Andy Hedges

California songwriter and horseman Mike Beck talks about growing up in Monterey, California, working with Tom and Bill Dorrance, cowboyin' on the Spanish Ranch, and shares a new song written for Merle Haggard.

Chuck Hawthorne talks about the three passions of his life: cowboy culture, the military, and music. He also shares the story of how he never met Buck Ramsey and plays a stirring version of a new song.

Grammy nominated cowboy singer Don Edwards talks about his early days, the White Elephant Saloon, the importance of Jack Thorp, cowboy music and the blues, the solo tradition, guitar playing, and more.

Tom Russell shares stories about picking up Robert Hunter in a taxicab, writing songs with Ian Tyson, playing music behind a snake handler, the advice he would give a young songwriter and more! This episode also includes a…

Rick Hastie shares stories from 28 years of friendship with the legendary Ramblin' Jack Elliott. Rick is a horseman, sailor, and part-time road manager for Ramblin' Jack.

Sourdough Slim's passion for the music and culture of the 1920s is contagious! Listen in to hear Slim talk about vaudeville cowboys, hobo singers, the inspiration behind his name, bad gigs and more.

Old-time cowboy singer and author Don Hedgpeth discusses traditional cowboy songs, minstrels, why we have cowboy poetry gatherings and more.

Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland.

Randy Rieman explains the process of braiding a rawhide reata, shares about his passion for the spoken word, and recites a horse poem from the Australian tradition.

Respected horseman, rawhide braider, and reciter, Randy Rieman, reflects on the beginnings of his cowboy career in Montana, his early mentors, and the influence of legendary horsemen, Tom & Bill Dorrance.

Rodeo poet Paul Zarzyski talks about falling in love with the sound of words, writing songs with Ian Tyson and Wylie Gustafson, how to become an extreme creativist, and reads a brand new song lyric.

Paul Zarzyski talks about watching westerns with his father, how he became a bronc rider, giving of yourself as an artist, adopted humpback whales, and more!

Martha Scanlan talks about the first song she wrote, finding the groove in ranch work and music, and plays a stunning version of her song, "The Shape Of Things Gone Missing, The Shape Of Things to Come."