Open Mic

As an FYI to the rest of the world, this week is the Cowboy Poetry Gathering, an annual event held in Elko at the end of each January. Since this year is Nevada’s 150^th year as a state, this Gathering is an extra special one.

During the years we’ve lived here, Dean has thoroughly enjoyed the music and the poetry (the rhythm and the rhyme) and when he discovered that he could attend several sessions free of charge as a logger, he was even more excited about the event. (A logger is one who times the various acts in a session, estimates the attendance of the session and the reaction to the performers. This is an aid when they make up the DVDs from the event.)

My musical tastes tend to be a bit more la-di-dah than country western although I have heard some great music over the years at the Gathering as well as listened to some tremendous wordsmiths. But not until this week have I ever attended an Open Mic for the young people--the budding cowboy poets and musicians. Thursday night’s session was a delight and thanks to my friend Patricia I was able to enjoy it and applaud for her daughters, Alyssa and Emma.  

 

The session was a surprisingly varied and enjoyable mix of talent ranging from original poetry, rousing recitations of other poet’s works, a clogging group (many of who have danced together their entire school life), and some wonderful vocal groups and a couple of really great soloists.

The “Gathering” celebrates what is now known as the “cowboy way of life” which, at least in the rural areas where I grew up were pretty much identical. A man’s (or woman’s) word was as good as any contract, integrity was more the norm and people really did help their neighbors (there was no government agency to “help” or intrude). That’s not to say that those times were perfect nor was it easy. Ranch life (and farm life, which I’m familiar with) can be harsh and heart-breaking. 

But like one of the youngsters declared Thursday night, “I’m sure glad I don’t live in town.”