Back in the Saddle!
FEBRUARY 9 & 10, 2024
It's a Wrap!
Thank you to all our artists, sponsors, volunteers, the K Palace Theater, and those who attended our 31st annual Gathering.
This year's artists brought the goods. Look forward to next year's lineup.
2024 FEATURED ARTISTS
Friday Night
February 9th 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Cowboy poet Mike Dunn learned the life of a cowboy as a boy on his grandfather’s ranch along the east side of the Whetstone Mountains southwest of Benson. It was there he experienced the values of home, land, love of family, and hard work that he writes about in his award-winning poetry.
Much of his original poetry, shared in the book entitled “Somewhere Between Earth and Heaven,” reflects his own experiences, along with the experiences and stories passed down – widely accepted as a tribute to the ranch family. The Academy of Western Artists named it as a recipient of the Will Rogers Medallion Award shortly after its publication; there are also two CDs (Volumes 1 & 2) by the same name.
MIKE DUNN
Formed in 2011, the Sonoran Dogs have exploded upon the Arizona bluegrass scene, performing at the Sedona, Wickenburg, and Green Valley bluegrass festivals. The group is made up of seasoned veterans who have come together to enjoy bluegrass music and friendship. They play a collection of traditional bluegrass standards, new-grass, and original compositions. Every concert is different, as they often improvise the set to follow the mood of their audience. It makes for a fun and dynamic show.
Peter McLaughlin – Guitar
Mark Miracle – Mandolin
Tyler Walls – Banjo
Evan Dain – Bass
THE SONORAN DOGS
Saturday Matinee
February 10th 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Susie Knight hangs her hat in Conifer, Colorado. Audiences from all over the west have enjoyed her enthusiastic stage presence and professional delivery as she performs as a western singer/songwriter and cowgirl poet for kids of all ages from classrooms to campfires to concert halls.
Awards and Recognition
2021 IWMA Curly Musgrave “Spirit of the Cowboy” Award
2020 AWA Western Song of the Year – “Turn ‘em Loose”
2016 #1 Performer of Cowboy Poetry on radio
2016 #1 Cowboy Poetry CD on radio – Fillin’ Tanks
2016 WMA Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year – Fillin’ Tanks
2016 WMA Female Poet of the Year
2014 WMA Female Poet of the Year
2013 Cowboy Idol Poet
2013 AWA Cowgirl Poet
2012 WMA Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year – Western Wordsmith
Susie Knight
Singer, songwriter, cowboy -- Randy Huston writes and sings about the modern-day lifestyle of the cowboy. He is a fourth-generation livestock producer, and partners with his father on their ranch in New Mexico. He started breaking horses for wages at the age of 14 and spent many years in rodeo arenas through high school and college. He's written some of the most widely recognized of contemporary cowboy music, and his songs have been recorded by some of the "stars" of this genre. Randy was voted one of the top five male entertainers in 2007 by the Academy of Western Artists, and was 2010 Academy of Western Artists male vocalist of the year. He is also a multiple Wrangler Award Recipient.
Randy Huston
Saturday Night
February 10th 7:00 to 9:00 pm
For years, Miska has enjoyed sharing poetry with friends and family, and she began publically sharing her poetry at cowboy poetry gatherings and private functions in 2019.
Her debut poetry album, released in 2021, has been a top five nominee by the International Western Music Association for Cowboy Poetry Album of the Year in 2021 and in 2022. In 2022, the album achieved the honor of being the IWMA Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year.
Miska was also voted by her IWMA peers as a top five nominee for female cowboy poet of the year in 2022.
Miska Paget
As a member of the Western Music Association, Doug was named 2018 Male Performer of the year, 2015 WMA songwriter of the year, and his song “Socios” was named 2015 WMA song of the year. He received the Academy of Western Artists “Will Rogers Award” for 2015 Western Male Performer of the Year.
He has toured the Southwest extensively and continues to turn out his own variety of Western music, from hard driving songs with a tinge of southern rock, to beautiful ballads and everything in between.
Doug Figgs
Bring cash for raffle tickets!
THANKS TO OUR 2023 SPONSORS!
Linda & Oliver White
Irene & Fred Close
Ducati Angel
Joyce & Hugh Bell
Anonymous
Jack and Lynne Ainsworth
Doris Caldwell
Lang & Ival Secrest
Jack & Lynne Ainsworth
Richard & Debbie Lazok
Bob and Nancy Fusco
Pioneer Title Agency
Nancy Rea, Realtor Arizona Homestores LLC
Sierra Vista ACE Hardware
SSVEC
Garden Canyon U-Store It
Lawley Automotive Group
Cochise Media (KKYZ & KNXN)
Rotary Club of Sierra Vista
Ace Hardware
The Venue
