This Week in the West

🤠This Week in the West🎙️ Episode 54: 70 Years Celebrating the West at The Cowboy
📢 Episode Summary:This episode of This Week in The West celebrates the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s own story—marking the 70th anniversary of its founding and the 60th anniversary of its building. The episode takes listeners back to November 11, 1955, when 3,000 people gathered northeast of Oklahoma City to watch Governor Raymond Gary hand over the deed to the land that would become home to “The Cowboy.” The idea for a museum honoring the cowboy—an authentic American icon—originated with Chester Reynolds, a Lee Jeans salesman who worked closely with rodeo cowboys across the country.
Reynolds first announced his vision in 1953, and momentum quickly grew. Delegates and supporters soon agreed the museum should represent not just rodeo, but the full history of the American West. Multiple cities competed to host the project, but Oklahoma City won with its ideal Route 66 location, rodeo connections, donated land, and funding support. On dedication day, trustees also selected the first five Great Westerners, including Theodore Roosevelt, Charles Goodnight, and Will Rogers.
The episode then traces the museum’s evolution—from opening in 1965 to expanding exhibits, adding the Prix de West, and becoming home to major Western art and heritage collections. Today, the 220,000-square-foot museum preserves more than 700,000 photographs, thousands of books and archives, and the donation collections of icons like Roy Rogers and John Wayne. With new exhibitions ahead, including an immersive experience and a Route 66 gallery, The Cowboy continues fulfilling Reynolds’ dream of honoring the people and stories of the American West.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
How a traveling rodeo salesman sparked the idea for a national museum honoring cowboys and Western heritage.
Why Oklahoma City was chosen over Dodge City and Colorado Springs to become the museum’s permanent home.
How The Cowboy has grown over 70 years—its halls of fame, world-class art shows, massive archival collection, and future exhibitions.
👥 Behind the ScenesHost: Seth SpillmanProducer: Chase SpiveyWriter: Mike Koehler
🔗 Further research:
Our website: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/
The Dickinson Research Center: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/drc/
New footage of the 1965 Grand Opening Parade with John Wayne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecE8BZqlVbQ&t=63s
📬 Connect With Us:🌐 Website: www.thecowboy.org📖 Read Our Blog: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/blog/📩 Email: podcast@thecowboy.org📲Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ncwhm/📷Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalcowboymuseum❎X/Twitter: https://x.com/ncwhm💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cowboy-&-western-heritage-museum
🗺️ Visit Us: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111. See us on the map
🎟️: You can now buy tickets to The Cowboy online, go to https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/tickets/💡 Support Us:🏅Become A Member of the Museum: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/support/memberships/
🛒Shop at Persimmon Hill, our Museum store: https://persimmonhillstore.com/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:🔹 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-the-west/id1776228708🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KYmd2BumVtQVH1ez1Cr2U🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFoE2kU21JpX9T6W9NonXuD9UapS1TsmN🔹Podbean: https://thisweekinthewest.podbean.com/ 
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate & review!

🤠This Week in the West🎙️ Episode 53: Roy Rogers - How Leonard Slye Became the Legendary Cowboy
📢 Episode Summary:This episode of This Week in The West celebrates the life of Leonard Franklin Slye — better known to the world as Roy Rogers — born this week in 1911. Roy’s story began far from Hollywood, in poverty on the Ohio River. After the Depression forced his family west, he worked migrant farm jobs in California, living a life reminiscent of The Grapes of Wrath. But in those hard years he discovered his voice. With a mandolin, a guitar, and a yodel, the shy farm kid stepped behind a microphone for the first time in 1931 — and a new chapter began.
Roy’s talent led him to join early Western music groups in Los Angeles, eventually forming the Sons of the Pioneers. Their harmonies and radio presence earned national fame. When fellow singing cowboy Gene Autry left film to serve in World War II, Roy stepped forward to fill the void. That’s when Leonard Slye became Roy Rogers — a strong-sounding cowboy name paired with a tribute to Will Rogers. His rise was staggering: for 16 straight years he ranked among the top money-making Western stars, with a string of hit movies and record-setting popularity.
