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Red Steagall
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Red Steagall
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Russell "Red" Steagall (born December 22, 1938)[1] is an American country music singer, musician, poet, and stage performer, who focuses on American Western and country music genres.

Early life and day jobs

[edit]

He was born in Gainesville, Texas, United States.[2] He became a bull rider at rodeos while he was still a teenager, but at the age of 15, he was stricken with polio.[2] He took up the guitar and the mandolin as physical therapy to recover the strength and dexterity of his arms and hands.[2] Based out of Amarillo, he formed a dance band, Russell Don & The Premiers making his first recordings (which were unreleased) at Norman Petty Recording Studios in Clovis, New Mexico, in April 1961. Steagall entered a career in agricultural chemistry after graduating from West Texas State University with a degree in animal science and agronomy.[2] After five years spent as a soil analyst for Sand Mark Oil,[2] Steagall then spent eight years as a music industry executive in Hollywood, and has spent the last 40 years as a recording artist, songwriter, and television and motion picture personality. He currently maintains offices outside of Fort Worth, Texas, where he is involved in the production of motion pictures and television shows.

On December 28, 1974, Hee Haw season six, episode 16, Steagall saluted his hometown of Sanford, Texas, population 181.

Television and radio personality

[edit]

Steagall made numerous appearances on syndicated television shows such as Hee Haw and Nashville on the Road. He also spent four years as host of the nationally televised National Finals Rodeo, was host of the Winston Pro Tour on ESPN for the 1985 season, and co-hosted the College National Finals Rodeo for the Freedom Sports Network from 1988 through 1991. He was also the host of Western Theater on America One Television.

Steagall currently hosts a one-hour syndicated radio show, Cowboy Corner, on 170 stations in 43 states. Cowboy Corner celebrates the lifestyle of the American West through the poems, songs, and stories of the American cowboy. In 2010, In the Bunkhouse with Red Steagall began airing on the RFD-TV network; as of 2017, Steagall now hosts Red Steagall is Somewhere West of Wall Street for the same channel. His down-home, friendly manner and considerable musical talents make him a favorite of rural America.

Motion pictures

[edit]

Steagall had a major role in the motion picture Benji the Hunted, which was released in the summer of 1987. He also appeared in the motion pictures Dark Before Dawn and Abilene. He produced the motion picture Big Bad John, starring Jimmy Dean, Jack Elam, Ned Beatty, and Bo Hopkins, and directed by Burt Kennedy.

Steagall is a trustee of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Champions, honorary member of the Cowboy Artists of America, and former board chairman of the Academy of Country Music.

Musical and literary accomplishments

[edit]

Along with Don Lanier, in 1966, Steagall co-wrote the song "Here We Go Again", most notably recorded by Ray Charles.[2]

In 1974, he discovered a then-unknown Reba McEntire and signed her to Mercury Records the following year.[2] He discovered her while she was performing the national anthem at the National Rodeo Finals competition in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[2] Two years later, in October 1977, McEntire released her first album on Mercury Records, and though most of her Mercury albums were commercial failures, in 1984, she picked up with her big album, My Kind of Country.

In March 1993, Texas Christian University Press published Steagall's first book, entitled Ride for the Brand, a 168-page collection of poetry and songs embracing the Western lifestyle. The book is illustrated by Cowboy Artists of America members Bill Owen, Fred Fellows, Joe Beeler, and Howard Terpning.

In September 2003, Texas Tech University Press published Born to This Land, a joint effort between Steagall and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Skeeter Hagler. The book contains Hagler's black-and-white studies of modern ranching, accompanied by Steagall's award-winning poetry. The Academy of Western Artists named Born to This Land as recipient of the Will Rogers Award for best book of 2003.

Steagall has won the Wrangler Award for original music five times: 1993 (for his Warner Western album, Born to This Land), 1995 (for the Warner Western album, Faith and Values), 1997 (for his Warner Western album, Dear Mama, I'm a Cowboy), 1999 (for Love of the West). In fall 2002, Steagall released his 20th album, Wagon Tracks, which also won the Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

He released his new album Here We Go Again in August 2007. Here We Go Again features duets with Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Charley Pride, Ray Benson, Neal McCoy, Larry Gatlin, and Charlie Daniels.

