Real Cowboy Music & Poetry pros

If music and poetry, 
full of honest emotion and a few laughs 
(born somewhere between spring brandings and the fall work) 
sounds right to you, 
cinch up, take a deep seat, and enjoy the ride.
There is a cadence, a rhythm, 
when music and poetry catch the feel of the working cowboy. 
Ride along with us.
This feels like we have found it.

About Paul & Ken

Paul Larson

Award-winning Cowboy Music Singer/Songwriter

From rodeo arenas and festivals to house concerts and front porch pickin’, Paul’s rich, baritone voice and lyrics reflect his cowboy grit, musical heart, and neighborly Midwest spirit.

Paul's BIO

Ken Cook

Award-winning cowboy poet and presenter

Ken's genuine cowboy poetry is rooted in real ranch life and honed with formal training. Across the Midwest, Ken has captivated crowds of cowhands and city folks alike for 30 years.

Ken's Bio

what audiences are sayin'

“You reached the hearts of those in attendance with real down-to-earth philosophy. I witnessed people from age 8 to 95 listening and enjoying ... hanging on every word.”

— Terrie Jo Gibbons, Tri-State Cowboy Association/Nebraska

“The audience is alternately in stitches or tears!”

— Francie Ganje, Heritage of the American West Performance Series/Radio Broadcaster

“It is like theater, igniting a screen in my mind ... the lights go down and the picture comes on ... he speaks as someone who’s been there …” ”

— Jim Thompson, Radio broadcaster and Sports Announcer.

Press photos

Cowboy poet Ken Cook of Martin, SD (left) performs with cowboy singer/songwriter Paul Larson of Rochford, SD for live performances across the Midwest. Their duo show is called Cowboy Culture - South Dakota Style. Photo credit: Richard Carlson. ©2025 Cowboy Culture South Dakota Style

Cowboy poet Ken Cook of Martin, SD performs with cowboy singer/songwriter Paul Larson of Rochford, SD for live performances across the Midwest. Their duo show is called Cowboy Culture - South Dakota Style. Photo credit: Richard Carlson. ©2025 Cowboy Culture South Dakota Style

Cowboy singer/songwriter Paul Larson of Rochford, SD pairs up with cowboy poet Ken Cook of Martin, SD for live performances across the Midwest. Their duo show is called Cowboy Culture - South Dakota Style. Photo credit: Richard Carlson. ©2025 Cowboy Culture South Dakota Style

SHOWS

View previous events

LISTEN

Cowboys & Pearls

Paul Larson

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  1. 1
    Spring Dance 2:41
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  2. 2
    Sunlight on Silver 3:26
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  3. 3
    Coyotes Love My Cats 3:40
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  4. 4
    Across the Great Divide 4:19
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  5. 5
    Cadillac Cowboy 2:57
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  6. 6
    Butterflies and Pearls 4:18
    Lyrics
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  7. 7
    Aspen Leaves 4:08
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  8. 8
    Black Hills Gold 4:06
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  9. 9
    Rodeo Moon 3:32
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  10. 10
    A Love Song 4:15
    Lyrics
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  11. 11
    Good One 2:34
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  12. 12
    Will I Ever 3:43
    Lyrics
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Passing It On - Poetry by Great Plains Cowboys

Ken Cook and Jay Snider

Audio samples of Ken Cook only from album produced by Ken Cook and Jay Snider. " ... Poets with old souls and modern skills, keep alive the real working West through its poetry. They tell their own stories and they honor Read more

Audio samples of Ken Cook only from album produced by Ken Cook and Jay Snider. " ... Poets with old souls and modern skills, keep alive the real working West through its poetry. They tell their own stories and they honor their forebears, the past generations of their families who led the way. And, they have made an essential contribution to the future: passing on this cherished way of life to their children and grandchildren who carry the traditions forward. These men may be separated by 800 miles, but they live the same life. It's a privileged existence, not for its financial re­wards, but for its integrity and its history. As Montana rancher and poet Wallace McRae might say, they are rich with 'things of intrinsic worth.' As long as the family ranch exists, we can hope that the inspired words of cowboy poets such as Jay Snider and Ken Cook will continue to tell its important stories." – Margo Metegrano Editor, CowboyPoetry.com

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  1. 1
    I'm Gonna Be A Cowboy 3:16
    Info
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  2. 2
    The Conversation 2:13
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  3. 3
    Cowhand 3:04
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  4. 4
    Bloodlines 2:31
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  5. 5
    The Ranch Up Yonder 1:15
    Info
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Home

Paul Larson

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  1. 1
    Born to Be A Cowboy 4:47
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  2. 2
    Little Things 4:47
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  3. 3
    Ridin' Down The Canyon 4:47
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  4. 4
    Heaven On A Horse 4:47
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  5. 5
    Margaret's Waltz 4:47
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  6. 6
    Rodeo Wind 4:47
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  7. 7
    Charlie Dunn 4:47
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  8. 8
    Just Can't See Him From The Road 4:47
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  9. 9
    Prairie Song 4:47
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  10. 10
    Calico Eyes 4:47
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  11. 11
    Waitin' For A Train 4:47
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  12. 12
    Campfire Waltz 4:47
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  13. 13
    When the Grass Comes Green in Spring 4:47
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  14. 14
    That's How The West Was Swung 4:47
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  15. 15
    Home 4:47
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Video

GIVE US A HOLLER!

What brought these two South Dakotans together was a friendship spanning decades, and respect:
1.  Respect for the men and women who tirelessly work to preserve their ranching legacy. 
2.  Respect for artists who have crafted songs and poetry for more than a century and those who continue to do so.