Echoes of the Trail Cowboy Gathering

02/25/2025

Echoes of the Trail Cowboy Gathering was honored to have Jim Hoy grace our stages through the years. It is with sad hearts we share that he and his son Josh Hoy both passed away this past weekend.
Jim's wealth of knowledge, from first hand experience as a 5th generation rancher, as well as author, and professor emeritus at Emporia State University, and director emeritus of the Center for Great Plains Studies, was unsurpassed. His dry wit, gentle spirit and story recollection were entertaining and informative. Josh and Jim were both keepers of the flame for the Tallgrass Prarie and the cowboy way, handed down through six (6) generations.
Our deepest condolences go out to the Hoy family as two riderless horses, with boots turned backwards journey home to ride the river on the other side. Vios Con Dios

01/04/2025

Jim Hoy was always a true treasure when he participated at Echoes of the Trail Cowboy Gathering. What a great opportunity to hear a legend in Western culture and history.

Listen as Jim Hoy shares the captivating folktales that have evolved from everyday ranch life in the rolling hills and wind whipped landscape of Kansas:

"Grasshoppers so big that cowboys can ride them to herd cattle."

"Summers so hot that corn pops in the field."

"Rancher Henry Mudge wrecked pianos, shooting sheep, and fooling European dignitaries."

Kansas is a place of big skies and tall tales, but these exaggerated narratives help us understand the character of our state and its people.

This talk will explore some of the many Kansas legends and folktales and help audiences decipher between a myth (folk religion), legend (folk history), and tale (folk literature). When possible, local legends and folk tales—and what they say about that particular community—will be discussed.

Jim Hoy is a professor of English and folklorist who works with the Center for the Great Plains Studies at Emporia State University. He has lectured internationally on the folklife of ranching and is the co-author of “Plains Folk,” a syndicated newspaper column.

Free Admission
Donations Welcome
501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization

12/17/2024

Great music.

This is a show we’ve been so excited about for months! Singing Cowboys 3 Trails West are back for a a whole round up of Cowboy Christmas songs. These silver screen classics of Christmas are going to be a great way to kick of xmas week. So come on down, bring the fam and meet some friends for our last show of the year!

04/11/2024

Annual Kansas Cowboy Poetry competition now accepting contestants.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/6d4CSe5zZNqSxEg9/?mibextid=oFDknk

Our Kansas Chapter is proud to help host the Kansas Cowboy Poetry contest every year. Our own Poet Lariat Ron Wilson is in charge, and here's the official announcement for the upcoming qualifying rounds:

KANSAS COWBOY POETRY CONTEST ENTRIES ARE OPEN FOR 2024
Write, rhyme, ride, recite! It’s time to enter the 2024 Kansas Cowboy Poetry Contest.
“Current and aspiring cowboy poets are invited to enter our regional contests where they can perform their original cowboy poems in person,” said poetry contest chair Ron Wilson of the Lazy T Ranch near Manhattan. “We are also pleased to announce a new youth initiative in that American Royal Youth Rodeo participants will be able to enter our contest for free in 2024,” he said.
Regional contests will be held as follows: Friday, May 3, 7 p.m., Rollin ‘Red’ Vandever Memorial Park, home of the “Wilson County Old Iron Club,” 10392 Jade Road, Fredonia; and Friday, May 17, 6 p.m., Hays Public Library, 1205 Main Street, Hays. Contestants can enter to perform at either location or at both. All ages are welcome. Those interested in competing can enter online at www.cowboypoetrycontest.com.
Only the top qualifiers at each of the two regional contests advance to the finals which will be held at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan on June 9. State champions at the finals will receive the Saddlejack Bradrick Award, the coveted Governor’s Buckle, discounts and gift certificates from leading western wear stores, free membership in the International Western Music Association-Kansas Chapter, and two tickets to the Symphony in the Flint Hills plus an opportunity to present their poems in the story circle after the symphony.
“We are mighty grateful to the sponsors who make this possible,” Wilson said. Sponsors include the Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation, the Kansas Farm Bureau, the International Western Music Association-Kansas chapter and Western Wordsmiths chapter, the Hays Public Library, Symphony in the Flint Hills, Flint Hills Discovery Center, and western wear donors.
Contestants can enter online at www.cowboypoetrycontest.com. There are two categories: Serious poems or humorous poems. Contestants can recite a serious poem, humorous poem or both. Awards will be presented in both categories. Only the contestant’s original work is allowed. All poetry must be family-friendly. The finals will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024 at the Discovery Center at 7 p.m. on the night before the Symphony in the Flint Hills.
There is no admission charge and the public is invited to attend all of these events. For more information or to enter a regional contest, go to www.cowboypoetrycontest.com.
State contest committee members include IWMA-Kansas President Martha Farrell, Andover; Orin Friesen, Benton; Jeff Davidson, Eureka; Brad Hamilton, Hoyt; and Ron Wilson, Manhattan.

04/08/2024

A long time supporter of Echoes, Raymond Tucker, of Fort Scott passed away Friday, April 5th. Diann Tucker, his wife headed up the Echoes planning committee for many years. Our deepest condolences to Diann and their family.

View Raymond L. Tucker's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

10/25/2022

A sad day for all who loved him.

Share Memories and Support the Family.

10/24/2022

The Great Don Edwards graced the Echoes Of The Trails stage in June of 2011. He was the consummate performer; extremely skilled and accomplished. The cowboy world lost another great one but heaven gained an angelic voice. Prayers and condolences to Kathy his wife and family and friends.

10/01/2022

Barry Ward performing tonight Sat. OCT 2

Tomorrow we're in Mountain View, MO for a fabulous event! See below!

06/30/2022

Sad to say a long time supporter and performer at Echoes, DJ Fry, has gone home to be with the Lord.

Memorial Services for D J Fry are:
Visitation Tuesday July 5th, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Memorial Service Wednesday July 6th, 2:00 pm

Services will be held at: Mason-Woodard Mortuary
3701 E 7th St, Joplin, MO 64801
Phone. 417-781-1711
Website: masonwoodard.com

As of this announcement the obituary has not been uploaded.

Please pass on to all your mutual acquaintances. And most of all keep Mickie and all his family and friends in your prayers.

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