Fourth generation rancher Craig Haythorn talks about the history of Haythorn Land & Cattle Company, the influence of his father and grandfather, the Nebraska Sandhills, feeding with a team of horses, pulling out the wagon, changes in ranching, and his love for his family. This episode was sponsored by National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, T…

Cowboy and fashion photographer Scott Slusher talks about photographing working cowboys, authenticity, staying out of the way, and being in the right place at the right time. Learn more about Scott Slusher at www.scottslusherphotography.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads…

Arizona cowboy and writer Ed Ashurst tells stories of working with old-time cowboys Whistle Mills and Bill Howell and talks about his experiences on legendary Arizona outfits including the O RO Ranch, the Babbitt Ranch, and the Diamond A Ranch. Recorded onstage in front of a live audience at the 2nd Annual Ranch Verse. This episode was sponsored by…

Cowboy artist Teal Blake talks about his father Buckeye Blake, his western art influences, becoming a member of the Cowboy Artists of America, his artistic process, and his love for the West. Learn more about Teal Blake at www.tealblake.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads…

Third generation New Mexico rancher and author Carl Lane Johnson talks about his family's ranching history, his cowboy idol, breaking colts, treating screwworms, changes in the ranching industry and explains the difference between a cowboy, cowman, cattleman, and rancher. This episode was sponosred by the National Ranching Hertiage Center. Learn mo…

Wylie Gustafson of Wylie & The Wild West talks about the beginning of his musical career, the cowboy folk music of his father, the story of the Yahoo yodel, cutting horses, writing songs with Paul Zarzyski, and the workingman quality of cowboy poetry. Learn more about Wylie Gustafson at www.wyliewebsite.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossrods at www.…

Cowboy and horseman Martin Black talks about his family's deep ranching roots, being in cow camp with his brother at eight years old, ranching changes in the Great Basin, the disappearance of the wagon, and the horsemanship philosophy of his mentors Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, and Tom Marvel. Learn more about Martin Black at www.martinblack.net Learn m…

Bluegrass legend Peter Rowan talks about his lifelong fascination with the West, amateur historians, and making the album High Lonesome Cowboy with Don Edwards. Learn more about Peter Rowan at www.peter-rowan.com This episode was sponsored by B2 Trading Company. Learn more about them at www.b2tradingcompany.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at…

Waddie Mitchell returns to Cowboy Crossroads to celebrate 100 episodes of the podcast. Waddie talks about making phone calls to Kris Kristofferson and S. Omar Barker, classic cowboy poetry, his recording career, and his favorite original poems. This interview was recorded onstage in front of a live audience at the Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering …

Legendary western photographer Barbara Van Cleve talks about growing up at the end of the horse age, her family's Lazy K Bar Ranch, her father Spike Van Cleve, her collaborations with rodeo poet Paul Zarzyski, and her love for horses, ranching, and photography. Learn more about Barbara Van Cleve at www.barbaravancleve.com This episode was co-sponso…

Old-time musician Rex Rideout discusses the life and times of the first cowboy song collector Jack Thorp. Rex discusses the events that led to Thorp's search for cowboy songs, Thorp's book of Songs of the Cowboys, the story of Little Joe the Wrangler, and Thorp's banjo. Find out more about Rex at http://www.timetravelmusic.com Find out more about C…

Ninety-one year-old legendary working cowboy Boots O'Neal talks about his early cowboyin' experiences on the JA Ranch, starting colts with his brother Wes, horse wrecks, and tells stories from a lifetime spent punchin' cows on the most iconic ranches in Texas. Recorded in front of a live audience at the 2023 Ranch Verse event at the National Ranchi…

Oklahoma cowboy poet, rancher, and former bull rider Jay Snider talks about his ranching and rodeo family, the influence of his grandfather, memories from his rodeo career, and the camaraderie of the trail driving era that continues through rodeo and cowboy poetry. Find out more agout Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.p…

94-year-old rancher and Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee Clarence Lanka talks about growing up on a ranch in Western Nebraska, riding his horse to a one room school, roping, good horses, and his faith in God. Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossorads…

Working cowboy, filmmaker, songwriter, and poet Gail Steiger sends in audio postscripts to continue the conversation from part 1. On this episode Gail talks about his cowboy mentor Bill Murphy, making the film Ranch Album, tracking cattle, handling livestock, international herding cultures, and the friendships he's made through cowboy poetry.…

Working cowboy, filmmaker, songwriter, and poet Gail Steiger talks about his family background, Arizona politics, writing cowboy songs, and tells the facinating story of how he got into the cow business. Find out more about Gail Steiger at www.gailsteigermusic.com Find out more abot Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.pat…

This bonus episode of Cowboy Crosroads features a segment that Andy Hedges narrated for the American Songcatcher podcast about the first cowboy song collector Jack Thorp. In March 1889, Jack Thorp, a born-to-privilege Easterner who had grown into a leather-tough, saddle-wise trail hand, decided to track down the words to songs about cowboy life fro…

