40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

John A. Lomax grew up on a small Texas farm along a branch of the Chisholm Trail during the cattle drives of the 1870s. Hearing cowboys sing at a young age profoundly influenced his life’s work. He became one of the first individuals to record these songs and, along with his son Alan, made significant contributions to the documentation of American folk music. This practice would lead to lasting partnerships between ranching communities and folklorists and lead to the creation of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. In this presentation, Hal Cannon will discuss Lomax's legacy, drawing primarily on recordings from the Western Folklife Center Archives.