MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS at the Hotel Albuquerque or call their Reservations Department at 866-505-7829 and let them know you're attending the International Western Music Association Convention (Group code 2511IWMAG). Our special rate of $169 is available until October 22.
Tickets now available online: CLICK HERE
WEDNESDAY, November 12
10:00 am–8:00 pm
Member Registration & Ticket Sales
10:00 am-6:00 pm
Performers CD Check-In
12:00-1:30 pm
OPENING LUNCH with Special Guest Speaker Barry Corbin (invited)
1:45-5:00 pm
SHOWCASE PERFORMANCES: Cisco Jim, Grace Clark, Jerry Hall & Trick Shot, Jim Mathis, Ed Meyer, Moriah Owenby, The Roswells
12:00-6:00 pm
Western Wear Consignment Boutique Download Tags
7:00-10:00 pm
SWING DANCE: With Syd Masters & The Swing Riders
10:30 pm
AFTER HOURS MUSIC: Fireplace Jam
THURSDAY, November 13
8:00 am–7:00 pm
Member Registration & Ticket Sales
8:00 am-5:00 pm
Western Wear Consignment Boutique; CD Mercantile; Vendor Area
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
8:00-9:30am
Coffee with the DJs – Hosted by 2024 DJ/Radio Program of the Year Winners Allen & Jill
Western Artists, come meet over a dozen Western Radio DJs and hear them introduce their radio shows! Find out how you can get airplay of your Western Music and Cowboy Poetry on their radio shows.
9:45-10:45 am
How to Put Together Poetry Workshops for Kids – Lindy Simmons
Sponsored by Durango Cowboy Gathering
Start those youngsters writing early to fill the future stages of IWMA! Lindy will walk you through the development of her own workshops and give tips on when to start your program, what materials work, and, if you’re interested in a youth poetry competition, how to put it together and judge products
11:00am-12:00pm
Develop Your Rhyme & Meter Poem from Thought to Product – Floyd Beard
An informal discussion with a provided outline to organize information and thoughts. Working with a longtime Cowboy Poet. Bring your own spur and leave with a poem cooking. Some spur thoughts may be available at workshop. Bring your own writing tool.
11:00am-12:00pm
Songwriting 101 - LeeLee Robert
A Beginner's Guide to Pulling a Song Out of Your Cowboy Hat. Objective: at the end of this session you will have several “tools” in your toolbox of songwriting that will push through any writers stagnation; a strategy that will give methods for creating songs. Award-winning songwriter, LeeLee Robert will share her “tried and true” techniques for creating songs that create excitement and meaningful connection to music lovers.
11:30am-1:00pm
The Future of CDs in a World of Streaming – Panel Discussion
Host/Moderator: Carol Markstrom - Panelists: Merel Bregante, Leo Eilts, Dena Wood
Many artists are reporting declines in CD sales as digital distribution, including streaming, has grown in popularity but often at a financial detriment to artists. These are uncertain times in terms of what is the next best format for releasing the physical products of Western music and poetry and making them available to our fans. What is the future of albums versus the release of digital singles? What are the preferred formats of DJs to receive music and poetry? Panelists will share their reflections and experiences on these and related topics. Time will be allotted for questions and suggestions from the audience.
11:00 am-4:30 pm
IWMA New Mexico Chapter Hosted Jam
If you would like to host or play, please contact Vivienne Van vivienne445@gmail.com
1:15-2:45pm
Digital Distribution - Bill Lindsay -Hamblen Music Co.
Digital Distribution or Steaming? Which one? Wait!… are they related and part of the same thing? Do I need to have a website to do this? You might have heard of words like “CD-Baby” and “TuneCore”, or how about “iTunes” and “Amazon Music”, or even “Spotify"? So many companies, so many names! How are all these companies related, and how can I get my music/poems into the right one for me? In this session we will look to answer: “Who” is the right fit for me? “What” is the difference between them all, and “What" is needed in order to make it all work in the first place? “Why” would I even attempt Digital Distribution and/or Streaming? (It’s called “passive income” and you WANT it!) “How” do you get your music/poems up in eStores like iTunes or Amazon Music, and streaming services like Spotify? It’s all centralized in the Digital Distributor you choose, meaning you only need to do it once. Here comes that word again… passive income!
1:15-2:45pm
The Cattle Trails – Ron Wilson, Jeff Davidson & Tom Hawk
After the War of Secession (1861-1865), there were four major cattle trail systems that brought mostly Texas longhorn cattle from southern Texas through the plains states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska to railhead towns in Kansas and Nebraka supplying the beef market in the mid-West and the East. The cattle trails also went further west and north to stock new cattle ranches in Wyoming, Montana, and the Dakotas. The four primary cattle trail systems were: the Shawnee Cattle Trail, the Chisholm Cattle Trail, the Western Cattle Trail, and the Goodnight-Loving Cattle Trail. These cattle trail systems, throug the drovers who worked them, gaec rise to the iconic image of the cowboy that we celebrate today in song, poem, book, movies, and various other art forms.