Bob Kinnan, the resident historian of the iconic King Ranch gives an overview of the history of the King Ranch from the ending of the Civil War to modern times and discusses the life and legacy of National Golden Spur Award recipient Helen Kleberg Groves. Find out more about the King Ranch at www.kingranch.com This episode is sponsored by the Natio…

Bob Kinnan, the resident historian of the iconic King Ranch, discusses his background and interest in ranching history and tells the story of the King Ranch from 1853 to the end of the Civil War. Fnd out more about the King Ranch at www.kingranch.com This episode was sponsored by the National Ranching Heritage Center. Find out more about them at ww…

Legendary western artist William Matthews discusses his early life and influences, traveling the world, painting album covers, using watercolor as a medium, and discovering and painting the buckaroo culture of the Great Basin. Find out more about William Mattews at www.williammatthewsstudio.com This episode is sponsored by B2 Trading Company. Find …

Andy Hedges previews his new album "Roll On, Cowboys" and takes a close look at the songs on the second disc with special guests Rod Taylor, Dom Flemons, Pipp Gillette, Corb Lund, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Michael Martin Murphey, Tom Russell, Randy Rieman, Brenn Hill, and Andy Wilkinson. FInd out more about Cowboy Crossroads and order the new album at…

Andy previews his new album "Roll On, Cowboys" and takes a close look at the songs with special guests Brenn Hill, Dom Flemons, Corb Lund, Pipp Gillette, Tom Russell, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Brigid Reedy, Waddie Mitchell, and Andy Wilkinson. Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads and order the new album at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.pa…

Cowboy, photographer and retired General Manager of the Pitchfork Ranch Bob Moorhouse talks about managing the Pitchfork Ranch, pulling out the wagon, tradition, cowboy etiquette, photography, horses, and preserving the authentic cowboy image. This episode is sponsored by the National Ranching Heritage Center. Find out more about them at www.ranchi…

Singer, songwriter, poet, and fiddler Brigid Reedy talks about growing up in Montana, the influence of her parents, playing music with her brother, attending the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, reciting poetry with Wallace McRae, playing music with Glenn Ohrlin, building gear with George Holt, and her future with music, poetry, and horses. You ca…

Fourth-generation rancher Jon Means tells stories from a lifetime of ranching in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. Jon talks about his great-grandfather coming to West Texas in 1884, ranching in the desert, stewardship, and the challenges that face ranching today. This episode was sponsored by the National Ranching Heritage Center. Find out more a…

Cowboy poet, humorist, and farrier Andy Nelson talks about traveling the Great Basin with his farrier father, his horse shoeing and cowboy mentors, cowboy humor, and writing poetry. Find out more about Andy Nelson at www.cowpokepoet.com This episode is sponsored by Flint Custom Hats. Find out more about Flint Custom Hats at www.flinthat.com Find ou…

Fifth-generation rancher and poet Deanna Dickinson McCall shares stories about her ranching heritage, raising her family on a ranch in the remote Great Basin region of Nevada, and absorbing the cowboy poetry tradition from her Texas grandparents. Find out more about Deanna Dickinson McCall at www.deannadickinsonmccall.com This episode is sponsored …

94 year-old, third generation rancher Jimmie Powell shares stories from a lifetime of ranching in West Texas. Jimmie discusses raising sheep and cattle, ranching conservation practices, his friendship with Elmer Kelton, and tells the story of his grandfather settling in West Texas. This episode is sponsored by the National Ranching Heritage Center.…

This is the second episode of a two part show exploring the life and work of the late Texas cowboy poet and singer Buck Ramsey. In this second part, cowboy poet Joel Nelson reflects on the importance of Buck Ramsey's book-length poem "Grass." This episode is sponsored by Jayson Jones Bits & Spurs. Find out more about Jayson Jones at www.jaysonjones…

This is the first episode of a two part show exploring the life and work of the late Texas cowboy poet and singer Buck Ramsey. In this first part, Buck Ramsey's widow Bette Ramsey shares about Buck's childhood, the influence of his Uncle Ed, his tragic horse wreck, and how Buck found his tribe through cowboy poetry. This episode is sponsored by Jay…

Third-generation California rancher and Golden Spur Award recipient John Lacey talks about his grandfather first coming to the Owens Valley in 1870, the values he learned from his father, raising Quarter Horses, and the challenges in the future for the ranching industry. This episode is sponsored by the National Ranching Heritage Center. Find out m…

Part two with horseman, rawhide braider, and reciter Randy Rieman discussing the life and letters of Charles M. Russell. In this episode, Randy talks about Russell's poetry and reads from letters that touch on Christmas, Buffalo Bill, Hollywood, prohibition, the changing West, and Russell's relationship with pioneer preacher Brother Van. Find out m…

Horseman, braider, and reciter Randy Rieman returns to Cowboy Crossroads to discuss the Illustrated Letters of Charles M. Russell. In part one, Randy talks about Russell's life and work, discusses early Montana history, and reads from a few of Russell's letters. Find out more about Randy Rieman at www.randyrieman.com This episode was sponsored by J…

