Backstage with the Quebe sisters. Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Outside the Convention Center Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Backstage with the Quebe sisters. Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Backstage with the Quebe sisters. Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Quebe Sisters Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Quebe Sisters Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Charlie Seemann backstage with the Quebe sisters. Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

One of the Quebe sisters runs up the stairs to gain entrance to the auditorium after their performance. Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Max Baca and Los Texmaniacs Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Max Baca and Los Texmaniacs Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Backstage with the Quebe sisters and Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs. Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Backstage with Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs. Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Pioneer Bar scene Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

From left, Bimbo Cheney, Bill Lowman and Keith Ward at the Pioneer Bar. Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 30, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Bill Lowman and Waddie Mitchell Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 31, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Folklorist Andrea Graham in the audience. Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 31, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Wally McRae admires a handcrafted case for his book "Stick Horses." Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 31, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

D.W. Goethe on stage during a session. Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 31, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Dick Gibford performs in a session called "West as Inspiration." Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 31, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Wylie of Wylie and the Wild West tunes up before performing at the G Three Bar Theater. Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 31, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)

Italian special guest Gianluca Zammerelli performs at the G Three Bar theater. Scenes from the 29th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. January 31, 2013. (Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland)