Cowboy poetry is one of those things that many people will claim not to like before they even read any or hear some performed.---

I was one of those people myself, based on reading poems about horses and the ranching life in books. But as soon as I heard some genuine cowboy poets performing those same words, I was hooked. One of the best in the biz is coming to SLC Wednesday; Baxter Black will be reading from his new tome at The King's English Wednesday at 7 p.m. Desperado Poet: How to Find Your Way When You Don't Have a Map, How to Win the Game When You Don't Know the Rules isn't a poetry book though; it's part-memoir, part-how-to, and undoubtedly interesting all the way through. Black doesn't know how to be boring.

On the music tip, there are tons of shows filling venues around town on Wednesday. Taking Back Sunday headlines a big rawk bill at In The Venue.  Pioneering rapper Pharaohe Monch headlines at Elevate. Arizona "humorcore" goofballs Psychostick headline at Club Vegas. Soul Crate Music arrives at Kilby Court for a fat night of hip-hop, and Provo's Velour continues its summer battle of the bands. And One Nightclub hosts the incredible quick hands of DJ Craze.