Singer/songwriter Trinity Seely talks about growing up in the remote Chilcotin country of British Columbia, working on ranches in Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Montana, becoming the Director of the Horse Program at The Thatcher School, and conveying emotion through music. Find out more about Trinity Seely at www.trinityseely.com Find out more about …

Part 2 with rodeo announcer, boot salesman, history professor, and writer Dr. Charles "Bud" Townsend. In this episode Dr. Townsend talks about teaching history, how rodeo influenced his academic career, and how he became a salesman with Olsen-Stelzer Boots. Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.c…

Dr. Charles Bud Townsend shares stories from a lifetime as a rodeo announcer, boot salesman, history professor, and writer. Tune in to hear about his family history, how he became a rodeo announcer, and the story of writing the definitive biography of Bob Wills. Along the way he tells stories about Jimmie Rodgers, Ruth Roach, and Bob Wills. Find ou…

1. Night Whispers 2. The Found Key 3. My Raindrop 4. Voices In The Quiet 5. A Soldier's Last MinuteBy Carl Martin Johnson

Fourth-generation rancher Linda Davis talks about growing up on the Tequesquite Ranch in the 1930s, becoming a part of the Bell Ranch cowboy crew as a 5 year old, and spending her life on the historic CS Ranch in northeastern New Mexico. She tells stories about rattlesnakes, learning to read from cowboys, her father's favorite cowboy poet, and her …

1. Sunshine 2. Who Will Take My Memories 3. I Feel God 4. The Turning 5. Behind A Star 6. Mexican Release 7. Reflection On LeavingBy Carl Martin Johnson

1. My Soul's First Dawn 2. Ghost Wind 3. A Fine Word 4. Love Briefly 5. Sing To Me 6. The Storm's Gift 7. The Tear 8. Moon Kiss 9. Wake Me If I Sleep 10. Starlight Shadows 11. Only DreamingBy Carl Martin Johnson

1. Nightwatch 2. Alive 3. Windsong 4. Where The Stars Hide 5. Custer 6. Cloud Mountains 7. The Autumn Wind 8. Butterfly 9. Things I Lost Along The Way 10. The Janitor 11. Lay Your Body DownBy Carl Martin Johnson

1. My Tree 2. A Woman In My Arms 3. The Laggard 4. The Great Wind 5. Last Look 6. Passing Through 7. The Abandoned PhotographBy Carl Martin Johnson

Rancher and musician Dale Burson talks about his deep ranching roots, his love of the ranching lifestyle, playing music with his kids, the cowboy code, and the rich musical traditions of the Texas panhandle. Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads…

1. The Life Spark's Dimming 2. Breath 3. Walk Into The Storm With Me 4. Montana Wind 5. Shadow People 6. Audition For Immortality 7. The Tree Where God Sings 8. The Poet's World By Starlight 9. The Watchful Ghost 10. Jenny's Yard 11. My Sweet Summer Is GoneBy Carl Martin Johnson

1. The Last Spark 2. Holy Murmur 3. Cloud World 4. Answers 5. Cinnamon 6. Raindrop 7. Gentle Breezes 8. Immortal 9. My Sleep 10. The Fleeting Word 11. Night VoicesBy Carl Martin Johnson

1. Embracing The Storm 2. A Red Rose In The Graveyard 3. Wounded Warrior 4. Ghost Hour 5. Her Laughter 6. Things I Left Behind 7. The Man Under The Tree 8. A Soul Slid Past 9. I Lived A Long Life 10. Ghost Voice In The Night 11. The Divine ConversationBy Carl Martin Johnson

1. Poet 2. Banshee On The Wind 3. The Red Horseman 4. My Advice To The Sun 5. Courage 6. Humanity's Worth 7. Start Again 8. The Crippled Warrior 9. Fade Soft Into The Night 10. The Dancing Girl 11. Fleeting LovesBy Carl Martin Johnson

1. Quiet Village 2. The Hand 3. The Hangman 4. Listen To The Quiet 5. Silence 6. The Angel 7. The Music 8. Face To The Wind 9. Death Of My Dog 10. Escape Of My Damned Soul 11. Lost MemoriesBy Carl Martin Johnson

Legendary cutting horse trainer Buster Welch talks about his family history and childhood in Sterling City, Texas, leaving home at 14 to work for the Proctor Ranch in Midland, Texas, and shares stories and observations from a lifetime of working with cutting horses. At 93 years old, Buster Welch is a living link to the last of the old-time cowboys …

1. Midnight Ghosts 2. Death, Show Me Your Face 3. My Father's Grave 4. The Sound Of One Hand Clapping 5. The Whirlwind 6. The Disappearing Path 7. Love I Have Not Met 8. The Unopened Door 9. New Son 10. A Ghost Dancing 11. The End Of ThingsBy Carl Martin Johnson