Gathering the Future

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Saturday, Thursday 2, 2013

Early this morning artists, annual Gathering goers, and new comers came together in a round table discussion focused upon the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering's future. The group focused specifically upon the growth and success that we would like to see over the next few years.

Without filling the page with meeting minutes, I have taken the liberty of selecting a few topics from array of subjects that came to light as voices were heard and ideas were shared. The following is a bit of a jumble, and in some ways so was the meeting, so take what you want from it and let the rest wash over.

How's the Artist Selection? There was a resounding belief that the selection of artists has been well thought out and chosen by the Western Folklife Center's staff. And in addition to having artists that are fun to watch, this selection of artists does not see the Gathering as a focus upon them, but instead a focus upon the people that make up Western folk culture. (They are here to see friends and meet new people just like the rest of us). Simply put, the Gathering retains its roots.

With that said...

Are we an event based upon inclusivity or exclusivity?  There was an emerging dichotomy regarding what audience the NCPG should be focusing upon; ranch families that make up much of the area West of the Mississippi or people from urban centers all over. The Gathering started in the late 70s and early 80s by bringing local ranch families together to share and enjoy art, music and poetry. Today, ranchers and other hard working people continue to set aside time in their lives to get off the ranch and head to Elko. The Gathering has experienced changes and lulls in attendance over the last few years that have caused enthusiasts to worry about its welfare (making this one of the most important topics to address).

Is this a Business or a Social Event?  There are so many more fun events and strange happenings that many visitors either aren't aware of, or don't know occur. On any given evening you'll stumble across jam sessions, late night dance parties and even personal heroes. These are the parts of Western folklife that many find important.  I for one, implore that each and every visitor sit down at a table filled with strangers or approach artists that you otherwise wouldn't, because this is exactly the right place to do it and we want to continue these traditions for years to come.

However...

The Western Folklife Center is not in the best position to  support this event in the longterm without a good long look at how the business side of this event is related to its survival.  Of course, much of these questions will need to be answered by Western Folklife staff.

How do we bring new people in? Word of mouth and bringing a friend to visit the Gathering is simply not cutting it anymore, and the importance of getting the NCPG community involved in welfare and growth was a recurring theme. As well as keeping in mind that the local community and people whom work so hard getting this event going each year have a vested interest in the Gathering's continuing success. If you are one of those people traveling hours or even days to get here, you're a part of an effort to get the NCPG moving forward. Getting involved with other events and forums in your hometown may be the way to assure that the Gathering remains in Elko over the next 29 years.

There is a question about whether we should focus our efforts on social media (such as Facebook, Youtube or even this blog site).  Much of this boils down to what audience we would like to pull into Western folklife.  Sure, kids use these technologies but western folklife is all about focusing on arts by getting your hands dirty and meeting people.  Grass roots conversation is how all of this got started, perhaps there is a way to keep this part of the event in tact.

Is Our Focus Education or Entertainment? There is also a discrepancy with what age group we want to focus our efforts in developing the next generation of artist and visitors. Perhaps the "next generation" isn't what it seems (such as young children or teens) it could be college twenty somethings that are ripe for new experiences or single 30 somethings looking for something familiar. This is difficult to define, but is a critical question facing the Western Folklife Center and the people that love Elko.

In Conclusion. There is a fear that if we reach out too far, we will lose what makes the NCPG and Western Folklife special.  Artists are open minded and forward thinking when comes to understanding that the social environment we live in today (and Elko itself) are changing entities. Perhaps, this year's success will bring together an array of new ideas that will help expand our future.

The NCPG is a truly amazing place, a place to meet family that you never knew you had. People from all walks of life are able to come down to Elko, making it a great place to not just see artists perform their craft, but also take the time to create friendships that last a lifetime.

The Western Folklife Center wants to know what you have to say, please leave comments below. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

What is it that brings people to the NCPG year after year? Who is the target audience at the NCPG? How do we keep our community roots, while keeping a focus on entertainment/education?

