Modern Cowboy

Really enjoyed my conversation with Garrett, he has a very cool job...Garrett Lacey is a Livestock Officer with the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Working in Southern Yavapai, Northern Maricopa, Northern Gila and Mohave County he has been with the Department for approximately 3.5 years. His Law Enforcement career started with Buckeye Police Department, shortly after he realized he could utilize my training to help protect the livestock industry. Born and raised in Morristown, Arizona Garrett grew up in the family business doing pump and windmill working on many ranches throughout Arizona. He spent most of my free time helping on the family ranch outside of Wickenburg, Arizona. At 17 he enlisted in the Army as a Military Police Officer and served as a Team Leader in the 855tMP Company for many years. He is currently in the process of re-classing to become a crew chief for the Blackhawk helicopter.He resides in Waddell, Arizona with his beautiful wife, Allie. Together they manage a small ranch located outside of Wickenburg, Arizona. Where they are focusing on bringing the quality of meat back to the market.Resources:https://www.instagram.com/sglacey/?hl=enShow Sponsors:www.thecowlot.com / @thecowlotwww.canyoncoolers.com / @canyoncoolerswww.perseveranceU.com / @perseveranceUShow Music:“The Ropin Pen” By: Trent Willmonhttps://trentwillmon.com/“Cowboy” By: Kolt Barberhttps://www.koltbarber.com/MC Podcast Production & Editing: Matt Kirschnerhttps://www.instagram.com/mattjkirschner/

Had a great time on the podcast with Josh... super down to earth, amazing artist, 100% legit Cowboy. “All grit and no quit.” These are the deeply rooted words that Josh Ward lives by to an absolute fault. An anchored mindset that has led this Texas country music rising star from a drifter’s adolescence to the jeopardous game of the rodeo circuit to the punishing toil of the Texas oil fields, and on into the fickle arms of the music business. Some might argue whether it is having nine consecutive #1 hit singles in Texas under his belt that has garnered him staying power, or that he is killing it in the social media world with over 2 million views on YouTube and over 3 million streams globally on Spotify. Maybe it’s his 3 venerated album releases, or maybe because he can not only bat a full house on a 200 plus dates a year touring average, but also rope in crowds on a first time performance in an unfamiliar town. While impressive, all those distinctions can come and go in the world of music. The reason for his staying power turns out to be quite a simple one. And that is because Josh Ward is country music blood to bone, and both Josh Ward and country music are simply not going to go away.Josh spent 2017 heavily touring off the strength of his previous album “Holding Me Together.” All six radio singles hit the #1 spot on the Texas Regional Radio Chart and Ward quickly found himself going from opening act to the headlining spot in a matter of months. But in the midst of his growing popularity, he gladly bent the knee to fellow country music artist and comrade Cody Johnson who introduced Ward to his West Coast audiences. Getting the chance to be endorsed by Cody Johnson and perform at sold out shows in brand new markets is the kind of opportunity music artists chomp at the bit to have. When Ward and his band returned to those areas a few months later all by their lonesome, he simply could not have guessed at the reception he would encounter. “When we went back to the West Coast by ourselves, it was sold out shows. I was literally blown away.” It was at that very point while far away from his familiar stomping grounds in Texas with new fans slapping him on the back that Ward knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his music was catching on in a big way. The culmination of his radio success and his victories out on the road can easily be attributed to the actual man behind the music. In life, sometimes a person gets dealt a lean hand and has to choose his family from strangers along the way, people who make a conscious choice to take you under their wing and help guide you through life. Ward considers himself a very lucky man despite some rough teenage years. The love and support of his extended family and his chosen family was the concrete foundation he built his life on, and his fans are a big part of that. It’s why they are drawn to him through the speakers, because he is what he sings. It’s why they are drawn to him from the stage, because he’s an old friend who’s come back to visit. He’s the animated truth of all he stands for, a self-made family man who always has a welcome smile and an open spot in the family. To his loyal fans he feels he owes everything. “Words can’t describe the emotion that gets put into these runs and the work that we do. And these people pay their hard earned money to see it every night. Thank you. Every time I step on stage, you guys remind me that I have more than I deserve.” And so his brand new album, so aptly named, is Ward’s dedication to his growing family.“More Than I Deserve” marks Ward’s fourth full length album release and it will greet the fans on May 4, 2018. With the philosophy of “don’t fix what isn’t broken,” Ward went right back into the Rosewood studios where he recorded all his previous releases and joined producer Greg Hunt once again behind the board to create the next dimension of Josh Ward country music. The new album is 11 tracks strong featuring the signature instrumentation from guys like John Carroll (Cory Morrow) on guitar, Nate Coon (Aaron Watson) on drums, Milo Deering (The Eagles) on acoustic guitar, steel, dobro, fiddle, viola and mandolin, and Terry McBride (McBride and The Ride) on backing vocals and also writer of three of the tracks. The album is classic Josh Ward style on every front with just a little more gusto and a little more miles on it. Full bodied and emotionally fragrant, every song jumps out kicking up the kind of country music nostalgia Ward is revered for. The first single “All About Lovin’” (written by Brice Long, Terry McBride and Chris Stapleton) tells you everything you need to know about this album, a sexy tonkafied driver of a song that guarantees you’ll be lacing up your dancing shoes by the time you hit the chorus. “Home Away From Home” is country piled on top of more country, and is, as the song says, “a two steppin’ juke box heaven.” While Ward has never been afraid to sing other people’s songs due to his belief that a good song simply needs to be heard, his own savvy for the art just so happens to be represented on three of the most powerful tracks. “A Cowboy Can” is the true grit of this album and is what Ward says best describes himself. “One More Shot Of Whiskey” is a sobering tale told with 90 proof conviction, and then there is “More Than I Deserved” ringing out with its vulnerable steel and head hanging resolve. “More Than I Deserve” is country music addiction in its purest form. Josh Ward did not reinvent the wheel here, but damn, it’s polished surface sure rides smooth.Josh and his band will be seeing a lot more of the country this year hitting a lot of new places on his never ending tour. It’s still hard for him to believe he has come this far and he doesn’t take one mile of it for granted. “I never thought I would be rolling down the road with one of the hottest bands in Texas playing shows across the United States. I’m happy to be here.”The Josh Ward band is Josh Ward (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Steve Cargill (bass), Justin Cogneato (drums), Woody Woodruff (lead guitar) and Glen Shankle (steel guitar).Resources:https://www.joshwardmusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/joshwardmusic/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/JoshWardMusic/Show Sponsors:www.thecowlot.com / @thecowlotwww.canyoncoolers.com / @canyoncoolerswww.perseveranceU.com / @perseveranceUShow Music:"A Cowboy Can" By: Josh WardMC Podcast Production & Editing: Matt Kirschnerhttps://www.instagram.com/mattjkirschner/

