40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

J.B. Zielke is an author, speaker, and agricultural expert known for his experience as a working cowboy on six continents, which is chronicled in his renowned book The Lost Cowboy. Born into a family without a history of farming or ranching, J.B.’s passion for the art of livestock management and travel sent him on a whirlwind tour of the United States and ultimately the world, collecting stories and accolades. Join J.B. for a discussion moderated by Arizona cowboy and world traveler Gail Steiger, to hear tales of wide-open spaces in faraway places.

Join Gail Steiger—musician, poet, filmmaker, and foreman of Arizona’s Spider Ranch—for an engaging discussion on the power of cowboy poetry and music in global cultural exchange. As a cultural ambassador, Gail’s impact extends far beyond the ranch. He has traveled the world, sharing the art of cowboy poetry at the invitation of the Western Folklife Center and the United States State Department in places like Afghanistan, Argentina, Brazil, France, Hungary, Mongolia, Spain, and Turkmenistan. Join Gail for stories and videos from these travels, highlighting how cowboy poetry and music transcends borders, fostering understanding through music, storytelling, and shared occupational ties. 
Sponsored by Nevada Humanities and the Humanities Center at Great Basin College, made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Did you know that jackalopes only mate during lightning storms? Or that they can sing a sweet harmony around the campfire? Join author and jackalope expert Michael P. Branch (On the Trail of the Jackalope) and radiomaker Fil Corbitt (from the podcast The Wind) for a live performance on the elusive yet omnipresent horned rabbit. Originally aired on the podcast 99% Invisible, this live reading will combine interviews, music, and audio clips to tell the story in a live multimedia presentation.