Cowboy Stories - podcast cover

Cowboy Stories

Cowboy Storiespodcasters.spotify.com
Welcome to the COWBOY STORIES podcast. Throughout my childhood, I always enjoyed listening to different cowboys tell their stories. Now, because of this podcast, I’ll have the opportunity to interview some of those cowboys and share their stories with you. My purpose in doing this is part education, part entertainment but it’s mostly to help preserve this way of life. We’re excited to have you on this journey with us!
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Episodes

Freddy Prather

Freddy Prather is 80 years old and lives in Paduka, TX. He didn't grow up with a ranching background but he knew it was what he wanted to do and he stuck with it. His first job as a cowboy paid him $140/month and he had to make that work to support his young family. He's worked on places like the 6666's, Triangles, Moorhouses and a few others. In 1985 he won reserve world champion in the NCHA on a horse called Fifth Jubilee. You'll hear all about that story and a bunch of others as you listen to...

Apr 04, 20251 hr 2 min

Sam Dove

Sam Dove and his wife Catherine live in Alpine, TX. His family ranched in central TX and he grew up admiring his grandfather. Ranching runs in his blood on both sides of the family. He went to college for a short time and received a degree in range animal science with a minor in chemistry. Throughout this episode, he talks about being involved in some of the last times the big ranches pulled the chuckwagon, he talks about a cowboys purpose, how to get through a drought, everything a cowboy does ...

Mar 03, 20251 hr 15 min

Clint Jones

Clint Jones grew up as a carpenter's son in Ropesville, TX. He got a taste for being a cowpuncher at a young age and never looked back. He has worked in multiple states, but currently works at the Pitchfork Ranch. We had a great conversation and I hope you all enjoy.

Feb 17, 20251 hr 4 min

Shawn Jack

Shawn Jack is from Blanding, UT and has always had a desire to be a rancher. In 2000 he got his foot in the door and from there he has been able to be successful in the industry. Shawn and his family run their cattle in some of the neatest country and if you haven't already, you need to check out their YouTube channel. It's called 1880 Drifters. Throughout this episode you'll understand how much he loves his family, loves ranching and enjoys being out in God's creation.

Feb 03, 20251 hr 22 min

Rod Devoll

Rod Devoll is from Alpine, TX and when he was growing up, he always wanted to be a cowboy. He day-worked for a lot of different outfits before ending up on the '06 ranch where he stayed for 30 years. Now, at 68 years old, he helps out the local rodeo team. My favorite quote from our conversation is, "Everybody can teach somebody something. And I believe that if you ever get too old to quit learnin' you might as well give up."

Jan 17, 202537 min

Mike Capron

Mike Capron is an 80 year old Texan who is a well-known artist and cowboy. He says he's always been fascinated by three things; ridin', ropin ', and paintin'. Throughout this episode you'll hear stories about his time in Vietnam, his relationship with God, his courtship with his wife, and some cowboy stories. My favorite quote from our conversation was, "If you can't live it baby, you can't paint it." If you want to learn more about Mike or if you'd like to see some of his work, head over to his...

Dec 31, 20241 hr 16 min

Shad Sullivan - Liberty, Freedom & The Beef Industry

Today we talk about Shad's history in agriculture and the reason he became so heavily involved in the politics that surround the beef industry. Shad is a 5th generation rancher who grew up in Colorado but currently lives in Texas. He's a HUGE advocate for liberty, freedom, and the beef industry. He says, "Where there is beef, there is freedom." As you listen to his episode, you'll understand what he means by that statement.

Nov 15, 20241 hr 5 min

Brad Good

Brad Good spent most of his childhood in New Mexico but currently lives in Texas and works on the Waggoner Ranch. Throughout our visit, you could tell he has a lot of respect for the people that he has been influenced by; especially his dad and uncles. When I asked him what the best part about living this kind of lifestyle was he said, "Getting to be in the middle of God's creation." He also shares his definition of a cowboy and it might be one of my favorite definitions to date. Hope you all en...

