Talents: Musician
Aspen Black is a singer/songwriter, cowgirl poet, multi-instrumentalist, educator, and award-winning horsewoman. Fans describe her voice as “mesmerizing”, and her songwriting and poetry as “outstanding” and “spot-on”. Aspen’s CD, “Lovin’ the West” won the 2017 Rural Roots Music Commission’s Classic Western CD of the Year and her “Eastern Western Cowgirl” CD won the 2015 Rural Roots Music Commission Female Country-Western CD of the Year. She is a finalist in two categories of the Just Plain Folks Music Awards, a 2015, 2016, and 2017 Top-Five finalist for WMA Female Poet of the Year, a 2016 and 2015 Top-Five finalist for WMA Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year, a 2016 Top-Five finalist for WMA Poetry Book of the Year, and overall winner of the “Country Singer” contest at the 2016 National Traditional Country Music Association Festival. Aspen tours nationally, giving concerts, workshops, and interactive programs for children and adults.
CD/Book Registry
2012 - From the Heart of a Cowgirl (Poetry)
2014 - Eastern Western Cowgirl (Traditional)
2015 - Invisibility (Poetry)
2016 - Peek-A-Boo Buckaroo: Western Wordplay for Kids (Poetry)
2018 - Tales from the Road (Poetry)
Talents: Author, Musician, Poet, Singer, Songwriter
Awards:
- 2023 Songwriting Contest Award
Nominations:
- 2023 Female Performer of the Year Nominee
Almeda Bradshaw is one of Montana’s talented Western singer/songwriters. Her love and appreciation for the cowboy life comes through in heartfelt expressions of the west. A lifetime of writing and music places Almeda's work above the ordinary and with clear vocals, compelling stage presence and accomplished musicianship, she is guaranteed to be an audience favorite.
Almeda raised her family in north central Montana along with showing performance horses, finishing hogs, running 150 mother cows and operating a seed and feed business. She and her husband, former Marlboro Man, Merritt Bradshaw, now live on the Yellowstone River in Huntley, Montana where he trains rope horses and she manages everything else!
A multi-instrumentalist, Almeda studied violin, cello and piano through college, has a BA in Elementary Education and is self-taught on the mandolin and guitar. She taught dozens of students of all ages to play stringed instruments in her Room for Music Store & Studio in Big Sandy, MT.
Almeda has written poetry, journals and songs since her teen years and has been performing throughout the west for over two decades with three albums of original songs and poetry to her credit. Voices From the Range: Almeda Sings the Poetry of Rhoda Sivell (2010), A Way of Heart: The Big Sandy Years (2010) and Lovers, Wives and Mothers: A Western Woman's Voice (2015). Her most recent release is an EP titled TRIBUTE (2017).
RECOGNITION
2018 AWA ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION
2017 WMA SONG OF THE YEAR NOMINATION - Larry Dever Did
2017 #2 TOP TEN SONGS - Cowboy
2017 #4 TOP TEN SONGS - Larry Dever Did
2017 #18 ALBUM - WMA CHART Lovers, Wives & Mothers (Spring quarter)
2017 AWA ALBUM OF THE YEAR NOMINATION – Lovers, Wives & Mothers
2017 #10 ALBUM – WMA CHART Lovers, Wives & Mothers (Winter quarter)
2017 #10 TOP TEN SONGS - WMA CHART Somewhere in the Rubies (Winter Quarter)
2016 WMA SONG OF THE YEAR NOMINATION – Heavenly Here with You
2016 #2 ALBUM – WMA CHART Lovers, Wives & Mothers (Spring & Summer quarters)
2016 #10 ALBUM – WMA CHART Lovers, Wives & Mothers (Fall quarter)
2016 #2 TOP TEN SONGS – WMA CHART Heavenly Here with You (Spring quarter)
2016 #6 TOP TEN SONGS – WMA CHART Colors in the Rain (Spring quarter)
2016 #3 TOP TEN SONGS – WMA CHART Somewhere in the Rubies (Summer quarter)
2016 #5 TOP TEN SONGS - WMA CHART Heavenly Here with You (Summer quarter)
