Cowboy poetry, music set at BCHS

The Barnes County Historical Society Lecture Series presents “Greg Hager and Roy Metzgar: An Evening of Country Music and Cowboy Poetry” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Barnes County Museum.

Roy George Metzgar, who will be presenting his cowboy poetry, was born in Carrington in 1938 to Frank and Evelyn (Hager) Metzgar. The family lived in Fessenden and then in Fargo. They visited often with the Hager side of the family at Homewood in Green Township.

Metzgar graduated from Fargo Central High School and attended North Dakota State University. He got his bachelor’s degree in geology at the University of Washington. Later he got a master’s degree in conservation of natural resources from the University of Michigan.

After retiring from a career in policy planning and management issues concerning the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound and other river basins, Roy focused on writing about the Dakota prairie. He lives in Anacortes, Wash., and winters in Palm Desert, Calif.

Wes Anderson, BCHS director, describes Greg Hager’s music as “An easy-going country style with melodic and meaningful lyrics.” A singer and songwriter, Hager’s performances are a mix of his music and stories.

He was raised on a grain and dairy farm southwest of Valley City. He said that almost all people want the same things, and that is why people relate so well to his songs about love, life, and living. The inspiration for his music comes from his own experiences and those of others.

Hager has recorded two albums in Nashville. “Daydream” has more of a reflective feel to it, and his new CD, “A Century Too Late,” was released at the North Dakota State Fair in July and features western and cowboy songs.

He has spent the summer performing at various festivals and county fairs in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Hager is married, has three children, and lives on a farm south of Valley City.

Find out more about him at www.greghager.com.

All lectures are in conjunction with Valley City State University and are free and open to the public. Elevator service is available. The Barnes County Museum is located at 315 Central Ave. N., Valley City.

Tags: barnes county, cowboy poetry, diversions, performances, bchs