For the first time ever — 16 classic cowboy songs recorded live, historic introductions, and living Western tradition in one powerful album.

 

Step into a night at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering — the place where the heart and soul of the American West are celebrated every year in Elko, Nevada. Since its first event in 1985, the Gathering has become the nation’s most cherished celebration of cowboy culture, bringing together cowboys, ranchers, poets, musicians, and fans from across the country and beyond to share songs, stories, verse, and history.

 

This live album, recorded in the amphitheater of the Elko Convention Center & Visitors Authority during the 40th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, captures the spirit of that week — music, memory, and moments that connect us to the land, the people, and the traditions that shaped the West.

 

What makes this release truly special:

 

🎤 Michael Martin Murphey’s live performance with his band of 16 beloved songs — many of them classics sung for generations that evoke cattle drives, wide open spaces, and cowboy life.

 

📜 Historical introductions and context from Waddie Mitchell, one of the founders of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and one of the most respected cowboy poets ever. Waddie shares stories and meaning behind each song before it begins, giving listeners a deeper sense of why these songs matter.

 

🎧 The live atmosphere of the amphitheater — audience reactions, heartfelt moments, and the joy of community all around.

 

The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering began as a small winter event aimed at honoring the voices and stories of working cowboys. It has since grown into an annual cultural tradition, where poetry, music, dancing, workshops, art, and storytelling celebrate Western life, honor heritage, and build community.

 

This album is more than music — it’s a piece of living Western history. It’s for anyone who loves cowboy songs, the wide open West, and authentic roots culture.

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