© 2010  Gila Valley Cowboy Poets Inc.

Created by Pinaleños Communications

Made by Serif

Gila Valley Cowboy Poets Inc.

History of the “Gila Valley Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering”

By K. W. “Skelly” Boyd

The Gila Valley event was first held in 1994 as the Cowboy Poetry and Music Roundup.  Jack Kukuk and I started in 1993 and worked under the banner of the Gila Valley Arts Council to bring the celebration to life.  The next Sept. the Gila Valley held it’s first Cowboy Poetry and Music event.

Jack was already serving as Artistic Director for the GVAC and after the success of the first “Roundup”; I was invited to join the Board as the Artistic Dir. for this event.  After a few years Jack moved away and we continued with a very capable committee and the help of many other good folks in the valley.

In the late ‘90s we adopted the use of “Gathering”; as that is a widely accepted term and more readily aligned us with like-events around the West.

It takes a ton of work to make the Gathering happen.  It is a labor of love that continues year ‘round.  Sponsorship and cooperation from local businesses, Government, and other organizations is crucial.  Fortunately the people of the Gila Valley recognize our vital roots and how they keep us connected to the land.  That awareness of our culture and traditional life-ways keeps it going year after year.  

 After the 11th event the GVAC decided to discontinue their affiliation.  That Fall and Winter; as I traveled the circuit, performers all over the West encouraged me to try and keep the Gila Valley Gathering alive.  Although ours is relatively small, it is held in high esteem.  The embers were smoldering back to flames.

In Feb. of ‘05 I received a call from Ralph Smith about putting it under the banner of the Graham County Historical Society.  They graciously agreed.  With many of the former committee members and the generosity of our loyal sponsors and performers; we were able to make the transition.

The Historical Society hosted the Gathering at the Museum in Thatcher for ’05 and ’06.  Certain issues over responsibility and participation came to light in the fall of ’06.  At that time the active members of the gathering committee decided to form a non-profit corp.  This was done by Jan. 1st of 2007.

Traditional family friendly cowboy entertainment has always been the mainstay of the Gathering.  We have brought our songs and stories to area schools as part of our community service.  For some years now Bunny Dryden of Thatcher has cultivated the student poetry program for area schools at the 5th and 6th grade levels.  The Safford Library is now partnered with us to bring students in for poetry and music in the Phelps Dodge room at their facility.  Such efforts to augment the literary aspects of our culture shall continue.

 In reaching for a wider horizon of the cowboy culture we are also presenting Western and Cowboy oriented artisans as a part of our endeavors.  Local artist Maggie Bryce arranged an Art Show in tandem with the ’06 Gathering.  The addition was very popular with everyone and we are eager to explore and enhance that part of our program.

Over the years; Cowboy Poetry and Music has brought some of the best talent in the Western World to the Gila Valley.  It hasn’t been easy.  The worthwhile adventures are seldom easy.  It is rewarding in that it speaks well for the people of the Gila Valley.