Oct 25, 20241 hr 5 min

Hayden Ballard & Chris Heaton - Grazing on National Monuments

Today I visited with Hayden Ballard and Chris Heaton. We discussed the issues that come along with trying to make a living running cattle on federal lands. We spent the majority of our time talking about why ranchers care about the policies associated with national monuments and how they directly affect them. We talked about the abuse of the Antiquities Act that the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bears Ears National Monument, and the Grand Canyon National Monument were created unde...

Oct 04, 20241 hr 22 min

Pratt Gates

In today’s episode, we talk about Pratt’s life and the memories he has of running cattle in the Escalante area, some of his best horses, and how he got started in ranching.

Oct 01, 20241 hr 21 minSeason 1Ep. 2

PeeWee Peebles

PeeWee Peebles grew up in Texas but currently works on a ranch in Arizona. Throughout this episode he talks about the importance of a good cow dog, the rough terrain and type of cattle he manages, and one of the worst wrecks he’s ever been in. He loves his family and he loves Christ. When speaking about his family he said, “I couldn’t do it without them.” When asked about the coolest places he’s ever been horseback he said, “I’m blown away by God’s creation.” He is also a talented bit and spur m...

Sep 20, 202454 min

Ray Chanley - Part 2

In part 2 of my conversation with Ray, he talks about a couple more places he worked at before he ended up in South Dakota. He tells us about his time in South Dakota and how he has helped with the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. Another notable thing about Ray is he is 62 years old and this year he entered the ranch bronc riding for his team at the Murdo Ranch Rodeo. That is the picture that you'll see attached to this episode.

Sep 06, 202449 min

Ray Chanley - Part 1

Ray Chanley grew up in California but currently lives in South Dakota. In Part 1 of our conversation, Ray talks about working at a sale barn while he was in school and how that led him to live the kind of life he lives. He also talks about his cross country pack trip that started on a beach in California and ended in New Mexico. That trip allowed him to have some cool experiences working for different people along the way. Hope you enjoy Part 1.

Aug 30, 202444 min

Skeet Gould - Part 3

In this episode with Skeet Gould he talks about family, his time in California, and the differences he noticed in California versus Arizona. If you've listened to Part 1 and Part 2, you know that he has also written a book. If you'd like to read more about his life and hear more stories, you can contact Skeet directly via Facebook to get a copy. Look up Skeet Gould on Facebook and send him a message.

Jul 15, 202435 min

Skeet Gould - Part 2

In part 2 of our conversation we talk about the longest place he ever stayed, learning how to AI cattle, a horse named Joe Lewis, and things he learned from Bill Howell at the Babbitts. If you like listening to his stories, you can purchase on directly from Skeet on Facebook.

Apr 01, 202438 min

Skeet Gould - Part 1

Skeet Gould was born in Prescott, AZ but currently lives in Red Bluff, CA. In part 1 of our conversation, we talk about his childhood, classing cattle horseback, horsemanship, and family. When talking about eradicating screwworms he said, ““The best thing for cowmen. The worst thing for cowboys. It also affected the horses. A horse used to be taught to run to cattle….” He tells a lot of cool stories and if you want to hear more, he wrote a book called “Layin around the water hole” You can purcha...

Apr 01, 202441 min

Greg Snow - Part 2

In part 2 of my interview with Greg Snow we talk about the best part of living this lifestyle, the hardest place he’s ever left, and ranch horses. He also answers the question, “Are cowboys as good today as they were back in the day?” If you haven’t had a chance to listen to part 1, head over there first because we dive right in where we left off. Enjoy!

Feb 10, 202435 min

Greg Snow - Part 1

Greg Snow was raised in Twin Falls, ID. He grew up in sports; baseball, basketball, and football. He got a job at the stockyards and that was when he first became interested in cattle. He found out there were full time cowboy jobs from Kurt Marcus articles in the western horseman and he has had the “cowboy bug” ever since. After high school, he turned down a few football scholarships and instead bought a cheap used saddle, a rope and a snaffle bit. The rest is history. He’s worked on ranches in ...

