Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering started Thursday and runs through Oct. 8. It’s a weekend filled with music, poetry, a cowboy parade and other events that celebrate the American West.
This year, the focus of the gathering is on humor – an important device used to cope with the dangers and day-to-day life of being a cowboy.
Traveling to Durango from Custer County, Nebraska, for the gathering will be cowboy poet and humorist R.P. Smith. Smith will be hosting one of the evening performances of Cowboy Poetry and Music at the Henry Strater Theatre.
We talked to Smith about how Johnny Carson played a role in his development as a cowboy poet, the importance of cowboy gatherings and laughter.
Q: Tell me a little about yourself. You are out of Nebraska?
A: I’m a fourth-generation rancher out here. I have a cow/calf operation, a few horses and a few sheep; just kind of a mom-and-pop deal.
Q: How did you get into cowboy humor? Do you consider yourself a humorist?
A: No, not really. I’ve got to get quite a ways from home before anybody thinks I’m very funny. I like taking a trip to other places once in a while and am always amazed at how people react.
Q: How did you get involved in cowboy gatherings?
A: I’ve been performing poetry in front of people now for about 26 years, and it’s just kind of snowballed. I had an opportunity to go to a cowboy poetry gathering up in Valentine, Nebraska – the first one they had – they’re having their 26th one. I’ve only missed one of them and that was because I was in Durango. It’s been a big part of my life.
Q: Why do you think they’re important?
A: For me, it’s just a chance to get together with people that appreciate the craft. (It’s) kind of an outlet for some of the energy I put into it, so it’s been a great deal for me.
Q: Why do you think humor plays such a big role in cowboy culture?
A: Well, I guess laughter, to quote Reader’s Digest, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Sometimes, the agriculture industry can bounce you around a little bit, and the humor helps you get healed up.
Q: How did you end up doing poetry?
A: I had sold a cow at the sale barn and hadn’t come out very well on the deal – thought I was about $50 short of where I should have been or a little more of that. I had happened to stay up and watch Johnny Carson that night on TV and there were a couple of cowboy poets that were going to be on it, and they kind of inspired me.
I had a friend getting married the next day way out in the western part of the state, and he was a cattle buyer, so I wrote a derogatory poem about cattle buyers and gave it to him for his wedding present. That’s how it all kind of started. The Lord can use some strange events for his purposes, and I think he had a hand in it.
Q: Is it a pretty large network of cowboy poets, gatherings?
A: There are a lot of people doing cowboy poetry, and there are gatherings, especially in the western United States. I haven’t been to a huge amount of those, but I’ve been to the state gatherings in Colorado, Texas, Arizona and Wyoming. (I) just had a really nice show up in Fort Pierce, South Dakota, last weekend in commemoration of their bicentennial of Fort Pierce, so that was neat to be a part of.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about the gatherings?
A: Getting to visit with people – old friends and people I haven’t met before. It’s just a lot of fun.
katie@durangoherald.com
Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering schedule
Thursday
Poets in the Community: Special performances in schools and other venues. Contact Carol Bruno at 749-0076.
6 p.m.: Cowboy Theatre, Western Variety Show with a Twist, “Saga of the Dead Man’s Hand.” Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave. Tickets $20 in advance or at the door, reserved seating. It’s the early 1900s, and Wild Bill Hickok has been killed with what has become known as the “Dead Man’s Hand” in poker. Will there be others who run into trouble holding the same hand of cards? A bit of truth, a few lies and a lot of fun. Hosted by Sue McWilliams with invited performers from Saturday Daytime Theme Sessions.
6 and 8 p.m.: ”Laughing Stock” cowboy humor. Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. Featuring Andy Nelson, R.P. Smith, Terry Henderson and Gary McMahan. $40 reserved seating. Go to the Henry Strater Theater Box Office to purchase available tickets for this show.
Oct. 6
Poets in the Community. Special performances in schools and other venues. Contact Carol Bruno at 749-0076.
