Horsepower: The Cowboy Rides into the Future

This week on American Routes we’re exploring the life of the cowboy. From the Nevada deserts to the swampy forests of Florida, the cowboy is an enduring symbol of American individualism and self-reliance. We’ll visit with several working cowboys, including a few who can sing a tune or two. Wylie Gustafson might be better known as the man behind the Yahoo yodel, but we’ll talk ranching and horses, as well as music. Then we’ll visit with Creole cowboy Geno Delafose to learn how he mixes zydeco with cattle raising. Plus a couple of Cracker cowboys share tales of cow-hunting, and lots of music to get you out on the trail.

HOUR ONE

Open Bed: (Ghost) Riders in the Sky Ramrods
Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 2: the '60s, Rhino

The Old Timers Ken Trowbridge
Celebrating 25 Years: National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Western Folklife Center

When the Work's All Done This Fall Johnny Bond
Country and Western: Johnny Bond Standard Transcriptions, Bloodshot

SEGMENT: J.M. Capriola Company with Paula, Doug, and John Wright

Back in the Saddle Again Gene Autry
Songs of the West, Rhino

Instrumental: The Penny Opus No. 1 Hank Penny
Crazy Rhythm: The Standard Transcriptions, Bloodshot

SEGMENT: Paul Starrs

Buffalo Skinners Woody Guthrie
My Dusty Road, Rounder

Oklahoma Hills Hank Thompson
Greatest Songs: Vol. 2, Curb

Clip: Kelly Whelan on his handlebar mustache

I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart Patsy Montana
Songs of the West, Rhino

SEGMENT: Susan Glaser-Church

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues Emmylou Harris
Songs of the West, Warner

Jacinto Trevino Johnny Whelan
The Cowboy Tour, Rounder

El Paso Marty Robbins
Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, Columbia/Legacy

Instrumental: Buckaroo Buck Owens
21 #1 Hits: The Ultimate Collection, Rhino

SEGMENT: Wylie Gustafson of Wylie and the Wild West

Things of Intrinsic Worth Wallace McCrae
Celebrating 25 Years: National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Western Folklife Center

Little High Plains Town Ian Tyson
Celebrating 25 Years: National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Western Folklife Center

End Bed: Tumbling Tumbleweeds Johnny Bond
Country and Western: Johnny Bond Standard Transcriptions, Bloodshot

HOUR TWO

Open Bed: Buffalo Gals David Bourne
Saloon Piano Vol. II, Saloon Piano

High Tone Dance Glen Ohrlin
The Cowboy Tour, Rounder

Big Balls in Cowtown Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys
For the Last Time, Capitol

Clip: Corb Lund

Steer Rider's Blues Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans
recorded at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Midnight Ramble

SEGMENT: Florida Cracker Cowboys- with Buddy Mills and Billy Davis

Banks of the Old Pontchartrain Brownie Ford
Stories from Mountains, Swamps & Honky-Tonks, Flying Fish

Red Headed Stranger Willie Nelson
Red Headed Stranger, Columbia

Don't Touch My Hat Lyle Lovett
The Road to Ensenada, Curb

Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle Screamin' Jay Hawkins
I Put A Spell On You, Collectables

Instrumental: Out on the Open Range Johnny Bond
The Heart and Soul of the West, Jasmine

SEGMENT: Creole Cowboys- with Boozoo Chavis, Elton Laday, and Eugene Thibodeaux, and Joe Fontenot's trail ride

Clip: Geno Delafose

He-Haw Breakdown Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie
Everybody's Dancin', Times Square

Instrumental: The Cowboy Waltz Les Amis Creole
Les Amis Creole, Arhoolie

The Back Door Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie
recorded at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

Bonsoir Moreau Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie
recorded at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

Goodnight-Loving Trail Buck Ramsey
Rolling Uphill from Texas, FRPS

The Trail the Sun Travels Down Cindy Walker
The Swingin' Cowgirl from Texas, Bronco

End Bed: Mr. Steel Guitar Leon McAuliffe
Tulsa Straight Ahead, Bear Family

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