Roy’s charm extended far beyond the screen. He mastered early celebrity branding, turning his image into toys, lunchboxes, comics, and even a restaurant chain. His iconic palomino Trigger became a Hollywood star in his own right, and the partnership only grew when Roy married singer Dale Evans in 1947. Together they moved into television, closing each episode with Dale’s famous sign-off, “Happy trails to you…” Their 50-year marriage and enduring legacy earned Roy the title “King of the Cowboys,” a testament to resilience, talent, and humble beginnings.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
How a struggling farm kid named Leonard Slye became Roy Rogers, the “King of the Cowboys
 Why the Sons of the Pioneers changed Western music and launched Rogers into stardom
 How Trigger, Dale Evans, and smart business instincts turned Roy into a cultural icon
👥 Behind the ScenesHost: Seth SpillmanProducer: Chase SpiveyWriter: Mike Koehler
🔗 Further research:
The Official Roy Rogers Website: https://royrogers.com/
The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Media Archives at the Dickinson Research Center here at The Cowboy: https://images.nationalcowboymuseum.org/collections-a-z/roy-rogers-and-dale-evans-media-archives
Roy Rogers on David Letterman, 1983: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_z2UP8QnNk
📬 Connect With Us:🌐 Website: www.thecowboy.org📖 Read Our Blog: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/blog/📩 Email: podcast@thecowboy.org📲Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ncwhm/📷Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalcowboymuseum❎X/Twitter: https://x.com/ncwhm💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cowboy-&-western-heritage-museum
🗺️ Visit Us: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111. See us on the map
🎟️Tickets: You can now buy tickets to The Cowboy online, go to https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/tickets/💡 Support Us:🏅Become A Member of the Museum: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/support/memberships/
🛒Shop at Persimmon Hill, our Museum store: https://persimmonhillstore.com/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:🔹 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-the-west/id1776228708🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KYmd2BumVtQVH1ez1Cr2U🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFoE2kU21JpX9T6W9NonXuD9UapS1TsmN🔹Podbean: https://thisweekinthewest.podbean.com/ 
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate & review!

🤠This Week in the West🎙️ Episode 52: The Prince and the Painter - the story of Karl Bodmer
📢 Episode Summary:Karl Bodmer may have been born along the Rhine River, but his greatest artistic legacy came from his journey up the Missouri. This episode of This Week in the West follows the young Swiss artist who, at just 23 years old, joined Prince Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied on an ambitious scientific expedition through the American frontier in the 1830s. Their goal was to record the landscapes, wildlife, and Indigenous peoples of North America with accuracy and respect—and Bodmer’s brush brought those goals to life.
As they traveled thousands of miles by steamboat, keelboat, and on foot, Bodmer captured the world of the upper Missouri in stunning detail. His portraits of the Omaha, Mandan, Minatarre, Sioux, and Assiniboine peoples are celebrated for their humanity and precision, offering an irreplaceable visual record of cultures that were soon devastated by disease and displacement. Despite hardships that included freezing paints and dangerous travels, Bodmer produced hundreds of sketches and watercolors that became the foundation for Travels in the Interior of North America, published in the 1840s.
After returning to Europe, Bodmer continued to paint and eventually inspired artists like Claude Monet. Though he died in relative obscurity in 1893, his legacy endures in his 81 aquatints—works that remain among the most important artistic and ethnographic documents of the American West. Through his eye and hand, the frontier lives on in color, compassion, and truth.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
How Karl Bodmer’s expedition with Prince Maximilian documented Native peoples and landscapes of the early 19th-century American frontier
Why Bodmer’s detailed aquatints remain vital both as art and as ethnographic history
How his influence extended beyond the West, inspiring future artists such as Claude Monet
👥 Behind the ScenesHost: Seth SpillmanProducer: Chase SpiveyWriter: Mike Koehler
🔗 Further research:
Videos and images about Bodmer from the Metropolitan Museum of Art https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2021/karl-bodmer-north-american-portraits
The National Mississippi River Museum Hall of Fame: Karl Bodmer: https://www.rivermuseum.org/inductees/artists-writers-and-musicians/karl-bodmer
From Swann Auction Galleries, an overview of Bodmer’s work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oNwMc4APIM
📬 Connect With Us:🌐 Website: www.thecowboy.org📖 Read Our Blog: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/blog/📩 Email: podcast@thecowboy.org📲Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ncwhm/📷Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalcowboymuseum❎X/Twitter: https://x.com/ncwhm💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cowboy-&-western-heritage-museum
🗺️ Visit Us: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111. See us on the map🎟️You can now buy tickets online at www.thecowboy.org/tickets
💡 Support Us:🏅Become A Member of the Museum: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/support/memberships/🛒Shop at Persimmon Hill, our Museum store: https://persimmonhillstore.com/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:🔹 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-the-west/id1776228708🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KYmd2BumVtQVH1ez1Cr2U🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFoE2kU21JpX9T6W9NonXuD9UapS1TsmN🔹Podbean: https://thisweekinthewest.podbean.com/ 
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate & review!

🤠This Week in the West🎙️ Episode 51: The Thrilling Cowgirl Life of Lucille Mulhall 
📢 Episode Summary:Lucille Mulhall’s story begins with a legendary encounter involving Theodore Roosevelt and a roped wolf—an act that launched her into Western folklore. Born in St. Louis and raised on the Oklahoma frontier, Lucille grew up on the Mulhall Ranch, where her father’s traveling Wild West shows introduced her to the world of performance and competition. As a teenager, she was already out-roping men and dazzling audiences with her skill and poise.
Her talent and grit made her the first woman many Americans called a “cowgirl.” Performing alongside names like Will Rogers, Mulhall redefined the role of women in rodeo and Western entertainment. She became a headliner at events across the U.S. and abroad, competing at the inaugural Calgary Stampede and even leading her own rodeo troupe—Lucille Mulhall’s Roundup—at a time when few women owned or managed such enterprises.
Mulhall’s legacy extended beyond the arena. Her independence and tenacity paved the way for generations of women in rodeo and the Western arts. Though her life ended tragically in 1940 near her family ranch.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
How Lucille Mulhall became one of America’s first true cowgirls, earning the admiration of Theodore Roosevelt and Will Rogers
How her performances and victories against male competitors reshaped perceptions of women in the early rodeo world
How her life and legacy continue to influence the image and identity of the Western cowgirl today
👥 Behind the ScenesHost: Seth SpillmanProducer: Chase SpiveyWriter: Mike Koehler
🔗 Further research:
Article on Mulhall, “The World’s Greatest Woman Roper”: https://teamropingjournal.com/ropers-stories/lucille-mulhall-the-worlds-greatest-woman-roper/
Lucille Mulhall and the Mulhall Wild West Show: https://flinthillsspecial.com/2020/12/04/lucille-mulhall-and-the-mulhall-wild-west-show/
Atlas Obscura: The Ballad of Lucille Mulhall: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-ballad-of-lucille-mulhall-americas-original-cowgirl
📬 Connect With Us:🌐 Website: www.thecowboy.org📖 Read Our Blog: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/blog/📩 Email: podcast@thecowboy.org📲Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ncwhm/📷Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalcowboymuseum❎X/Twitter: https://x.com/ncwhm💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cowboy-&-western-heritage-museum
🗺️ Visit Us: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111. See us on the map
💡 Support Us:🏅Become A Member of the Museum: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/support/memberships/🛒Shop at Persimmon Hill, our Museum store: https://persimmonhillstore.com/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:🔹 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-the-west/id1776228708🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KYmd2BumVtQVH1ez1Cr2U🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFoE2kU21JpX9T6W9NonXuD9UapS1TsmN🔹Podbean: https://thisweekinthewest.podbean.com/ 
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate & review!

