Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer. But, before we all start working on our beach tans and summer reading lists, we wanted to take a look back at one of Northern Nevada’s key cultural events: the annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev.
Poets, musicians and writers from across North America spent part of their slower winter days swapping stories, laughs and stories. The Sierra Nevada Ally’s Will Houk took photographs of the event.
A saddle on display at the Western Folklife Center in Elko, Nev. Credit Will Houk.Hot Club of Cowtown performs at the 2023 Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev. Credit Will Houk.It’s not just acoustic and folk-style Western music at the Gathering. Credit Will Houk.Lara Manzanares (center) performs with bassist Tanya Nuñez and multi-instrumentalist Jordan Wax, members of New Mexico traditional music supergroup Lone Piñon at the 2023 Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev. Credit Will Houk.Michael Martin Murhphey (left) performs with his son, Ryan Murphey at the 2023 Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev. Credit Will Houk.Grace Quebe performs with the Quebe Sisters at the 2023 Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev. Credit Will Houk.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Michael Martin Murphey as Red Steagall. We apologize for the error.
Will Houk is the host of the radio show and podcast “Roots, Rednecks, and Radicals.” The weekly radio show airs weekly on KNVC 95.1 FM Carson City, and features the best of Americana, folk, and roots music. The podcast takes a deep dive into modern roots music featuring in-depth interviews with recording artists. A lover of music and the outdoors, Will was raised in Northern Nevada. He now calls Carson City home with his wife Jes, and son William. He’s a teacher at Carson High School where he has taught Social Studies for 18 years.
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