In May 2011, Bunkhouse Press released Steagall's CD Dreamin' of......When the Grass Was Still Deep, featuring eight songs and two poems.

Honors and awards

[edit]

The Texas Legislature named Red Steagall the Official Cowboy Poet of Texas in April 1991. Steagall was an early participant in the American Cowboy Culture Association, which holds the annual National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration each September in Lubbock.[3]

Steagall is also the official Cowboy Poet Laureate of San Juan Capistrano, California.

Since 1991, Steagall has hosted the annual Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering in the Stockyards National Historic District of Fort Worth. The event features a ranch rodeo, chuckwagon cookoff, children's poetry contest, Western swing dances, cowboy music and poetry, a trappings show, and horsemanship clinics.

In 1999, Steagall was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame.[4]

In April 2003, Steagall was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, joining the likes of Will Rogers, Theodore Roosevelt, Charles Goodnight, and Charlie Russell.[5]

In January 2004, he received the Spirit of Texas Award and was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth.[6]

In April 2005, he was inducted to the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Belton, Texas.[7]

He was named "2006 Poet Laureate of the State of Texas" at the Capital in Austin in the spring of 2005. Steagall is the first "cowboy" poet to be named the poet laureate of Texas.

In 2007, he was inducted into the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.[8]

He was named the 2023 Legend of ProRodeo.

In 2025, he was awarded the Ken Stemler Pioneer Award.[9]

Red Steagall Institute for Traditional Western Arts

[edit]

In 2024, the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas, announced the forthcoming location at the center of the Red Steagall Institute for Traditional Western Arts, which will feature interactive classes and displays for the public to learn about Western culture. The Texas Tech System Board of Regents approved the NRHC's $42 million dollar expansion in May 2024. Jim Bret Campbell, executive director of the NRHC, said that the project comes after Steagall and his wife sought a location to donate his collection of Western songs, poetry, and various radio and television recordings of his programs.[10]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Year Album US Country Label
1972 Party Dolls and Wine — Capitol
1973 Somewhere My Love 42
If You've Got the Time, I've Got the Song —
1974 Finer Things in Life 47
1976 Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music 27 ABC/Dot
Texas Red 36
1977 For All Our Cowboy Friends —
1978 Hang On Feelin' —
1979 It's Our Life — Tractor
1982 Cowboy Favorites — Delta
1986 Red Steagall — Dot/MCA
1993 Born to This Land — Warner Western
1995 Faith and Value —
1996 Cowboy Code — Eagle
1997 Dear Mama I'm a Cowboy — Warner Western
1999 Love of the West —
2002 Wagon Tracks — Shanachie
2006 The Wind, the Wire and the Rail — Wildcatter
2007 Here We Go Again —
2011 Dreamin' of.....When The Grass Was Still Deep — Bunkhouse Press

Singles

[edit]
Year Single Chart Positions Album
US Country CAN Country
1972 "Party Dolls and Wine" 31 — Party Dolls and Wine
"Somewhere, My Love" 22 65 Somewhere My Love
1973 "True Love" 51 80
"If You've Got the Time" 41 — If You've Got the Time,
I've Got the Song
"The Fiddle Man" 87 —
1974 "This Just Ain't My Day (For Lettin' Darlin' Down)" 93 — single only
"I Gave Up Good Mornin' Darling" 54 — Finer Things in Life
"Finer Things in Life" 52 —
"Someone Cares for You" 17 17
1975 "She Worshipped Me" 62 — single only
1976 "Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music" 11 — Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music
"Truck Drivin' Man" 29 10
"Rosie (Do You Wanna Talk It Over)" 45 — Texas Red
1977 "Her L-O-V-E's Gone" 59 —
"I Left My Heart in San Francisco" 53 —
"Freckles Brown" 90 — For All Our Cowboy Friends
"The Devil Ain't a Lonely Woman's Friend" 72 — Hang On Feelin'
1978 "Hang On Feelin'" 63 —
"Bob's Got a Swing Band in Heaven" flip —
1979 "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" 41 — singles only
1980 "3 Chord Country Song" 31 —
"Dim the Lights and Pour the Wine" 49 —
"Hard Hat Days and Honky Tonk Nights" 30 —

