National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, From left, Amanda Ramsey, daughter of the late Buck Ramsey, her mother Betty Ramsey widow of the late Buck Ramsey and cowboy poet Betty Lynne McCarthy laugh during a live solo show by rodeo poet Paul Zarzyski at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Canadian Kerri Lynn Zwicker plays the harp onstage as part of Cowboy Celtic during a show titled, "Breaking Up Winter" at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Kristin Windbigler is the new Director of the Western Folklife Center. She takes the stage to introduce the keynote speakers for the 2018 Gathering. Windbigler was formerly Director of TED Translators for TED conferences. 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Emily Nielson, a grade school teacher takes the stage as part of the keynote ceremonies. 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Reeb Willms a member of the Caleb Klauder Country Band prepares to take the stage solo during a session called "Change." She was backed by Klauder. 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Jay Stare of Roseville, Calif. gets fitted for a hat by Chaz Mitchell of Chaz Mitchell Custom Hatz at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Mitchell is the son of cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Riders in the Sky costumes hang backstage at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, A member of the Wylie and the Wild West band practices bass backstage at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Canadian Kerri Lynn Zwicker plays the harp onstage as part of Cowboy Celtic during show titled, "Breaking Up Winter" at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Poet Rodney Nelson performs at the Member's Show themed "Breaking up Winter" at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Poet Yvonne Hollenbeck performs at the Member's Show themed "Breaking up Winter" at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Poet Rodney Nelson cracks up on stage while poet Yvonne Hollenbeck performs at the Member's Show themed "Breaking up Winter" at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Wylie Gustafson of the band Wylie and the Wild West performs at the Member's Show themed "Breaking up Winter" at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

January 31, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, The Stray Dog bar is a popular late night hang out for Gathering-goers. Sometimes Western musicians that are not featured at the Gathering will be able to book a gig and draw a crowd. 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, This year the Wiegand Gallery hosted an exhibition that highlighted Basque artistry and crafts at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, This year the Wiegand Gallery hosted an exhibition that highlighted Basque artistry and crafts at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Cowboy poet Bimbo Cheney at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Cowboy Poet Waddie Mitchell at the Pioneer Saloon at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Internationally renown Basque Bertsolariak competitor Maialen Lujanbio Zugasti takes the mic at a show titled, "Bizxaia, Boise and Beyond" at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Adrian Brannan aka Buckaroo Girl performs at the show "Bizkaia, Boise and Beyond" at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Backstage with the Ardi Baltza dancers of Elko at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Backstage with the Ardi Baltza dancers of Elko at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, Adrian Brannan aka Buckaroo Girl exits the stage after she performs at the show "Bizkaia, Boise and Beyond" at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

February 1, 2018 - Elko, Nevada, The Arinak Dancers of Elko make a dramatic lantern lit entrance to one of their performances during the show called "Bizkaia, Boise and Beyond" which highlighted Basque culture at the 34th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. (Jessica Brandi Lifland/Polaris Images)