Cowboy Up Podcast Episodes

Ciarra Arzaga doesn’t even recall the first time she rode a horse. She was too young. But she does remember learning how to rope. Now sixteen, Ciarra regularly competes in roping and other rodeo events—and regularly wins. She talks about her technique, favorite horses, and future plans with Russell and Alan.   [...]

Larry Martin knows writing. An award-winning author, he’s penned over 60 novels, mostly westerns, plus more than a handful of screenplays. But making a movie? Martin had never tried his hand at something so out of his artistic wheelhouse. He joins Russell and Alan to share his story of how he brought his new feature film “Eye for Eye” to the silver screen. [...]

Johnny Boggs may or may not own a six-shooter, but this western writer has won six Spur Awards for his novels and short stories. He joins the Cowboy Up team to talk about his illustrious career in journalism and fiction writing and how he adopted the West after a childhood spent in the South. [...]

There’s no doubt about it. Shoeing horses is hard work, but it’s work that needs to be done. And who usually gets to do it? In this, case two veteran cowboys. You betcha, Russell and Alan have shod more horses than they can count. And here they are, shoeing another one at White Stallion Ranch. [...]

In honor of Memorial Day, Russell and Alan recall their families’ involvement with war. Those who fought, almost fought, as well as others. In true cowboy fashion, one story leads to another and to another. Be prepared to chuckle, laugh, and shed a tear or two. A hats off and a cowboy salute to all the brave souls who served the United States of America. [...]

On June 25, 1876, General George Custer and some 200 soldiers perished in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Their wives soon learned of the outcome. They were now widows. How these women coped and survived is the subject of the new book, “The Widowed Ones,” written by New Times bestselling author, actress and comedienne, Chris Enss. She chats with Russell and Alan about what she discovered about these brave and amazing women. [...]

For 25 years, The Bill Ganz Western Band regaled audiences with cowboy music. Local bars, rodeos, even Tucson’s symphony hall—the band played it all. Bill Ganz, the guitar-picking founder, joins Russell and Alan to talk about his career and the future of western music. And you betcha, Bill sings some tunes exclusively for our podcast listeners!   [...]

In 1870, a talented young woman packed up her bags and bid adieu to a damp and chilled East Coast. Sara Plummer Lemmon would spend the remainder of her life in the West leaving a legacy still visible today. And yet, she remains in the shadows of history. Wynne Brown, author of the award-winning biography, “The Forgotten Botanist: Sara Plummer Lemmon’s Life of Science and Art” brings to light the many accomplishments of this remarkable woman. [...]

Gallup, New Mexico is not known as a tourist destination. Yet, this community situated near the Four Corners is rich in diversity and history. Longtime resident and past mayor of Gallup, Bob Rosebrough, joins Russell and Alan to talk about his new memoir, “A Place of Thin Veil,” which brings to life the stories, mysteries, and evocative landscapes of this part of the Land of Enchantment. [...]

The Colorado River is at its lowest levels. Is climate change the culprit? Unexpected urban growth? Mismanagement over the decades? To sort through these questions, Russell and Alan chat with experts Eric Kuhn and John Fleck, co-authors of “Science Be Dammed,” a look at how this valuable resource has evolved over the past 100 years. [...]