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Western Heritage Awards
The Western Heritage Awards honors individuals who have made significant contributions to Western heritage through creative works in literature, music, television and film that share the great stories of the American West.
Presented by celebrity hosts, this black-tie event also honors individuals who have made significant contributions to Western heritage with their inductions into the Hall of Great Western Performers and Hall of Great Westerners as well as the presentation of the Chester A. Reynolds Memorial Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.2020 Inductees
Hall of Great Western Performers
Kurt Russell
Bing Russell (1926-2003)
Hall of Great Westerners
Montford T. Johnson (1843-1896)
Ben Houston (1929-2016)
Chester A. Reynolds Memorial Award
John Scott
Lifetime Achievement Award
Robert Duvall
2020 Honorees
LITERATURE
Western Novel
The Cheyenne Story: An Interpretation of Courage, written and published by Gerry Robinson
Nonfiction Book
Lakota America: A New History of Indigenous Power by Pekka Hämäliänen published by Yale University Press
Art/Photography Book
Don Weller Tracks, by Don Weller, published by Weller Institute for the Cure of Design
Juvenile Book
J is for Jackalope by Teal Blake.
Magazine Article
“If You had Fought Bravely I would have Sung for You” The Changing Roles of Cheyenne Women During Ninteenth-Century Plains Warfare, by David Beyreis, published Montana The Magazine of Western History
Poetry Book
We Make a Tiny Herd: Poems to Honor the Burro Lady of Far West Texas by Lucy Griffith, published by Main Street Rag
MUSIC
Original Western Composition
“Hats Off to the Cowboy” recording artist Red Steagall, composed by Red Steagall and Joe Merrick
Traditional Western Album
Shadow of a Cowboy, recording artist Andy Hedges
New Horizon
“Desert Dwelling Mama” recording artist Adrian Brannan, produced by Craig Schumacher
FILM & TELEVISION HONOREES
Western Lifestyle Program
Cow Town, produced by Robert Burch at OETA
Theatrical Motion Picture
Deadwood: The Movie starring Timothy Olyphant, directed by Daniel Minahan, produced by HBO
Documentary
Country Music, directed by Ken Burns, written by Dayton Duncan, and produced by Duncan, Burns and Julie Dunfey
Fictional Drama
“Touching Your Enemy” Yellowstone S2, E5 starring Kevin Costner, written by Taylor Sheridan
Schedule of Events
Western Heritage Cocktail Reception
Friday, April 17, 2020
Western or business casual attire
5:30 p.m. | Cocktail Reception | Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar
6:00 p.m. | Autograph Session with Honorees
Member: $40 | General: $50
Western Heritage Awards Ceremony
Saturday, April 18, 2020
Western black-tie optional
5:00 p.m. | Cocktail Hour
6:00 p.m. | Dinner
Member: $155 | General: $185
Daytime Events
Free to the public with Museum admission
Friday, April 17, 2020
11:00 a.m. | Western Heritage Awards Workshop
Saturday, April 18, 2020
11:00 a.m. | Western Heritage Awards Panel Discussion
Individual tickets will go on sale March 1, 2020.
For more information, please contact Kaylia McCracken at
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Trent Riley at
Supporting Sponsor
Promoting Sponsor
Heritage Sponsors
Mr. Skylar Houston
Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Jacques
Mr. Greg Kowalski
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Simons
Round Up Riders of the Rockies
Inductee Sponsors
Calgary Stampede
Mr. Brent Cummings
Mr. Robert A. Funk
Nadine and Alan Levin
Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt McCrea
Mr. Bobby Norris
National Western Stock Show