🤠This Week in the West🎙️ Episode 50: Reg Kelser and the Invaluable Stock Contractors  
📢 Episode Summary:This episode of This Week in The West spotlights Reg Kesler, one of rodeo’s most versatile and influential figures. Born in Alberta in 1919, Kesler grew up immersed in ranch life and quickly took to rodeo, competing in nearly every event imaginable—from bronc and bull riding to tie-down roping and even wild cow milking. His skill and determination earned him multiple Canadian All-Around Championships and solidified his reputation as a fearless, all-around cowboy.
As Kesler’s career evolved, he recognized that rodeo was becoming more organized and professional. He saw the need for consistent, high-quality livestock that would challenge riders and thrill audiences. Transitioning from competitor to stock contractor, he began breeding and raising his own line of broncs and bulls—animals selected for strength, stamina, and the instinct to buck. By the 1950s and ’60s, his operation was supplying stock to major rodeos across North America, helping transform rodeo into the sport fans know today.
Kesler’s influence endures through the professional standards he helped establish for stock contracting—an essential, yet often overlooked, part of rodeo. His legacy stands alongside industry greats like Cotton Rosser and the Beutler family, and his induction into both the ProRodeo and National Rodeo Halls of Fame cements his place as one of rodeo’s founding fathers. As announcer Bob Tallman put it, Kesler embodied what rodeo is all about: grit, honesty, and excellence earned the hard way.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
How Reg Kesler rose from ranch cowboy to champion rodeo performer and pioneering stock contractor
Why the breeding and care of bucking stock are vital to modern rodeo’s success
How Kesler’s innovations helped shape rodeo into a professional, spectator-driven sport
👥 Behind the ScenesHost: Seth SpillmanProducer: Chase SpiveyWriter: Mike Koehler
🔗 Further research:
News article on the rodeo life of Reg Kelser: https://oldmissoula.com/reg-kessler-a-rodeo-life-by-kim-briggeman/
A look at the Kesler Family from NBC News Montana: https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/a-montana-rodeo-dynasty-broncs-bulls-and-family
Reg’s entry in the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame: https://www.canadianprorodeohalloffame.org/1989?rq=kesler
📬 Connect With Us:🌐 Website: www.thecowboy.org📖 Read Our Blog: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/blog/📩 Email: podcast@thecowboy.org📲Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ncwhm/📷Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalcowboymuseum❎X/Twitter: https://x.com/ncwhm💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cowboy-&-western-heritage-museum
🗺️ Visit Us: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111. See us on the map
💡 Support Us:🏅Become A Member of the Museum: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/support/memberships/🛒Shop at Persimmon Hill, our Museum store: https://persimmonhillstore.com/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:🔹 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-the-west/id1776228708🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KYmd2BumVtQVH1ez1Cr2U🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFoE2kU21JpX9T6W9NonXuD9UapS1TsmN🔹Podbean: https://thisweekinthewest.podbean.com/ 
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate & review!

🤠This Week in the West🎙️ Episode 49: Ty Murray, All-Around Rodeo Greatness 
📢 Episode Summary:This episode of This Week in the West celebrates Ty Murray, one of the most accomplished rodeo cowboys in history. Born in Arizona on October 11, 1969, Murray grew up surrounded by rodeo culture—his parents were both accomplished riders, and his mother was even a two-time bull riding champion. From a young age, Ty set his sights on greatness, training relentlessly and studying gymnastics to improve his balance and agility. His dedication paid off when he met his idol, rodeo legend Larry Mahan, who took him under his wing.
Murray’s rise was meteoric. He joined the PRCA at 18, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 1988, and by 1989, he became the youngest cowboy ever to win the All-Around World Championship. He went on to tie Jim Shoulders’ record of six consecutive titles and later surpassed his mentor, Larry Mahan, with a seventh in 1998. Known for his courage, he repeatedly faced legendary bulls like Bodacious and Red Wolf, enduring broken bones and dislocated shoulders while creating some of the sport’s most iconic moments.
