The Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering will take the stage at a new venue this year, the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. The popular event will be Aug. 12 through Aug. 14.
More than 40 cowboy poets and singers will share their heritage and the culture. Featured performers include Dave Stamey, Jay Snider and Belinda Gail. This year’s collectible poster design was created by rancher and artist JaNeil Anderson and is titled “That Girl is a Cowboy.” An original framed giclee will be available to win through the annual raffle.
Dave Stamey will be the featured performer at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12. He has been a cowboy, a mule packer and a dude wrangler. He was voted seven times Entertainer of the Year and Male Performer of the year, and five times Songwriter of the Year by the Western Music Association. He also received the Will Rogers Award from the Academy of Western Artists.
Friday evening’s featured performer will be Jay Snider. Born into a ranching and rodeo family, Snider rodeoed throughout most of his early years and stays busy raising ranch horses, cattle and team roping. He has performed on Country Music Television, the National Cowboy Gathering in Elko, Nevada, Ozarks Fall Roundup and Hills Outdoor Theater in Branson, Missouri. He has been recognized with awards including Best of Best trophy at Kanab; he is a six-time nominee for male poet of the year by the Academy of Western Artists.
On Saturday night Belinda Gail will be on stage. Ranching and the “cowboy life” are part of the essence of this performer. Gail recently was listed as one of the top 50 Country and Western Entertainers of all time by American Cowboy Magazine. Her dynamic and captivating voice stirs the emotions and visions of the West in the heart of every audience she embraces.
The event features free day sessions in which attendees can meet cowboy poets and singers to learn about the culture and history that celebrate the American Cowboy.
“Like so many events last year, it was unfortunate we had to cancel the Gathering because of COVID-19. We are excited though to bring it back this year in an all new outdoor venue,” said Chairman Jim Buchanan. “We really couldn’t do this large event without our hard-working volunteers who have dedicated their time to bring this to Prescott for the past 32 years.”
The Gathering is respected by the cowboy poets as one of the best gatherings in the country because it helps maintain the true “working cowboy” culture and heritage.
Tickets are available by going to www.azcowboypoets.org or calling 928-776-2000 or 877-928-4253.