2016 WW of A SPUR AWARD NOMINATION WESTERN WRITERS of AMERICA, Song of the Year Parker Eyes of Blues.
2016 COWBOY IDOL WINNER – COLUMBIA RIVER COWBOY GATHERING, Kennewick, WA
2015 PROFESSIONAL DIVISION CHAMPION - WMA WESTERN WORDSMITH CHAPTER Poetry Jackpot
2012 AWA NOMINATION - A Way of Heart: The Big Sandy Years - Academy of Western Artists Cowboy Poetry Album of the Year
2011 Voices from The Range - #15 on the Western Music Association chart of Top 20 Western Albums
2011 RISING STAR FINALIST - Kamloops Cowboy Festival, Kamloops, BC
2011 2ND PLACE SERIOUS POET- National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo, Kanab, UT
2010 PEOPLE'S CHOICE MUSICIAN - Lee Earl Memorial Cowboy Gathering, Lewiston, ID
2010 Voices from The Range - Spent seven months on Joe Baker’s Back-forty Bunkhouse chart of Top 20 Western Albums
2010 BEST OF 2010 - The Range Call made Stan Howe’s Best of Songs 2010, Montana Public Radio, Bunkhouse & Honkytonk Folk Show
2009 NCPR ROOKIE - Made the finals in 3 of 4 events and placed in the money in Serious Reciting - National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo, Montrose, CO
Talents: Musician, Singer, Songwriter
Nominations:
- 2022 Female Performer of the Year Nominee
- 2022 Traditional Album of the Year Nominee
A few years back, my riders and I were moving a small herd of steers from our summer range in the Methow Valley in central Washington State to our winter range in the canyons of the rugged channeled scablands east of our headquarters in Douglas, Washington. As we grouped our cattle below a cave we noticed a dilapidated log cabin hidden in the willows. We decided this might be a good place to bed down for the night as dark and ominous rain clouds were pushing in fast from the north. We went in cautiously with six-guns in hand to roust out any rattlesnakes who may have taken up residence inside. As we carefully explored the interior we came upon an antique grammaphone and a brace of battered saddlebags. Inside the saddlebags were several thick acetate record disks. Written below the faded EDISON labels was the name, "Dan Canyon and The Plainsmen 1901". I remember my Grandpa speaking of Dan and his crew on several occasions. It seems they were highly sought after by ranchers in the Big Bend of the Columbia range because of their knowledge of horses and beef stock. He went on to add that this was not the only reason they were so highly respected and admired. You see, Dan and his plainsmen were all accomplished musicians who could raise the roof higher at a barn dance than anyone else. Local legend has it they left the Wilson Creek Ranch east of Soap Lake, headed for a Christmas dance in Omak, where they had been asked to perform. They never arrived. It was thought perhaps they were killed by outlaws, which is unlikely considering their prowess with shooting irons, but more likely they had fallen victim to bad weather. The winter of 1901-02 is remembered as a particularly bad one. They may have become trapped in this cabin and after running out of food, attempted to walk out. At any rate, they were never heard from again. We cleaned and wiped the grime off the antiquated machine and wound it up. To our surprise it worked beautifully. We leaned back against our saddles before a large roaring fire and drank our coffee listening to the scratchy voices and guitars of another time. My riders and I were so taken by the sounds we were hearing, we decided to bring back the music of Dan Canyon and The Plainsmen for the modern world to enjoy. .........I am Dan Canyon now.
Talents: Musician, Songwriter
Living in Texas for 12 years laid down the foundation and gave 19 year old Miss Venessa Carpenter the heart and soul for the adventures that have found her. Miss Venessa is very grateful for the many memories and years of learning to play the guitar from Mr John Defoore and Mr Charlie Shearer and his wife Miss Shawnda Rains Shearer for teaching her vocals and furthering her education on the guitar. She was soon performing at the Rialto Theater in Dennison Texas, The Tex Ritter Showcase in Carthage Texas and every chance she got she loved performing at the Gladewater Opry in Gladewater Texas. In the fall of 2017 her family moved to Idaho for her Dads work and she wasn’t sure where her music career was going when she was introduced to the IWMA in the spring of 2018. It’s been a great move and she’s met a lot of good friends within the IWMA.
Over the last year Venessa has had the privilege of learning how to write songs with her good friend Mr Dan McCorison whom she loves and appreciates so much for all that he’s been teaching her and she can’t wait to share all the songs they’ve been writing in her first CD. Since covid hit and Venessa couldn’t go perform on stage she brought the stage home and started her Spurs and Strings Instagram Livestream show @venessacarpenter_westernsinger (if ya’ll would like to join) where she has had the honor to get to know everyone and really appreciates the many amazing poets and musicians that have joined and supported her. And this year Venessa has had the privilege of being adopted by her good friend Tom Swearingen into the Columbia Chapter to jam and learn from and hang out with them every month.
2019 Miss Venessa was featured with the IWMA Youth Officers at the Folklore Preserve in Sierra Vista AZ
2019 Venessa was featured in the Western Music Songwriters Series First Youth Showcase in Tooele UT
2020 Venessa was featured in the Western Music Songwriters Series Second Youth Showcase
Awards:
2020 IWMA Creative Connection of the Year Venessa Carpenter Spurs and Strings Instagram Livestream
2021 IWMA Columbia Chapter 2021 Cowboy Poetry Champion
2022 IWMA Columbia Chapter 2022 Cowboy Poetry Champion
Talents: Musician, Singer, Youth, Songwriter
Awards:
- 2022 Liz Masterson Crescendo Award
- 2021 Team Penning Contest
Nominations:
- 2022 Liz Masterson Crescendo Award Nominee
- 2021 Liz Masterson Crescendo Award Nominee
Talents: Musician
Grace Clark
Grace Clark & Swingitude
Livermore, CA
925-518-9532
clarkga017@gmail.com
https://www.graceaclarkmusic.com/
Grace Clark performs Western and Western Swing music. She sings, yodels, and plays guitar & 5-string banjo. With her band, Grace Clark & Swingitude, she creates a lively and playful mix of cowboy songs, along with the swing and western swing dance music of the 1920’s to the present. Added to the mix are Grace’s original songs in those genres. She recently completed a new CD/EP, “Grace Clark, Dancin’ with Swingitude.” Grace has performed at a variety of venues, including the International Western Music Association (IWMA) Annual Gathering (Albuquerque, NM), the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame Celebration (Sacramento, CA), the Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival (Monterey, CA), the Northwest Western Swing Music Association Hall of Fame Celebration (Enumclaw, WA), the Salinas Rodeo “Cowboys and Cabernet” shows (Salinas, CA), live radio shows, restaurant concert series, Zoom concerts for the IWMA, and many others.
