Meet The Cowboy Poets
A proud family business, first cousins Zane York and Amir Beardsley have been performing Cowboy Poetry together since 2017, when they first read at an open mic during the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Through their project, Cowboy Poetry LA, hosts workshops and blends original & classic cowboy poems with music.
Cowboy Poetry by Amir Beardsley
Amir Beardsley grew up in Red Bluff, California, where he spent his youth competing in junior rodeos and riding horses. He went on to pursue bull riding for fifteen years, traveling the U.S. until his retirement in 2023. After stepping out of the arena, Amir swapped riding for writing and co-founded Cowboy Poetry LA.
More on Amir Beardsley
Beyond the rodeo, Amir has worked extensively with individuals with autism and behavioral challenges. He credits his success in this work to the patience, positivity, and perseverance he honed as a bull rider—qualities that helped him create meaningful change in the lives of his clients and their families.
Now, Amir is “plum tickled” to bring his love of cowboy poetry to the big city and share the spirit of the West with new audiences.
Amir has performed across southern California and hold dear his performances at the Open Mic portions of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. You can watch Amir's original and classic cowboy poem's via our social channels @cowboypoetryla
Music by Zane York
Zane York, from Claremont, California, is the son of former Byrds’ member John York. Raised in a musical family, he was immersed in Americana and Folk traditions from an early age and continues to draw inspiration from cowboy poets and western storytellers, both past and present.
More about Zane York
At the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 2025, Zane was selected as an Open Mic Highlight—a prestigious honor awarded to just four performers out of ten open mics held throughout the week.
In addition to his original work, Zane enjoys performing covers and is always glad to learn songs by request. Some of his biggest inspirations are Jason Isbell and Tyler Childers.
