "what it is not!" Cowboy Poetry, is not:

Now in a little more depth----

Is "Cowboy Poetry" the right name?

The first part; "Cowboy," tends to be misleading, for cowboy poetry, as we've just explained, is not written solely by, nor about, cowboys. "Poetry" is also somewhat of a misnomer, for Cowboy Poetry may be written in any format the author might choose, be it song, poetry, free verse, or whimsical nonsense. Perhaps a more fitting title might be "Western Verse," or "Country Prose". Certainly a title not quite so restrictive would be less confusing. But it's too late to shut the gate now, for whether we like it or not, the term "Cowboy Poetry" is here to stay.

What time period can Cowboy Poetry be written about?

Here there should be no restrictions, we may write stories about the future, the present or the past.

Is Cowboy Poetry only written about the West?

No, geography has little to do with it. Every area of the world has its rural life and is fair game. As mentioned, people in other countries were writing, memorizing and entertaining with so called "Cowboy Poetry" long
before it caught on in western America. A Cowboy Poetry poem setting could well be in downtown New York City.

What subjects may we include?

We'll, we could say: "If it's 'Country' it's fair game" and can be called "Cowboy Poetry," but whoaaa hoss--- now we must define "Country" and--- on it goes-------------

Well I reckon that's enough larnin' for today, so my suggested poetic cowboy cuisine for this time would be a lyrical verse, "When the World Gets Out of Focus," by Carlos Ashley from his book; That Spotted Sow and Other Texas Hill Country Ballads.

Last time around we discussed; "What cowboy poetry is" (or, isn't). Today let's talk about why it is important that we continue writing and presenting it to the public at every opportunity.

Each generation has its own unique experiences to be recorded, then passed along. Some good, some bad, but all should be documented and remembered for their own value. We have history books and other documents in which major events are recorded, but they cannot devote the space required to tell personal stories of our every-day lives. Many of us keep diaries and journals, but
they are private documents not meant to be shared outside the family. So, in many cases, Cowboy Poetry can fill the gap. One thing to keep in mind: no matter the importance of the event that happens in our life, "If it isn't documented today-it will be forgotten tomorrow!"

To many folks, cowboy poetry has a basic, personal appeal. It has become a true American art form-honest, straightforward, understandable. Cowboy poets are noble (can be spelled No-Bull) when they have something to say-- they say it!

Perhaps none has put it into words better than cowgirl poet Barney Nelson---- "American literature has been searching for the voice of the land and its people for three hundred years. Academia has been slow to recognize that voice because it was masked in rebel grammar and metaphors it didn't
understand. But today rural culture and grassroots American literature is gaining respect. Rural people have brought poetry out of the classroom and back into the mainstream."

Sadly, "The ways of the Old West" seem to be fast disappearing and some (perhaps the majority) of Americans, living outside of the West, are thinking: "The sooner-the-better"! It seems as though domestic animals might be intruding upon, their "Playgrounds." Perhaps Cowboy Poetry can help
them better understand the West, it's people and culture, and convince them that as we try to earn our living here, we are the most proficient of environmentalists and caretakers of the land, and as an afterthought remind them that "The food they eat didn't grow on the supermarket shelves!"

I'm fairly well acquainted with some folks who raised Rambouillet rams for a number of years in the Big Lost River valley of central Idaho. Each Fall the wife would show them at the Eastern Idaho State Fair at Blackfoot, and as the public walked though the show barns she was often asked some fairly
nonsensical questions about animals. However one in particular "took-the-cake." Here's a story that was written about the encounter. It's called-----

Where's the What??

These last fifty years we have seen quite a change,
Folks movin' to town from their home-on-the-range.
   They buy fancy duds and a three story condo,
   forget western verse, now they'd rather read 'Rondeau.'

They visit the homestead on Christmas and such,
but other than that, usually stay out'a touch.
   Exposure to nature amounts to no more
   than trips to the Zoo, and from shelves at a store.

Comes next generation, most still are surmisin',
plums grow on the trees 'fore they go into pies'un,
   when savoring taste from a luscious lamb chop
   remembers their image 'fore steaks in the shop.

These folks, then have kids, who'er leavin' the nest,
but! -- stayin in town where the gatherin's best.
   and year after year, all become less aware
   the grub that they eat-must be grown somewhere.

A trip to the market leaves nothing to want.
From shelves come the good life, and nobody's gaunt.
   So in a short time, it is 'history forgotten'
   that food must be grown somewhere 'fore it gets boughtin.'

Now, on with the tale this rhyme's leading too,
though seemingly scary, she swears it is true.
   My wife had her sheep, in some pens, at the fair.
   The crowd had some questions she's answering there.

When a nice looking couple called her to one side;
on vacation from Boston, they'd toured nation wide.
   No less, it's the first time for them at a fair
   and learning some things they were never aware.

'Wheat ground into flour', 'A hen laid an egg'
events such as this, in their knowledge was vague.
   They watched as a beef had been judged in the ring,
   amazed that a 'T-bone' could come from "that thing!"

There were horses and piggys and goats in the barn
and a lady was spinnin' some wool into yarn.
   Then mentioned how they were impressed with the skills
   of folks who had bottled the corn, beets and dills.

And quite taken back when that soft yellow butter
popped out'a the milk, that came out'a that udder!
   and though very impressed, by her Rambouillet Rams-
   Could she point to the pens where they're keepin' the Spams?

On Thursday, August 22, 2002 (the second day of Western Legends Round-up) Mr. Colen Sweeten and I will be holding morning and afternoon Cowboy Poetry writing and presentation workshops at the Old Barn Theater at Parrys Lodge. Both writers and listeners of poetry are invited-It's fairly obvious why we might want the writers to attend but Why?, you might ask, are we inviting the listening public? Well, like so many other things in life, the better it is understood, the more acceptable it becomes and the more enjoyment we garner from it.

I've attended hundreds of Cowboy Poetry Gatherings thoughout the Western US and Canada. I've experienced "Good ones" and "Not so good ones." The "Good ones" were those that presented talented entertainers, worth the price of a ticket. The others placed themselves in the "Not-so-good" category by allowing people on stage to entertain who should have been out in the barnyard practicing! Others were on stage solely as "friends-of-the-boss" and still others just because they were "Good-ol'-boys" who someone felt "deserved a chance." A noble gesture, to be sure, but not good business.

Here's the rub-these "Not-so-good-ol'-boys" can drive more people away from cowboy poetry in 5 minutes than a dozen "good entertainers" can gather up in a month of Sundays. People usually come to show to be entertained and don't want to go away bored, or worse, embarrassed, and you can bet your bottom dollar that if either of those scenarios occur, they won't make the same mistake twice and sure as shootin' will share their opinions with friends.

One other thing while we're on the subject of pleasing audiences: If serious poetry is written and presented well, the public will accept a certain amount of it, however, serious poetry is better enjoyed being read, or listened to, at home. When folks go out on the town they want to be
entertained and the best way to do that is: Make me laugh!! don't matter much how, just Make me laugh!! and I'll overlook many other failings. Put a hat on backwards, pull a silly face, roll up in a ball on the floor--whatever-- but if you make me laugh--I'll leave entertained, asking for more and telling anyone who will listen "how great cowboy poetry is!"