Written by Mike Gamm

Something Else To Do: Rodeo Swing

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Saturday, Thursday 2, 2013

Today, dancers and would be dancers gathered in the High School gym to learn rodeo swing. The event began with an informative yet simple introduction by Craig Miller and Amy Mills that got people up and moving in no time. Some attendees may have been intimidated by the dancing prospect, but Craig instilled confidence by explaining that there is "no right way to do these steps."

A class like this allows smiles, laughs and mistakes that result in a bunch of great dancers. Craig gives the tools needed to move feet in the right direction, and allows you to fill in the rest. If you plan on attending one of these classes be sure to leave all your bashful baggage at home because its time to dance.

Written by Mike Gamm

Water in the West: A Round Table Discussion

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Saturday, February 2, 2013

Water can be a 'dry' subject but today's panelists enlightened the attendees through engaging conversation about watershed development. Each speaker explained that we as a society need to widen the lens as we search for solutions to changes that are fast approaching. Water is simply a big issue in the American desert and we have the ability to engineer successful change if we approach the problems and questions with open minds. We need to recognize that both agricultural water use and drinking water are important, but they develop and sustain different forms of societal growth. There was so much in this discussion that the speakers couldn't get to, but below is a summary of the ideas and information the panelists provided.

Jack Loeffler, "Thinking Like a Watershed" and "Headed Upstream" Jack gave a brief, but dense history about how modern water management has been formulated. Over 120 years ago John Powell rode across the American West creating a detailed map of the territorial watershed. Powell proposed that the watersheds should be the driving factor for defining state lines so that each area could derive their own self sustaining plan. However, once the watershed had been made public, entrepreneurs descended upon those watersheds with regulation and control. This money and land grabbing has led to a focus upon money making rather than a focus upon creating regard for the land that we live on. The Law of the River in which different states were afforded fixed amounts of water is controlling water growth today and is an important part of understanding where we have come from, and the limits of where we are going.

Lisa Hamilton, "Deeply Rooted" Lisa spoke about how water is being utilized effectively today, and how there are practices that aren't so well defined.  Instead of wondering why we put a million person city in the middle of the desert (like Las Vegas), we need to ask, what is important for our future and we have to ask how we will use low precipitation land effectively.  As a whole, we need to take into account the importance of regional effects, and create a relationship with water that represents where we want and need to be. "The West begins when annual rainfall falls below 20 inches," this quote rings true the fact that western states have a distinct climate that should and does directly reflect the way we utilize water.

Alexandra Davis To start, Lisa stated that 'We have enough water for the West,' but included that we need to develop a relationship with water that accurately reflects what is important when sustaining a thriving society. Most of the water comes in the winter as snow pack that will then fill rivers in the warmer months.  However,  this system of 'water storage' is quickly changing today.  Annual precipitation is changing from snow to rain, which will challenge our current water storing methods. The Prior Appropriation Doctrine solves many local issues but has difficulty tackling the regional water problems because it creates a winner/loser mentality.  Care for the environment and focused discussion about agricultural growth together is a key to creating a sustained system of water usage.

We are focused upon our personal economic sustainability far more than the landscape in which we live. It is important to avoid growing beyond the sustaining capabilities of the land.

Written by Mike Gamm Photos by Charlie Eckburg

Mary McCaslin

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Friday, February 1, 2013

Mary McCaslin has honed her style from folk's deepest roots. Even a short performance at the Flag View Stage didn't fail to take the audience back to some of songwriting's best years. Her influence on contemporary Western folk music is evident with songs that explain life's experiences through the looking glass. Her steady hands worked with the guitar effortlessly, and some could hardly wait to see her unique use of the banjo. Mary stays true to each song without flaunting her skills; allowing the audience to surrender to the music.

Written by Mike Gamm

Italian Buckaroos: Old World and New World

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Friday, February 1, 2013

The international side of this event is so vital to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering coordinators because ranch hands and bronco breakers from around the world have been so important to the culture that the American West has today. Charlie Seemann explains that horse people are horse people, and we are all able to come together in Elko and share stories that cross borders and time. All of this helps create relationships that will last a lifetime. Sharing stories of the corral and landscape reminds us that people working cattle and horses from around the world are not so different than those in the American West.