Great conversation with Kenny talking about his life, music and all things Cowboy Shit. Love his music and everthing he is about be sure follow him on social media & spotify, iTunes etc...Kenny Feidler and The Cowboy Killers mix Feidler's dark and stormy cowboy lyrics with a heavy alt country sound. The songs draw largely on Feidler's years in Oklahoma, time spent on the highway and behind the chutes. Their shows overflow with the gravel of Feidler's vocals backed by a full on rock n roll band. As an independent artist, Feidler has built his following through a purely grass roots movement, home recordings and word of mouth. From playing music behind the bucking chutes and selling cds from the trunk of an old Cadillac to touring nationally and gaining listeners in 78 countries with over 30 Million streams and counting. Resources:https://www.kennyfeidlermusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/kennyfeidler/?hl=en https://open.spotify.com/artist/1KqKN0tnaJWwsUfvxDLI1q?si=vIImY1fOSTeZEJTSShyCrw https://www.facebook.com/Kennyfeidlermusic/Show Sponsors:www.perseveranceU.com / @perseveranceUwww.thecowlot.com / @thecowlotwww.canyoncoolers.com / @canyoncoolersShow Music:Blue Light Special & Try Not To Die By: Kenny Feidler“The Ropin Pen” By: Trent Willmonhttps://trentwillmon.com/“Cowboy” By: Kolt Barberhttps://www.koltbarber.com/MC Podcast Production & Editing: Matt Kirschnerhttps://www.instagram.com/mattjkirschner/

