In its 33rd year, the renowned Gathering of Cowboy Poets takes place at a new venue this August: the Prescott rodeo grounds
One of Prescott’s most popular events, the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering, will take the stage this August 12–14 at a new venue: the Prescott Rodeo Grounds.
More than forty authentic cowboy poets and singers will perform for two days and three nights to share their heritage and the culture of the American Cowboy. Featured performers include Dave Stamey, Jay Snider and Belinda Gail.
Rancher and artist JaNeil Anderson created this year’s popular collectible poster design, entitled, “That Girl is a Cowboy.” An original framed giclée will be available to win through the annual raffle.
At 7 p.m. Thursday, August 12, the first performer, Dave Stamey will take the stage. He has been a cowboy, a mule packer, and a dude wrangler, and is now one of the most popular Western entertainers working today. The Western Music Association has voted him Entertainer of the Year and Male Performer of the Year seven times, and Songwriter of the Year five times. The Academy of Western Artists bestowed upon him the Will Rogers Award.
Jay Snider takes the stage Friday evening. Born into a ranching and rodeo family, Jay rodeoed throughout most of his early years and now stays busy team roping and raising ranch horses and cattle. He has performed on Country Music Television, at the National Cowboy Gathering in Elko, Nevada, Ozarks Fall Roundup, and Hills Outdoor Theater in Branson, Missouri. Jay has been recognized with many awards including Best of Best trophy at Kanab, and he’s also a six-time nominee for the Academy of Western Artists’ Male Poet of the Year.
Saturday night, Belinda Gail will be in the spotlight. Ranching and the “cowboy life” are very much part of the essence of this dynamic Western performer. Belinda is honored to be among the top female Western Music performers of this era. In its collector edition, “Legends,” American Cowboy Magazine recently listed her as one of Top 50 Country and Western Entertainers of all time. A vibrant and natural entertainer with a dynamic and captivating voice, Belinda stirs the emotions and visions of the West in the heart of every audience she embraces. She truly is “America’s Western Sweetheart.”
Organizers of the Gathering believe in educating audiences about the authentic way of the cowboy and how their poetry and music is developed. The annual Gathering of Cowboy Poets features free day sessions around the rodeo grounds where attendees can meet cowboy poets and singers to enjoy stories about the colorful culture and history that celebrate the true American Cowboy.
“Like so many events last year, it was unfortunate we had to cancel the Gathering because of COVID-19,” said Jim Buchanan, Chairman of the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering. “We are excited though to bring it back this year in an all-new outdoor venue. We really couldn’t do this large event without our hard-working volunteers that have dedicated their time to bring this to Prescott for the past 32 years.”
“The culture of the real American Cowboy lives on stage here every year and it’s been an honor to bring this form of entertainment to locals and tourists alike,” Buchanan continued.
The Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering has maintained a standard that has been abandoned by most other gatherings: that of inviting men and women who are now or have been in the past a part of the working cowboy’s environment and workplace. It is respected by the cowboy poets as one of the best gatherings in the country because it helps maintain the true “working cowboy” culture and heritage.
Tickets are available after June 1 at www.azcowboypoets.org or by calling 928.776.2000 or 877.928.4253. For more information, visit www.azcowboypoets.org