The Cowboy Poetry and Western Music Festival came to town over the weekend at the Iron Door Playhouse in downtown Malad on Friday and Saturday.  

The afternoon sessions gave the performers a chance to try out new material, practice their craft, or speak or sing in front of an audience often composed of family and other performers.  The Evening sessions are the “real show” and have a scheduled program.

Emcee Brian Arnold presided over the event, and the American Legion’s Garry White and Max Huggins posted the colors to open the event at both evening sessions.

On Friday, the performers included Dave Anderson, JB Barber, Chris Mortensen, Ken Wellard, Scott Olsen, Bobbie Hunter, Sam Mattise, Bruce Pinson, and Many Strings.

Saturday’s performance featured John Sidle, Bob Urry, Sawtooth Mountain Boys, Eddy Christensen, Shawn Green, Bob Jackson, Jerry Steed, Scott Holmen, and Saddle Strings.

Sound was run by Snoose Argyle.

As is usually the case, there was a wide range of voices and styles on display, from the somber and devotional to the irreverent and raucous.  By general acclaim, the most requested song of the weekend was the Many String number “Colonoscopy,” which was funnier than you might guess based on the title.

As is also usually the case, the evening ended with all the performers gathering on stage for a group finale number, which   

The event is sponsored by the International Western Music Association, and the Cowboy Poets of Idaho.  

For years, members of the groups have brought out members to share their love of poetry, humor, music, and the history in Malad, making it an important stop on the Cowboy Poetry event schedule for the region.  The weekend of cowboy poetry brings together a group of performers of many types, as was the case once again this year--younger, older, married, still thinking about it, and just ornery.  

In the past, fans have come into town from around the valley as well as farther flung places, and spent a leisurely morning and afternoon streaming in and out during the free session—though most who come in tend to end up staying more often than not.

The Iron Door Playhouse is one of Malad’s most cherished historic locations, and is a perfect spot for the performance, which had another outstanding outing!