Had a great time hanging out on the Podcast with Tyson Perez hope you enjoy our conversation...Tyson says, "I grew up in Hanford California a 4 sport athlete which included team roping. Born on a ranch in a small town I had a rope in my hand before I could walk. Completed in dummy ropings as a kid and started jackpoting around 8 years old. My love for basketball football and baseball pulled me away from team roping but the love for the sport was always there. graduated from Hanford high school. Pitched at Fresno city and was drafted by the Houston Astros in 2011. Played for the Astros for 7 seasons in the minor leagues. Was an organizational Allstar, played in the Arizona fall league in 2014. In 2015 he was a triple A national champion playing for the Fresno grizzlies. Current pitcher for Toros De Tijuana of the LMB."Resources:https://www.instagram.com/typerez10/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/tyson.perez.92Photo Credit:@nikkiryanphotographyShow Sponsor:https://thecowlot.com/Show Music:“The Ropin Pen” By: Trent Willmonhttps://trentwillmon.com/“Cowboy” By: Kolt Barberhttps://www.koltbarber.com/MC Podcast Production & Editing: Matt Kirschnerhttps://www.instagram.com/mattjkirschner/

I had a great conversation with Jason Costello the CEO of Canyon Coolers. They sell Ridiculously Cold, Seriously Tough roto-molded coolers. With a Lifetime Warranty, long lasting ice retention and innovative designs - your next (and last) cooler should be a Canyon Cooler.Canyon Coolers has two lines, Pro Series (flagship) and Outfitter Series (classic, original design) ranging in sizes from 22 quarts to 150 quarts. Canyon Coolers is headquartered in Flagstaff, AZ. Resources:https://www.instagram.com/canyoncoolers/https://www.facebook.com/canyoncoolers/Show Sponsor:https://thecowlot.com/Show Music:“The Ropin Pen” By: Trent Willmonhttps://trentwillmon.com/“Cowboy” By: Kolt Barberhttps://www.koltbarber.com/MC Podcast Production & Editing: Matt Kirschnerhttps://www.instagram.com/mattjkirschner/

I had a great time talking with Erin King, she has a passion for helping horses and people as well as a very famous last name. Erin is a highly skilled horse trainer, barrel racer, team roper, all around cowgirl and fashion model...Resources:https://www.facebook.com/erin.king.9231https://www.swingaking.com/https://www.instagram.com/erinking1983/?hl=enPhoto: Chris Dickinsonhttps://www.instagram.com/cdphotog/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/gsochrisShow Sponsor:https://thecowlot.com/Show Music:“The Ropin Pen” By: Trent Willmonhttps://trentwillmon.com/“Cowboy” By: Kolt Barberhttps://www.koltbarber.com/MC Podcast Production & Editing: Matt Kirschnerhttps://www.instagram.com/mattjkirschner/

Great conversation with Wacey Barta Founder of "Where They Buck" he is one cool Cowboy & Bad Ass Bull Rider.WhereTheyBuck.com was founded in 2011 by professional bull rider and entrepreneur Wacey Barta. The idea for this bull riding and roughstock network had been on the drawing board for some time but just never had the time invested in it to bring it to its beginning. After severely breaking his leg in a bull riding wreck and being immobile for several months, the time was finally available and here we are today. The idea of creating this network came to Barta after becoming the “go to guy”, so to speak, around his area for people looking for bull riding and rodeo news, information, contacts and so on. After realizing that there was no legitimate source for this news and information locally as well as a lack of a complete rider, fan and contract personal network nationally, the idea to create the best bull riding and roughstock network for all aspects surrounding the sport and industry came to light and WhereTheyBuck.com was born.Barta, a third generation bull rider, originally from Nebraska, lived in several places across the country before coming to Arizona fifteen years ago due to his father’s military career stationing his family in Ft. Huachuca, AZ. Although his father, grandfather and several uncles all competed in rodeo growing up, a lack of junior rodeo events or organizations in his previous areas of residence kept him from being able to start riding bulls until moving to Arizona. A few short months after moving to Arizona, with his dad having already scoped out where to go practice and get started, Wacey began riding bulls at the age of 15. After learning the ropes and competing in Junior, High School and amateur rodeos in Arizona, Barta went to both Western Texas College in Snyder, TX and Central Arizona College in Casa Grande, AZ on a rodeo scholarship and competed in college rodeo while going to a handful of P.B.R and P.R.C.A. events on the side.Ten years later, although competing mostly part time, Barta has qualified for the P.R.C.A. Turquoise Circuit Finals ten times as of 2011 and fortunately enough, been able to taste at least some success at all levels he has competed in. Several serious injuries have definitely plagued his bull riding career as he has suffered a shattered face with reconstructive surgery, four broken wrist with surgeries, broken and dislocated shoulder, broken collarbone and most recently, a compound fractured tibia and fibula with major surgery to repair, just to name a few.Over the years, Wacey has been fortunate enough to be involved with and gain knowledge and experience on several different levels of bull riding and rodeo from competition to judging, production, marketing, sponsor acquisition as well as administrative experience. During one of his several extended breaks due to injury, after judging at numerous events throughout the Southwest, Barta began judging for the P.B.R. at the Touring Pro level and judged P.B.R. events, A.B.B.I. events including derbies, futurities, and classic events at the Built Ford Tough series level and the Touring Pro level. Wacey has been a Turquoise Circuit bull riding director for six years as well as on the P.R.C.A. Turquoise Circuit board of directors for the last two years.This experience, along with extensive experience with sponsor acquisition, marketing and sales and event production as well as founding and managing his own, as well as other peoples businesses outside of rodeo, have combined with his knowledge as a competitor and fan to help form the content and framework for the WhereTheyBuck.com network to build the most complete bull riding and rough stock network for fans, competitors, contractors, contract personal, advertisers and corporate partnerships that there has ever been.Resources:https://www.instagram.com/wheretheybuck/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/wheretheybuck/https://wheretheybuck.com/Show Sponsor:https://thecowlot.com/Show Music:“The Ropin Pen” By: Trent Willmonhttps://trentwillmon.com/“Cowboy” By: Kolt Barberhttps://www.koltbarber.com/MC Podcast Production & Editing: Matt Kirschnerhttps://www.instagram.com/mattjkirschner/

