Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering

06/06/2026

🚨🚨⭐️🌟 Artist Announcement 🌟⭐️🚨🚨

We’ll be announcing our final few performers for the Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering on September 18th & 19th, 2026—so stay tuned!

Ticket presale details will be coming soon, and we can’t wait to share what we have in store. 🤠🔥

Happy to welcome back returning cowboy poet Thatch Elmer to the Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering stage!

Thatch has been a part of Lost N Lava in years past, and we’re happy to be able to invite him back him back with us again. Cowboy poetry has a special way of preserving the stories, values, and spirit of the West, and Thatch brings that tradition to life in a way audiences truly enjoy.

There’s always something meaningful about reconnecting with old friends and welcoming familiar faces back to the gathering. We’re honored to have Thatch returning to share his poetry and be part of another memorable Lost N Lava weekend.

Please join us in giving Thatch Elmer a warm welcome back to Lost N Lava! We’re looking forward to having him on stage once again! 🤠🔥

Thatch Elmer, from Harrisville, Utah. A Wyoming native, Elmer is passionate about the work and art that have encompassed several generations of his family, including Howard Peterson, his great-grandfather in Uinta County who shared the stories of his long life as a cowboy.

The teen has skyrocketed to fame in his niche during the last six years. At 9, he recited his first poem in his class – Goldbuckle Dreams, representing his passion for rodeos. Soon, audiences were captivated by how such a young performer eased so steadily into an art form dominated by peers two or more generations older than him. he received a scholarship award at the National Cowboy Poetry gathering in Elko, Nevada. A year later, at the same event, he shared his work in several sessions and yet a year later, he was billed as a featured entertainment. His work has been published at Cowboypoetry.com and has been featured in several books and recorded compilations. And, the art form has drawn audiences, especially from outside the United States, including Australia and Europe.

05/31/2026

🚨🚨⭐️🌟 Artist Announcement 🌟⭐️🚨🚨

We are excited to be announcing more of our September 18th & 19th 2026 Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering Artists!

We welcome back to the Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering stage after many years, Mr. David Anderson!

David has been part of the Lost N Lava family for years, sharing his talents on our stage many times throughout the gathering’s history. His performances have always been a memorable part of the weekend, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him returning this year.

There’s something special about welcoming back familiar faces and longtime friends, and David’s return is one we’ve been looking forward to. Please join us in giving a warm Lost N Lava welcome back to David Anderson—we’re excited to see him back where he belongs and can’t wait to enjoy his performance once again! 🤠🔥

David is a homegrown Utah boy who grew up raising and training horses. At age 16 he became a jockey and began traveling the country racing horses with his father. Originally David played the drums but after he started traveling he couldn't take his drums because they wouldn't fit in the tack room of the trailer. So he decided to pick up a guitar, taught himself to play, and he has been playing and singing ever since.

David sings western music, which is about what he knows best, riding horses and being a cowboy. He participates in many cowboy poetry and western music gatherings all across the Western United States. He has also been nominated for and won many awards such as Male Vocalist of the Year for the Western Music Association, Utah chapter, Song and album of the year for the WMA, and the Golden Note award for the Cowboy Poets of Idaho 2009.

David enjoys bringing his music to others by performing at care centers, fundraisers, and parties. He is often accompanied by his two daughters Amanda and Jenny Lynn who have been singing since before they could walk. He also often performs along side of a well know cowboy poet who is also no stranger to the Lost N Lava stage. Yep, that might be a hint to next week’s announcement…

David is a talented singer/guitarist and would love to share his western music with you for any occasion.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, all of us at Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Their courage and sacrifice gave us the freedoms we hold dear—the freedom to gather with family and friends, to celebrate our western heritage, and to live the values we cherish every day.

As we spend time with loved ones and enjoy this beautiful day, may we also take a moment to reflect on those who gave everything for this nation. Their legacy lives on in the hearts of a grateful people.

From our Lost N Lava family to yours, we remember, we honor, and we Thank You!

05/23/2026

🚨🚨⭐️🌟 Artist Announcement 🌟⭐️🚨🚨

We are excited to be announcing more of our September 18th & 19th 2026 Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering Artists!

We are proud to welcome back Poppa Mac — Cowboy Preacher, Poet, and Storyteller!

A crowd favorite wherever he goes, Poppa Mac brings heartfelt stories, cowboy wisdom, humor, and inspiration to the stage. His unique blend of poetry, storytelling, and faith captures the spirit of the cowboy way of life and leaves audiences both entertained and encouraged.

We are honored to have Poppa Mac returning once again to the Lost N Lava Stage. Be sure to join us for an unforgettable performance filled with laughter, reflection, and true cowboy tradition.

Poppa Mac (Geoff Mackay) Born in Manitoba and raised throughout Western Canada. Geoff was drawn to the cowboy life at an early age.

He's done about everything there is to do on a ranch, starting as a Waddie and working his way up to wrangling. He even did a season or 12 as the camp cook for other ranchers before founding the M2 cattle company. He has helped to break and train a number of working ranch horses for a variety of clients. He spent many years working in the rodeo as a rodeo clown, wrangler, and preacher. He is the founder of the Canadian Rodeo Wranglers Association which helps run rodeos throughout Western Canada. He can still be found helping out at friends ranches and farms.

Poppa Mac assures that all his poems are absolutely true except for the stuff he makes up.

He shares real life in poetry and stories which connect with the audience, with his poetry coming from a place of someone who has been there and done that. His travels have taken him all over Canada and the United States delighting audiences at trail rides, rodeos, cowboy churches and gatherings.

