Randy is a fourth generation livestock producer, and partners with his father on their ranch in New Mexico. He started breaking horses for wages at the age of 14 and spent many years in rodeo arenas through high school and college. He's written some of the most widely recognized of contemporary cowboy music, and his songs have been recorded by some of the "stars" of this genre. Randy was voted one of the top five male entertainers in 2007 by the Academy Of Western Artists. Randy is one to ride the river with and we’re proud to have him in our gathering. You can find him on the web at: www.randyhuston.com

Jim is a native Texan, a student of the West and a life-long devotee of all things cowboy. He was the Academy of Western Artists 2008 Male Western Vocalist of the Year and received the New Mexico Music Award for 2008 Best Western Song. His 2009 Western novel, Rustler’s Moon, is a New Mexico Book Awards finalist for Best Historical Fiction Novel and Best First Book. Jim lives in Corrales, NM with his wife and two dogs, Waylon and Jessie. Jim is an awesome talent and a nice guy; you are going to love his music. Find more on Jim at: www.jimjonesmusic.com

Paul lives in New Mexico, but Bluegrass is where his roots lie and you can hear it in nearly every tune he writes and plays. His grandfather started teaching him when he was 6 years old, and put him on stage the very first time and on a small stage in Little Rock, Arkansas. Paul sang his first song to a public crowd. To this day, he can still remember singing "Rocky Top" to the best of his ability and how that song and the stage made him feel like he had found a calling in life. Somewhere along the way he discovered cows and horses, and that started a love affair with the cowboy way of life that to this day is his whole reason for living. He is most happy when he is horseback in open country. “Lookin’ at the south end of a north bound cow,” Paul has a unique style and you’ll be tapping your feet with every song. Find him on the web at: www.paulharriscowboymusic.com

Cindy is from Arizona and has been singing since she could talk and playing guitar from age 15 and you’ll have to guess how many years that was. Cindy’s Dad taught her a few chords on the guitar one summer in Colorado and she’s never stopped playing or singing. During high school she won the title of ‘Miss Fall Festival’ performing ‘Your Cheating Heart’ and ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’, somehow avoiding being caught up in the ‘flower child’ era and stayed true to her country roots. ‘Cindy Rae and the Ripchords’ enjoyed some local fame during the 70’s and 80’s playing for country dances in SW Arizona. She performs as a single now – country/cowboy/folk/blues – and dedicates her music to her Mom and Dad who have both passed away. She plays her Dad’s Gibson exclusively, believing that their spirits reside within the instrument and help her to reach some of those tough notes. Cindy has a lovely voice and plays some of the classics we al know and love.

Diane is a Minnesota rancher, running an 800-cow/calf operation. She also operates a grain bin construction company. Diane’s poetry has earned her the “Poet Lariat Laureate” of cowboypoetry.com and the AWA “Cowboy Poet of the Year” awards, winner of the WMA Poetry Book of the Year, and she is a Top-5 nominee for this year’s WMA awards for Poet of the Year, and Poetry CD of the Year. Diane has written lyrics to several songs, including “The Old Waxed Jacket,” sung and recorded by Western singers Belinda Gail and Curly Musgrave. She’s one of the West’s leading female cowboy poets and we’re excited that she will be here with us.

Find her online at:

www.myspace.com/dtribbit

www.CowboyLegacy.org

www.CowgirlTrue.org

www.cowboypoetry.com/dianetribitt.htm

Ken grew up on a small ranch in NW Colorado. Growing up on a ranch he heard a great treasure trove of old stories. Some he even tried to relive, most often with disastrous results. For the last several years now he has shared these stories with folks in his own homespun cowboy poetic form. He’s published two books of his works and is a regular performer in Arizona. Ken is one of the nicest and friendliest poets on the circuit and we’re delighted he’ll be here with us for the second year. Find more on Ken at: www.thelazyo.com

Bud was orphaned at the age of fifteen and found a home in Red Lodge, Montana as a working cowboy. Bud retired from the Army while stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and returned to the cattle business. He and his wife Joan, own the Single Star Ranch in Hereford Arizona, raising Angus cattle. After hearing cowboy poetry on Montana's Centennial Cattle Drive in 1989, Bud tried his hand at writing it. He fills his verses with the hard times, great pride, tongue-in-cheek humor, and satisfaction that comes with living the cowboy dream. He has appeared at various gathering and venues around the country, including a private performance for the Attorney General of the United States. His published works include 'Dry Lightning' and 'Lightning and Angels'. He has also recorded a CD. Bud is just one of the best we have ever heard and we’re sure you will agree.

Way Out West isn’t just a place; it’s a dynamic western music trio from Tucson, Arizona. They’ll be playing some of your favorite cowboy songs a well as some great original tunes in a style they call “Bordergrass” They are talented musicians who bring guitars, an upright bass, banjo and mandolin to the stage. They’ve played all over the U.S. and in Europe as well. When Tom, Emmy, and Slim hit the stage they bring an energy and enthusiasm that will make you smile yourself. Find them at:
http://www.bluebhikku.com/WayOutWest.htm

Dean is a fifth generation rancher from the hills of southern New Mexico, who doubles as a western singer in his spare time. Dean’s songs, poems and stories are a poetic and authentic depiction of real life in both the old and the new West. "Six generations of people trying to break even in the cow business supplies one with ample material to work with.” From wild cow attacks to runaway mules, his stories provide a peek into the funny and not so funny sides of ranching. Dean just about knocked folks out of their seats two years ago when he hit the stage, he was that good. Find him at: www.deanfostermusic.com

Lee retired from the aerospace industry 10 years ago and is now living his lifetime hobby interest … Southwest cowboys and horsemanship by performing living history in schools, for non-profits, and at special events. He can portray any one of three characters covering 200 years of Southwest cowboys … a 1750 Spanish Colonial Vaquero, an 1850 Mexican cowboy, or an 1890 American cowboy. All clothing, gear, and horse equipment (including horse training) are either original antique or of museum quality. Lee and his horse are members of the Arizona State Historical Society’s educational program called “Amazing Arizonans”. We found Lee to be incredibly likeable and knowledgeable; he’ll spend the day outside greeting and meeting with you as you make your way inside. Till then, find him at: http://historicaloldwest.org

Pete, the founder of our gathering, performs both original and classic Cowboy Poetry. His poems tell interesting and exciting stories about the West: wild rides and gunfights, horse traders and chicken thieves. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes serious, but always entertaining, he has performed at cowboy poetry gatherings all over the Southwest, including Rex Allen Days and The Arizona Cowboy Symposium. He’s worked long hours putting this gathering together and is a fine performer as well. You’ll want to catch his act and thank him for putting our show together.

Known as "New Mexico's Most Enchanting Cowboy", Mike is an award-winning singer, songwriter, musician and poet. And as a real working cowboy, he actually lives the life he writes and sings about. An audience favorite where ever he goes, he will take you as close to being in the saddle as words and music will allow. As "Talent Wrangler" for this gathering, Mike is responsible for bringing all these outstanding performers to Tyrone. For more about Mike and to sample some of his poetry, check his web site: http://www.enchantingcowboy.com.