Each year we recognize individuals, duos and groups for their talents in promoting and preserving western music and poetry.
Award Sponsored by Jeff & Kelley Davidson
5 AM – written by Joel Alden White & Randy Palmer
Day Working Cowboy – written by Ed Meyer
Cowboy’s Legacy – written by Doug Figgs & Floyd Beard
Not So Simple Simple Life – written by Brenn Hill
This Cowboy’s Life – written by J. Michael Mullins
Award Sponsored by Phoebe & Tiffany White
Cowboy Heart - written by Kerry Grombacher
Dance Ponies Dance - written by Randy Palmer
The Print Behind the Bar - written by John Lowell
The Western Road - written by Jon Chandler
Who? - written by R.W. Hampton
2025 Songwriting Contest winners are:
1st Place: “Light Ranchin’” – written by Kristyn Harris & Randy Huston
2nd Place: “The Ghosts Upon My Back” – written by John Lowell & Joanne Gardner Lowell
3rd Place: “Center of Gravity” – written by Dan McCorison & Miska Paget
Award Sponsored By: Mary Ryland, Sidekick Productions
On the Trail With the Lonesome Pines - Hilary Gardner
Belinda Gail, Hot Club of Cowtown, Badger Clark
Award Sponsored by: IWMA New Mexico Chapter
Syd Masters
Award Sponsored By: Chuck Learn
Jon Chandler
Award Sponsored By: Chuck Learn
Kristyn Harris
Award Sponsored By Mark Munzert & Kathleen Kelley
Chris Guenther
Award Sponsored By: Rik & Audrey Goodell
As Cowboy As They Come - Aspen Black
Award Sponsored By: Mary Ryland, Sidekick Productions
BLESSED BY THE WEST - written by Randy Palmer, Merel Bregante & Sarah Pierce
Award Sponsored By: Rick & Dawn Heldmann
Gone With The West
Award Sponsored By: Bonnie Rutherford
From the Saddle to Symphony Hall - Dave Alexander
Award Sponsored By: Regular Joe Productions
Ernie Martinez
Award Sponsored By: Judy James
Tom Swearingen
Award Sponsored By: Susie Knight
Sherl Cederburg
Award Sponsored By Tom & Carla Swearingen
Cowboyin’ With God – Rik “Yonder”Goodell
Award Sponsored by: Tom & Carla Swearingen
Pensive 'n' Playful - Mark Munzert
Award Sponsored By: IWMA Columbia Chapter
The Arizona Wildflowers
Jerry Hall
Randy Fowler
Ed Hughes
Gone With The West
1st Place: "Heartbreak Moon"
Written by Tecia McKenna, Micki Fuhrman, Mary Kaye Holt & Merna Lewis
2nd Place: "I'll Rope the Blue Moon"
Written by Jim Jones & Betty Lynne McCarthy
3rd Place: "Half Broke Cavvy of the ZX Range"
Written by Darrell Arnold & Tom Hiatt
Award Sponsored by the Salado Cowboy Poetry Gathering
"Snow on the Wineglass"
John Lowell
Phil Willig
Janet McBride & Gary McMahan
Award Sponsored by Marvin & Theresa O'Dell
Kristyn Harris
Award Sponsored by Marvin & Theresa O'Dell
Syd Masters
Award Sponsored by Marvin & Theresa O'Dell
Patty Clayton
Award Sponsored by Mark Munzert & Kathleen Kelley
John Lowell
Award Sponsored by Janice Brooks
"Drivin' This Herd to the Rail"
written by J. Michael Mullins
Award Sponsored by The Russellers
"Ian and Charlie"
Darrell Arnold & Tom Hiat
Award Sponsored by Diana Raven & Ernie Martinez
3 Trails West
Award Sponsored by Bonnie Rutherford
"Gotta Move"
Hot Texas Swing Band
Award Sponsored by Michael & Judy Muldawer
Hailey Sandoz
Award Sponsored by Chuck & Cindy Learn
Keepers of the West
Doug Figgs & T. Reese Janca
Award Sponsored by Marvin & Theresa O'Dell
Mark Munzert
Award Sponsored by Marvin & Theresa O'Dell
Miska Paget
Award Sponsored by Tom & Carla Swearingen
"Real Hands & Treasured Friends"
Miska Paget
Award Sponsored by Tom & Carla Swearingen
"Into the West"
Poppa Mac & Doug Monson
Award Sponsored by IWMA Columbia Chapter
Bodhi Linde
Award Sponsored by the Musgrave Family
Marsha Short
Jim Buchanan
"It's a Crazy Thing"
Tom Swearingen & Randy Palmer
Award Sponsored by Michael & Judy Muldawer
Miss Devon & The Outlaw
Award Sponsored by IWMA Western Wordsmiths Chapter
Floyd Beard