The Academy of Western Artists has awarded the Will Rogers Medallion to "The Big Roundup," an anthology of over 140 of the best classic and contemporary Cowboy poems, published by New West Library. The Oklahoma-based Academy of Western Artists (AWA) awards the Will Rogers Medallion to "books that meet demanding criteria for artistic merit, quality presentation and universal appeal," books that represent "the best examples of preservation and celebration of the history and spirit of the West."

From its start on the range to its newest home on the internet, Cowboy Poetry celebrates three centuries as a genuine American folk form in "The Big Roundup," with its more than 400 pages of poems, a "Best of the West" appendix of Cowboy Poetry gatherings and organizations, Western publications, and Western heritage and museum sites.

"The Big Roundup" wins high praise from readers, including the Honorable Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who writes about her childhood spent on an Arizona ranch in a new autobiography, says "Cowboy poetry provides an important link to my own rural roots. 'The Big Roundup' is a fine collection of cowboy poetry -- old and new."

In his foreword to "The Big Roundup," Tom Mayo, poetry reviewer of the Dallas Morning News says "These selections illustrate and celebrate the diverse, vibrant state of Cowboy Poetry. That they were gathered in a most modern virtual gathering on the internet is proof of the enduring popularity and relevance of the genre in this new millennium."

"The Big Roundup" includes some of the earliest tunes and poetry of the working cowboys, whose numbers were the greatest in the last part of the 1800s, decreasing as the range was fenced. The anthology includes the original poem that became "Home on the Range," familiar songs such as "Whoopee-Ti-Yi-Yo, Git Along Little Dogies," and Arthur Chapman's classic "Out Where the West Begins," a poem that in its time was known throughout America, quoted in Congress, and hung in the office of the Secretary of the Interior.

In this century, cowboy and western poetry continues to thrive. Cowboy Poetry was an official part of the 2002 Olympics folklife activities and the 2002 Eighteenth Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada attracted nearly 8,000 fans.

Contemporary poems honor the past and reflect the life of the cowboys and ranchers of today. The majority of modern contributors in "The Big Roundup" come from the West, but states from sea to shining sea are represented, along with classic and contemporary cowboy poetry from Canada, Australia, and England. These modern poets include ranchers, working cowboys, and other writers with the West in their hearts. No other occupation has spawned so many poets, and the authenticity of experience comes through in the poetry featured in "The Big Roundup."

Selections reflect the face of the American West and beyond: Popular entertainer and Texas rancher Red Steagall writes about his love of the land; 12-year old Arizonan Jesus Cervantes, immigrant descendant of a proud Mexican vaquero family who excels in school while also working in the fields and as a dishwasher, honors the silver screen cowboy; Australian Jack Sammon writes about his droving days; Utah rancher and teacher Jo Lynne Kirkwood describes the ranching seasons; and octogenarian Flavis Bertrand writes about his family's South Dakota homesteading days.

The poems in "The Big Roundup" were chosen from CowboyPoetry.com -- the world's largest repository of Cowboy Poetry -- an ongoing gathering that includes classic and contemporary poetry; the Cowboy Memories oral history project; features about Western life, a popular schedule of Cowboy Poetry events; the best in books and music; the Lariat Laureate competition, and a free email newsletter. Among its honors, CowboyPoetry.com has been featured by Parade Magazine, USA Today ("Fresh and fine, like a fast getaway"), National Public Radio, Yahoo! Internet Life, Family PC, and recognized as Editors' Picks by AOL and Librarians' Index to the Internet. A Netsurfer Digest review says "the cowboy code of 'honor, hard work, and a good bit of humor' is very much alive. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the submissions at CowboyPoetry.com...cowboy poetry really does preserve the romance of the West."

"The Big Roundup" full color cover art is "The Best Laid Plans" from notable Western artist Bill Anton. The Big Roundup, Classic and Contemporary Poetry from CowboyPoetry.com is a 432-page trade paperback. 800-345-6665.