Each year we recognize individuals, duos and groups for their talents in promoting and preserving western music and poetry.
Award Sponsored by Rick & Dawn Heldmann
Hombre - Dan Canyon; produced by Dan Canyon
Just Keepin' It Ranchy - Ryan Fritz; produced by Ryan Fritz
On My Way Home - John & Joanne Lowell; produced by Merel Bregante, John Lowell & Joanne Gardner Lowell
Storm on the Mountain - Doug Figgs; produced by Peter "Ren" Renfree
The Westerner - Andy Hedges; produced by Andy Hedges, Rich Brotherton, Chris Ryder
Mischa Bakaleinikoff Frank Sanucci
Award sponored by Patty Clayton
Jon Chandler
R.W. Hampton
Andy Hedges
Brenn Hill
John Lowell
Award sponsored by Bunker deFrance, Voices of the West
Patty Clayton
Micki Fuhrman
Kristyn Harris
Peggy Malone
Sarah Pierce
Award sponsored by Ramblin' Rangers
Aspen Black
Doug Figgs
Ryan Fritz
John Lowell
Sarah Pierce
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 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
Award sponsored by Susie Knight
5 AM - Joel White; produced by Joel White and Lamar Thomas
As Cowboy as They Come - Aspen Black; produced by Aspen Black
Somewhere in Montana - Larry Cann; produced by Matt Fayelle, Speedy Tech Media
When Will I Ever Learn - Sienna Rose; produced by Tame Rabbit
Who? - R.W. Hampton; produced by Lisa Hampton
Award sponsored by Sarah Pierce & Merel Bregante
Back Home in the West - The Arizona Wildflowers, produced by Darin Aldridge
End of the Trail - David Volk, produced by Marty Rifkin
Songs From the Campfire - Phillip Wildman, produced by Ray Genari and Mark Thorton
Turn Us Loose & Let Us Swing - The Brazos Valley Boys, produced by Morey Sullivan, Free State Productions, Inc.
Twilight Blues - Poi Rogers, produced by Gerard Egan & Carolyn Sills
Award sponsored by the IWMA Columbia Chapter
Lori Beth Brooke
Micki Fuhrman
Merna Lewis
John Lowell
Ernie Martinez
Leah Sawyer
Award sponsored by KC LaCourse
Rik “Yonder” Goodell
Danny McCurry
Mark Munzert
Duane Nelson
JJ Steele
Award sponsored by Patty Clayton
Teresa Burleson
Sherl Cederburg
KC LaCourse
Miska Paget
Lindy Simmons
Award sponsored by Floyd & Valerie Beard
Dimestore Cowgirl – K.C. LaCourse
Thin Clean Air – Danny McCurry
Poke Songs & Pony Tales – Tom Poley
Range Rhymes – Lindy Simmons
Just Passin’ Through – JJ Steele
Award sponsored by Doc Mehl & Doris Daley
Kailer Hedden
Birdie Nichols
Moriah Owenby
Sienna Rose
Kaylea Stafford
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