Talents: Musician
The Notable Exceptions sound is a potpourri of Folk, Western, and novelty tunes. From house concerts to concert halls, Judy Coder and Jennifer Epps are known in the world of western music for their finely crafted vocal harmony. Judy's tasteful rhythm guitar is right on the button; Jennifer sweetens the sound with tidbits of harmonica, rhythm instruments, flutes and whistles. The result is fun, fresh, bold Americana. This delightful pair is the Western Music Association 2015 Harmony Duo of the Year. Follow their adventures on Facebook, and catch them live when they tour through your town. You’re in for "Rootin' Tootin', Nose-Flutin' Fun!"
CD/Book Registry
2011 - Songcatcher
2015 - New Day
Talents: Musician, Songwriter, Yodeling, Singer
Awards:
- 2009 Best Collaboration
- 2008 Yodeling Award
- 2005 Harmony Award
- 2003 Harmony Award
- 2001 Yodeling Award
From the beautiful costuming by world famous Nudie's Rodeo Tailors, to the rich vocal presentations, offered in concert style, Marty brings back all those grand memories of yesteryear when the good guys really did win out over evil. Memories of a time when the building of America and the new frontier came from faith & imagination; a time when family virtue was a mainstay in the adventure of life.
Marty's Legend of the Pioneers takes you back to the trails you rode as a little cowpoke at the Saturday afternoon cinema with your heroes like John Wayne, Hopalong Cassidy, the Lone Ranger, Lash LaRue and Randolph Scott. Silver Screen heroes with conviction, style and leadership who introduced soul and direction to America's youth - a way of life; an avenue down the paths of honor and integrity.
You'll hear the all the classic yodel songs that advanced Roy Rogers to the throne as the “King of the Cowboys;” the pure stylistic vocals of Gene Autry, the richest cowboy of all time; and the warm bass voice of Rex Allen that took us through many of Walt Disney's True Life Adventures and other Disney classics. And, of course, you'll enjoy the Sons of the Pioneers whose incredible singing, poetry and music formed a common bond around a campfire at days' end.
Marty's show often features music of Grand Old Opry stars like Marty Robbins and Faron Young and, once in a while, some good ol' Rock and Roll from the days when Marty sang bass & traveled the world with the legendary Fifties group, The Diamonds (22 million records sold, Little Darlin').
It's this music, performed as the Legend.
The Legend of the Pioneers.
Talents: Musician, Singer
Devon Dawson, aka "Miss Devon" of Fort Worth, Texas, is top entertainer in western music, and has been recognized by the Academy of Western Artists "Female Performer of the Year 2009”. Noted for her very rhythmic vintage 'sock-rhythm' guitar style, and warm 'swingtime cowgirl' vocals which bring to mind Dale Evans, Rosalie Allen, and Patsy Montana, her lively onstage persona intrigues and engages both kids and the adults in her audience. She is a founding member of the long-time WMA favorite 'cowboy swing' group, THE TEXAS TRAILHANDS, and is the MUCH prettier half of MISS DEVON & THE OUTLAW, a duet she founded with 'Outlaw Jessie Del' Robertson in 2008. She holds a Grammy certificate for her participation in the Disney CD 'Woody's Roundup featuring Riders in the Sky', as the singing voice of Toy Story 2’s “Jessie, the Cowgirl”. She has performed in and out of that character coast-to-coast, and all across the American West, including at the renowned Grand Old Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, and at Pixar Studios in Emeryville, California. Currently, she can be heard on her well-received recording project, KEEPIN' YOUR HEAD ABOVE THE WATER' (2007), as well as all three of the WMA award-winning Texas Trailhands' CDs. Devon has appeared at rodeos 'n railroads, dances 'n dog shows, schools 'n saloons, cowboy gatherings, libraries, parties 'n festivals, with Radio Disney, Imagination Celebration, walk-ons with Riders In the Sky and Michael Martin Murphey, and has played rhythm guitar with the legendary "Texas Playboys". This western-swingin' cowgirl, frequently spotted on Encore's 'The Westerns Channel' and RFD-TV, is cookin' up the most fun this side of the chuckwagon camp!
CD/Book Registry
2015 - Palaka
2016 - City of Dreams (Miss Devon & The Outlaw)
2017 - Unshine (Miss Devon & The Outlaw) Digital Download
2018 - Plains, Trains and AlsoBobWills (Miss Devon & The Outlaw)
Talents: Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Yodeling
Awards:
- 2023 Songwriting Contest Award
- 2017 Curly Musgrave Silver Buckle Award
Bonifacio Dominguez
Bodie Dominguez
Clarkston, WA
https://www.reverbnation.com/bonifaciobodiedominguez
Vietnam Veteran 1969 TET USMC radio man
Singer song writer, performer, promoter, radio personality, recording studio owner, sound person
I have loved music and poetry all my life. Joined WMA in 1999, I have had a great time knowing all these performers. I don’t get to go to many gatherings, but I support their concerts and help in any way I can. I work with Tommy Tucker on his weekly radio show at KRLC 1350AM (Snake River Roundup). I am a local performer in the clubs and bars. When I get time, I like to write songs and music. I like to help local performers get jobs and instruct them on how to do a good performance. I helped to write a book on the history of the Latinos in Idaho (I am bi-lingual) for Boise State University. I hope to be able and help to propagate this style of music and poetry performance and even bring it to other countries.
