The Dusty Vaquero Podcast

In this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, I sit down with Wyoming musician Jordan Smith to talk about his journey from running heavy equipment to pursuing his passion for music full time.

For much of his life, Jordan spent his days operating heavy machinery, building a career outside of music. Now, he’s taking a leap of faith, leaving that career behind to chase his dream of making music full time.

We talk about his life, the experiences that have shaped him, what led him to pursue music professionally, and the challenges that come with stepping away from a familiar career to follow a different path.

This is a conversation about hard work, taking risks, and having the courage to bet on yourself and pursue what you love.

FOLLOW JORDAN SMITH

Website: https://www.iamjordansmith.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjordansmith/

More links & music: https://linktr.ee/Iamjordansmith

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Subscribe for more conversations with the musicians, ranchers, artists, cowboys, and hardworking people who make up the Western way of life.

From the rodeo arena to the stage, Kalyn Beasley has spent his life around the people, places, and traditions that make up the American West.

In this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with the Cody, Wyoming singer-songwriter to talk about a life that has always been closely tied to both rodeo and music.

Kalyn grew up watching his father compete in rodeos, then play music for the crowds after the rodeo was over. That combination of cowboy culture and live music became a big part of Kalyn’s own story. We talk about his years riding saddle broncs, the highs and challenges that came with competing, and how those experiences eventually intertwined with his journey as a musician.

We also talk about Kalyn’s life on the road playing music—from Montana to Texas and just about everywhere in between. The miles, the shows, the people he’s met along the way, and the experiences that have helped shape him as a songwriter.

It’s a conversation about rodeo, music, the Western way of life, and what it means to chase your own path while staying connected to where you came from.

This is the Dusty Vaquero Podcast.

🎙️ Hosted by JB Zielke

Subscribe to Dusty Vaquero for more stories from the people who make the West what it is.

#DustyVaquero #KalynBeasley #CodyWyoming #WyomingMusic #SaddleBronc #Rodeo #WesternMusic #CountryMusic #SingerSongwriter #AmericanWest #WesternLifestyle #CowboyCulture

On this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with Texas country singer-songwriter Summer Dean in her home in Fort Worth, Texas, for a conversation about music, songwriting, life, and the journey that led her to become one of the most respected voices in Texas country music.Summer shares her story of growing up in rural Texas, her connection to ranching and the country lifestyle, and the path that eventually led her to leave behind a career as an elementary school teacher to pursue music full-time.We talk about the risks that come with chasing a dream, the years of hard work it took to build her career, and the honesty and vulnerability behind the songs she writes.Summer has become known for her authentic songwriting and traditional country sound, with albums including Bad Romantic and The Biggest Life. Her music draws from real-life experiences, relationships, heartbreak, independence, and the world she knows best.In this conversation, we also talk about her career, the Texas music scene, songwriting, the people and experiences that have influenced her, and what it takes to keep moving forward in an industry where there are no guarantees.From her home in Fort Worth to stages across Texas and beyond, Summer Dean has built her career by staying true to herself and telling stories that are honest, personal, and unmistakably country.Follow Summer Dean:Website: SummerDeanMusic.comInstagram: @summerdeanmusic

Carson Jeffrey: The Cowboy Behind the Music | Dusty Vaquero Podcast

On this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with Texas Country singer-songwriter and cowboy Carson Jeffrey to talk about music, ranch life, rodeo, and what it takes to build a career while staying true to your roots.

Carson grew up around the cowboy lifestyle in Cat Spring, Texas, and has built a life that looks a little different from the typical touring musician. During the week, he’s working on the ranch—building, fixing fences, mowing pastures, and roping calves. When the weekend comes, he hits the road as a musician, playing more than 100 shows a year across Texas and the Southern United States.

We talk about Carson’s journey through Texas A&M, how he got started writing and performing music, his experiences in the rodeo and cowboy world, and how those experiences have shaped the songs he writes.

Carson released his debut album, Muchos Sonidos, in 2019, which featured the fan-favorite “Ranch Girl Dream.” He followed it with Fair Weather Cowboy in 2022, an album that digs into themes of growing up, relationships, loneliness, and the realities of the cowboy lifestyle.

