Gatherings
by Mike Moutoux, Western Entertainer & Cowboy Poet

I believe that our friends are like gemstones in our lives: the more you rub up against them, the more they seem to shine. This idea is validated at every cowboy gathering I attend.  Often, they are known as cowboy poetry and music gatherings and I like the sound of that. These gatherings bring together musicians, singers, poets and fans to one event where they can listen, meet and enjoy each other’s company for a while. There is quite a bit of visiting going on and they seem much more like reunions than your typical festival or concert. We gather not just to listen or perform but also to spend time in each other’s company; something I find myself enjoying more as time goes by.

I was recently at the Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Denver Colorado and my wife and I had great time. My hat is off to the ladies who put it together: Liz Masterson and Diana Raven; and my hat’s off to the 150 volunteers that help make it happen. That’s a lot of volunteers and they really made it easy for the rest of us to enjoy ourselves. They were just perfect hosts. Check out the Arvada Center at: http://www.arvadacenter.org/  It’s an incredible asset to the area.

There are two great pleasures in attending these gatherings. One is catching up with old friends and hearing their new stuff. The other pleasure is making new friends and hearing all their stuff. I am always amazed at the level of talent out there performing cowboy poetry and music. Two new friends are Steve Jones and John Fisher who come together as the Yampa Valley Boys. I got to hear them on stage several times and in a small hotel room jam session. I still can’t get their version of “Canadians” by Brenn Hill out of my mind. Steve really delivers the song in a way that makes you remember! The two inspired me, and were just a pleasure to be around. John has a great poem about cowboy mustaches that he performed at the jam that tickled this cowboy’s funny bone. He’s one of those musicians that plays several instruments and is a real plus at a jam session. I urge you to check them out at: http://www.yampavalleyboys.com/, then make plans to gather along with them should they appear near you.

Here is a photo taken by Bill Patterson of me on an Arvada stage with Steve and John, above. If I look excited, it’s because I was. It’s pretty cool to see my name on a program with all those great names. It’s really cool to meet them in person and see what gems they all are.

My life has changed for the better when I decided to start performing. I’m better at singing and playing a guitar and I like to think my writing is getting better as well. I’m also getting better at making friends and keeping old ones, which is quite an achievement for an old lone wolf like me. Next time we bump into each other at a gathering, be sure and say “ hello”---I promise I won’t bite.