Feb 02, 202447 min

Steve Layton - Part 2

In part two of our conversation, Steve talks about some of the best parts of living the kind of lifestyle he lives. One of which is having the opportunity to work day to day with your family.

Dec 15, 202332 min

Steve Layton - Part 1

Steve Layton has been ranching on the Arizona Strip his entire life, his family bought the ranch and moved from Southern Arizona in 1949. His grandkids are now the 5th generation on the ranch. I hope you enjoy part 1 of his story.

Dec 01, 202331 min

Johnny Hill-Part 2

Part 2 of my conversation with Johnny Hill. In this episode, we continue our conversation about good horses and he also gives his definition of a cowboy, “Somebody that can take a horse and go work a cow and do what he needs to do without stirrin a bunch of stuff up.” Enjoy!

Oct 02, 202335 min

Johnny Hill-Part 1

Johnny Hill is from the pan handle of Texas and one of the pieces of advice that he offers the younger generation is to, “Keep your mouth shut, your eyes open and leave your phone in your pocket.” Enjoy!

Sep 13, 202331 min

Tyson Johnson - Part 2

Today we dive right in to Part 2 of my interview with Tyson Johnson. If you haven't had a chance to listen to Part 1, I recommend starting back there. In todays episode, Tyson shares a little bit more of his background, some of the things he enjoys about this lifestyle, his definition of what makes a good hand, and a few "cowboy stories."

Jul 31, 202342 min

Tyson Johnson - Part 1

Tyson Johnson grew up in Kanab, UT and currently lives in Oklahoma where he is the manager of Sooner Cattle Company. In Part 1 of this episode, he talks about how he fell in love with this way of life and some of the early events that led him to where he is today.

Jul 17, 202341 min

Jim Brinkman

Jim Brinkman is a third generation rancher on the Pitzer Ranch (located in Ericson, NE). Throughout this episode we talk about how the Pitzer Ranch got its start, how Jim became involved, the great Two Eyed Jack, and their horse program. If you want more info on the Pitzer Ranch, click the following link. https://pitzerranch.net/

Jun 12, 202330 min

Ira T. Wines

Ira Wines lives in Elko county Nevada and is currently the president of the Ellison Ranching Company. His family has been in Elko county since 1860 and his dad worked for the Ellisons when he was born. Throughout this episode he talks about his personal history and some of the day-to-day things on the ranch. If you want more information on the Ellison Ranching Company and it’s history, they just published a book and copies are available in Elko at the Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum, Western Folklif...

Mar 27, 202344 min

Jimmy Riggs - Part 2

Jimmy Riggs is 78 years old. He and his wife Janna live on their ranch near Wilcox, AZ. In Part 2, he talks about a Ranch tour that he and his wife do every year. They joined an organization called “Wings over Wilcox” as a service to the beef industry to help educate others on where their food comes from and what their operation is like. They had 250 people tour this year over a 3 day weekend. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to Part 1, I recommend starting there first.

Mar 13, 202338 min

Jimmy Riggs - Part 1

Jimmy and his wife Janna live near Wilcox, AZ. They have a pretty neat family history that he shares at the beginning of this episode. He also talks about how the railroad changed the way investors thought about ranching, and the incredible way they were able to help eradicate screwworms.

Feb 27, 202341 min

Wes O’Neal - Part 2

In Part 2 of my interview with Wes O’Neal, he talks about the horse program he helped run, the coolest place he’s ever been on a horse, and his advice to the next generation.

Feb 13, 202334 min

Wes O’Neal - Part 1

Wes O’Neal is 89 years old and started his life off with very humble beginnings. He’s spent the majority of his life in Texas but has managed/worked cattle in multiple states across the U.S. When asked what a cowboy is, he responded, “A man who has spent his life riding other peoples horses, working other peoples cattle, living in other peoples houses, until he gets to where he can’t do it anymore and then they just mosey off to town and hopefully you’ve saved enough to live comfortably.”

Jan 30, 202337 min
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