Really enjoyed my conversation with Tom Jennings the Founder & Owner of Tommyhawks.Tom retired from 20 years of Active Duty in the U.S. Army in 2015 and moved to Ozark with his wife Kacey. While working his day job, Tom decided to start a garage-based LLC called TommyHawks, building custom tomahawks for the military, law-enforcement, and the general enthusiast. Drawing on an extensive background in Army Special Operations, Tom infused the TommyHawks brand with all things kick-axe, and is extremely excited to run Southwest Missouri's first indoor axe-throwing venue. Come out and kick some axe with Tom!Axe throwing is about as historical of a pastime as you can get. From the first waves of Northmen to the American Frontier - tomahawks, axes, and hatchets were an "EDC" (every day carry) item of those eras. Even those awe-inspiring warriors would get bored. So what do you think they did? Threw axes around for practice, competition, and yes - even FUN!Today, we like to think of it as upholding a tradition. The tradition of warriors - Vikings, Rangers, Cheftains alike. Here at TommyHawks, we use one of the oldest tools in human history to bring people together for fun and competition. You can come out and unleash your inner competitor and warrior -or simply have a good time throwing hawks around!TommyHawks opened its doors in 2017 as a builder of custom tomahawks. Moving into 2018, we will bring our awesome new sport, and kick-axe new brand to Southwest Missouri. Come be a part of the axe throwing revolution! Resources:https://www.tommyhawks.net/https://www.instagram.com/tommyhawksaxehouse/https://www.facebook.com/tommyhawksaxehouse/Show Music:“The Ropin Pen” By: Trent Willmonhttps://trentwillmon.com/“Cowboy” By: Kolt Barberhttps://www.koltbarber.com/MC Podcast Production & Editing: Matt Kirschnerhttps://www.instagram.com/mattjkirschner/

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Ben, he's a cowboy, businessman and sophisticated restrauntuer.Benjamin Stutman was born in Philadelphia and has been lucky enough to be a lifelong resident of Wayne County, Utah. Benjamin is an entrepreneur with a passion for agriculture. His dedication to quality and sustainability has fueled a new type of business model, unique from traditional agricultural practices. After 10 years in the restaurant industry, Benjamin opened Paizlee’s Grass Fed Beef. Mr. Stutman works with his local Department of Agriculture, along with other groups to help create business opportunities for farmers, ranchers and agricultural partners. His commitment to the success of Agricultural producers is unmatched. Resources:https://www.instagram.com/paizlees/https://www.paizlees.com/https://www.facebook.com/paizleesgrassfedbeef/Show Music:“The Ropin Pen” By: Trent Willmonhttps://trentwillmon.com/“Cowboy” By: Kolt Barberhttps://www.koltbarber.com/MC Podcast Production & Editing: Matt Kirschnerhttps://www.instagram.com/mattjkirschner/

