Cowboy Crossroads

Cowboy conservationist, photographer, and packer Kent Reeves joins the show to talk about photographing cowboy poets, his decades long work in rangeland conservation, and the 30th anniversary of his landmark book with Anne Heath Widmark Between Earth and Sky: Poets of the Cowboy West. Learn more about Kent Reeves at www.kentreeves.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Support the podcast and become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

Horseman and poet Tom Sharpe talks about his background in the livestock industry, the similarities between working with horses and writing poetry, and the life and work of classic cowboy poet Henry Herbert Knibbs. Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Support the podcast and become a Patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

Recorded live at the 2025 Ranch Verse, Joel Nelson returns to Cowboy Crossroads to share stories from his earliest memories of livestock and being horseback. Joel reflects on his time working at the 06 Ranch, the influence of Ray Hunt, horsemanship, and poetry. This episode was recorded live and sponsored by the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock. Learn more at www.ranchingheritage.org. Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com. Support the podcast and become a Patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads.

Old-time cowboy and fiddler JM Cates was born in 1936. This interview was recorded on August 22nd, just 8 days before his 89th birthday and a little over a month before he passed away on October 2nd. On this episode, JM talks about learning how to work from his father, his early cowboyin' jobs, playing music on ranches and at the Western Cowpunchers Association, and shares cowboy stories and wisdom from a lifetime of experience. This episode was sponsored by Flint Custom Hats. Check them out online at www.flinthat.com Thank you to my friends at the Western Cowpunchers Association for arranging this interview. Check them out online at www.westerncowpunchers.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

Cowboy artist Bruce Greene talks about his beginnings as an artist, becoming a member of the Cowboy Artists of America, his artistic influences, his artistic process, and the working cowboy having a oneness with his environment. Photo by Ben Christensen. This episode was sponsored by the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas. Learn more at www.ranchingheritage.org Learn more about Bruce Greene at www.brucegreeneart.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

Old-time cowboy singer Skip Gorman talks about his journey into American folk music, attending the Newport Folk Festival as a kid, discovering cowboy music on 78 RPM records, the Celtic roots of cowboy music, the influence of Jimmie Rogers, the music of Jimmie Driftwood, his friendship with Yodeling Slim Clark, the difference between Bluegrass and Cowboy songs, and plays an old-time Texas fiddle tune with host Andy Hedges. Learn more about Skip Gorman at www.skipgorman.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

South Dakota poet and ranch wife Yvonne Hollenbeck talks about her fiddle playing father, making quilts, her friendship with Elizabeth Ebert and offers some parting words upon her retirement from the national cowboy poetry stage. This episode was sponosred by Flint Custom Hats. Learn more at www.flinthat.com Learn more about Yvonne Hollenbeck at www.yvonnehollenbeck.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

Cowboy, author, and videographer J.B. Zielke, AKA the Lost Cowboy, tells stories about cowboyin' in Australia, Argentina, Sweden, South Africa, Mexico, and Mongolia. Learn more about J.B. Zielke at www.thelostcowboy.com/ Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

Cowboy poet and rancher Bill Lowman talks about growing up ranching in North Dakota, where his cowboy poetry comes from, the very first Elko gathering, being mistaken for Claude Dallas by the FBI, founding the Dakota Cowboy Poetry Gathering, and shares the poem that got him invited to Elko. Learn more about Bill Lowman at www.lowmanslodge.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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, Texas. Learn more at www.ranchingheritage.org Learn more about Craig Haythorn and Haythorn Land & Cattle Co. at www.haythorn.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas. Learn more at www.ranchingheritage.org Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a Patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 more at www.ranchingheritage.org Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 in Alpine, Texas. Learn more about the Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering at www.lonestarcowboypoetry.com Learn more about Waddie Mitchell at www.waddiemitchell.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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-sponsored by the National Ranching Heritage Center and Art of the Cowgirl. Visit them at www.ranchingheritage.org and www.artofthecowgirl.com Learn more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas. This episode is sponsored by the National Ranching Heritage Center. Find out more about them at www.ranchingheritage.org Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 from cowboys singing in cow camps, at chuck wagons and line camps, in saloons—anywhere Thorp could find them, mostly in New Mexico and Texas. His course proved crucial to the evolution of cowboy culture and the publication of his Songs of the Cowboys, the first collection of folk songs in America in 1908. Find out more about the American Songcatcher podcast at www.americansongcatcher.com Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 National Ranching Heritage Center. Find out more bout them at www.ranchingheritage.org Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 www.ranchingheritage.org Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 out more about B2 Trading Company at www.b2tradingcompany.com Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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.ranchingheritage.org Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 can find out more about Brigid Reedy at www.brigidreedy.com This episode is sponsored by the Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Alpine, Texas. www.lonestarcowboypoetry.com Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 about them at www.ranchingheritage.org Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 by Jeff Tant with Tant Natural Resources. Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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. Find out more about them at www.ranchingheritage.org Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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.jaysonjonesspurs.com Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 Jayson Jones Bits & Spurs. Find out more about Jayson Jones at www.jaysonjonesspurs.com Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 more about them at www.ranchingheritage.org Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 more about Randy Rieman at www.randyrieman.com This episode was sponsored by Flint Custom Hats. Find out more about Flint Custom Hats at www.flinthat.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 Jayson Jones Bits & Spurs. Find out more about Jayson Jones at www.jaysonjonesspurs.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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.com/cowboycrossroads

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 out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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 passion for horses and livestock. Find out more about Linda Davis and the CS Ranch at www.cscattle.com This episode was sponsored by the National Ranching Heritage Center. Find out more about them at www.ranchingheritage.org Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

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

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 and the open range methods of working with cattle and horses. This episode is sponsored by the National Ranching Heritage Center. Find out more about them at www.ranchingheritage.org Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patron at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads

Texas cowboy poet and songwriter Red Steagall stops by Cowboy Crossroads to talk about growing up in the Texas panhandle, his songwriting career, his rodeo album For All Our Cowboy Friends, writing cowboy poetry, his experiences on the Four Sixes Ranch and the values of the cow country. Find out more about Red Steagall at www.redsteagall.com This episode is sponsored by the National Ranching Heritage Center. Find out more about them at www.ranchingheritage.org Find out more about Cowboy Crossroads at www.andyhedges.com Become a patreon at www.patreon.com/cowboycrossroads