OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is excited to announce the individuals who will be honored for their exceptional creative works in Western literature, music, television and film. Honorees will be presented with a Wrangler award during the 63rd Western Heritage Awards dinner held at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum on April 13, 2024.
The Museum will once again hold a Kick-Off Party on April 12 at 5:30 p.m. and welcomes the public to mingle with inductees and honorees while enjoying complimentary refreshments, hors d’oeuvres and live music by The Kyle Dillingham Swing Project.
Tickets for the Friday Kick-Off Party are $70 for Museum members and $85 for general admission. Reservations will open March 1, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. CST. This event is expected to sell out quickly, and reservations will be processed in the order received. To be placed on the waitlist to attend the Western Heritage Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 13, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org/westernheritage beginning March 1. For the latest Western Heritage Awards updates, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org.
Western Heritage Awards Honorees
LITERATURE
Nonfiction Book
The Rediscovery of America by Ned Blackhawk, published by Yale University Press
Photography Book
Bighorn Visions: The Photography of Jessamine Spear Johnson by Tempe Javitz, published by South Dakota Historical Society Press
Juvenile Book
Heartwood Mountain: The Adventures of Wilder Good #8 by S. J. Dahlstrom, published by Paul Dry Books
Magazine Article
The Geddes Murder Trial: Gender, Race, and Murder-for-Hire in Montana's Criminal Justice System by Shane Dunning, published by Montana Historical Society Press
Western Novel
The Ways of Water: A Novel by Teresa H. Janssen, published by She Writes Press
Poetry Book
The Best Material for the Artist in the World by Kenneth Chamlee, published by Stephen F. Austin State University Press
MUSIC
Original Western Composition
“The Shelter of the Wildwood,” recording artist Riders in the Sky, composed by Douglas Green
Traditional Western Album
From The Saddle To Symphony Hall, recording artist Dave Alexander, composed by Dave Alexander
FILM & TELEVISION HONOREES
Western Lifestyle Program
Today's Wild West: Episode 603 produced by Mark Bedor
Theatrical Motion Picture
Ride, starring C. Thomas Howell and Forrie J. Smith, directed and written by Jake Allyn
Documentary
Lakota Nation vs. United States, directed by Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli, produced by Benjamin Hedin and Phil Pinto
Fictional Drama
“Hózhó náhásdlįį (Beauty is Restored),” Dark Winds S2, E6, directed by Chris Eyre, produced by John Wirth, Graham Roland, George R.R. Martin, Robert Redford, Tina Elmo, Vince Gerardis, Chris Eyre, Zahn McClarnon, Anne Hillerman and Jim Chory
Television Feature Film
The Warrant: Breaker’s Law, directed by Brent Christy, produced by David Cerullo, Dale Ardizzone, Gary Wheeler and Neal McDonough
Hall of Great Westerners
Jack LeForce
Buster Welch (1928-2022)
Hall of Great Western Performers
Keith Carradine
Noah Beery Jr. (1913-1994)
John Smith (1931-1995)
Chester A. Reynolds Award
Don Reeves
Lifetime Achievement Award
Reba McEntire
New Horizon Award
Mo Brings Plenty