I had a great time talking with Glenn Orms owner of "The Cow Lot" & I'm sure you will find the history behind it as amazing I as did.In 1952, Nat Fleming, a young, North Texas Bootmaker, Rodeo Announcer, and entrepreneur, in Wichita Falls, Texas, had a dream. The Cow Lot was where essential work was done on the ranch, where cowboys worked their cattle. Nat dreamed of providing the cowboys who worked there with two must-have tools of their trade, a good hat and a pair of boots that “FIT”. That dream manifested into an all-out Western retail store, the Cow Lot. A 54-year body of work began, dedicated to Service, Quality, Honesty & Integrity…i.e. the Western Way of Life and How You Wear It.To enter the doors of the Cow Lot was to enter Nat’s dream. The scene emulated the American West and its way of doing business. Product quality was second only to the integrity of the personalized service. Each salesperson was an actual cowboy, passionate to serve you, their guest. Whether you were the President of the bank or the bank held the mortgage on your property, you were treated like you were the King of the Cowboys, or the Queen of the Cowgirls, as the case might be. Art was created before your very eyes by one of Nat’s hired cowhands posing as a salesperson. Hats were shaped to best serve your lifestyle and personality. Boots were fitted. Fit was guaranteed. Prices were affordable. Customer satisfaction was the order of the day.Together with his longtime friend Gene O’Brien, and later my father Dewey Orms, they built the Cow Lot into one of the finest Western Stores in North Texas, winning several awards including the Wendy Ryon Western Retailer of the Year. Nat met his life partner and wife, Tawana, at the store when she happened in for a new pair of Levis. The likes of legendary Larry McMurtry, author of Lonesome Dove, whose family ranched in the nearby town of Archer City, Texas, would stop and have a cup of coffee and visit and maybe buy a new pair of boots or a new hat. Nat was a pioneer in TV and Radio. In the early ’50s The Nat Fleming Show was one of the first on local TV providing 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. A big deal then because TV was only on 3 hours a day. He started broadcasting a weekly Saturday morning radio show from the store, The Nat Fleming Horn Honkin’ Show. When he saw a car drive by he would ask, ‘Honk your horn if you are listening .” 90% of the time the driver would honk and wave. The store grew and so did Nat’s inventory. Boot sizes ran from AAA widths to D. Fit was of utmost importance. Nat believed, ‘If you have to have a license to cut hair, you should have to have one to sell shoes.” People came from all over the United States to buy boots that “Fit”, the same was true with hats. Longtime Cow Lot general manager, JR Gahagan, shaped and fit most of the cowboys who were shooting the then popular and now famous Marlboro Man advertisements on a nearby ranch.Growing up in the Cow Lot, I was officially hired on in my Junior year of High School, where my skills in the art of boot fitting and hat shaping were fine-tuned. Just as importantly, I advanced my education in Nat’s University of Down Home Business, majoring in Homespun Philosophy and graduated with degrees in Service, Quality, Honesty & Integrity.After 54 years of service to his customers, Nat closed the doors to the great retail icon of North Texas and retired to work the real Cow Lot at his ranch in Byers, TX, where he was born and raised. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 96 leaving behind his wife Tawanna and his son Marty, who still run their cattle operation.In 2013 I found myself presented with an opportunity to re-open the Cow Lot. With Nat’s blessing, I took on the Cow Lot brand and created a hybrid version….an event based retail Western Hat store, the focus being on the hand shaping of quality name brand hats. Most recently the Cow Lot has taken on Western footwear.Nat coined the phrase, “You can tell by lookin’, it came from the Cow Lot”…And ‘You can tell by lookin’ where a cowboy is from by the shape of his hat.The art of hand shaping hats is simply that -art. Each rodeo event, each discipline of horsemanship, each region of the country has their own unique way of wearing their hat: The art of ‘creasing’ or ‘shaping’ hats was perfected at the Cow Lot..and you could tell by lookin’.Our audience consists of participants and spectators at major horse shows and rodeos located in, and West of, the Rocky Mountains. The ability to get a properly hand shaped hat is hard to find. Not surprising, demand and customer response to Service, Quality, Honesty & Integrity has been phenomenal.Our mission is to continue Nat’s dream of Service, Quality, Honesty & Integrity…the Western Way of Life and How You Wear It, by providing an atmosphere of personalized customer service through the art of hand shaping cowboy hats and the fitting of Western footwear.Resources:https://www.facebook.com/TheCowLot/https://www.instagram.com/thecowlot/?hl=enhttps://thecowlot.com/Show Music:“The Ropin Pen” By: Trent Willmonhttps://trentwillmon.com/“Cowboy” By: Kolt Barberhttps://www.koltbarber.com/MC Podcast Production & Editing: Matt Kirschnerhttps://www.instagram.com/mattjkirschner/