5th Annual Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering

5th Annual Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering

Bringing the best Cowboy talent to Nephi, Utah

April 24th & 25th 2026

Join us for the 5th Annual Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering! Over two days, seven talented cowboys and cowgirls will share music and poetry, including a memorable dinner show round-robin. Enjoy food, Western gear vendors, a free open mic, youth poetry contest, and a live recording of the Cowboy Crossroads podcast.

Featured Artists

HOOPER UTAH

Brenn Hill

Brenn Hill is a singer-songwriter who reveals the true heart of the West with raw, poetic honesty. Across 17 albums—with a new release in 2025—he captures the lives, trials, and spirit of cowboys, ranchers, riders, hunters, and all who love the Western way of life.

LUBBOCK TEXAS

Andy Hedges

Andy Hedges is a Texas-born songster, storyteller, and collector of cowboy songs and poems. Known for his vast Western repertoire and his Cowboy Crossroads podcast, he’s performed with Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, debuted at the Opry, and brought Roll On, Cowboys to Carnegie Hall.

ARIZONA

Matt Robertson

Raised in Wyoming, Matt Robertson grew up riding broncs and starting colts. Now in Arizona, he trains horses and channels his Western life into music. Writing since 16, he’s released seven albums, inspired by Ian Tyson and Chris LeDoux, available on all streaming platforms.

COLORADO

Carin Mari

Inspired by life in the Rocky Mountains, Carin Mari blends storytelling and Western flair in her music. A 2025 Troubadour Songwriting contest winner, she tours solo and with Michael Martin Murphey, has performed at the Ryman, and opened for Clint Black, Sawyer Brown, and Lynn Anderson.

ARIZONA

Ross Knox

Born in Prineville, Oregon, Ross cowboyed across the West for 20 years and served as head packer at the Grand Canyon, logging over 60,000 miles on mules. Now in Arizona, he enjoys horses and ranch life, performing cowboy poetry for 40 years and collaborating with Ian Tyson.

VERNON UTAH

Darrell Holden

Darrell Holden, a fifth-generation Utah rancher, has written cowboy poetry since 1983. His work reflects humor, struggle, and ranch life. A devoted family man, he honors his ancestors’ legacy, defends ranching traditions, and finds joy and healing a-horseback with family and cattle.

NEPHI UTAH

Dakota Holdaway

Dakota Holdaway is a storyteller and cowboy poet who shares life lessons learned on horseback, in the mountains, and with livestock. He founded the Juab Cowboy Poetry Gathering, coaches 4H, trains young horses, and uses his poetry to build community and celebrate the cowboy way of life.

Weekend Schedule

Friday April 24th

  • Doors open at 12:30

  • Cowboy Crossroads: 1:00 – 2:00 – Ross & Andy

  • West of Here: 2:30 – 4:00 – Matt, Darrell, Carin

  • Youth Poetry Showcase 4:30 – 5:30

  • The Dusty Ones: 5:30 v-6:30 – Dakota, Matt, Ross

  • Vendor doors close at 7:00

  • The West Money Couldn’t Buy: 7:00 – 9:00 – Darrell & Carin—Brenn & Andy

  • Western Dance: 9:00 – Midnight

Saturday April 25th

  • Doors open at 9:00

  • Saddlin’ Up time: 10:30 – 11:30- Matt & Andy

  • Mountains to Climb: 1:00 – 2:00- Carin & Brenn

  • I’m Gonna Miss This: 3:00- 4:00- Dakota Holdaway, Darrell Holden, Ross Knox

  • Vendors close 6:00

  • Doors open for dinner show at 6:45

  • I Outgrew the Wagon: 7:30 – 9:30 ( Dinner Show )

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Reams Western Outfitters
Larson & Company
Will Creek Flower and Herb
Branded Barber - Nephi, UT
John & Carol Graves
Leaning H Livestock - Vernon, Utah

Event Location

Juab County Fairgrounds

400 W Center St, Nephi, UT 84648

Join Us for our 5th Annual Gathering

Join Us for our 5th Annual Gathering

Gathering Tradition, Preserving Culture.