In this heartwarming eighth episode of the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering Podcast, host Jim Buchanan sits down with award-winning cowboy poet Mike Dunn of San Tan Valley, Arizona. Known for his rich storytelling and deep roots in ranch life, Mike shares a blend of humor, history, and heartfelt reflection through several of his most beloved poems.

Jim and Mike swap personal memories of ranch life, legendary Arizona stories, and the importance of manners, hard work, and family. Whether you’re a lifelong cowboy poetry fan or hearing it for the first time, this episode is filled with laughter, nostalgia, and genuine Western spirit.

In this episode of the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering Podcast, host Jim Buchanan sits down with the legendary Dave Stamey—often called “the Charlie Russell of Western music.” Dave shares heartfelt stories and songs born from his real-life experiences as a working cowboy, horseman, and storyteller of the American West.

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Step back into the origins of cowboy poetry with this special episode of the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering Podcast. Host Jim Buchanan sits down with longtime friend and cowboy poet Sally Harper Bates, one of the early voices who helped shape the Gathering. 

Together, they reminisce about ranch get-togethers, the roots of cowboy music and verse, and the people who kept the tradition alive—from kitchen-table storytellers to nationally recognized performers. Along the way, they share memories of the first Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering, the influence of early trail songs, and the legacy of poets and musicians who carried forward the authentic voice of the West.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan of cowboy poetry or just discovering its history, this episode brings the heart, humor, and heritage of the Gathering to life.

In this episode of the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering Podcast, host Jim Buchanan sits down with Joe Konkel, ranch history chair and past president of the Gathering, to explore the stories behind Arizona’s historic ranch families. From the Carter family’s roots in 1998 to the legendary Kieckhefer K4 Ranch, Joe shares how he researches, interviews, and brings these histories to life—connecting generations of ranchers, cowboys, and the communities they’ve shaped. Together, Jim and Joe reflect on the importance of preserving Western heritage, cowboy culture, and the ranching way of life for future generations.

In this heartfelt episode of the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering podcast, host Jim Buchanan sits down with ranching couple Gail and Amy Steiger of Spider Ranch. Together, they share cowboy poetry, music, and stories forged from a life spent side by side on 48,000 rugged acres of Arizona forest land.

Amy recites her evocative poems like "See You at the Barn" and "Work Song," revealing the deep connection between land, labor, and love. Gail reflects on his grandfather Gail Gardner’s legacy with a rendition of the iconic “Tying Knots in the Devil’s Tail,” and the two perform a touching original duet “Written in the Key of Us,” blending poetry and song into a tribute to their shared life.

Whether you’re a cowboy poetry fan, a lover of the land, or curious about modern ranch life rooted in tradition, this episode offers an intimate look at a couple living and creating in rhythm with nature.

Don’t miss the 2025 Gathering: August 7–9 at Yavapai College, Prescott, AZ. Learn more at azcowboypoets.org.

In this richly personal episode of the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering Podcast, host Jim visits with longtime cowboy poet and community fixture Don Fernwalt.

From his early days in cowboy poetry to running the Gathering’s “Merkantile” with his wife Roslyn, Don opens up about poetry, horses, life in the West, and the joy of storytelling.

In this heartfelt second episode of the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering podcast, host Jim Buchanan sits down with The Rusty Pistols Reloaded Cowboy Band—Duane Steinbrink, Bob Wood, Suzi Killman, and Donn Pease.

In the premiere episode of the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering podcast, we sit down with Miska Paget, a featured poet, large-animal veterinarian, and passionate storyteller.

Miska shares how she went from scribbling poems in a binder to performing on stage at cowboy poetry gatherings across the West. With warmth, humor, and heart, she recites two of her most beloved poems, one deeply touching and the other hilariously true, and reflects on how poetry, animals, and the western way of life intertwine in her journey.

You'll hear about her first time on stage, the magic of the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering, and why cowboy poetry is more than rhyme; it's a way of life.