Gathering Together: Sharing Poems, Songs, and Stories in Elko

By Brad McMullen

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering image credit: Charlie Ekburg — *National Cowboy Poetry Gathering* image credit: Charlie Ekburg

Every year since 1985, thousands of people have made the trip out to Elko, Nevada in the dead of winter, gathering together in order to celebrate and commemorate the vitality of the artistic traditions of the American West at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Though the event has grown a bit from the 60 chairs set out by Western Folklife Center founding director Hal Cannon and poet Waddie Mitchell back in 1985, the event still provides a place for people from all over to come together and have all kinds of conversations. With 40+ poets, musicians, and storytellers performing across five different stages, plus workshops, film screenings, open mics, talks, arts exhibits, and panel discussions, there’s no end to the things to experience and discuss.

The chance for people to come together and discuss their experiences is a key part of the Gathering. The fantastic audience, willing to talk about and discuss what they’ve heard and share their experiences is part of why both the audience and performers make the trip, year-after-year. People come together to listen to each other, learn new skills and ways of seeing, and share their art and viewpoints—then they all head back to their regular lives, dispersing back across the state, the country, and the world.

This year, we’re hoping to give people all sorts of things to take away with them. Every year, the Gathering has a theme, and in the past we’ve touched on everything from the ranching traditions of Mongolia to the influence of the Basque Country in the American West. This year, we’re focusing on Black Cowboys and how African Americans continue to contribute to horse culture around the U.S. Topics from trail rides in the Mississippi Delta, rodeo, riding horses in South Central Los Angeles, and working on ranches will be covered and discussed over drinks at the historic Pioneer Saloon in between poetry and music performances.

Storytelling, poetry, and music are all powerful ways for people to share their experiences— from relationships and community. There is a reason that the Gathering is called that, instead of a festival. It’s all about people from all around coming together to express themselves and share their experiences. So feel free to stop on by the Gathering, sit for a spell, share your story, and hear what other people have to say.

Brad McMullen is the Programs and Gathering Manager for the Western Folklife Center. The 2020 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is January 27-February 1, 2020 in Elko Nevada.

Nevada Humanities has been a proud sponsor of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering since its inception and annually supports programs and events at the Gathering, including the keynote address. This year’s keynote will be held on January 30 about the growing relevance of horses in today’s society and how to regain this important connection between rural and urban communities.