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.
Episode 20: Chuck Hawthorne
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.
Episode 19: Don Edwards
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.
Episode 18: Tom Russell
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…
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Episode 17: On the Road with Ramblin' Jack
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.
Episode 16: Last of the Vaudeville Cowboys with Sourdough Slim
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.
Episode 15: Old-Time Cowboy Songs with Don Hedgpeth
Old-time cowboy singer and author Don Hedgpeth discusses traditional cowboy songs, minstrels, why we have cowboy poetry gatherings and more.
Episode 14: Randy Rieman (Part 2)
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.
Episode 13: Randy Rieman (Part 1)
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.
Episode 12: Paul Zarzyski (Part 2)
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.
Episode 11: Paul Zarzyski (Part 1)
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!
Episode 10: Ranch Work Meets Music with Martha Scanlan
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."
Episode 9: Black Cowboy Songs with Dom Flemons
Dom Flemons talks with Andy about the African American influence on country music and cowboy songs and plays a soulful rendition of "Goodbye Old Paint."
Episode 8: Ramblin' Jack Elliott (Part 2)
The legendary Ramblin' Jack Elliott tells stories about a singing rodeo clown, Buck Ramsey, the White House, Gregory Peck, and Bill & Hillary Clinton.
Episode 7: Ramblin' Jack Elliott (Part 1)
Photo by Jessica Brandi Lifland.
Ever wondered what Ramblin' Jack Elliott's response would be to a smoke alarm going off? Listen to find out and and hear Jack talk about Brooklyn, baseball, dogs, bronc ridin', and…
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Episode 6: Writing Songs and Building Guitars with Guy Clark
Photo courtesy Noel McKay.
Noel McKay tells stories about his friendship with Guy Clark and plays a song that they co-wrote.
Episode 5: Michael Martin Murphey (Part 2)
Michael Martin Murphey talks about the making of Geronimo's Cadillac, his worst gig, and his first trip to the Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
Episode 4: Michael Martin Murphey (Part 1)
Michael Martin Murphey talks about learning cowboy songs as a kid in Texas and his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.
Episode 3: Ross Knox
Photo by Kurt Markus.
Ross Knox talks about cowboyin' on big outfits, packing mules in the Grand Canyon, and writing a song with Ian Tyson.
Episode 2: Waddie Mitchell (Part 2)
The second part of the interview with Waddie Mitchell where he tells stories about the first cowboy poem he ever heard, his love of literature, and appearing on the Johnny Carson show.