3:00-4:00pm
Musical History of Tin Pan Alley – Michael & Judy Muldawer
Sponsored by the IWMA New Mexico Chapter
Join the Muldawers for tales and tunes from Tin Pan Alley.
10:00 am-4:00 pm
SHOWCASE PERFORMANCES: Allen & Jill, Jon Chandler, Ron Christopher, Jeff Davidson, Miss Devon & The Outlaw, The Farmer & Adele. Micki Fuhrman, Independence Creek Band, Dennis Jay, Claudia Nygaard, Randy Palmer, Sarah Pierce, George Ray Russell, The Timberline Cowboys
6:30-9:00 pm
IWMA BENEFIT DINNER & CONCERT with Hot Club of Cowtown
Hot Club of Cowtown is sponsored by Michael & Judy Muldawer
9:30 pm-??
AFTER HOURS MUSIC: Fireplace Jam, Chapter Showcases
FRIDAY, November 14
7:30 am–6:00 pm
Member Registration & Ticket Sales
8:00 am-6:00 pm
Western Wear Consignment Boutique, CD Mercantile, Vendor Area
8:00 am-9:30 am
IWMA CHAPTER OFFICERS BREAKFAST
8:30 am-4:00 pm
IWMA YOUTH CHAPTER MEETING & WORKSHOP
9:45 am-1:45 pm
CAMPFIRE STAGE: Hosted by Aspen Black
Vic Anderson, Ned Bodie, Marci Broyhill, Sherl Cederburg, Jon Chandler, Grace Clark, Patty Clayton, Jeff Davidson, Rik “Yonder” Goodell, Royce Hodge, Jim Mathis, Ed Meyer, Dave Munsick, Miska Paget, Randy Palmer, Ranger Jane, Dennis Russell, George Ray Russell & Bruce Johnson, Lindy Simmons, David Smith, JJ Steele, Scott Taylor, Timberline Cowboys, Ron Wilson
2:15 pm-4:15 pm
OPEN MIC – Sign up on site at the IWMA Registration Desk
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
SHOWCASE PERFORMANCES
Sponsored by IWMA Patron Members
Patty Clayton, Doug Figgs, Gone With The West, Rik “Yonder” Goodell, Mary Kaye Holt, Kacey & Jenna, Bodhi Linde, John Lowell, Carol Markstrom, Syd Masters, Dan McCorison, Dave Munsick, Prairie Moon, Ramblin’ Rangers, The Russellers, JJ Steele, Joel Alden White
11:00 am-4:30 pm
IWMA New Mexico Chapter Hosted Jam
If you would like to host or play, please contact Vivienne Van vivienne445@gmail.com
2:15 pm-4:15 pm
OPEN MIC – Sign up on site at the IWMA Registration Desk
WORKSHOPS
12:30-1:30pm
Using One Mic – Roger Eilts, Leo Eilts & Syd Masters
Sponsored by 3 Trails West
Tips on how to best use a large diaphragm mic in a live setting. Understanding vocal placement, instrument staging, and how to set one up if you are running your own sound. Learn how each member of the band needs to learn how to use the microphone.
1:45-2:45pm
Tales, Songs & Poems of Badger Clark – Rex Rideout
A celebration of the works of Badger Clark. Poems will be told, songs will be sung, there will be some talk of how they came to be and one man's embrace of a vanishing west. "I'm just glad I wasn't born, no later than I was."
1:45-3:45pm
Swing Guitar Workshop – Grace Clark
Sponsored by Dave Levenson & Margaret Crowl
Learn the fundamentals that will jump-start you with this exciting and beautiful guitar style. The course materials provided will allow you to continue learning at home. First, we learn fundamental music theory concepts. Second, we explore the fingerboard knowledge and chord vocabulary that will launch you into a new musical world. Third, we learn the swing guitar strumming style, complete with the “left hand release technique” that puts the exciting “snap” in the rhythm. Fourth - Starting with simple songs, we add “fancy swing chord progressions” one-by-one, until we arrive at fully developed swing-style arrangements of the songs. Bring your guitar!
3:00-4:00pm
The Life & Music of Badger Clark: South Dakota’s First Poet Laureate – Pegie Douglas & Rex Rideout
This one-hour music and narration program highlights the life and music of Badger Clark, South Dakota’s first Poet Laureate and 2025 Inductee into the IWMA Hall of Fame.