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Today was a great showcase as the Italian duo Gianluca Zammarelli and Marco Rufo played casually before a happy audience. People enjoyed food, wine, and great company as Gianluca and Marco played songs from home.  In addition, Gianluca took time to teach the audience about their musical style and instruments.  The anatomy of the bagpipe is much like that of a family, a group of parts put together to make amazing sounds and feelings, and there is a cross hidden within the facets of the pipes to keep the devil away.

There is much to be learned about the butteri down at the Folklife Center exhibit. Here's just a few things:

Today Italian tradition lives on in America spurred by Italian immigration West over 150 years ago. In fact, many of the cowboys and ranchers today have roots in Italy.

Blue jeans were invented in Genoa, Italy to give a strong pair of pants to sailors. It wasn't until Levi patented the pocket's copper rivet that the blue jean became marketed and popular in the American West.

Buffalo Bill and his troupe visited Italy eight times, and was once issued a challenge as to who may be the better bronc rider: the American cowboy or the Italian butteri.  Although the results of this challenge may vary between America and Italy today, there remains a legend that a butteri by the name of Agusto Imperiali conquered the American horse.

Written by Mike Gamm

Photos by Charlie Eckburg

Tuneful Troublemakers

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Friday, February 1, 2013

Glenn Ohrlin has certainly been at this for many years, and as he stepped onto the stage a 12- year old Brigid Reedy followed closely. The theatrical arguments between the pair and the passing of folk tradition was magical to watch. 75 years between them certainly didn't let on as they played great music today, and it is great knowing that the next 30 years of cowboy poetry and music will be carried on by talented young performers like Brigid.

First time National Cowboy Poetry Gathering visitor, Ed Peekeekoot took the auditorium today after a standing ovation finish at the Flag View Stage yesterday. And like an old friend to the Gathering, Ed talks smooth and shows massive amounts of confidence and class. His stories about growing up on a reservation listening to friends play popular rock and roll chords is a great dimension of growing up. During those years he found his own music with influence form Chet Atkins and Merle Travis, all leading to an amazing ability to layer chords into musical melody. Ed is a fresh and fantastic way to fall in love with Western folk traditions. With the help of his wife, Gail, Ed provides a good time for everyone in attendance and comes across as the kind of person that you could stand up and party with.

Ed is fast making the list of favorite artist this year and certainly one that you shouldn't miss out on.

Written by Mike Gamm

Photos by Charlie Eckburg

Roughstock Cocktail

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Thursday, January 31, 2013

Paul Zarzyski and Wally McRae by Jessica Brandi Lifland

Last night the Roughstock Cocktail proved to be a great mix of music, poetry, and comments regarding Paul's sagging derriere. The show's name did not fail to provide as the amazing cast mixed equal parts of flavor and zest with music and story.

The performance opened to an audience nearly bursting at the seams, and a rousing introduction to LSD by Paul Zarzyski got the crowd's energy pumping. The stage was not short on talent as Cowboy Celtic lulled the audience with sweet melodies, and Paul Zarzyski and Wallace McRae provided all the in- between with word and poem. Even the silent duo, Nathan and Joe, impressed the audience using their instruments to create strong stage presence. Quips and jokes by the rest of the group kept cheers and laughter pouring. Simply put, it was a great time watching this motley crew up on stage doing what they love. Giving way to good old fashion fun.

After the show an impromptu musical bash between Cowboy Celtic and the Italian duo Marco Rufo and Gianluca Zammarelli broke out in the G Three Bar Theater. And with a bit of trial and error at the beginning, the bands soon melded together keeping the those in the Pioneer Saloon entertained for hours. If you hang out at the Folklife Center long enough you're sure to see the Italian musicians walking about playing bagpipes and accordion. It's quite fun to see Marco and Gianluca banter back and forth about rhythm and song choice, even if you don't understand Italian.

