It’s Time for the 2022Wild Ride

It’s January. It’s 2022. It’s time for a Wild Ride!

Inspired by Walter Piehl’s angelic Betsy aboard a bucking Blue Buttes artwork (featured on the special Wild Ride products), we’re joyfully celebrating the thrill, inherent beauty, and grace revealed in the hard work of overcoming some of life’s most difficult challenges. If life in the rural West has taught us anything, it’s that you have to adapt to change if you’re going to survive.

So, we’re riding through this year with a new series of dynamic programs that celebrate the wild ride that is life in the rural West. And, of course, the creative ways that people connect to, cultivate, and pass forward tradition – in art and craft, poetry and verse, song and dance, conversation and observation… online and in person. We’ll recognize unfolding stories of life in the American West through entertaining performances and thought-provoking programs all year long.

And, it all starts this month! Become a member and join us via livestream or in person. We hope you’ll take this Wild Ride with us, wherever you happen to be.

Wild Ride Events in January

Coming to you live, and lively, from our very own G Three Bar Theater in Elko, Nevada, here’s what’s on the string for January 28-29, 2022:

Fri, Jan. 28

Tales from Cottonwood Ranch

9 am (45 min)

Fourth-generation Nevada rancher and managing partner of the Cottonwood Ranch in the remote O’Neil Basin, Agee Smith opens the Wild Ride with a talk about his family ranch’s evolving approaches and positive experiences. Agee will share stories of how he and his children are changing the way they steward the land and expand their business. We’re not sure Wild Rides have keynotes, but if they do, this is certainly it.

Unveiling Jeremiah Watt’s Saddle

1 pm (45 min)

Special screening, featuring master saddlemaker Jeremiah Watt on film discussing his process and the intricate details of his craft, along with the much-anticipated unveiling of the custom saddle he made for the WFC’s permanent gear collection, a saddle described as “a contemporary masterpiece.”

Unfortunately, we received word that Jeremiah will be unable to make it to Elko due to unforeseen complications. We'll miss you this time around, Jeremiah! We'll still be showing off the saddle and presenting the film featuring Jeremiah.

*National Cowboy Poetry Gathering* co-founder and Nevada institution, Waddie Mitchell writes and recites cowboy poetry (and songs), eloquently expressing moments grand and common, humorous and tragic, with the keen insight of a life spent as a buckaroo.
*Photo by Charlie Ekburg, 2019.*

Texas multi-instrumentalist Pipp Gillette plays guitar, banjo, harmonica, and bones, drawing musical soul from his lifelong interest in western history and his life’s work on the family ranch.
*Photo by Charlie Ekburg, 2016.*

The Real Deal

6:30 pm (90 min)

Traditional cowboy classics and contemporary cowboy originals artfully expressing what it means to live in the West. Performer and host Waddie Mitchell rounds up a real deal of invaluable Western treasure, bringing Juni Fisher, Pipp Gillette, and Yvonne Hollenbeck to the stage.

Unfortunately, we just received word that Dave Stamey will be unable to make it due to unforeseen complications. We'll miss you this time around, Dave! We're lucky to have Juni Fisher stepping in for him.

With chops in both the cow horse world and the music world, singer-songwriter Juni Fisher brings heart and soul to the western world.
*Photo courtesy of the artist.*

South Dakota poet Yvonne Hollenbeck writes of the humor and hardships of everyday life as a cattleman’s wife on a beautiful and remote ranch.
*Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland, 2018.*

Sat, Jan. 29

Stewardship Panel Discussion

1 pm (45 mins)

Rancher Agee Smith returns for a panel discussion and Q&A about the practice of land stewardship following up his “Tales from Cottonwood Ranch” talk. Hosted by Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group.

The New Wave

6:30 pm (90 mins)

A balance of up-and-coming and solidly established, this wave of Western musicians hits the sagebrush sea with rich musical expressions that stay true to their roots while adding new flair. Featuring Brenn Hill, Brigid & Johnny Reedy, Matt Robertson, and Trinity Seely.

Musical chronicler of cowboy life, Utah songwriter Brenn Hill doesn’t just sing about the West, he reveals its heart to anyone who will take the time to listen. Brenn is not simply an observer or narrator of Western lore, but one of its strongest interpreters.
*Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland, 2018.*

Yodeling since the age of two, singer, fiddler, and poet Brigid Reedy’s repertoire runs the full gamut of the American West. Joined by her brother, Johnny “Guitar” Reedy, these two Montanans share their love of the contemporary rural West through musical collaborations cultivated in the bunkhouse.
*Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland, 2019.*

Alberta-by-way-of-Wyoming cowboy Matt Robertson writes songs influenced by his experiences both on and off a horse. His heart is in the open country where a person can still feel inspired and free.
*Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland, 2018.*

With humbling honesty and a honey-smooth voice, Trinity Seely sings about loving cowboys and horses, and living and working “in the middle of nowhere” on ranches across the West.
*Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland, 2019.*

How to Watch

Here’s how to join us for the Wild Ride in January:

Via Livestream

Livestreaming is available to members. Become a member at any time and gain access to livestreamed Wild Ride events for the full year. Members will receive an email with instructions on how to watch.

Livestreaming for Agee Smith’s “Tales from Cottonwood Ranch” and the Stewardship Panel Discussion available free to everyone, thanks to support from Nevada Humanities.

In Person

Join us in Elko for a special experience to kick off the 2022 Wild Ride. Purchase a weekend pass just for January. Limited availability, $300/pass, priority first to members.

Experience even more in person, with access to all the programs listed above, as well as additional daytime artist spotlight shows not available on the livestream (see below). If you’d like to hold a seat (or two) for this special Wild Ride kickoff weekend on Fri., Jan 28 and Sat., Jan 29, 2022, please call 775-738-7508 x239.

While things are changing quickly these days, we’re following the most up-to-date Covid-19 guidelines set by the State of Nevada for in-person events. Currently, masks are required in venues along with limited capacity.

Artist Spotlights

Artists from the weekend’s two evening shows appear solo in these individual, in-person sessions spotlighting their lives and art during relaxed, intimate performances. Tentative schedule, subject to change.

Friday

10 am (45 min) Brigid & Johnny Reedy
11 am (45 min) Matt Robertson
2 pm (45 min) Trinity Seely
3 pm (45 min) Brenn Hill

Saturday

10 am (45 min) Yvonne Hollenbeck
11 am (45 min) Pipp Gillette
2 pm (45 min) Waddie Mitchell
3 pm (45 min) Juni Fisher

What’s Happening the rest of the year?

We’re hard at work finalizing the full year of our Wild Ride. It may be a bit unpredictable, but that’s part of the thrill! Details coming soon. Stay tuned for 11 more months of…

*Betsy and Blue Buttes: Cowgirl Suite* (2021), Walter Piehl

The 2022 Wild Ride

A year of performances and thought-provoking programs recognizing the unfolding stories of life in the American West. Because your story is still a story to tell.

In person and livestreamed
from Elko, Nevada, and beyond

Enjoy Wild Ride livestreams throughout 2022 by becoming a Western Folklife Center member. In-person arrangements for future Wild Ride programs will vary by event. Sign up for our newsletter to get up-to-date information. Thank you to all our members and supporters for taking this Wild Ride with us.

Thank you to our Wild Ride Sponsors

The Western Folklife Center is a member-based nonprofit organization.
The 2022 Wild Ride is supported by foundations, businesses, corporations, and individuals, including: