JACKSON, Wyo. — The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar stage hosted three Nashville-based songwriters on Thursday night, kicking off the three-night Cowgirls at the Cowboy music festival, now in its fifth edition.
Before the ladies took the stage, the festival got rolling with the world premiere of a documentary based on the festival, considered the only all-women country music festival in the nation. Million Dollar Cowgirl Country, close to completion, follows the threads of Wyoming’s history of pioneering women over the past 150 years all the way to the formation of the festival in 2022. Interviews with History Jackson Hole Executive Director Morgan Jaouen, Trail Creek Ranch legend Muggs Schultz and Jackson Hole Playhouse owner Vicki Garnick, among others, round out the portrait of the valley.
After watching the hourlong film, festival-goers filed into the bar for the seated show. Jenny Tolman, who curates the annual event, took the stage to introduce fellow country songwriters Lily Meola and Jessi Alexander. The three songwriters spent the 90-minute performance taking turns playing their favorite compositions, saying they were performing “Bluebird style,” referring to the world-famous Nashville venue known for its songwriter performances.
Meola took the first turn at the microphone, performing “Sleeping with My Boots On,” accompanied on guitar by Tolman’s husband Dave Brainard. Her other vocal contributions to the evening included her songs “Daisies,” “Postcards to Heaven,” “Daydream,” and a brand-new work in progress.
“Singing here is like a sport,” Meola said between songs. “The air is so thin.”
“Well, it was the most beautiful marathon I’ve ever heard,” Tolman replied.
Tolman regaled the audience with her story-driven songs “There Goes the Neighborhood,” “I Don’t Wanna Dance,” “Honky Tonk Songs” and “Stripper for a Week.” She also dedicated her cut “Million Dollar Cowboy” to late Wort Hotel and Cowboy Bar owner Bill Baxter.
Alexander’s songs, collaborations with flashy country radio heavies, garnered enthusiastic reactions from the crowd. She started with a hit she wrote for Blake Shelton called “Mine Would Be You,” followed by Megan Moroney collaboration “Beautiful Things,” Morgan Wallen single “The Way I Talk,” and a Luke Combs track off of the Twisters soundtrack, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma.”
Though she was fighting a cold — she brought Mucinex and a can of oxygen onto the stage with her — Alexander closed out the show to thunderous applause with her rendition of “The Climb,” made famous by Miley Cyrus. All three women received a standing ovation at the end of the show.
The festival continues Friday and Saturday with performances by Mackenzie Carpenter and Emmylou Harris.
