Baxter Black, the renowned cowboy poet, storyteller, philosopher and former large-animal veterinarian, died June 10, NPR reported in a tribute to the man who was a popular Morning Edition commentator for more than 20 years. He was 77.
Black wrote more than 30 books of poetry, fiction--novels and children's literature--and commentary, including Cactus Tracks and Cowboy Philosophy; Lessons from a Desperado Poet; Horseshoes, Cowsocks & Duckfeet; Hey Cowboy, Wanna Get Lucky?; Loose Cow Party; and Croutons on a Cow Pie.
Former Morning Edition host Bob Edwards recalled that "he knew our audience and he knew how he fit in.... He would gear some of his commentary in that way, like the people who were against.... fur coats, use of fur, and Bax thought you should recycle roadkill and use the fur as clothing for dolls. So Barbie would have a fur coat from a dead possum or something. That was one of his tweaks at public radio right there."
Noting that he was "a beloved figure in the agricultural industry, and outpourings on his behalf have been going on for months while Black was in hospice care," AGDaily wrote that Black's poetry "was often based on real-life situations, and he seemed to find humor in even the less humorous and western situations. The performer even referred to being 'down to no keys' at a point in his life, a time when he had nowhere to call his own and nothing to drive. However, he didn't stay down long."
In 1984, Black wrote a poem about wildfires in Yellowstone and sent it to NPR, which picked it up and asked for more. When asked why it worked, Black said, "I was the oddity. That's why it worked."
In addition to his books and sharing his works in public venues, he wrote a weekly column, appeared on RFD-TV, and published and recorded audiobooks. AGDaily noted that he "sold more than a million books and audios, entertaining countless people over his career. One of Black's shining attributes was his ability to connect to and inspire people."
"I like what I do," he once said. "I have a great home to come home to, a couple good horses, a few cows, a good dog, and friends everywhere I go. I'm square with God and I make a living entertaining people I care about."