Talents: Musician, Singer
Mike Dygert is a bass player, guitar player, and sound guy. He has a dry wit that will leave you wondering “where’d he come from” and “how’d he get there”? He is retired, lives in Cold Lake Alberta Canada where he is active as a regular performer at the senior’s homes in Cold Lake and the surrounding area, and plays with the house band for the music jamborees in and around Cold Lake. He is a member of The Gordie West Band and a member of Hugh McLennan’s Western Spirit Band. At cowboy gatherings, Mike plays bass for anyone and everyone who asks!
Talents: Musician, Singer
The Notable Exceptions sound is a potpourri of Folk, Western, and novelty tunes. From house concerts to concert halls, Judy Coder and Jennifer Epps are known in the world of western music for their finely crafted vocal harmony. Judy's tasteful rhythm guitar is right on the button; Jennifer sweetens the sound with tidbits of harmonica, rhythm instruments, flutes and whistles. The result is fun, fresh, bold Americana. This delightful pair is the Western Music Association 2015 Harmony Duo of the Year. Follow their adventures on Facebook, and catch them live when they tour through your town. You’re in for "Rootin' Tootin', Nose-Flutin' Fun!"
Talents: Musician, Singer, Yodeling
Awards:
- 2022 Poetry Contest
Talents: Poet
Ned's journey to being a Cowboy Poet started when he was a little boy in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, where he was born as Robin Freerks. His family emigrated to the United States in 1957. Even as a youngster he was enamored of cowboys and the wild west.
While growing up in San Francisco, the dream of becoming a cowboy was always in the forefront. In time he learned to ride and rope, but it wasn't until he started writing poetry that he realized he would never become a cowboy. he had always been one.
"Ned Bodie" came into being on the Bishop to Bodie ride in the California desert near Mono Lake, where he performed around the campfire. Since then he has performed at the Klickitat (WA) County Fair, Fiddelin Under the stars in Goldendale, Washington, The Columbia River Cowboy Gathering in Kennewick, Washington and numerous other venues.
Talents: Musician
Talents: Musician, Singer
Talents: Musician, Singer, Producer
Yonder hangs his hat in Montana where he pens cowboy poetry based on his experiences while working on a horse ranch in his younger days or running his own small, cow-calf operation. He was a deputy sheriff for a time and also worked as an actor in Hollywood. Rick Huff in Western Way Magazine has described Yonder’s poetry as “... being accurate, authentic and exceptionally well crafted ... his experience as an actor serves him well. I have to say he is one of the best interpreters of verse I have ever encountered.” His poetry and performances have won awards and exemplify his deep-seated respect for “The Cowboy Way” which he promotes with passion, humor and integrity. Yonder can be found performing his poetry at gatherings or guest ranches around the west.
Talents: Poet
Nominations:
- 2023 Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year Nominee
- 2023 Male Poet of the Year Nominee
Talents: Poet
Like a troubadour of old, Kerry Grombacher paints vivid portraits and tells fascinating stories with his contemporary western songs. Kerry has played on stages as varied as the Arizona Cowboy Gathering and the New Orleans Jazz Festival, and artists including The Texas Trailhands, Gary Prescott, and Duke Davis perform his songs.
CD/Book Registry
1996 - Home to the West
1999 - Riding for the Brand
2001 - Sands Motel
2021 - Range of the Buffalo
Talents: Musician, Singer, Songwriter
Awards:
- 2021 Song of the Year
Nominations:
- 2023 Male Performer of the Year Nominee
- 2021 Song of the Year Nominee
Chris Guenther
Claquato, WA
360-918-6346
bookchrisguenther@tds.net
https://www.chrisguenthermusic.com
Born and raised in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Chris Guenther grew up on a family farm near Winston Creek, an outlying area near the town of Mossyrock, in Southwest Washington. His experiences raising and marketing livestock through 4-H and FFA youth programs afforded him his first performances, often packing his guitar to local livestock shows, county fairs, meeting and serenading other exhibitors and the public. In his teens he formed his first band and began playing dancehalls, local club venues, old time fiddle festivals and an occasional cowboy gathering. These early experiences helped Chris develop his fiddle and guitar skills and establish his abilities as a songwriter
His passion for agriculture led him to Washington State University, where he attained a teaching degree History and Agriculture Education. Soon, he landed his first job as an agriculture teacher, instructing students on animal husbandry, farm & ranch management, and livestock evaluation. A teacher’s schedule has allowed him to continue his musical pursuits, performing at night and touring in the summer months for supplemental income. In the past twenty years, Chris has written and recorded eight albums including original country and western songs. He has supported his with tours throughout the western United States, continually developing his authentic blend of Americana music.