05/16/2026

🚨🚨⭐️🌟 Artist Announcement 🌟⭐️🚨🚨

We are excited to be announcing more of our September 18th & 19th 2026 Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering Artists! (I think we are getting the hang of this announcement stuff!)

Ted Hoffman has been a valued part of the Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering family for many years. Alongside his wife, he generously volunteers his time during the event, always stepping in wherever help is needed. Ted currently serves as a Director on the Lost N Lava Board of Directors, and his dedication, hard work, and countless contributions have helped make this gathering what it is today. Whether behind the scenes or lending a helping hand wherever necessary, Ted embodies the spirit of the cowboy way of life through his willingness to serve, support others, and preserve our western heritage. We are proud to welcome cowboy poet Ted Hoffman.

A retired veterinarian and rancher from Mountain Home, ID, Ted Hoffman has enjoyed assisting his daughter assume management of the cattle and ranch and looks forward to seeing grandchildren do the same. He finds the management of cattle and natural resources a fascinating challenge with profound positive impacts on those who follow that path. Veterinary and ranch work both require physical and mental abilities and work - a good balance for life. A ranch also requires family participation and cooperation leading to many shared memories and accomplishments. Ted often describes that, “Altogether it creates a fascinating and increasingly rare opportunity for both individual and family challenges and successes.”

Drawing on personal experiences and interaction with so many clients, family members and neighbors, Ted finds the material for the poetry and music he has been writing for 40 years. In 2021 he published a book, “This is Still the West” containing his poetry and drawings by John Schutte, a talented artist living in Bruneau, ID.

05/09/2026

🚨🚨⭐️🌟 Artist Announcement 🌟⭐️🚨🚨

We are excited to be announcing more of our September 18th & 19th 2026 Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering Artists!

Bryan Dilworth, a cowboy poet, is truly considered part of the Lost N Lava Family, having been involved with Lost N Lava for many years. Bryan has proudly served as our opening act both days of the gathering for many years as well.

Bryan currently serves as the Lost N Lava Vice President and has held nearly every position on our Board of Directors throughout the years.

He is always willing to step in and help in any way possible, and his dedication to keeping the cowboy lifestyle and heritage alive is unmatched. His donations, guidance, and overall contributions have played a major role in helping the Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering become what it is today.

Vice President Bryan Dilworth, we appreciate you and are honored to have you as part of our 2026 lineup!

05/02/2026

🚨🚨⭐️🌟 Artist Announcement 🌟⭐️🚨🚨

We are excited to be announcing more of our September 18th & 19th 2026 Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering Artists!

Johnny Shoes and Jen Pisano also no stranger to the Lost N Lava Stage, We are very excited to have them join us again this year.

Johnny is a guitar and mandolin picker/teacher, singer/songwriter and recording producer living in Boise, Idaho. For many years, he owned the much-loved Old Boise Guitar Company. He now performs solo and in a duo with his daughter, Jen Pisano. Johnny also performs with his good friend and longtime singing partner Deborah Day in the duo Joshua Tree.

04/25/2026

🚨🚨⭐️🌟 Artist Announcement 🌟⭐️🚨🚨

We are excited to be announcing more of our September 18th & 19th 2026 Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering Artists!

Mr. Tony Argento, Tony has been performing on the Lost N Lava stage for many years and has been an ambassador for our brand nearly since the beginning. Tony and Miss Marci also volunteer on the board of directors for Lost N Lava and are ALWAYS the first to show up and the very last to leave, we are so GRATEFUL for all of their countless contributions to our gathering and happy to call them family. Tony will be performing on Friday and Saturday of our event and you can count on him and Miss Marci volunteering and helping throughout the entire event. Please let them both know just how much we appreciate them both!

Tony Argento, Cowboy poet, humorist, story teller, historian, entertainer, public speaker, writer, emcee an’ ambassador of cowboy poetry. Tony was introduced to cowboy poetry from his Granddad. From that point forward, he began reciting at age 5 in ’65 with his first memorized poem, “The Devil’s Tail” by Gail Gardner.

Tony calls his "style o’ recitin,’ Tuned Up and Twisted." Once you see him perform, you’ll know why. A common statement heard from the audience is, “He’s quite animated.” He does voice animation, vocal sound effects and makes good use of props.
Tony says, “Once you get a transfusion of ‘cowboy poetry’ in your blood, you’ll be hooked for life. That’s what happened to me. An’ YES! It’s VERY contagious!”

Tony’s line-up includes: Classic, patriotic, humor, rodeo, gunslingers an’ drifters, novelty, original, gold rush, solemn an’ more. In addition, he does Civil War recitations such as the Gettysburg Address, and Lincoln’s favorite second Inaugural Address. He also recites the most famous letter from the Civil War.

04/18/2026

🚨🚨⭐️🌟 Artist Announcement 🌟⭐️🚨🚨

We are excited to start announcing our September 18th & 19th 2026 Lost N Lava Cowboy Gathering Artists!

Beth Millick is no stranger to the Lost N Lava stage and we are happy to have her joining us this year. Beth will be performing for us both Friday and Saturday!

Beth Millick, lovingly known as the Accordion Queen of Custer County, has turned a lifelong passion for the squeeze box into a signature sound that’s all her own. With an astonishing collection of 22 accordions, Beth brings heart, humor, and authenticity to every performance. Her music bridges generations — blending old-time charm with modern storytelling — and her vibrant spirit has made her a local legend across the mountain West. Whether she’s leading a crowd in song or swapping stories about her well-traveled instruments, Beth Millick embodies the soul of small-town Americana: genuine, joyful, and always in tune with the people she plays for. - Music Miles Podcast

02/08/2026