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United States Baxter Black transitioned from a practicing large animal veterinarian to a renowned cowboy poet and commentator, sharing his unique perspective with audiences nationwide.
Black sent a poem to Public Radio during the Yellowstone park fires in the 1980s, leading to a two-decade partnership as a regular commentator for 'Morning Edition'. He provided witty and insightful analysis on a wide range of issues from the perspective of a Western farmer and rancher.
Black's first column was published in Colorado's Record Stockman in 1980.
Black had short segments on RFD-TV, expanding his reach in broadcasting beyond radio.
Black also had short segments on The Cowboy Channel, further connecting with an audience interested in cowboy and ranching culture.
Black was a publisher for his own company Coyote Cowboy Company, which published many of his books including 'Croutons on a Cow-Pie II', 'Dunny and the Duck', 'Cow Attack', and 'Loose Cow Party'.
Black authored books published by Crown Publishers, such as 'Horseshoes, Cowsocks, and Duckfeet' (2002) and 'Hey, Cowgirl, Need a Ride?' (2005).
Black published books with TwoDot, including 'Lessons From a Desperado Poet' with Wilford Brimley (2012) and 'Ride, Cowboy, Ride! 8 Seconds Ain't That Long' (2012).
Black's literary collection 'The Back Page: the Best of Baxter Black From Western Horseman' (2009) was published, comprising his contributions to the publication.
Baxter Black was born on January 10, 1945, in Brooklyn Naval Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico. During his high school years, he was actively involved, serving as Future Farmers of America (FFA) president and senior class president. He also participated in rodeos, riding bulls throughout high school and college. Black pursued higher education at New Mexico State University before completing his veterinary degree at Colorado State University in 1969. For 13 years, from 1969 to 1982, he practiced as a large animal veterinarian, specializing in livestock such as cows and horses. Towards the end of his veterinary career, Black began public speaking, making over 250 appearances in two years, which paved the way for his transition into a full-time career as a poet and commentator.
Black’s career as a cowboy poet and radio commentator began to flourish in the 1980s. His first column was published in Colorado’s Record Stockman in 1980. A significant turning point occurred in 1988 when he sent a poem to Public Radio in Washington D.C., leading to a two-decade-long partnership as a regular commentator on National Public Radio’s (NPR) “Morning Edition.” He hosted the public television series “Baxter Black and Friends” and reached a broad audience through his weekly syndicated radio program “Baxter Black on Monday,” which began in 1989, and his weekly syndicated column “On the Edge of Common Sense,” carried by over 150 publications. He also had short segments on RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel. Throughout his career, Black authored over 30 books, encompassing poetry, fiction, and children’s literature, and sold more than two million books, CDs, and DVDs.
Black’s work consistently focused on cowboy and ranch life, delivering his insights with humor and a grounded perspective. He was known for his witty and insightful analysis on various topics, always from the viewpoint of a Western farmer and rancher. His extensive bibliography includes notable works such as “On the Edge of Commonsense” and “Coyote Cowboy Poetry.” He resided in Benson, Arizona, with his wife, Cindy Lou, embodying his philosophy that “In spite of all the computerized, digitalized, high-tech innovations of today, there will always be a need for a cowboy.” Black retired from writing and speaking engagements in late 2021 due to health issues, and he passed away from leukemia on June 10, 2022, at the age of 77.
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