REAL SINGING COWBOYS Format: Paperback

The Real Singing Cowboys profiles contemporary cowboy--and cowgirl--singers and musicians who are, or have been, authentic working cowboys or ranchers, or involved in related occupations tied to ranching and cowboy culture. The book includes over fifty brief biographies and photos of the singers and musicians, including Glenn Ohrlin, Dave Stamey, Wylie Gustafson, and R.W. Hampton. The stories of traditional occupational songs of working cowboys and how that tradition continues in today’s world provide context for the contemporary performers included in the book.

These men, women, and children are, or have been, working cowboys, ranchers, packers, and horse trainers, or have deep roots in cowboy and ranching culture that have shaped and informed their music.

Charlie Seemann is the Executive Director Emeritus of the Western Folklife Center in Elko, Nevada. He holds an M.A. in Folklife Studies from the University of California at Los Angeles. He was an instructor in folklore and folk music at Moorpark College in California for 6 years, and then worked as a folklorist and Director of the Western Regional Folklife Festival for the National Park Service/Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco until 1981. He then moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he was Deputy Director at the Country Music Foundation/Country Music Hall of Fame for 12 years.