Podcast

Cowboy Life Episode 26

Don Murphy is well-known as an elite cow horse trainer, however his roots reach down into the ranching culture of the West Coast. Before training and showing was a sustainable business, he was cowboying in the steep hills of Northern California and embracing the traditions of vaquero horsemanship. His grandfather, Thomas Murphy, homesteaded near Mount Diablo and established a cattle ranch in 1873. Don Murphy was raised in the steep foothills, checking on cows and calves, roping steers and breaking colts. He was also learning the finer points of riding in the hackamore, two-rein and spade bit. After a few years in college and a short stint in the U.S. Army, he began working horses full-time during the late 1960s. As the reined cow horse industry grew, he trained and showed standouts such as Black Hawk Willie, RS Lilly Starlight and Bald N Shiney. During a career that spanned five decades, he trained 23 AQHA world and reserve world champions. He is also respected as a successful coach, helping both amateur competitors and professional trainers step up their game. Many horsemen agree that his savvy as a coach and a mentor stems from an understanding of how modern cow horse competition relates to traditional work done on a ranch.

Cowboy Life Episode 25

Red Steagall has sung the praises of cowboys and the ranching way of life for decades. As a musician, songwriter, cowboy poet and radio and television personality, his pursuits as an entertainer consistently shine the spotlight on America’s Western heritage. He is the official Cowboy Poet of Texas, hosts the TV show “Somewhere West of Wall Street,” and continues to perform his Western music across the country. His passion for preserving the Western lifestyle can be seen in the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering, his new book, Texas Red, and the soon-to-be-built Red Steagall Institute for Traditional Western Arts. For many years he joined the cowboy crews of the Four Sixes Ranch and the JA Ranch during spring works, which continued to inspire his poetry and songwriting. Here, he shares his story, which reveals the same type of perseverance, determination and work ethic that have shaped the American West.

Cowboy Life Episode 24

Gary Morton has spent a lifetime working on cattle outfits throughout the West, most notably the legendary Bell Ranch in New Mexico. He also has established himself as a respected Western artist, painting scenes of working cowboys and beautiful landscapes of the American West (visit garymortonart.com). As a founding member and current board member of the Working Ranch Cowboys Association, Morton has helped promote and preserve the ranching lifestyle for decades. Recently, he contributed to a new audio book, I’ll Drop You Off, which is a Christian devotional written by Kris Wilson. Learn more by sending an email to illdropyouoff40@gmail.com, or shop online at amazon.com.

Cowboy Life Episode 23

Jeff Williams has been starting colts for big ranches for four decades. Some of those outfits have included the Beggs, Haythorn, King, Muleshoe and Spades. Williams started out as a cowboy on various West Texas ranches, but it didn’t take long for him to discover that starting colts was his passion. He has continued to day-work on cow-calf operations, and he has competed in roping and ranch horse events. However, starting colts under saddle is his focus, and many ranches trust him to put a solid foundation on their youngsters and train select prospects for elite ranch production sales. The Post, Texas, horseman has also influenced countless young men and women who have worked for him, and he has judged at numerous ranch horse shows, ranch rodeos, and colt starting competitions such as Road to the Horse.

Cowboy Life Episode 22

At age 92, Boots O’Neal still gets horseback every day. The longtime Four Sixes Ranch cowboy was raised in West Texas and started working at age 15 in 1947. He has since hired on with legendary outfits such as the JA Ranch, Matador, Waggoner, Babbitts and now the Sixes. Despite encountering his share of broncy horses, snorty cows, merciless droughts, severe winter storms and visits to the emergency room — a couple of them recently — he has never wavered from his chosen occupation. He received the Working Cowboy Award from the National Ranching Heritage Center in 2018 and was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2023.

Cowboy Life Episode 21

The devastating Smokehouse Creek Fire in 2024 scorched many family ranches in the Texas Panhandle, including an operation run by Jason Pelham. Despite dealing with many natural disasters, the longtime cowboy and rancher has remained devoted to the cowboy life for four decades. Pelham wasn’t raised on a ranch, but he stepped into the cattle business as a young man. He worked on the famous Spade Ranches for many years, but now he runs cows with his daughter and son-in-law. Here, he discusses wildfires, freezing weather, great horses, and impressive people who have shaped his life.