Beyond the arena, Murray helped shape modern rodeo by co-founding Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) in 1992, elevating bull riding to a global sport. Even after retiring in 2002, he continued to promote the sport as a commentator, celebrity competitor, and ambassador. Inducted into both the National Rodeo Hall of Fame and PBR’s Heroes & Legends, Ty Murray remains a symbol of grit, humility, and the enduring spirit of the cowboy.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
How Ty Murray’s family heritage and early training shaped his path to rodeo greatness
The story behind his record-breaking career and his legendary duels with bulls like Bodacious and Red Wolf
How Murray’s vision and leadership helped found the PBR, transforming bull riding into a global phenomenon
👥 Behind the ScenesHost: Seth SpillmanProducer: Chase SpiveyWriter: Mike Koehler
🔗 Further research:
The PBR: https://www.pbr.com/
Ty Murray on Dancing with the Stars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i7Hi8sRZJE
Ty Murray on the Dale Brisby podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_W3tue2tQs
📬 Connect With Us:🌐 Website: www.thecowboy.org📖 Read Our Blog: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/blog/📩 Email: podcast@thecowboy.org📲Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ncwhm/📷Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalcowboymuseum❎X/Twitter: https://x.com/ncwhm💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cowboy-&-western-heritage-museum
🗺️ Visit Us: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111. See us on the map
💡 Support Us:🏅Become A Member of the Museum: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/support/memberships/🛒Shop at Persimmon Hill, our Museum store: https://persimmonhillstore.com/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:🔹 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-the-west/id1776228708🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KYmd2BumVtQVH1ez1Cr2U🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFoE2kU21JpX9T6W9NonXuD9UapS1TsmN🔹Podbean: https://thisweekinthewest.podbean.com/ 
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate & review!

🤠This Week in the West🎙️ Episode 48: Gene Autry, the Hollywood Cowboy Who Did It All
📢 Episode Summary:Gene Autry, the Singing Cowboy, was born in Texas in 1907 and grew up in Oklahoma, where his love for music was nurtured while working as a telegraph operator. Encouraged by Will Rogers, Autry began performing on radio, eventually landing record deals and breaking into film with a persona that combined cowboy grit, musical talent, and wholesome charm. His horse, Champion, became almost as famous as he was, and his popularity soared through movies, radio shows, and merchandise that made him a household name.
When World War II began, Autry set aside his Hollywood stardom to serve as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After the war, he returned to the screen, launched his own production company, and continued a remarkable music career that included holiday classics such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Here Comes Santa Claus. His recordings have sold more than 100 million copies, and he has become forever linked with Christmas traditions.
Autry was more than an entertainer—he was a businessman, rancher, rodeo stock contractor, and the founding owner of the Los Angeles Angels baseball team. He left behind Melody Ranch, the Autry Museum of the American West, and the distinction of being the only person with stars in all five categories of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His influence on Western film, country music, and American popular culture remains unmatched.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
How Gene Autry rose from a small-town telegraph operator to one of Hollywood’s most beloved cowboys
The role Autry played in shaping both Western film and country music, as well as his service during World War II
How Autry built a lasting legacy through business ventures, holiday music, and cultural landmarks like the Autry Museum of the American West
👥 Behind the ScenesHost: Seth SpillmanProducer: Chase SpiveyWriter: Mike Koehler
🔗 Further research:
Official site of Gene Autry: https://www.geneautry.com/home.php
A dive into Autry’s baseball ownership legacy: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/gene-autry/
The Autry Museum of the American West: https://theautry.org/
📬 Connect With Us:🌐 Website: www.thecowboy.org📖 Read Our Blog: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/blog/📩 Email: podcast@thecowboy.org📲Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ncwhm/📷Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalcowboymuseum❎X/Twitter: https://x.com/ncwhm💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cowboy-&-western-heritage-museum
🗺️ Visit Us: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111. See us on the map
💡 Support Us:🏅Become A Member of the Museum: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/support/memberships/🛒Shop at Persimmon Hill, our Museum store: https://persimmonhillstore.com/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:🔹 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-the-west/id1776228708🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KYmd2BumVtQVH1ez1Cr2U🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFoE2kU21JpX9T6W9NonXuD9UapS1TsmN🔹Podbean: https://thisweekinthewest.podbean.com/ 
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate & review!