Written by Mike Gamm

Photo Courtesy Western Folklife Center

Young Guns

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Thursday, January 31, 2013

Last night's "young" guns came to the G Three Bar Stage with guns blazing, each entertaining the crowd with sharp lyrics and an array of stories. Andy Hedges and Brenn Hill had the crowd moved with poetry and song, each weaving life and music together seamlessly.

Its great to have performers step onto the stage and immediately captivate the audience with smiles and fun. If you were looking to find spunk and heaps of heart on a National Cowboy Poetry Gathering stage then you had better seek out another show with Adrian. She certainly brought the lady fire last night and let us know that buckerettes are a tough group of gals.

Written by Mike Gamm

Photos by Charlie Eckburg

Cowboy Philosophy

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Thursday, January 31, 2013

In this session, Jess Howard and Georgie Sicking shared their stories about the simpler parts of the western lifestyle, while Keith Ward intrigued us with what it meant to be a cowboy as we grew up watching great American heroes. Together, they remind us that being a cowboy is not all work and strife; that it's made up of plenty of laughs and fun. Most of all, they reveal that each day is special as long as we strive to be our own cowboy.

Kristyn Harris and the Quebe Sisters Band

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
January 31, 2013

Kristyn Harris wowed performance-goers in the open mic music sessions at last year's Gathering, and as a result, she came back this year with a variety of fun songs.  She's a talented singer/songwriter with plenty of extra skills in her tool box.  Her smooth talk and yodeling kept the room engaged, and once again Kristyn didn't fail to impress the audience, proving that fresh talent is always welcome at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Wow this girl can yodel!

The Quebe Sisters Band took the stage once again this afternoon, showing what it means to be a powerhouse trio.  It will get you all warm and fuzzy inside hearing these girls singing and playing.  Everyone on stage is a champion of their craft, and they'll show what it means to be the best.

A Changing West

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
January 31, 2013

Today's session "A Changing West" presented great stories and songs by John Dofflemyer, Henry Real Bird and Gail Steiger. Each painting beautiful pictures of the West. Although lament for the western way may have been the topic, these poets painted pictures not just about the changing West, but also how the West is still out there for all of us to explore. John Dofflemyer revealed that poetry can describe so much more than a something we see. Gail Steiger asked us to take a look at the West that remains as we visit Elko, and Henry Real Bird reminded us that the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is a place to explore some of these lost (but needed to be rediscovered) places and traditions. By the end, they showed us that the West can be found in the poetry that it keeps it in our hands and in our hearts, proposing that the changing West is only the whitening of our hair.

Written by Mike Gamm

Photo by Jessica Lifland

Beautiful Day in Elko

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Thursday, January 31, 2013

The rousing performances by the Quebe Sisters Band and Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs may have kept people up late last night, but as the city awoke in shuffles, smiles could be seen as the Gathering moved into full swing today. This morning appears to be another beautiful day in Elko, Nevada, as blue skies push the white away.

The Quebe Sisters Band have stopped in Elko before flying off to Zurich, Switzerland. From the beginning of last night's performance the Quebe Sisters were all smiles and talent. They did no less than allow our hearts and minds to fly away as quick hands and sweet voices lulled our senses. The balance between vocal power and fiddle rhythm kept feet moving.

When Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs stepped out from the curtain it was clear that the party was starting. The energy within the group showed a strong love with stage and audience, and simply stated they we're a fun group of guys. Their music leaves us wondering if it's always a good time in Texas.

Each of these groups will be performing over the next few days, so don't miss your chance to see them.

Written by Mike Gamm

Photos by Jessica Brandi Lifland

Keith Ward, All Smiles

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Thursday, January 31, 2013

Keith Ward, photo by Kevin Martini Fuller

Poet Keith Ward was all smiles as I spoke with him outside the Western Folklife Center last night.  He reminisced about the first year he came across the Gathering, as well as the time and effort spent traveling across long stretches of country in search of an open mic.  For Keith, his first year at the Gathering had been eye-opening and invigorating.  It had been the first time he had been on a plane, the first time that he signed up for an open mic session and the first time that he had found a group of people that shared his love for poetry.

