The Western Music Association was founded in 1988 to foster the professional growth of individual performing members through their web site, the quarterly "Western Way," the annual International Western Music Festival every November, state and regional chapters, and an Educational Outreach Program.

The Western Wordsmiths Chapter started in 2011 to provide more support and opportunities for Western writers within the Western Music Association. Our members include poets, authors, story tellers, song writers and lyricists. Their publications include poems, books, recordings, novels, short stories, non-fiction articles, and videos.

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Awards Congratulations to Sam DeLeeuw who was named Western Music Association Outstanding Female Performer in Poetry, Storytelling, Spoken Word for 2011! Her CD, "Women of the West," was named the Poetry/Spoken Word Album of 2011. Congratulations to Juni Fisher, who was named Western Music Association Entertainer of the Year and Outstanding Female Performer for 2011. Her song, "Yakima," was named Original Song of 2011.   New Releases Buck "The Big Man" Helton has a new book: "Tales from the B-O Ranch." Juni Fisher has a new CD: "Secret Chord." Steve Deming has a new book: "The Source." Aspen Black has a new CD: "From the Heart of a Cowgirl." Harold Roy Miller has a new book: "Encounter at Silver Peak."   Recognition Congratulations to Susie Knight. Her CD, "Western Wordsmith," was for tied for #2 on the list of the top 30 cowboy / Western poetry CDs, by airplay in 2011. Congratulations to Sam DeLeeuw. Her CD, "Women of the West," was #4. Congratulations to Diane Tribitt. Her CD, "Ranchin’ Rhymes," was #10. Congratulations to Sam DeLeeuw. She was #3 on the list of the top 30 individual performers of cowboy/Western poets, by airplay in 2011. Congratulations to Susie Knight. She was #4. Congratulations to Diane Tribitt. She was #5. Congratulations to Nancy Ruybal . Her CD with Katy Creek, "Wild Rose," was tied for #14 on the list of the top 100 cowboy / Western music CDs, by airplay in 2011. Congratulations to Juni Fisher. Her CD, "Let ‘Er Go, Let ‘Er Buck, Let ‘Er Fly," was #34. Her CD, "Tumbleweed Letters," was tied for #81. Congratulations to Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue. Their CD was tied for #46. Congratulations to Belinda Gail. Her CD with Curly Musgrave, "Forever West," was tied for #81. Congratulations to Belinda Gail. She was #14 on the list of the top 100 individual performers of cowboy/Western music, by airplay in 2011. Congratulations to Juni Fisher. She was #21. Congratulations to Nancy Ruybal . With her band Katy Creek, she was #38. Congratulations to Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue. They were #40.