7:00-9:00 pm
FRIDAY NIGHT OPRY Hosted by: Roger & Leo Eilts
3 Trails West, Vic Anderson, The Arizona Wildflowers, Floyd Beard, Aspen Black, Jon Chandler, Cisco Jim, Grace Clark, Patty Clayton, The Farmer & Adele, Doug Figgs, Gone With The West, Rik "Yonder" Goodell, Kerry Grombacher, Dennis Jay, Steve Jones, Kacey & Jenna, John Lowell, KG & The Ranger Trio, Ed Meyer, Miss Devon & The Outlaw, Glenn Moreland & Washtub Jerry, Mark Munzert, Claudia Nygaard, Miska Paget, Randy Palmer, LeeLee Robert, The Russellers, Hailey Sandoz, Tom Swearingen, Austin Van, Joel Alden White
9:30 pm-??
AFTER HOURS MUSIC: Fireplace Jam, Colorado Chapter Sharing Session, Chapter Showcases
SATURDAY, November 15
7:00-8:30 am
VETERANS APPRECIATION BREAKFAST Hosted by: Jerry Hall
Sponsored by Ned Bodie
Floyd Beard, Ned Bodie, T.J. Casey, Sherl Cederburg, Jon Chandler, Jeff Davidson, Doug Figgs, Rik “Yonder” Goodell, Kristyn Harris, Bodhi Linde, Ernie Martinez, Miss Devon & The Outlaw, Birdie Nichols, Teresa Kay Orr, Hailey Sandoz
8:45-9:45 am
IWMA MEMBERSHIP MEETING Open to all current and future IWMA members
10:00 am-5:00 pm
Western Wear Consignment Boutique, CD Mercantile, Vendor Area
10:00 am- 6:00 pm
Registration & Ticket Sales
10:30 am-1:00 pm
IWMA POETRY CONTEST
Buckle sponsored by Floyd & Valerie Beard
Jack Blease, Ned Bodie, Marci Broyhill, Sherl Cederburg, Jeff Davidson, Sawyer Dietrich, Rik "Yonder" Goodell, Miska Paget, Dennis Russell, George Ray Russell, Lindy Simmons, Dusty West
12:15 pm-1:15 pm
IWMA YOUTH CHAPTER SHOWCASE
The Arizona Wildflowers, Bodhi Linde, Birdie Nichols, Kacey & Jenna, Moriah Owenby
1:30-5:00 pm
PERFORMER SHOWCASE
3 Trails West, Lori Beth Brooke, Kristyn Harris, KG & The Ranger Trio, Tecia McKenna, Miska Paget, Hailey Sandoz, Tom Swearingen, The Western Troubadours, Austin Van
1:15 -2:15 pm
IWMA HARMONY CONTEST
Sponsored by Richard Heldmann
Arizona Wildflowers, The Farmer & Adele, Gone With The West, KG & The Ranger Trio, Miss Devon & The Outlaw, Dave Munsick Band, Birdie Nichols, Prairie Moon, The Roswells
1:15-2:15 pm
CAL FARLEY'S BOYS RANCH POETS & RECITERS
2:30-3:30 pm
YBarJ Wranglers Masterclass Showcase
Hosted by Judy James & Jean Prescott
3:45-5:00 pm
TEAM PENNING CONTEST
Scott Taylor & Woody Woodruff, Ed Meyer & Rik “Yonder” Goodell, Dennis & Beverly Russell, Birdie Nichols & Mike Booth, Devon Dawson & Poppa Mac, Birdie Nichols & KC LaCourse, Miska Paget & Dan McCorison, Marci Broyhill & Teresa Kay Orr, Joel Alden White & Darrell Holden, Sherl Cederburg & Pegie Douglas, Bodhi Linde & Dan Linde, Tom Swearingen & Randy Palmer, John Lowell & Sarah Pierce, Steve Jones & Vic Anderson, Doug Figgs & Floyd Beard, Lindy Simmons & Mike Mullins, George Ray Russell & Bruce Johnson
6:30-7:00 pm
AWARDS PRE-SHOW
7:00-10:00 pm
IWMA AWARDS SHOW
10:30 pm-??
AFTER HOURS MUSIC: Fireplace Jam, Chapter Showcases
SUNDAY, November 16
9:00-11:00 am
GOSPEL CONCERT Hosted by Belinda Gail
The Arizona Wildflowers, Doug Figgs, Rik “Yonder” Goodell, Ernie Martinez, Miss Devon & The Outlaw, Moriah Owenby, Randy Palmer, LeeLee Robert