🤠This Week in the West🎙️ Episode 47: Cowboy poet Badger Clark
📢 Episode Summary:Charles Badger Clark was the first poet laureate of South Dakota and one of the most enduring cowboy poets of the American West. Born in 1883, his life took him from Iowa to Dakota Territory and eventually to the deserts of Arizona, where a battle with tuberculosis set him on the path of writing. His time working on ranches gave him a firsthand understanding of cowboy life, which would become the heart of his poetry.
Clark’s verse captured the rugged independence, loneliness, and beauty of Western life. His first published poem, Ridin’ (1907), quickly resonated with readers, and his collection Sun and Saddle Leather cemented his reputation as a voice of the plains. His work combined simple language with deep insight, making it accessible to both cowboys on the range and urban readers fascinated by the West.
Later in life, Clark returned to South Dakota and lived in a cabin in Custer State Park, where he wrote and welcomed visitors for three decades. His poetry not only preserved the cowboy experience but also shaped how generations imagined the American West—an enduring contribution to both literature and cultural identity.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
How Badger Clark’s early struggles and time in the Arizona desert shaped his poetic voice
Why Sun and Saddle Leather became a foundational work of cowboy poetry
How Clark’s life in a remote cabin reflected the themes of independence and solitude found in his verse
👥 Behind the ScenesHost: Seth SpillmanProducer: Chase SpiveyWriter: Mike Koehler
🔗 Further research:
[Link 1 - Relevant article, book, or resource]
[Link 2 - Sponsor or affiliate link (if applicable)]
[Link 3 - Any additional references]
📬 Connect With Us:🌐 Website: www.thecowboy.org📖 Read Our Blog: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/blog/📩 Email: podcast@thecowboy.org📲Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ncwhm/📷Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalcowboymuseum❎X/Twitter: https://x.com/ncwhm💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cowboy-&-western-heritage-museum
🗺️ Visit Us: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111. See us on the map
💡 Support Us:🏅Become A Member of the Museum: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/support/memberships/🛒Shop at Persimmon Hill, our Museum store: https://persimmonhillstore.com/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:🔹 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-the-west/id1776228708🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KYmd2BumVtQVH1ez1Cr2U🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFoE2kU21JpX9T6W9NonXuD9UapS1TsmN🔹Podbean: https://thisweekinthewest.podbean.com/ 
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate & review!

🤠This Week in the West🎙️ Episode 46: The Legendary Record-Breaking Career of Bull Rider Don Gay
📢 Episode Summary:In this episode, we pay tribute to rodeo legend Don Gay, whose name surfaced repeatedly when fans were asked to name the greatest bull rider of all time. We take listeners through Gay’s extraordinary life and record-breaking career, timed with Gay’s birthday week, September 18. Born into a rodeo family in Mesquite, Texas, Don’s journey began early under the guidance of his father Neal Gay, himself a rodeo pioneer being inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame this year.
Don Gay’s career was marked by unmatched dominance in professional bull riding. After joining the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association as a teenager, Don quickly rose to prominence, earning eight world championships between 1974 and 1984—a record that still stands. His legendary 97-point ride on the bull Oscar, and his performance in the only sudden-death ride-off in National Finals Rodeo history, cemented his place in rodeo lore. He was known not only for his skill but also for his work ethic, even flying himself to rodeos to maximize his competitive schedule.
Though he retired from riding in 1989, Don Gay remained a vital figure in the rodeo world through business, broadcasting, and promoting the sport. He founded the Don Gay Bull Riding Tour and became a beloved commentator on networks like ESPN and The Cowboy Channel. His lifetime of contributions has been recognized by multiple halls of fame. The episode closes with one of Don’s favorite reflections—reminding listeners that the “bumps” in life are often what keep us riding forward.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
Why Don Gay is considered one of the greatest bull riders in history, with a record-setting eight world championships.
How his early life and family background shaped his path into the rodeo world.
