Many were disappointed when the long-running Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering announced that the March 2019 event would be the last. Good news: the Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering was formed earlier this year to replace the widely acclaimed Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which enjoyed a successful thirty-three-year run. The first Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering will take place in Alpine, February 21-22, 2020.

The board of directors for the new Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering has released a list of thirty-eight performers, including favorites and some newcomers, for the inaugural gathering. The schedule includes a choice of two night shows each evening, one afternoon show each day, forty-two free sessions (including two open mic options), two chuckwagon breakfasts, a keynote and "Let’s Talk Poetry and Songwriting" session with Joel Nelson, and a "Taste of the Gathering" session with twelve performers.
 

Except for one afternoon and two simultaneous evening shows Friday and Saturday, all performances are at no charge. The gathering will be on the campus of Sul Ross State University in Alpine, with Spicewood Restaurant and Bar as a second evening venue.
 

The Friday afternoon show will feature Randy Rieman, Joel Nelson, and Andy Hedges. Red Steagall and Friends will perform at the Saturday afternoon show. Advance tickets to either show are $10 or $15 onsite. Each evening boasts longer-format shows. There are two simultaneous shows each evening, one at SRSU's Marshall Auditorium and the other at Spicewood Restaurant, both from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Advance tickets to either show are $15 or $20 onsite.
 

Dale Burson, Jack George, Andy Wilkinson, Andy Nelson, and Trinity Seely will perform on Friday evening at Marshall Auditorium, with Nelson also serving as emcee. Jean and Gary Prescott, Jarle Kvale, Randy Huston, R.P. Smith, and Rod Taylor will be at Spicewood Friday evening, with Huston as emcee. Jeff Gore, Vess Quinlan, Brigid and Johnny Reedy, Rod Nelson, and The Cowboy Way will be at Marshall Saturday evening, with Nelson as emcee. Gail Steiger, Amy Hale, Mike Blakely, Jake Riley, Jill Jones, and the Jingle Bobs will perform Saturday evening at Spicewood, and Blakely will emcee.
 

A group of banjo players will perform at a “Banjos in the Cowcamp” session at 3:30 Saturday afternoon in Marshall Auditorium. In that group are Dale Burson, Michael Stevens, Pipp Gillette, Allen Chapman, and Andy Hedges.
 

The gathering board of directors has put out a call for as many volunteers as possible to help run the event. "We have come a long way from when we got organized last summer, but we have a lot of work ahead in a short amount of time," co-chair Gene Nowell said. "Many have signed up to volunteer on the website, but we need more. Whether you want to be outside directing traffic in parking lots or inside taking tickets, providing assistance to our guests, helping with sound equipment or the hospitality room, or in other areas, we would certainly appreciate your help. Our goal is to have two hundred volunteers."