Cowboy Comedy Night with R.P. Smith, B.J. Smith and invited performers at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango – Durango, CO

BJ Smith ~ Endiang, Alberta
BJ is an experienced horse trainer, riding coach, packer, mountain guide, clinician, survival expert and Canadian ski patrol instructor. He has taught wilderness topics at the university and college level and delivered hundreds of safety talks to school students. Following a full career in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police where he experienced years of service in the Arctic, BJ supervised criminal investigations for the government of Alberta, instructed for the Lethbridge College and was president of the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association. He routinely guides groups of wilderness travelers on horseback through the Rockies, often on week-long trips of a hundred miles or more. His skill and knowledge as a packer and horseman has been recognized by the Alberta Trail Riders Association and private equestrian clubs who have enjoyed his clinics. He consulted with Rafter Six Ranch Resort and the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, developed and instructs the Wilderness Wrangler outdoor course at Olds Agricultural College, was president of the Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association, recipient of the Academy of Western Artists Will Rogers Award and National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo Silver Buckle. His professional and comical performances have been featured at cowboy gatherings and festivals across western Canada and the U.S. and on cruise liners. BJ is often featured on radio and television shows and is the author of three books and two CDs.

R.P. Smith ~ Broken Bow, Nebraska

When R.P. is not on the cowboy poetry trail, he finds plenty to do on the home ranch in Nebraska. He said he continues to be the “head cowman” there but has been sidelined on a few occasions recently and has had family step in to help keep things going until he was back in the saddle. For quite a few years, R.P. felt like he was part of the youth movement in the cowboy poetry world, but now he treasures the memories of the wonderful friends he has made while sharing his craft over the last 37 years. He said he now realizes he has more years behind him than in front of him. “I’m in pretty good shape for the shape I’m in,” he said. He has some new works to share and new memories to make this year at the Durango Cowboy Gathering.