Steamboat Springs — Cowboy music and poetry are alive and well.

And although this genre of music and poetry seems to have been forgotten with time, the Western Music Association Colorado Chapter ensures that communities all over the state are aware of its history and presence.

A few times a month, singers, songwriters and poets gather to share authentic western ballads and sometimes hilarious, sometimes heart-breaking rhyme-n-meter stories.

This Saturday, a number of award-winning entertainers will be in Steamboat to showcase their talents, the spirit of the cowboy and all things western. The event, which is for all ages, will be from 1 to 4 p.m. in Library Hall at the Bud Werner Memorial Library. This will be the first time the WMA Showcase has been in Steamboat Springs. Complimentary cake, coffee, and water will be available for all. A pass-the-hat donation will be taken during the show.

“These will be stories, the songs will tell a story and the words are especially important,” said John Fisher, from the Yampa Valley Boys, one of the featured acts at the showcase. “That’s why this music doesn’t really flourish in a bar scene. To get the full enjoyment, you need to hear the words.”

Several of the artists are currently or have been working ranchers, similar to many of those who settled in Steamboat many years ago.

“It’s music and stories that embrace western lifestyles,” said Susie Knight, western entertainer and creator of the Showcase/ Jam series last year. “It’s something the ranching community here would appreciate.”

Like many western festivals, Fisher said the event will be in a “Round Robin” type of format. The entertainers will sit on stage in a circle, and each performer will do one or two numbers to start out. Then, any of the entertainers can join in or take the performance in a new direction. They feed off each other to come up with new songs based on a theme or melody.

“It’s always changing, and it lets people come in at anytime to see the full mix of the music,” said Steve Jones, singer/songwriter for the Yampa Valley Boys.

The WMA exists to preserve and promote traditional and contemporary music and poetry of the American West and cowboy. The Showcase/Jam events build awareness for these traditions and stories to younger generations.

“I’m looking forward to being able to bring this to the general public and then watch their faces as they start to enjoy this form of entertainment they may have never seen before and to watch them fall in love with cowboy music and poetry,” Knight said.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@ExploreSteamboat.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1