Editor’s Note: This is an encore presentation of Cowboy Poetry: How the West Found Its Voice, originally released in May 2025. With the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering beginning this week, it felt like the right moment to revisit the roots of cowboy poetry and the voices that continue to shape Western culture.
You can also find a full guide to the best Western events happening in 2026, including this gathering, on the Way Out West blog.
Cowboy poetry is more than performance; it’s how the working West remembered itself.
Long before stages and spotlights, these verses were spoken beside campfires and under open skies, shaped by long days in the saddle, hard weather, and quiet reflection. Cowboy poetry captured the humor, hardship, and beauty of life on the range in words meant to be shared, not polished.
In this episode of Way Out West, we explore how cowboy poetry emerged during the cattle drives of the late 1800s and why it continues to resonate today. We hear from poets who helped define the tradition, from the romantic pull of the open range to the wit and humility that kept cowboys grounded through tough times.
This episode is a reminder to slow down, listen closely, and stay connected to the land, the stories, and the values that shaped the American West.
As mentioned in the episode from the blog → The Best Western Events Happening in 2026
Transcript: For a full transcript of this episode, click on "Transcript"
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