Cowboy Poetry from Alpine, Texas

Gather in Alpine Feb. 15-17, 2024 or watch our films

Roll On, Cowboys at the Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering

Cowboy songster Andy Hedges will host a legendary group of guests in the Saturday night show of the 2024 Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering to perform songs from Roll On, Cowboys, his recent album of duets. Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Dom Flemons, Pipp Gillette, Brenn Hill, Corb Lund, Waddie Mitchell, Brigid Reedy, Randy Rieman, Rod Taylor, and Andy Wilkinson will all be joining Andy onstage to bring the double album to life. This will be a historic evening in Alpine, Texas, with an iconic lineup of folk legends, Grammy winners, cowboy poets, singer/songwriters, and old-time cowboy musicians sharing a single stage.

Andy described the album process to Western Horseman: "I traveled around the country for over a year sort of collecting people that were interested and then deciding on songs we would do — stopping at times to record some in Lubbock as I caught someone passing through on tour. It was a pretty low-tech approach, frankly, but I was fortunate to get some really wonderful folks to participate . . . Each of the songs we chose had a very specific story behind it, so it was very important to match the right duet partner with each song."

"Little Joe the Wrangler" was included on the album after Andy and Canadian singer/songwriter Cord Lund had discussed it at various gatherings. "Corb had told me he had learned many traditional tunes from his grandfather in Alberta, and that he was surprised when he heard people like Don Edwards or Marty Robbins perform them and the lyrics were different — that the regional Alberta references that his grandfather had in those songs were changed — maybe for different audiences. So, when Corb and I decided to record 'Little Joe the Wrangler' together, he included those original Alberta references of his grandfather's in the song, and we were both happy how it turned out."

As Andy told Texas Highways in a recent interview, "'The term "cowboy songster" communicates the idea that I am someone who is not a songwriter but an interpreter of songs from a variety of styles within the cowboy tradition,' he explained, adding that this applies to his heroes: Don Edwards, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Buck Ramsey, and Glenn Ohrlin. 'A songster is known for their repertoire and their own unique versions of songs. I think it also communicates the breadth of the material in the cowboy tradition. Old ballads, Tin Pan Alley songs, gospel songs, songs from the English, Scottish, and Irish traditions, novelty songs, cowboy poetry, fiddle tunes, and modern-day songs."' Andy's previous album, Shadow of a Cowboy, won the coveted Western Heritage Award in 2020 from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum for Outstanding Traditional Western Album.

Along with being a genuinely nice guy, proud husband and dad, and popular performer, Hedges is also known for his respected podcast, Cowboy Crossroads, which features in-depth interviews with a wide variety of Western standouts. Another highlight of the Feb. 2024 Gathering will be the Friday late afternoon ticketed show, "Cowboy Crossroads: Celebrating 100 Episodes," during which Andy will interview Waddie Mitchell for the podcast. Andy made his Grand Ole' Opry debut, along with Dom Flemons and Brigid Reedy, on August 10, 2023.

February 2024 Highlights

  • Roll On, Cowboys (Saturday night show)
  • Chuckwagon breakfasts at Poet's Grove
  • Keynote address from Hal Cannon, about John Lomax
  • "A Taste of the Gathering," with 11 performers
  • Six other ticketed shows
  • Three suppers at the Alpine Civic Center
  • Free sessions in seven locations
  • Q&A workshops with favorite performers
  • Youth Poetry Contest winner performances
  • Two open mic sessions
  • See the full schedule

2024 Performers

The full Branding Crew for the 2024 Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering includes: Mary Abbott, Jerry Brooks, Dale Burson, Bob Campbell, Hal Cannon, Craig Carter (with Zack Casey), Doris Daley, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Juni Fisher, Dom Flemons, Pipp Gillette (with Lloyd Wright), Amy Hale, Kristyn Harris, Andy Hedges, Brenn Hill, Randy Huston, Jill Jones and the Jingle Bobs (Bob Goldstein and Zeke Severson), Ross Knox, Daron Little, Corb Lund, Deanna McCall, Kaden Miner, Waddie Mitchell, John Moore, Andy Nelson, Joel Nelson, Vess Quinlan, Brigid and Johnny Reedy, Randy Rieman, Chris Ryden, Tom Sharpe, Jay Snider, Gail Steiger, Rod Taylor, Andy Wilkinson (with Emily Wilkinson), and Cora Rose Wood.


Museum of the Big Bend

One of the free session locations for 2024 is the event space in the new Emmett and Miriam McCoy Building at the museum.

Rod Taylor

Photo: Jessica Brandi Lifland

Andy Hedges and Brigid Reedy

Photo: Jessica Brandi Lifland

The Legacy Lives On — Our Second Film of Poetry and Music

Hear poetry and music from Gail Steiger and Amy Hale, poetry by Ray Fizgerald, and music from Dave Stamey and Mikki Daniel. Filmed by John and Erika Moore on location in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. Both of our films are available for a 1-year rental for $10 each. Rent or watch now. Already have an account on our site? You can give a film rental to anyone at no cost. Sign in to your account, copy your personal gift link, and send it via your own email to your desired recipient.

Become a Member: Support the Gathering

Support the Gathering either monthly or annually, and help provide financial stability and a basis for growth. Members receive early access to tickets, as well as some other great benefits, for as little as $6 per month or $60 per year. Member-only ticket sales begin Oct. 1 and continue throughout October.

The Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering is recognized by the IRS as a not for profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Join now.


Want to help the Gathering grow? Volunteer.