ALPINE – The Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering is back in person Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-19, with more than forty scheduled performers who know cowboy life from the inside. It had to go virtual last year because of shutdowns resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event was formed in 2019 when the Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering board retired after 33 successful years. The new Lone Star board of directors dedicated itself to “keeping the tradition alive.” The February 2020 Gathering, held just before the pandemic struck with vigor, was the organization’s first event. This will be the second one in person.
After the first of two chuckwagon breakfasts Friday and Saturday, it all begins at 9:30 with a welcome in Marshall Auditorium, followed by the keynote address by poet Vess Quinlan. Then there is the “Taste of the Gathering” session with performers Gail Steiger, Rod Taylor, Mary Abbott, Brenn Hill, Andy Hedges, Ross Knox, Daron Little, Andy Nelson, Brigid and Johnny Reedy, Randy Rieman, Randy Huston, and Kristyn Harris. See the full list of performers at lonestarcowboypoetry.com.
The ticketed shows, free sessions, chuckwagon breakfasts, keynote address, open mic sessions, Youth Poetry Contest, and Saturday night dance promise to be better than ever, and the high desert air and mountain views of Alpine are fan favorites. New this year are a catered supper each night at the Alpine Civic Center, a mandolin workshop, and a guitar workshop.
The chuckwagon breakfasts of biscuits, sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, and coffee will be outside under the trees of Poet’s Grove in Kokernot Park. Performances will be on the campus of Sul Ross State University with the headquarters at the Morgan University Center.
After the chuckwagon breakfast Saturday, Alpine’s own Joel Nelson with Andy Hedges of Lubbock kick off that day’s programs with “Let’s Talk Cowboy Poetry and Songwriting” at 9 AM. Performances continue throughout the day, until the on-campus events conclude with the Saturday night show at Marshall Auditorium.
The two-day spectacle closes with a Saturday night dance featuring Craig Carter and the Spur of the Moment Band at the Civic Center.
For more information, including tickets, membership, sponsorships, two films available for rental, and more, go to lonestarcowboypoetry.com.