Talents: Musician, Singer, Songwriter
In 2003, Harms was named Female Vocalist of the Year and accepted the award for Song of the Year from the Western Music Association. She is also a multiple winner of Academy of Western Artists Awards, including the top honor of Entertainer of the Year for 2002, and she continues building audiences through appearances on the famed Grand Ole Opry and a recent stint at New York City's Carnegie Hall. She became a member of the IWMA Hall of Fame in 2020.
Art Fegan Entertainment
PO Box 272
Canby OR 97013
Talents: Author, Musician, Singer, Songwriter
Awards:
- 2022 Team Penning Co-write Songwriting Contest Award
- 2021 Entertainer of the Year
- 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees
- 2003 Female Performer of the Year
Nominations:
- 2023 Entertainer of the Year Nominee
- 2022 Entertainer of the Year Nominee
- 2021 Entertainer of the Year Nominee
- 2021 Female Performer of the Year Nominee
- 2019 Entertainer of the Year Nominee
- 2019 Female Performer of the Year Nominee
- 2019 Traditional Album of the Year Nominee
Talents: Musician
I am a recent advocate of western music and have been a member of the IWMA since 2018. I have played the guitar since I was in high school. While in college, I spent summers working for several cattle ranches in northern Arizona. Though I spent more time at the end of a shovel than on a horse, I developed a love for the cowboy way. I learned to ride with the crew worked at several roundups. I can get up on a horse and end up facing the right direction and make it go where I want. Later at a relative's cattle ranch in Oklahoma, I helped at branding and moving cattle between pastures. These experiences brought the love of the west to me, along with a lot more western music. Perhaps I am not a cowboy but a lover of the western way and a cowboy at heart.
After finishing my "productive years," I found the "western" songwriters and poets. Their songs and poetry began to fill my life. After one of those 'life-changing moments, I came to the WMA and found a caring, supporting family that changed my life. I joined the Columbia Chapter, and with their help, I have been able to hone my skill by performing at showcases and cowboy music and poetry gatherings around the northwest. When performing, I do my best to be true to the writer's feelings.
Talents: Musician
Lynn Kopelke, AKA The Comic Cowboy of Cumberland, started out singing and playing guitar around campfires on both sides of the Cascade Mountains. He took his act to guest ranches and county fairs. Retirement centers to biker bars have enjoyed his blend of traditional, classic and contemporary cowboy music, original poetry, goofy humor, and really big hats. Lynn's thriving ragwort farm and cat ranch sit just two miles south of Cumberland, WA. Stop on by.
Talents: Musician, Poet, Singer
Ranching with his brother in the foothills of Alberta was the beginning of his life-long obsession. You can still find Poppa Mac, on horse-back where and whenever possible, whether in a pasture working cattle, or in a rodeo arena delivering God’s Message.
He is the founder and past president of The Canadian Rodeo Wranglers Association, and can be found working in rodeo arenas throughout Western Canada. In recent years, he has spent time entertaining rodeo audiences with his antics and stories as Poppa Mac the Rodeo Clown.
Poppa Mac has been entertaining audiences at trail rides, rodeos, cowboy churches, concerts and cowboy gatherings all over Western Canada and several States. His writing style reflects his outlook on life. Poppa Mac’s poems are written from his experiences and have an honesty that only someone who has lived the cowboy life could capture.
CD/Book Registry
2016 - Stories from My Side of the Campfire
2016 - Touched by the Master
Talents: Poet
Talents: Musician, Poet, Singer
Sam Mattise has been performing professionally for over 45 years. He lives in Boise, with his wife Dorothy on a small ranch in the foothills. Sam writes his poetry and music from his life experiences and stories from friends he’s met along the road. He has published two books of poetry, “Dancing Shadows, Mustangs and Dreams” and “Cowboy Dreaming – Sunrise to Sunset”. He has recorded an album of his poetry, “ If Old Saddles Could Talk”, and an album of his music, “ Shadow Dust”.
CD/Book Registry
2009 - Dancing Shadows, Mustangs & Dreams (Book)
2012 - If Old Saddles Could Talk
2012 - Cowboy Dreamin' - Sunrise to Sunset/More Poems of the Western Range (Book)
2017 - Shadow Dust - Music by Sam Mattise
Talents: Poet, Author, Musician, Singer, Songwriter
Talents: Musician, Songwriter
Talents: Musician, Producer, Singer, Songwriter
Tracy Morrison is a folk singer and songwriter known for writing powerful laments and story songs about the American West. She was raised in a musical family and has been playing music for more than 30 years. She performs around the country and has been a featured artist at the Montana Folk Festival and the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. She has opened for world renowned folksinger, Tish Hinojosa and shared the stage with guitar virtuoso, Sergio Webb.
Morrison produced an acoustic collection of original western-folksongs in her latest album “Flower Songs in Sagebrush Town” (2019). The recordings capture Tracy’s elegant voice and old-time style guitar picking. Her album “Heirloom” (2018) was produced by multi-instrumentalist, composer and songwriter, Thomas Paul. This project shares compelling electric guitar riffs, intricate bass lines, and graceful vocal harmonies that showcase Morrison's folk-rock personality. In 2014, she released “Dancing Through Medbury” original folk songs highlighting her rural roots & incorporating hints of old-time country-blues and western. In 2012, she released a self-titled, alternative country record produced by legendary songwriter Pinto Bennett.