He explained that the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is not just about poetry and music, "it's about the people."  It has been five years since Keith first attended the Gathering and after a good amount of pressure and prodding, Keith submitted an application to be on this year's performance roster.  2013 will prove to be another year of firsts as Keith takes the Gathering stage this afternoon as a bona fide poet. Being included in this year's list of performers has proven that all of his efforts have paid off, and it will be great to see  him up on stage doing what he loves.

Keith will be performing today at 2:45 pm in the Gold Room of the Elko Convention Center.

Written by Mike Gamm

Photo Courtesy Western Folklife Center

Rawhide Braiding with Doug Groves

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Wednesday, January 30, 2013

I have been told that if you really want to experience what the Gathering has to offer with regards to culture and tradition then you need to visit Doug Groves in the rawhide workshop. You can seek Doug out in a small room of the convention center, where a community gathers to work their projects, share ideas and help friends.

Doug Groves has been sharing his knowledge and skills with anyone that wants to delve deep into the art or simply learn the basics.  I watched form and function come together beautifully as Doug braided strings of rawhide into strong rope, all while explaining technique and theory to an engaged and involved audience.  The display of work around the room by artisans and students alike humbled me as I walked about, but Doug's easy and informative lessons helped ground the entire experience.

I asked Doug to provide a short history about the use of rawhide and he made it clear that there isn't a 'short history' when it comes to rawhide.  Its use dates beyond recorded history as humans learned that strength increases when single strings are woven into a unified rope.  Since then rawhide traditions have grown and moved across vast distances, changing along the way.  Doug explained that today rawhide remains the best choice when working with horses because it provides the rider with the response needed from hand to horse to clearly convey the rider's intent.  It is still an important part of western tradition.

If you didn't make it this year don't miss out on a chance to learn the ancient tradition—be sure to put it onto your calendar for next year.

Submitted by Michael Gamm

Teen Poetry Workshop

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Poetry Out Loud gets teens from across the country reading and writing, and this morning cowboy poets Paul Zarzyski and Randy Rieman lead a workshop to get local teens up on stage sharing their talents with the spoken word.  Rieman worked with Poetry Out Loud in Montana and thought that promoting youth poetry would be a great addition to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. He also stresses the importance of community support for youth programs like this one.

Recitations by Cody Bates, Anna Wheeler, Mikayla Bates and Mikayla Dimick showed that there is much talent to be found in young poets, and that their voices breathe life into the words that are otherwise read.  Though the list of names appears short, the array of talent was invigorating.  It is great to see the next generation of poets unafraid of stage and audience.  These teens could be the authors of the next set of great poetry, but it takes a strong community to give opportunities to talented kids like these.  Don't miss the chance to see other up and coming talent over the rest of the week.

Written by Mike Gamm

Photos by Charlie Eckburg

Max Baca and Los Texmaniacs Rock the House for Hundreds of Elko Schoolkids

29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Today droves of local school children poured from busses and filed into the convention center to enjoy the vitality of Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs.  The children could hardly sit before the concert began, and as music filled the hall, sitting became impossible.  Max Baca's jokes and antics kept the excitement of the crowd roaring while the band's flare and fun music kept bodies moving.  Waves of laughter, screams and jumping continued even after the last note was played.  We wish good luck to the teachers as they take energy-rich students back to the classroom.

Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs will be playing tonight in the Elko Convention Center at 7 pm.  Be warned that you may be unable to keep your body from moving to the explosion of Texas blended music.

Submitted by Michael Gamm

Evento Italiano

It is interesting how much there is to be shown even in the 29th year of the. Gathering. Natalia Estrada and Drew Mischianti introduced us to our Italian guests in the Western Folklife Center’s G Three Bar Theater on a classic Elko evening.