Cowboy Life Episode 20

Steve Friskup has watched ranch horses skyrocket in value during the past few years, playing a crucial role as the auctioneer at the most elite sales in the Western industry. In addition to working at prestigious auctions such as the Western Heritage Classic and Return to the Remuda, he is the CEO for Clovis Horse Sales in Levelland, Texas, a sale that attracts consignments from many cowboys and ranchers. Friskup also auctioneers at National Cutting Horse Association event sales. Swinging a gavel and selling horses has been his passion since he was a teenager growing up in Oklahoma, and today he is regarded as the top auctioneer in the Western performance horse industry. He also commands a large following on social media through his “Coffee with the Colonel” videos, which are viewed by thousands of Facebook users five times a week.

Sponsored by Clovis Horse Sales in Levelland

Cowboy Life Episode 19

Donnell Brown mixes modern technology with deep-rooted ranching history on his family’s cattle operation in Throckmorton, Texas. The RA Brown Ranch is widely known for its leading Angus genetics, world-class bull sales, champion Quarter Horses and close family ties. Donnell explains how his family’s rich history, innovative business endeavors and traditional values guide the Browns into the 21^st century.

Cowboy Life Episode 18

Thomas Saunders V has left his mark on all arenas the cowboy lifestyle, working as a cattle rancher, colt starter, movie wrangler and stock contractor. His drive is fueled by the legacy left by generations of Saunders before him, who spearheaded cattle drives in the late 1800s, cultivated the early beef market in the Fort Worth Stockyards, and established a ranch in Weatherford, Texas, that still operates today.

Sponsored by National Ranching Heritage Center.

Cowboy Life Episode 17

Wild cow catcher Travis Ericsson describes the thrill of roping feral cattle in rugged country. It’s a skill and a passion he inherited from his father, legendary Arizona cowpuncher Dave Ericsson. Travis’ cowboy career also includes training rope horses, competing in rodeo and raising cattle in desert country.

Sponsored by Broken Arrow Crop Insurance.

Cowboy Life Episode 16

Ed Ashurst has cowboyed on the most iconic ranches in Arizona. His experiences working cattle in the mountains, deserts and along the Mexican border have inspired more than a dozen books, both fiction and nonfiction.

Sponsored by Broken Arrow Crop Insurance.

Cowboy Life Episode 15

John Welch says ranching is every bit as risky as skiing down a steep, forest hillside. Nevertheless, he and his family have built a cattle operation from scratch, something few people can claim in this modern era. He shares his insights and experiences from his ranch headquarters in southeastern Colorado.

Cowboy Life, Episode 14

Jolyn Young shares her stories about the life of a cowboy – from the perspective of a real-life ranch wife. It turns out that being married to a cowboy takes just as much nerve and grit as chasing down a wild cow. Jolyn is known for her captivating and humorous stories, sharing them through her blog, a regular magazine column, and her newly released book, Never Burn Your Moving Boxes.

Sponsored by Trafalgar Square Books. Listeners interested in purchasing Jolyn’s book, a true story about her experiences as a cowboy’s wife, can save 25% by visiting TrafalgarBooks.com or HorseandRiderBooks.com, and entering the code CLPOD.

Cowboy Life, Episode 13

Shannon Hall and Johnny Hill both learned the ropes of cowboying on the RO Ranch in the Texas Panhandle. Their baptism into the Western way of life included plenty of wild bronc rides and sticky predicaments, and they shared their stories on stage in Amarillo, Texas, during the 2023 World Championship Ranch Rodeo, hosted by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association.

Cowboy Life, Episode 12

Whitney Hall runs her family’s cattle ranch near Loco, Oklahoma. Her daily horseback job has helped her excel in ranch rodeos and ranch horse competition, as well as claim the World’s Greatest Horsewoman title in 2022. Despite all her accomplishments in the saddle, her greatest passion is taking care of cows and calves.