Tracy has served as a Speaker for the Idaho Humanities Council’s, Speakers Bureau. She presented songs and stories programs throughout the State of Idaho, including “Historical Idaho Women Stories & Folksongs”, “Country Ballads and Early Blues” and “American Folk music Revival”.
Currently, Tracy Morrison teaches American Folk Music to K-5 children and lives in a tipi while she renovates a historic stagecoach station in Southern Idaho.
“Doing no-frills traditional country is tougher than it sounds. Many times, musicians who try come off as staid, corny, self-important or reclusive. With her indelible melodies, warm voice and spare, winningly plain-spoken lyrics, Pinto Bennett protégé Tracy Morrison gets it just right.” Ben Schultz - Boise Weekly
Talents: Musician, Poet, Producer, Songwriter
Kathy Moss aka A.K. Moss, is an authentic western woman who can ride cutting horses, train wild mustangs and write the experiences of those around her. She has cowboyed in the Oregon desert of Southern Oregon, calved cows in Eastern Oregon. And dedicated her life to understand horse communication.
Without rope or corral Kathy works with a rescued wild mustang, creating courage and trust to bring him into society. Challenging herself to video with one hand while working Joey with the other, she shares the journey on face book called Joeys Journey.
Painting a pictures and capturing emotion through the words, Kathy writes what she sees creating a vision for those who read or listen to her. From her poetry to her novels she captures the American west in a contemporary style, with the respect of western living and awareness of horse communication.
Performing her work for Keeper of Traditions at folk life gathering in Ontario Oregon, to performing in Canada, Utah, Montana, and down at the infamous National Cowboy Gathering in Elko, she displays and performs photographs and poetry. Her work is recognized in several published works including the new western woman poetry book, ‘She Speaks to Me’ by Jill Stanford, A collection of Cowgirl Poetry from the western women across the US. Cowgirl Poetryby Virginia Bennet and Bar D Round Up by Margo Metagrano. She has been a featured poet for the last three years in an Eastern Oregon magazine, Horsefly. Along with her CD’s Dear Charlie that depict the western life style and Of Elk and Men an outdoor CD that promotes outdoor activities. To her new CD, The Truth, A Tribute… depicts Charlie Russell, Will James and others…
Winner of the 2017 ‘Keeper of the West, people’s choice buckle out of Kamloops Canada, is only one of the competitions Kathy will be participating in this year. The only poet to win People’s choice award out of Kennewick Washington Columbia River Cowboy Gathering, 2018. Giving talks at schools to promote the importance of family history and the value of “Where I’m From” To speaking to Therapeutic Riding Centers across the states. Her life is full of color and ambition of spreading the word ‘Western’.
Her novels have traveled around the world, Unspoken and Finding Home and soon to be released From the Heart, her new novel of the healing power of autism with horses, to finish off the trilogy of rural western living in Eastern Oregon.
You can find out more about Kathy at her website or find her blogs about horses and western living at akmosshorses
Talents: Author, Poet
Awards:
- 2021 Female Poet of the Year
- 2020 Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year
- 2019 Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year
Nominations:
- 2021 Female Poet of the Year Nominee
- 2020 Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year Nominee
- 2019 Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year Nominee
- 2019 Female Poet of the Year Nominee
Barbara Nelson plays guitar and sings western swing music in all it’s many forms: traditional, blues, folk, old standards and swing. She has performed at many different places; Elko National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Oregon State Parks Program, Hamley’s Western Store, Pendleton Arts Center, AWA award ceremonies in Fort Worth, Texas , High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore., and in Paulina at the Rusty Stirrup Music Festival.
Barbara and her husband Nels live on a ranch near Pendleton and manage the family ranch near Heppner. “Swingin’ Open Range” is her l0th album and showcases many song types. She loves to sing and play guitar and this shows in her performances.
Talents: Musician, Singer
Duane Lee Nelson, born and raised in North Dakota, moved to Oregon as a teen-ager and has lived in the NorthWest ever since. Been in ag related business all his life, from cleaning stalls to selling ranch supplies to running grain elevators to wrangling dudes. Now retired and lives on a wheat and cattle ranch near The Dalles, Oregon with his wife Lori. Between them they have six children and six grandchildren. Takes care of a small cow-calf herd and cowboys for as many local ranches as possible.
Started writing and reciting Cowboy Poetry about the turn of the century (21st, NOT 20th!!!) and has opened for such performers as Dave Stamey, Juni Fisher, RJ Vandygriff, and Waddie Mitchell, among others. Finished in Second Place at the Kanab Cowboy Poetry Rodeo in the Reciter: Serious, Risind Star Division. Won the Rising Star Division at the 2014 Kamloops Cowboy Festival, and is one of the five finalists for Male Poet of the Year WMA in 2016 and 2017. In addition, Duane's CD "Cowboy Lonesome" (ToeTapping Tommy Tucker, award winning Western DJ: "....One hell of an album!") was nominated for Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year 2016, WMA. Duane continuers to recite at numerous Gatherings across the country, entertaining people all over with his dynamic presentation of cowboy poetry, old and new.