Drew acted as MC and interpreter as he and Natalia set the scene about ranch life and history in their region between Rome and Naples. They laughed about how the region of Maremma historically was like Nevada. Throughout its early history it was a land nobody wanted or was discounted as a bad territory to travel through. They spoke lovingly of cow camps, beautiful vistas and food garnered from the land. The music definitely had the feel of an earlier time, yet the singing of Gianluca Zammarelli had the smooth, clear character that Americans recognize from 20th century popular song. The ancient guitar, traditional pipes and accordion were explained in their historical context, most notably that, the bagpipe came from the Greeks and Romans and eventually to the regional cultures of Europe.

It was a much anticipated evening and people were very taken with the enthusiasm and passion that the Italians have for their life, their land and their ranch based culture. The program was a good start for what I think will be a continuing theme throughout this week: that our cultural story is very incomplete without understanding the central role that Italian culture plays in the livestock cultures that exist today.

Youth events at the Western Folklife Center

I'm Jan Petersen, Youth Education Coordinator for the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. My able assistant, Deb Howard, and I just completed the2013 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Youth Festival, a week of kids programs at the Western Folklife Center. This isn't anything new—the Western Folklife Center has hosted this event the week before Cowboy Poetry for over 20 years. Over 650 students and home-schoolers from Elko County joined in the fun. The kids, mostly 3rd and 4th graders, climbed on big yellow school buses and traveled down to the Western Folklife Center located in the middle of historic downtown Elko, Nevada. All were pretty excited as they came in the door as this has become quite a tradition in the schools. The kids knew from their teachers, older siblings and older students that a good time was in store. We divided into three groups and... .they were off!  All rotated through three stations.

Station 1 was stamping leather with Karla Chapin. She is a master leather craftswoman, long on patience. After a short instruction time, the kids—4 or 5 to a table—were turned loose with their very own leather round and a table full of stamping tools. The noise is deafening (our volunteers wear earplugs or...take out their hearing aids). Twenty minutes later, "voila!" — a masterpiece was created and ready to take home (I still have a stamped leather piece one of my kids made oh so long ago. Now they are big kids with kids of their own.).

Station 2 was touring the exhibit with Jackie Jonas, a retired social studies teacher. She told them a bit about the exhibit, reminded them of museum manners, and gave them a scavenger hunt questionnaire to fill out. Again, a volunteer helped the kids find the answers, not to mention sneaking in a little learning along the way. This year some of our Italian guests were there to talk to the kids. This was really exciting to meet a "real" Italian!

Station 3 took place at the historic Pioneer Hotel Bar. Here, accomplished horsewoman Carla Wilson Leff told all about different types of saddles. The kids sat with rapt attention learning about the horn, latigos and even side saddles! For many years, Wrangler has donated brightly-colored bandannas to the Youth Festival. Each kid got to choose a color and learned to tie the scarf. THEN all moved to the bar - 2 to a stool - and sipped their very own cup of sarsaparilla. It was all very exciting.

Ninety minutes later, the big yellow school bus pulled up and the kids returned to school all a twitter with their new scarves, carefully crafted leather pieces and a bit of learning about a far away country with cowboys who work cows and horses in some ways that are different yet the same as our cowboy life here in northeastern Nevada.

And another bus pulls up with more kids and the crew begins again.

It's a lot of work and time to set up this program and worth every minute. We couldn't do this without our volunteers. Every year our faithful helpers come back to help kids stamp leather, bar-tend and pour sarsaparilla, and tour the kids. This program couldn't exist without kid-friendly volunteers.

And....a good time was had by all!

A Tribute to George Gund III

George Gund, III May 7, 1937 - January 15, 2013

By Hal Cannon, Western Folklife Center Founding Director

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George Gund III, friend and longtime supporter of the Western Folklife Center, passed away January 15 in Palm Springs, California, where he had been suffering from stomach cancer. He will be missed.

George was a great friend to many of us and it is fair to say that without his support there would not be a Western Folklife Center today. In 2013 the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is such a well-known and beloved event that it seems as it if it has always been here. Things were different in 1984 when we were out trying to raise funds to start it. We approached many of the corporate sponsors behind rodeo and other cowboy events and virtually all of them laughed us out of the room at the idea of cowboys reciting poetry. Individual supporters were no easier to find. George came forward as the only individual contributor that first year and wrote a check. He saw the promise of the idea and was willing to take a chance.