From ranch work and roping calves to playing packed Texas honky-tonks, Carson Jeffrey represents the kind of authentic Texas Country storyteller that the Dusty Vaquero Podcast is all about.

Follow Carson Jeffrey:

Website: carsonjeffrey.com
Instagram: @carson.jeffrey
YouTube: Carson Jeffrey
Spotify: Carson Jeffrey

Follow the Dusty Vaquero Podcast for more conversations with the cowboys, ranchers, musicians, artists, and storytellers who are helping keep the Western way of life alive.

Logan Ryan: From Welding to Texas Country | The Logan Ryan Band

On this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with Texas singer-songwriter Logan Ryan of The Logan Ryan Band at his home in Texas.

Logan shares his journey into music, from picking up a guitar at a young age and writing songs to playing South Texas honky-tonks and building his career as an independent artist. We talk about the hard work that goes into chasing music, where he sees his career heading, the growth of The Logan Ryan Band, and his plans for the future.

Before pursuing music full-time, Logan spent years working ranch jobs and as a professional welder. We also dive into his welding background, balancing blue-collar work with his passion for songwriting, and what ultimately pushed him to take the leap and pursue music full-time.

Logan Ryan's sound blends Texas Country, Red Dirt, and Americana, bringing honest songwriting and a working-class perspective to his music. His album, Kamikaze, was released in 2026.

Be sure to check out Logan Ryan and The Logan Ryan Band:

Website: https://loganryanband.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7LVl0gsG1AEc6lid0fJK6P
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loganryanband/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLoganRyanBand
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw2YMl2IW1HLXGFbqrsCg_A

Logan Ryan: From Welding to Texas Country | The Logan Ryan BandOn this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with Texas singer-songwriter Logan Ryan of The Logan Ryan Band at his home in Texas.Logan shares his journey into music, from picking up a guitar at a young age and writing songs to playing South Texas honky-tonks and building his career as an independent artist. We talk about the hard work that goes into chasing music, where he sees his career heading, the growth of The Logan Ryan Band, and his plans for the future.Before pursuing music full-time, Logan spent years working ranch jobs and as a professional welder. We also dive into his welding background, balancing blue-collar work with his passion for songwriting, and what ultimately pushed him to take the leap and pursue music full-time.Logan Ryan's sound blends Texas Country, Red Dirt, and Americana, bringing honest songwriting and a working-class perspective to his music. His album, Kamikaze, was released in 2026.Be sure to check out Logan Ryan and The Logan Ryan Band:Website: https://loganryanband.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7LVl0gsG1AEc6lid0fJK6PInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/loganryanband/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLoganRyanBandYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw2YMl2IW1HLXGFbqrsCg_A

Colten Jesse: From Oklahoma Bull Rider to Troubadour

On this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with Oklahoma-born bull rider and songwriter Colten Jesse to talk about the road that took him from riding bulls in small-town Oklahoma to competing on the biggest stages in professional bull riding—and eventually finding a second career in music.

Colten grew up in Konawa, Oklahoma, riding bulls from a young age and working his way through the ranks before making his way into the PRCA and eventually the PBR. Along the way came wins, injuries, the pressure of professional bull riding, and the experiences that shaped him both inside and outside the arena.

JB and Colten also dig into how music entered his life during a time when injuries kept him away from riding. What started with a pawn-shop guitar eventually turned into songwriting and a growing music career, with songs inspired by the people, places, struggles, and hard-earned lessons of his life.

It's a conversation about Oklahoma, bull riding, injuries, music, friendship, and figuring out what comes next when the life you thought you'd live starts to change.

This is the story of Colten Jesse—from the back of a bull to behind a guitar.

Brennan Scott Greene: From the Family Ranch to Music

On this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with songwriter and musician Brennan Scott Greene at JB’s home in Gillette, Wyoming, for a conversation about family, ranch life, and finding his way into music.