So, now you know all about Cowboy Poet Duane Lee Nelson, whom multi-award winning Australian Bush Poet Carol Huechan calls "one of the very best reciters around...". But to really know the heart and soul of the man, well, you'll just have to figure out a way to hear him present his poetry, whether at a large Gathering someplace, or just stop into the ranch for a visit.
Talents: Poet
Awards:
- 2016 Poetry Contest
Nominations:
- 2023 Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year Nominee
- 2019 Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year Nominee
Marvin O'Dell
Around the Campfire
Sun City, AZ
805-551-4649
meoteo@aol.com
http://www.defendersoffreedomradio.com
Marvin is recognized in the Western Music arena as a successful song writer and his original music is being well-received and recorded by other performing artists. He is the 2009 Western Music Association Songwriter of the Year. His latest production and recording effort, The Silver Screen Cowboy Project, features 19 of today’s finest Western recording artists and musicians on a 2-CD set. The Silver Screen Cowboy Project was awarded the prestigious 2009 WMA President's Award. Marvin's highly requested song, Jesus & Roy, was awarded the WMA's 2009 Song of the Year. The CD inspired Marvin to create a live stage show around the songs of this award-winning CD. He now tours with The Red Hot Rhythm Rustlers band comprised of Audrey McLaughlin, Gale Rogers, Dawn Pett, Dan McCorison and himself, performing the Silver Screen Cowboy Project Show “Live” – a tribute music and multimedia presentation to the B-Western stars of the 30s, 40s and 50s. The band also has the versatility of doing Western swing, classic Western tunes or contemporary cowboy songs.
Talents: Musician, Singer, Songwriter, DJ - Radio - Music, DJ - Radio - Poetry
Awards:
- 2012 Radio DJ / Radio Program of the Year
- 2009 President's Award
- 2009 Song of the Year
- 2009 Songwriter of the Year
- 2007 Radio DJ / Radio Program of the Year
Myra Pearce shines as an authentic Country and Western Singer/Songwriter with a true passion for entertainment. Her roots run deep in the western lifestyle. She was born and raised in rural Washington where she rodeoed and toured the state Miss Moses Lake and Miss Rodeo Washington. Later, Myra joyfully raised her two daughters on a ranch in south central Montana. She started her career in Nashville in her early 20’s and has been back off and on since to record several albums. Her most recent album, The Ghosts of Yellowstone is a true adage to the West. Her heart is warm, and her voice is rich. In 2019, Myra was honored in Las Vegas at the World of Rodeo Reunion Gold Card Gathering during the NFR as a “Notable Lady of the West” where she also performed her original tune “We are the West”. Currently, you can find Myra and the addition of a talented new band living it up on stage all around the Northwest.
Talents: Singer, Songwriter
I've been playing fiddle since 2021, and I picked up classical guitar shortly thereafter. I only started writing poetry in the beginning of 2023 and was thrilled to have been a winner in the Youth Poetry Contest the same year.
Awards:
IWMA Columbia Chapter Youth Poetry Contest Winner
Talents: Musician, Poet
Oregon horseman Tom Swearingen is an award-winning cowboy poet who tells stories of the people and land of the American West through original poetry that is often inspired by his own experiences and observations from the saddle. With ranching and farming on both sides of his family tree, Tom’s love of the cultural tradition and art form of western and cowboy poetry began at an early age. Writing and performing poetry himself comes from a desire to continue the tradition, and his western lifestyle provides much inspiration. Tom brings his stories to life with rhythm and rhyme and a style that makes him a popular performer not only at cowboy gatherings and horse camps, but at libraries, historical centers, private functions, and wherever else you find folks who appreciate the cultural heritage of the West. Swearingen is a two-time winner of the National Finals Rodeo Cowboy Poetry Contest and 2022 and 2019 International Western Music Association Male Poet of the Year. He has also been nominated for Male Poet of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists. Nearly thirty of Swearingen’s poems have been published in contemporary cowboy poetry anthologies and publications. His own book “Reflection” was named IWMA 2020 Cowboy Poetry Book of the Year. He has recorded three live concert CDs, each a finalist for IWMA Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year. His 2019 album “Language of the Land” reached #1 on Western Radio. Tom has been a headline and featured performer at major western music and cowboy poetry festivals throughout the West including Cochise, Monterey, Kamloops, Durango, Cimarron, Columbia River, Spirit of The West, Arizona, and the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV. For more on Tom see oregoncowboypoet.com.
From "Rick Huff's Best of the West Reviews" column in The Western Way from the Western Music Association:
Tom Swearingen’s Horses and Happiness is one of the best cowboy poetry albums I’ve had the pleasure to hear. I love the humor. I love the introspection. I love the timing of the delivery and the construction of the verses. I really love the imagery and the pictures painted. And I further love that the album was professionally recorded “live” at a house concert, which puts just that much more of a spark into the performance and the listening experience with the appreciative crowd reaction. They knew they were in on something good!
The verse of Tom Swearingen is characteristically brief, always to the point, effective and (most often) optimistic. And once again he has chosen to record his Rhyme ‘Em Cowboy! CD in front of appreciative living beings, which I generally find to be a plus. Whether he is operating in the realm of novelty (“Teddy Franke is One Tough Hand”) or he is leaning more toward the thought-provoking (“The Visit”; "One to Ride The River With"; or “Dogies in Our Band”); Swearingen spins a fine tale and his expert delivery is comfortably conversational in its cadence. Swearingen is most certainly one of the poets folks might want to point out when they are trying to explain or typify the genre of cowboy poetry. His style and body of work make him one of the most approachable cowbards workin’.
