Cowboy poetry gathering comes to Pagosa

Posted
By Ken Harms

Special to The PREVIEW

Photo courtesy Ken Harms “Let’s Celebrate and Preserve Our Western Heritage” is the theme of the  Pagosa Peak Cowboy Poetry Gathering set for Aug. 9. The gathering will feature singer/songwriter James Michael, who was named the Academy of Western Artists’ Male Vocalist of 2012. Photo courtesy Ken Harms
“Let’s Celebrate and Preserve Our Western Heritage” is the theme of the Pagosa Peak Cowboy Poetry Gathering set for Aug. 9. The gathering will feature singer/songwriter James Michael, who was named the Academy of Western Artists’ Male Vocalist of 2012.[/caption]

Western Music Association’s Ken and Jan Harms are happy to announce that they have received a grant from the Archuleta  County Tourism Fund to create and host the Pagosa Peak Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Pagosa Springs. The gathering will be held Saturday, Aug. 9, starting at 3 p.m. at the Vista Community Clubhouse, 230 Port Ave.

This year’s theme is “Let’s Celebrate and Preserve Our Western Heritage” and will feature singer/songwriter James Michael, of Las Cruces, N.M., who was named Academy of Western Artists’ Male Vocalist of 2012. Special guest will be the very talented singer/songwriter/poet Evelyn Roper from Gunnison. Emcees and co-hosts are Pagosa’s own pro rodeo champion Forest Bramwell and outfitting wife and partner Jaclyn Bramwell. This year’s gathering is dedicated to the late Bob Huff (1931-2011), Pagosa’s most recognized cowboy poet.

“Ideally, cowboy poetry gatherings aren’t just another concert, but a heartfelt conversation which truly celebrates our heritage,” say Ken and Jan. Ken and Jan have been writing western songs and poems here in Pagosa for the last decade while attending and performing at regional poetry gatherings including Cattleman’s Days in Gunnison and the Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering. The new Pagosa Peak gathering has gotten a lot of national exposure through “Western Way Magazine” and the WMA website westernmusic.org, so many out-of-town visitors and guests are expected to attend.

This is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit event with free admission and limited seating. For more information, visit pagosacowboygathering.org.