Photo by Kent Reeves

Show Summary

Part 2 of the interview with NEA Fellow and poet Joel Nelson. In this episode, Joel talks about his lifelong journey into poetry from his earliest exposures to literature to writing his own poetry. Listen to the end to hear Joel recite his poem "Awakenings."

Intro

Andy recites the poem "On Finding Someone", available on the album Cowboy Recitations. 

Quotes from this Episode

"Now days, I believe if one were to ask almost any working cowboy about Joel Nelson, they'd likely respond saying, 'He'd do to ride the river with.' In cowboy lingo, that means he's the 'best of the best' and you could trust him with your life." - Betty Ramsey, NEA National Heritage Fellowship Bio

"Now days, I believe if one were to ask almost any working cowboy about Joel Nelson, they'd likely respond saying, 'He'd do to ride the river with.' In cowboy lingo, that means he's the 'best of the best' and you could trust him with your life." - Joel Nelson, NEA National Heritage Fellowship Interview

"Poetry to a poet is the most rewarding work in the world. A good poem is a contribution to reality. The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. A good poem helps to change the shape and significance of the universe, helps to extend everyone's knowledge of himself and the world around him." - Dylan Thomas, On the Air with Dylan Thomas: The Broadcasts

Links for this Episode

Find out more about Joel Nelson. 

Read Joel's poem "Awakenings."

Credits

Recorded, edited, and produced by Andy Hedges.

Theme music: Texas Traveler by Hal Cannon

Contact

andy@andyhedges.com

NEA National Heritage Fellow and poet Joel Nelson recalls his childhood memories, how he ended up in Alpine, Texas, and his early days as a working cowboy on the 06 Ranch.

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Jerry Brooks shares about working as a woman in a coal mine for 26 years, coal miners & cowboys, the spoken word, and cowboy poetry.

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