The Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to "remember, recite, sing, record, publish, illustrate, film, portray, broadcast, market, and honor narratives of the cowboy way told in poetry, song, stories, and art by those who have lived that life to those who enjoy and learn from it every day."
We have held five successful in-person Gatherings in Alpine, Texas with more than 40 poets, musicians, storytellers, and humorists at each one, including 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Our 2023 Saturday night show, Charlie Goodnight: His Life in Poetry and Song, based on Andy Wilkinson's album of the same name, was a sellout of the more than 700 seats in Marshall Auditorium at Sul Ross State University in Alpine. The 2024 Saturday night show, Roll On, Cowboys, brought almost all of the duet partners from Andy Hedge's album of duets onstage with him in West Texas a month before they played Carnegie Hall.
With John and Erika Moore, we have produced two films of cowboy poetry and music, Keeping the Tradition Alive and The Legacy Lives On (available for online rental and immediate viewing).
Want more details on the last few years, including Gathering schedule, performers, keynote speakers, and award recipients? See our history.
As of July 2025, the board of directors is made up of Robert Aguirre, Bandera County, TX; Elizabeth Baize, Fort Davis, TX; Marian Freeland, Alpine, TX; Bill Jones, East Tennessee; Karen Lloyd, Newport, RI; Karen McGuire, Alpine, TX; Kay Nowell, Alpine, TX; Gene Nowell, Alpine, TX; Vess Quinlan, Alamosa, CO; David Richmond, Lindrith, NM; Chris Ryden, Midland, TX; Jim Street, Alpine, TX; and Patrick Sullivan, Fairfax Station, VA. Event producer: Bob Saul, Fort Worth. Film production and advisors to the board: John and Erika Moore, Dove Creek, CO. Advisors to the board: Robbie Burns, Alpine; Jim Goodnight, Dallas; Andy Hedges, Lubbock.
Our purpose is exclusively charitable and educational in nature, and shall be to remember, recite, sing, record, publish, illustrate, film, portray, broadcast, market, and honor narratives of the cowboy way told in poetry, song, stories, and art by those who have lived that life to those who enjoy and learn from it every day. We inform, engage, and mobilize all ages to take actions, raise funds, and participate in events, media, and curricula that celebrate, communicate, and promote the cowboy way of life everywhere.
We received 501(c)(3) status retroactive to the date of our founding (July, 2019). All contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.