His poetry was Mid-Western

 With a Westward orientation. 

This was John Neihart, who I was privileged to listen to at the University of Missouri, in 1960. 

When I enrolled, I saw this tiny man, with a huge mane of white hair, and a smile on his face. 

He was looking at his future students, who would listen to him recite his poetry, about the Winning of the West.

He called this Epic Poetry, which meant it was modeled on Ancient Greek poetry. He had read this in its original language, and he was entranced by it. 

He never used a microphone, but he had no trouble being heard. He was like an Opera Singer who could easily overpower a symphony orchestra right in front of her. 

He didn't do much singing, but his poetry had plenty of rhythms.