Western Rhythms: Celebrating the Heartbeat of Cowboy Culture Through Storytelling and Performance

In the track “Night Rider’s Lament,” a cowboy receives a message from home inquiring:

“Why do you ride for your earnings? / Tell me: Why do you rope for little wages? / You aren’t making any progress / And you’re missing your portion / Boy, you must have lost your mind out there.”

It’s possible that some attendees at the Colorado Cowboy Gathering ponder the same questions annually when the entertainers take to the stage to perform tunes and deliver verses about lengthy cattle drives, solitary nights in the wild, perilous outlaws, and various obstacles faced on the Western Frontier.

As the performers and event organizers would clarify, the cowboy way of life is indeed challenging, yet it is also immensely fulfilling.

“I’m thankful and fortunate to continue in this way of life,” remarked emcee Dennis Russell.

During the weekend of January 17-19, the Colorado Cowboy Gathering made its return to Golden for its yearly presentations at the Buffalo Rose. This year’s showcase included 10 musical and poetic acts from four different states.

The January 17 “Kickin’ It Off” event was nearly overbooked, with over 200 spectators squeezed into the main floor and dispersed across the balcony to relish a blend of original and traditional cowboy poems and songs.

Russell expressed gratitude for “such high participation,” along with the caliber of entertainers who came to Golden for the event.

Originating 36 years ago at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, the Colorado Cowboy Gathering usually aligns with the National Western Stock Show.

Approximately in 2011, CCG transitioned to the American Mountaineering Center in downtown Golden, as explained by Russell and fellow board member Susie Knight. The event in 2021 was canceled due to COVID-19, but it returned in January 2022. However, the organizers opted to skip the 2023 gathering and instead resumed in 2024 at a different venue in Golden.

“It turned out well for our audience,” Knight remarked. “The Buffalo Rose was calling out to us… (Golden’s) connection to the West resonates with cowboy culture.”

Could have been a cowboy

Although there aren’t many cowboys left in Golden nowadays, Knight characterized a cowboy as an individual skilled in ranching, managing cattle, and riding horses. Being proficient with a rope is also beneficial, she noted.

Knight, residing in Conifer, rides horses and leads trail rides, among other related work.

Russell, who also engages in ranching in Colorado, stated that managing livestock was a primary characteristic of cowboys. Nevertheless, he emphasized that one’s bond with the land is equally vital. Cowboys typically live “at the end of the pavement” and have a deep-rooted connection to their environment, he mentioned.

“You prioritize the land and animals over your own needs,” Russell elaborated. “ … You’re in tune with nature and close to God.”

Another component is adhering to what Russell referred to as “the cowboy code,” stating: “When you promise something, you uphold it.”

Although this way of life isn’t for everyone, Russell and Knight mentioned that all can appreciate cowboy songs and poetry. Knight characterized the cowboy lifestyle as “romantic, appealing, and pure” — qualities that also permeate the melodies and verses related to it.

New Mexico musicians and twins Kacey and Jenna Thunborg, 19, presented their original compositions on Jan. 17 during their inaugural visit to the Colorado Cowboy Gathering. The Thunborgs were raised on a ranch and nurtured their musical enthusiasm at an early age, mastering the guitar, singing, and songwriting.

Similar to Knight and Russell, the Thunborgs conveyed that cowboy music and poetry frequently encapsulate a love for the land; a reverence for animals and people; and a recognition of the history and narratives of the Old West.

Kacey expressed her fondness for this genre of music — labeling it an “underground genre” — partly due to its distinct and soulful nature compared to other musical styles.

Though the tales and songs of the Old West may not be entirely factual, it’s crucial to perpetuate the tradition, the Thunborgs asserted, and encourage others to learn about and value the cowboy heritage, they added.

“It mirrors folk music in many ways,” Jenna noted. “It resonates with the people. It’s relatable.”

To those observing from afar, the cowboy lifestyle may appear irrational or overly demanding, even if they enjoy the melodies and poetry it generates.

However, if the “Night Rider’s Lament” holds any truth, the cowboys believe everyone else is the one going mad. After all, they’re the ones who are missing the splendor of the untouched wilderness, the camaraderie of herding cattle, and witnessing their perseverance yield rewards over time.

“Why do they ride for their earnings? / Share with me: Why do they ride for minimal pay? / They aren’t getting anywhere / And they’re forfeiting their share / Boy, they must have gone mad out there / Son, they all must be insane out there.”

Browse through more images from CCG’s Jan. 17 “Kickin’ It Off” show:

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