Talents: Poet, Songwriter
Awards:
- 2022 Male Poet of the Year
- 2022 Team Penning Co-write Songwriting Contest Award
- 2020 Cowboy Poetry Book of the Year
- 2019 Male Poet of the Year
Nominations:
- 2023 Male Poet of the Year Nominee
- 2022 Male Poet of the Year Nominee
- 2021 Male Poet of the Year Nominee
- 2020 Cowboy Poetry Book of the Year Nominee
- 2020 Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year Nominee
- 2019 Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year Nominee
- 2019 Male Poet of the Year Nominee
ScottT grew up in Bayside, New York listening to Hank Williams, Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry, Jimmy Rodgers, Merle Haggard, Merle Travis, Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Classic Opera, and Chamber music. ScottT has won flat picking bluegrass guitar contests from New York to California. He was a founding member of several string bands including Crystal River, Pony Express, and The Reptile Ramblers. He regularly performs throughout the West and has performed in Canada, Philippines, and Australia. He has shared the stage with Doyle Dykes, Michael O’Dorn, Bob Saxton, Marilyn Tuttle, Juni Fisher, Jerry Hall and Trick Shot, Eric Cutshall, Eric Gorsuch, Almeda Bradshaw, Belinda Gail and a bunch of other fine musician friends. ScottT has recorded one album and is currently working on a new Americana music album that will feature a mix of Western ballads, Old Time Country, and Ragtime tunes. He is based in beautiful downtown Garden Grove, CA.
ScottT is an active member of the International Western Music Association and the IWMA California Chapter, as well as the Academy of Western Artists.
Talents: Musician, Singer
Nominations:
- 2023 Instrumentalist of the Year Nominee
- 2022 Instrumentalist of the Year Nominee
Ed Wahl has been playing the guitar and singing most of his life, growing up in a very musical family in Prince Rupert, BC. Ed loves to sing and has a very vibrant voice and stage presence. He has competed in various karaoke contests over the years and has taken first place several times. He competed in the BC Talent Search in 2006, making it to the semi-finals, and was a Vancouver finalist in the CMT Karaoke Star Show which was televised across Canada in 2008.
Ed’s musical preference has always been classic country, bluegrass, traditional local music and more recently, cowboy music. He released his first CD in January 2009, entitled “Off The Wahl - Country Classics by Ed Wahl” and in May 2013 released his second CD called “Keeping The West Alive”, a collection of cowboy tunes. This CD is at #13 in the Top 30 Cowboy/Western Albums listing in the Winter 2017 issue of Western Way Magazine.
He has performed on the main stage at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival, Cariboo Country Night, the Annual 100 Mile Cowboy Concert, the 108 Mile Canada Day celebration the Barriere Fall Fair & Rodeo, and for the past six years, at the Annual Cowboy and Drover Jubilee in Barkerville.
Ed retired his five-piece country band called “Off The Wahl” at the end of 2016, so he could devote more time to pursuing his cowboy/western music. He also plays and sings (sometimes with a bass player) at seniors’ centres, many functions at the Scandinavian Centre and at private parties, and loves to jam with his friends at the Legions. In his spare time he makes a living building and repairing commercial fishing boats.
Talents: Musician, Singer
Upbeat! Dynamic! Magnetic, fast-paced entertainment with electrifying banjo, guitar and vocals. Larry is a National Yodeling Champion.
Knowhow: Larry has brought his heart and passion for Americana music to over 2000 audiences on three continents.
Some High Points: Opened for Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Lily Tomlin and Pete Seeger. 3 Euro tours. Singing with Andy Griffith was fun!
Larry counts the Carter Family, Earl Scruggs, Woody Guthrie, Kingston Trio, Johnny Cash, Eagles, Hank Williams, Elizabeth Cotten, Sons of the Pioneers, John Denver, Irving Berlin and Chet Atkins as some of his strongest influences in Americana music.
As a musicologist and curator of American music, Larry brings fascinating stories behind the artists and songs remind us how we are all part of the great music of America! Larry connects with audiences, enhancing their lives through musical fun that brings validation of their stories, their memories, their country and themselves.
Larry is highly skilled in knowing which of these songs will resonate with the people in each venue. He creates fast-paced, energetic shows that draw from all of these elements for an engaging Americana experience for his audiences. Song lyrics and routines can be calibrated for your event. Your audience will feel connection and unity of purpose.
Larry started his career in Southern California at Knott’s Berry Farm. Now based in Portland, OR, Larry has toured the country, performing for arts consortia, private events and concerts.
Since 2019, Larry has been a featured entertainer for American Cruise Lines. “Nothing makes me happier than old-fashioned community singing like folks used to do. I love to hear people sing as we allow the great songs of Americana touch our hearts.”
“Larry Wilder brings hope and joy to audiences through Americana music.”
– Bill Furman, CEO – The Greenbrier Companies, Portland, OR
Fun Yodeling Clip! https://youtu.be/DPlSqpVZ4Bo
Talents: Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Yodeling
Awards:
- 2008 Yodeling Award