Cowboy Life, Episode 11

Inspired by the cowboy life he has lived, Tim Cox paints authentic scenes of modern ranchers, horsemen, cowgirls, cattle and horses. Although he has become one of today’s most recognizable Western artists, his early career was marked by remote cow camps, long days in the saddle, and late nights in front of his easel.

Cowboy Life, Episode 10

Tripp Townsend makes his living running yearling calves near Earth, Texas. He and his crew care for them in a feedlot and on irrigated what pastures northwest of Lubbock. His line of work doesn’t stop for bad weather or holidays, but it does include plenty of riding and roping in open country.

Cowboy Life, Episode 9

Kevin Meyer’s Wyoming ranching roots trace to his upbringing on a remote cow-calf operation in the southeastern part of the state. His horseback skills stem from a wide range of experiences, from wrangling on dude ranches, running yearlings in the Laramie Mountains, day-working on local cattle outfits, and managing Wagonhound Land & Livestock’s horse program for several years. These days, his cowboy background guides his approach to training cow horses and teaching horsemanship clinics at his facility near Douglas, Wyoming.

Cowboy Life, Episode 8

Ranching in southern Louisiana means dealing with swamps, alligators, wild cattle and hurricanes. And swimming saddle horses across a canal designed for barges is a necessary part of gathering Perry Ridge. The climate, wildlife and environment are quite unique on the Gray Ranch, a cow-calf operation with strong ties to standout stallions such as Grays Starlight and Taris Catalyst. Kent LeDoux, who managed the ranch for more than 40 years, sheds light on cowboy life in cajun country.

Cowboy Life, Episode 7

Singleton Ranches encompasses 1.2 million acres, with the majority of its rangeland spread throughout New Mexico and other divisions situated in California. The operation is respected for its modern beef program and award-winning cow horses. Three of Singleton’s managers, Greg Gudgell (left), Alex Carone (center) and Grant Mitchell, sit down to discuss how the ranching lifestyle perpetuates family values and sound work ethic.

Cowboy Life, Episode 6

Introduced to ranching at a young age, Jimbo Humphreys admits that he became a little jaded toward the lifestyle because of the rough way horses were handled and trained. But Ray Hunt’s gentler and more considerate approach to horsemanship drew him back. He has pursued cowboy life from various angles, making a living by punching cows, cooking on chuckwagons, training horses, building fences and corrals, crafting bits and spurs, and managing a large cow-calf operation.

Cowboy Life, Episode 5

Terry Forst oversees the oldest family-owned and -operated ranch in Oklahoma. With an award-winning Quarter Horse program, natural beef business, and abundant wildlife for hunting, the Stuart Ranch‘s staying power stems from hard work, innovation and close family ties.

Cowboy Life, Episode 4

Nebraska rancher Craig Haythorn talks about cowboying in the Sandhills, putting up hay with teams, and enduring deadly blizzards. Grit, devotion and quality horseflesh have been keys to his family running their cow-calf operation for five generations.

Cowboy Life, Episode 3

To celebrate the holiday season, Shawn Williams recites his poem,
“A Cowpuncher’s Night Before Christmas.” The entertainer and “highly trained cowboy fashion reporter” goes on to share his stories of working on large, historic cattle outfits such as Pitchfork Land & Cattle in Texas, the Bell Ranch in New Mexico, and the O RO in Arizona.

Cowboy Life, Episode 2

Although Shannon Hall’s early years were spent in an urban, broken home, fate reunited him with his cowboy father and drew him into ranch life. He made a name for himself training and competing on cutting horses at the highest level. Hall has since built a large cow-calf operation, which he and his family own and operate in southern Oklahoma.

Cowboy Life, Episode 1

Legendary cowpuncher Tom Moorhouse shares his experiences growing up and working on ranches throughout West Texas. His cowboy stories describe life on the wagon, his family’s ranching legacy, dealing with drought and the beginnings of ranch rodeo. He also details how the respected Great Basin horseman Ray Hunt introduced better training practices to old school Texas cowboys, and how that has improved horsemanship on today’s ranches