Don Gay’s lasting influence on the sport through commentary, entrepreneurship, and legacy-building after retirement.
👥 Behind the ScenesHost: Seth SpillmanProducer: Chase SpiveyWriter: Mike Koehler
🔗 Further research:
Interview on Dale Brisby’s podcast: https://youtu.be/QgJjXgBriEg?si=MlZebMkxJ6Ajhv2D
Cowboy Life’s video story on Don Gay’s career: https://youtu.be/yXi9cQdzx8o?si=hO_qnk0moNmkWvDA
Spotlight article by the Choctaw Nation: https://togetherweremore.com/competitors/don-gay/
📬 Connect With Us:🌐 Website: www.nationalcowboymuseum.org📖 Read Our Blog: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/blog/📩 Email: podcast@nationalcowboymuseum.org📲Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ncwhm/📷Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalcowboymuseum❎X/Twitter: https://x.com/ncwhm💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cowboy-&-western-heritage-museum
🗺️ Visit Us: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111. See us on the map
💡 Support Us:🏅Become A Member of the Museum: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/support/memberships/🛒Shop at Persimmon Hill, our Museum store: https://persimmonhillstore.com/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:🔹 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-the-west/id1776228708🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KYmd2BumVtQVH1ez1Cr2U🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFoE2kU21JpX9T6W9NonXuD9UapS1TsmN🔹Podbean: https://thisweekinthewest.podbean.com/ 
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate & review!

🤠This Week in the West🎙️ Episode 45: This Week in the West: The Origin of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association
📢 Episode Summary:The Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA) was born out of a simple conversation in Elko, Nevada, in 1998, when craftsmen like Mike Beaver and Cary Schwarz dreamed of elevating cowboy gear—saddles, spurs, rawhide, and silverwork—from utility to recognized fine art. Inspired by the success of the Cowboy Artists of America, they envisioned a similar group for traditional artisans and gained momentum through meetings with fellow masters and the support of banker Don Bellamy.
The idea found its home in Oklahoma City, when the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum agreed to host the first exhibition. By coin toss, the new organization was named the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association, and on September 11, 1999, its debut exhibition transformed saddles and spurs into gallery-worthy works of art. The show’s success cemented the TCAA’s role as a bridge between craftsmanship and fine art.
Over the years, the TCAA has grown beyond exhibitions to become a hub for mentorship, education, and preserving traditions for future generations. Now celebrating more than 25 years, the TCAA continues to showcase the artistry of the West while ensuring its heritage is carried forward through skill, creativity, and community.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
How the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association began with a coin toss, handshake deals, and a dream to elevate cowboy craftsmanship into fine art.
Why the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum became the home for the TCAA’s first exhibition in 1999.
How the TCAA expanded from showcasing artistry to mentoring, teaching, and preserving cowboy traditions for future generations.
👥 Behind the ScenesHost: Seth SpillmanProducer: Chase SpiveyWriter: Mike Koehler
🔗 Further research:
The TCAA Art Exhibition & Sale Website: https://tcaa.nationalcowboymuseum.org/
TCAA Official Site: https://tcowboyarts.org/
Cowboy Renaissance, a book about the history of the TCAA: https://persimmonhillstore.com/products/cowboy-renaissance-the-traditional-cowboy-arts-association
📬 Connect With Us:🌐 Website: www.nationalcowboymuseum.org📖 Read Our Blog: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/blog/📩 Email: podcast@nationalcowboymuseum.org📲Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ncwhm/📷Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalcowboymuseum❎X/Twitter: https://x.com/ncwhm💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cowboy-&-western-heritage-museum
🗺️ Visit Us: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111. See us on the map
💡 Support Us:🏅Become A Member of the Museum: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/support/memberships/🛒Shop at Persimmon Hill, our Museum store: https://persimmonhillstore.com/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:🔹 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-the-west/id1776228708🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KYmd2BumVtQVH1ez1Cr2U🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFoE2kU21JpX9T6W9NonXuD9UapS1TsmN🔹Podbean: https://thisweekinthewest.podbean.com/ 
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate & review!