He joined our Board of Trustees in 1986, making him the longest-tenured board member in the organization. In recent years his son, George Gund IV (Crunchy), joined the board as well. For many years George hosted legendary board retreats at his ranch in Lee, Nevada, or at one of his homes in Palm Springs and on Stuart Island in the San Juan Islands. When the Western Folklife Center had the opportunity to purchase the old Pioneer Hotel out of bankruptcy, George bought the building on our behalf. In recognition of all he did to create a home for the organization, we named the G Three Bar Theater after his brand.

Today, there have been articles published about George all over the country. In Cleveland, his hometown, he is being remembered as former owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and as a patron of the arts. In the Bay Area, his adopted home, he is being remembered as a founder of the San Francisco Film Festival and the professional hockey team, the San Jose Sharks. In most articles people talk about his world-class eyebrows, his unconventional ways, his Bohemian nature. But what all these various articles prove is how wide his interests were, how many friends he had, and how generously he supported the things and the people he loved.

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George helped several cities become better places. Here in Elko we know yet another aspect of George that few of his urban friends had the chance to experience. He was an avid rancher and attended the Nevada Cattlemen’s meetings each year. He was always interested in cowboy traditions but he also wanted to know the latest about breeds and new ways of grazing. George was a horticulturalist. He loved taking people to his gardens in Palm Springs and picking exotic citrus fruits as they strolled the grounds. He had an extraordinary eye for art. His collections of Asian arts, Northwest Indian wood carvings, and western drawings and paintings are all unique. He did not buy art for investment. He collected art that he loved.

George loved ordinary people from bellhops to hockey-playing kids to young filmmakers. He was deferential to everyone. Often people had no idea of his wealth. He did not put on airs. He loved cowboys and ranch people and was involved from the beginning in the Folklife Center’s attempts at ”grass roots diplomacy” through international cultural exchanges with ranching people around the world. He not only funded some of these efforts but acted as photographer and friend during fieldwork documenting Australian drovers and South American gauchos.

It seems that most people who knew George have at least a few stories about him. Every time you were with him, the occasion turned into an adventure. Usually he didn’t initiate the adventure so much as bring it out of those who are adventurous at heart. I’d like to tell a couple of personal stories about George. The first is mine; the second is from my dear wife Teresa who now serves as a Trustee of the Western Folklife Center.

When I was traveling to Australia to find bush poets to bring to the Gathering, George offered to take me Down Under on his plane. Just getting off the ground was an adventure but finally we got underway.

After a long day of flying over the Pacific Ocean as far as the eye could see, George told the pilots we would land at the Marshall Islands for a night of rest and refueling. We landed on the atoll island of Majuro, and the next morning, on our way back to the airfield from our hotel, we made a quick visit to the village museum. We got to talking with the woman at the desk who had lived on the Islands for many years and learned that she was originally from my hometown of Salt Lake City. She grew up in a neighborhood where I had gone to a yard sale just the day before. When I told her that, she looked at me point blank and asked, “Did you buy my cowboy piano?” Sure enough I had. I was stunned to think the world could be so small. I glanced at George to read his reaction but he didn’t even twitch one of his voluminous eyebrows. Later I asked him why he didn’t seem surprised. I realized in his answer that George was constantly running into people he knew all over the world. This coincidence didn’t seem out of the ordinary. George’s world was a small world. By the way, that cowboy piano that I purchased those many years ago has been donated to the Western Folklife Center and can be heard every year at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in the Pioneer Saloon under the great care of pianist Dave Bourne.