Brennan shares stories from growing up on his family’s ranch, the lessons and experiences that came from that way of life, and how his upbringing shaped the person and artist he would become. The conversation also dives into how Brennan discovered music, what ultimately led him to pursue songwriting, and how the life he grew up living continues to influence the music he creates today.

It's a conversation about ranching, family, hard work, music, and the roots that never leave you.

Hosted by JB Zielke.

West Texas native Kat Hasty sat down on the podcast in Turkey Texas. We talk about life on the road and the ever changing music world musicians navigate.

Matt Tumlinson is a Texas artist, he makes his living with a pencil and a paint brush. We sat down to talk in Turkey Texas about how Matt made art his full time job and the things that inspire him.

Find Matt at www.tumlinsonart.com

We met up with Zack in Turkey Texas this spring. Zack is the front man and founder member of the band Dolly Shine, but lately he has taken on a solo project centered around cowboy and western music as well as a project with his friends Ross Cooper and Hayden Redwine. Zack is a father, husband and West Texas cattle rancher. You can find Zack's music here:https://open.spotify.com/artist/2zSEHeXHYoCiv5VkJE8lNi?si=gAzGsHI4SLCRK6MIj6xohQYou can find Dolly Shine's music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/62KOMT8z56UAfFk3YMKHKL?si=s_rT0C5lRkyhQQjXShCc5A

From the saddle shop in Turkey Texas we learned about Zack's rodeo career, what its like to live out of a van and travel the west playing music.

Find Zach's Music on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/41Tb9oRP77iJ5r9I2XbyFh?si=uFjR-QOVREeYUgLitxLlQw

We met up with Ross Cooper in Turkey Texas. Ross tells us some tales of rodeo trail and the story of journey through music.“I’m a second-generation cowboy from Lubbock, TX. My parents both rodeod, and my dad ranched when he was younger before becoming a cotton gin manager. My dad and brother both rode saddle-bronc, my mom was a barrel racer and Miss Rodeo Texas in the 70s, and I rode bareback horses. Mom also plays piano really well and has always encouraged my music. So the early days of it, I’d be rodeoing every weekend and then playing when I could (mostly residencies during the week in college). At some point though, the music side took over. Right after college, I moved to Nashville to write songs and I’ve been here 11 years now.” Find Ross on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/0boXKQqSGu5yWmNPlmPp51?si=oFLcE4feR-Wo8u-CT8MEQw

We sat down with Tyler Terry in Turkey Texas. Tyler is a horse trainer and a cowboy who has ridden many miles through lots of different country.

Check him out on Facebook at 2T Ranch and Performance Horses

We sit down with Tris in his home in Northern Wyoming. Tris spreads a little light on what it takes to keep a band going down the road while being a father and still taking care of a ranch.

Instagram: @tminnocents

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4cA9YGLHMsKTL921ST5tZx?si=HD8k8qVuSJOv7OFWd-bcbA

Morgan is a musician from southern Alberta, we talk rodeo, music and the things that shaped her music.

Find Morgan on Instagram: @morganklaibermusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5FaSS75wkEzvMulTVidBGi?si=Pxbr2SR8QTyMNZmA-QR8Lg

We met with Jimmy Cantwell in Elko, Jimmy is an Army veteran who has spent his life around horses of many kinds. He tell us stories of music, military and colts.

Instagram: @jimmycantwellmusic

We got to sit down with our friend Thor in Elko Nevada. Thor is a decorated musician who has played all over the world . He tells us some great stories about agriculture in Iceland and touring across the world.

Instagram: @davidssonmusic

davidssonmusic.com

In this episode we sit down with Matt Robertson in Elko Nevada. Matt shares some horsemanship wisdom and insights into the early days of a music career.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6fRl1bTRC391ee5r9aUGSr?si=H5Vf3yJ9S12jIcbDw0YKYw

Instagram: @mattrobertsonmusic

We met up with photographer/videographer Drew Baker in Elko Nevada. After Drew's bull riding career ended he picked up a camera and it took him to some of the wildest places on earth.

Instagram: @drewbakerphoto

drewbakerphoto.com