Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering

The Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering takes place next month at Prescott College Performing Arts Center.

This year marks the 29th annual Arizona Cowboy Poets gathering for the group in Prescott Arizona.  The event takes place August 11 through August 13th.  As a western and equine lifestyle photographer, I enjoy all the other forms of art related to the western lifestyle.  More than 50 performers will bring their cowboy poetry and music to the stage and venues to share their heritage, and the culture of the American Cowboy.  Direct from their website: “The primary purpose of this event and our mission is to perpetuate and preserve the culture, traditions and history of cowboy poetry and music as it was enjoyed for decades past and is being presented in the contemporary form of its presentation.  This gathering of more than 50 poets and singers each year has kept its focus on the working cowboy and livestock oriented element of our social structure and folk history.”

When I read about events like this or The Worlds Oldest Rodeo that took place a few weeks ago in Prescott, Arizona, I fill with pride of our small town.  I enjoy the western lifestyle and agree that it should be treasured and commemorated.  I create some of my cowboy images to show the world that cowboy life still lives on in.  Cowboys and Cowgirls alike, are still out there every day working the land.  There are still people who saddle up a horse and ride out into the open fields and round up cattle and brand their animals and raise livestock.  To most, it may seem to be an outdated way of life, but here in Prescott it still lives on.

Through music and poetry, the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering share their stories of that way of life-old and new.

I enjoy the preservation of the cowboy life expressed through music and poetry.  It’s also a chance for some folks to live out their dreams.  If you are not a “real life” cowboy, you can attend the Cowboy Poets gathering and dress up in your best west costume and be a cowboy for the day!  I have had the opportunity to photograph many cowboys and cowgirls.  Almost all appear to me gentle, kind and good spirited, just like their horses.

Headliners this year are Jim Jones, Western Music Association 2014 Male Performer of the year.  Also, Mary Kaye, multiple award winning singer-songwriter and R.W. Hampton, musician, actor and play writer.

If you want a taste of the Cowboy life hanging on your walls-check out the selection of Cowboy and Cowgirl art I have available on my website.

Jody Miller is a professional photographer specializing in Horse Photography, Equine Photography, and Equestrian photography.  Her work can be viewed online here in her gallery section, and she is also featured at Arts Prescott Gallery, in Arizona.