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This from Teresa: “For our honeymoon, George offered Hal and me his cabin on Stuart Island. He met us at Dutch Harbor to take us over to Stuart on his needle-nose yacht, the Lambada. It was the day of the Russian coup and the San Jose Sharks had just brought a player over. The player's family was still in Russia and George was terribly worried that they would not be able to get out. As we headed back to Stuart Island, George was talking on his satellite phone to Russia, but being George, he was also fishing, and he caught a big salmon. I remember him on the nose of the Lambada, trying to juggle the phone and the fish and the international conversation… Oh, there are so many more stories, and all of them, at their heart, revolve around his great spirit and generosity and concern for others. I just can't imagine the world without him.”

George was one of the most original people Teresa and I have ever met. We feel a great sense of loss at his passing. Our hearts go out to his family and our love to all those who loved George.

Please share your own stories and memories of George in the comment section of this blog.

Read George Gund’s obituary in the Elko Daily Free Press.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one of several charities, including the Western Folklife Center. To facilitate such contributions we have established the George Gund III Memorial Fund. If you wish to make a memorial donation in George’s honor, please send it to: George Gund III Memorial Fund, Western Folklife Center, 501 Railroad Street, Elko, NV 89801, or call us at 775 738-7508, ext. 222.

Changing Pastures

After five years as Programs Coordinator for the Western Folklife Center, and five National Cowboy Poetry Gatherings under my belt, I am cleaning out my desk and closing the door. I came to the Western Folklife Center as a folklorist who had worked on quite a few folk festivals, but I was not prepared for the community that descends on Elko once a year, in the middle of winter, to perform a unique art form, to reconnect with good friends,  and to let loose a little in the Pioneer Saloon, while sharing all of that with strangers.

My first visit to the Gathering was in 2007.  I was hired to help with the education programs, specifically the CowKids' Stampede.  At the time, the Stampede was held in the G Three Bar Theater, so only 300 students could attend at one time.  My responsibilities were to introduce the Ringling 5 and make sure they had what they needed.  Well, the volunteer ushers didn't show up (or maybe they did but I didn't know who to look for), so I also ended up herding 300 students in and out of the theater three times.  Basically, I'd never been to the Gathering and I had to manage 900 kids and the Ringling 5!  It was tremendous fun.

Ringling 5 and Me

When the job for Gathering Manager (actually, the title is more innocuous that that--Programs Coordinator) opened, I knew it was the job for me.  Luckily, the Western Folklife Center took a chance on me.  As a Midwestern city girl, I was nervous about being rejected as an outsider.  But not one single person made me feel out of place—in fact, I immediately felt like a part of the family.  All those festivals I’d worked before don’t hold a candle to the Gathering.  I have never gotten so many hugs as I did that first January (and all the Januarys since).

The thing that always stuck with me about my first Gathering as manager was how many people told me that I was "so calm."  It's natural for me to remain calm under festival pressure, but I think it was more than being calm.  I was having fun, and that's what made everything seem to run so smoothly.

Five years of running the Gathering has taught me a few things.  I have learned that cowboys are the nicest people on the planet.  They will not only give you the shirt off their backs (like Waddie did one year after I complimented him on his sweater--Lisa was none to happy about that!) but also their undying friendship.  I feel so honored to have had the wonderful pleasure of getting to know so many interesting and kind people; I may never have the chance to meet so many great people in such a short amount of time.  If I’m lucky, I’ll meet as many during the rest of my lifetime.

I have also learned that every problem has a solution and that there are many people to help find that solution.  One year, Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie were scheduled to play the CowKids' Stampede.  They all got in on Tuesday, but their luggage didn't make it until Wednesday--the day of the performance.  So here it is at 9:00 am, a half an hour before the kids will be let into the auditorium and I need to find a bass guitar, an accordion and a frattoir, or washboard.  Finding a guitar was easy.  The accordion wasn't too hard, but where in the world was I going to find a washboard at 9 in the morning?  Next door at Cowboy Joe, of course!  You can read my blog post about it here.

I plan on attending the Gathering, just as an audience member, so I can finally get to see everyone perform!  If the Gathering is a family, then you can just think of me as going off to college.  I'll be home for the family reunion in January.

Thank you again for welcoming me into this family.  I'll miss you.

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Heading off into the sunset,

Tamara