This month, the cowboy poets give tips and tricks for wrangling rhymes as they answer this question, “How do you find your rhyme? Are there any tools or tricks that you turn to when the rhymes aren't coming?”
Redefining Island Time
Development Director Daniel Neel Retires
Let's Keep the Gathering Sustainable and in Elko
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Memorable Gathering Moments"
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Seasonal Change"
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Distilling Vast Vistas"
Making Makilak
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Transition Planning"
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Favorite Place on Earth"
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "When Inspiration Strikes"
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Ornery Cow"
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Sound vs Imagery"
The Gathering in Two Words
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Artistic License"
This month, the cowboy poets discuss artistic license in poems as they answer a question posed by The Man Who Didn’t Shoot Liberty Valance: “Could you comment on how you approach decisions about taking artistic license in your writing? Also, could you comment on any historical poems you’ve researched where you’ve found the legend has outpaced the truth or the truth is in fact stranger than fiction?”
Editing "The Cowboy" Archetype
Respected buckaroo, horseman, and ranch manager Jeff Mundell advocates for the role of the horseback cowboy in a collaborative, future-oriented, regenerative agriculture movement. Read Jeff’s essay about shifting “The Cowboy” archetype with conversations across occupational cultures that connect story-wise cowboys, data-wise scientists, and the living flora and fauna that tie them together.
Board Spotlight: Chrissy Menicucci Benna
Chrissy Menicucci Benna's experience with the poetry and music of western artists transformed her understanding of western ways of life, even after a lifetime spent in Nevada. A memorable moment hearing poet Paul Zarzyski perform spurred her to become an ardent supporter of the Western Folklife Center and an engaged board member. Read about why Chrissy calls the WFC "a beloved treasure" in the second of our board spotlights.
A Little Cowboy Poetry for a Leap Year
Ask a Cowboy Poet: "Best Canines"
Whether they’re herding, heading, guarding…or sharing a beer at the end of a long day…some dogs just make an impression. This month, the poets reflect on the cattle dogs (and companion dogs) that have come their way, answering Crazy About Canines’ question, “Who was the best canine companion you ever had the pleasure of working with?”
The Gathering's Electric Energy
About attending the Gathering for the first time, Piper Wiest writes, “I realized, then, how being in the Gathering audience was a different experience than watching a Gathering performance on my computer. The lyrics and verses of any performer at the Gathering are moving and meaningful no matter the setting. But in person, the Gathering performances spark emotion throughout the audience, creating a collective warmth to share in.”