10 a.m.: Cowboy Poet Train: Departs at 10 a.m., Returns 3:30 p.m. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 479 Main Ave. Features performers on every coach and barbecue lunch at Cascade Canyon. Special fares for children and premium coaches. Contact the D&SNG Train for rates and information: 247-2733 or (888) 872-4607 or durangotrain.com. (Advanced reservations encouraged)
10 a.m.: Cowboy Poet trail ride. Rapp Corral, 51 Haviland Lake Rd. Mountain ride and lunch with performers Mary Kaye and Randy Rieman. Rent a horse or bring your own. Space is limited, so make reservations early. Contact Anne Rapp at 247-8454 or visit rappcorral.com
Western Art Gallery Exhibits and free receptions:
5-7 p.m.: Sorrel Sky Gallery, 828 Main Ave. Reception with Maura Allen, whose paintings reflect how the West has represented new beginnings and where there is “enough sky to thrive.”
5-7 p.m.: Toh-atin Gallery, 145 W. Ninth Street. Featuring a new release of historic photos by Fred Clark, bronze sculptor Kevin McCarthy and saddle makers Lisa and Loren Skyhorse.
5-7 p.m.: Wild Shots Gallery, 842 Main Ave. Featuring Claude Steelman’s wildlife, wild mustangs and landscape photography.
6 p.m.: Cowboy Poetry and Music evening performance: Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. Tickets $25, reserved seating. Host: Gary McMahan, featuring Rhonda Stearns, Pat Meade, Floyd Beard.
8 p.m.: Cowboy Poetry and Music evening performance. Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. Tickets $25, reserved seating. Host: Terry Henderson, featuring Otto Rosfeld, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Trinity Seely.
Oct. 7
7-11 a.m.: Cowboy Chuck Wagon Breakfast. Corner of Fifth Street and Main Avenue in downtown Durango (across from the train depot). Tickets in advance or at the wagon: $10 for adults, kids 5 and younger free. Entertainment by performer Otto Rosfeld playing his washboard. For more information, call 749-2995.
10 a.m.: Cowboy Parade. Sponsored by Boot Barn. Colorado’s largest motorless parade begins at the train depot on Main Avenue. Contact Pam Jacobs at (512) 517-5619 for details about participating in the parade.
10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Daytime sessions of Cowboy Poetry, Music, Storytelling and Folklore. Strater Hotel and various downtown locations. Free admission. Featuring invited performers in concurrent theme sessions every hour. Visit the Performer Page for a complete listing. To sign up, call Lindy Simmons at 946-2460.
10:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Cowboy Comedy Revue. Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. Enjoy music and poetry from the funny side of ranch life. Tickets $10 in advance or at the door, open seating.
11 a.m.: Western Heritage tribute. Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Celebrate the contributions of the Zink family to the ranching and beef industry in Southwest Colorado. Lunch menu and cash bar; free entertainment.
2:30-3:50 p.m.: “Everything in the Song is True,” documentary film about cowboy life. 3:55-4:20 p.m.: Question-and-answer session with Gary McMahan and Yvonne Hollenbeck. Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. Tickets $10 to benefit local 4-H Horse Council and Durango FFA. Available online or at the door.
4:40-5:30 p.m.: Poster session. Toh-Atin Gallery, 145 W. Ninth St. Invited performers and musicians will perform their interpretation of this year’s limited-edition print. 5:30-6:30 p.m., free reception. Autographed prints of “Ten Below Zero” by artist Andrew Peters will be available for $30.
6 p.m.: Cowboy Poetry and Music evening performance. Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. Tickets $25, reserved seating. Host: Andy Nelson, featuring Otto Rosfeld, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Trinity Seely.
8 p.m.: Cowboy Poetry and Music evening performance. Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. Tickets $25, reserved seating. Host: R.P Smith, featuring Rhonda Stearns, Pat Meade, Floyd Beard.
Oct. 8
8:30 a.m.: A Cowboy and his Creator. Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. Inspirational poetry and music featuring many invited performers. Hosted by Sam Noble. Free admission, open seating.
11 a.m.- 2 p.m.: Sunday brunch. Diamond Belle at the Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave. Special brunch menu. For more information, call 375-7151 or visit diamondbelle.com
For more information, call 749-2995 or visit www.durangocowboy gathering.org.