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Red Steagall

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Russell "Red" Steagall (born December 22, 1937) is an American cowboy poet, , , and radio/television host renowned for preserving Western heritage through his multifaceted career spanning over six decades. Born in , Steagall grew up in the after his family relocated when he was three years old, where his father worked on a large ; he contracted in 1954, which paralyzed his left arm and ended his aspirations for a football scholarship and veterinary studies at . Instead, he pursued higher education, graduating from (formerly West Texas State) with a degree in Animal Science and , initially working in before transitioning to the industry. Steagall's music career, rooted in Texas swing and cowboy themes, includes recording 26 consecutive charting singles and over 25 albums, with notable hits like "Here We Go Again" (co-written and Grammy-winning in ) and compositions exceeding 200 in total; he has performed internationally for the U.S. Information Agency and entertained heads of state. In acting, he appeared in films such as (1971), (1987), and Abilene (1995), and produced (1990). As a poet, Steagall was named the Official Cowboy Poet of Texas in 1991 and Texas Poet Laureate in 2006, authoring books including Ride for the Brand (1993) and The Fence That Me and Shorty Built (2001); he hosts the syndicated radio show Cowboy Corner (since 1994) and the television program Somewhere West of Wall Street on RFD-TV, while organizing the annual Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering since 1991 to celebrate Western culture. His contributions have earned numerous accolades, such as induction into the (2003), (2004), and Western Music Association Hall of Fame (2006), along with nine Wrangler Awards from the and the Award (2012), including the Pioneer Award from the (2025) and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Western Artists (2025); Steagall maintains ranches near , embodying the cowboy lifestyle he champions.

Early Life

Childhood and Family

Russell Steagall, known professionally as Red Steagall, was born on December 22, 1938, in , to George Russell Steagall and Ruth Steagall. As the eldest of six children in a family deeply rooted in ranching traditions, Steagall grew up surrounded by the rhythms of agricultural life and along the Texas High Plains. His parents, with George working various jobs including for an oil company and on ranches, instilled an early appreciation for the way of life through their involvement in local ranching communities. At the age of three, Steagall's family relocated approximately 300 miles northwest to the small town of Sanford in the , where they settled into the rugged countryside near the Canadian River. He later described this period of his childhood as "idyllic," marked by outdoor adventures on borrowed horses, collecting bottles for pocket money, and immersion in the agricultural and ranching environment of the High Plains. The family's proximity to working ranches exposed young Steagall to the traditions of cattle herding and rural , shaping his lifelong connection to Western heritage. In September 1954, at age 15, Steagall contracted , which severely weakened his left arm and hand, destroying the in his shoulder and confining him to an during hospitalization. As part of his , his mother Ruth purchased a secondhand for $10 to help rebuild strength and dexterity in his fingers, followed by a guitar upon his high school graduation; these instruments not only aided his recovery but also ignited his passion for . The family's encouragement, particularly through Ruth's support of as amid their own challenges, further nurtured Steagall's early interests in and entertainment. This foundation propelled him toward participation as a teenager.

Education and Rodeo Beginnings

Steagall developed an early passion for during his teenage years, beginning as a in local competitions despite contracting at age 15, an experience that motivated his recovery through demanding physical pursuits like . In high school, he balanced participation in football with events, honing his skills as a competitive in arenas. In 1954, Steagall was offered a football scholarship to with intentions to study , but prevented his attendance. Following high school, he instead pursued a formal education in , enrolling at where he earned a degree in Animal Science and . During his college years, he continued his involvement, competing as a bull rider and even forming a band to cover tuition and entry fees for events. After graduating around 1960, Steagall entered the workforce in , spending five years as a salesman traveling across to promote ranching-related products and chemicals. This period solidified his practical knowledge of and , drawing directly from his academic background. In a nod to his roots, Steagall featured a segment on the December 28, 1974, episode of (season six, episode 16) saluting his hometown of Sanford, , then a small ranching community with a of 181.

Music Career

Songwriting and Industry Executive

Steagall's transition from rodeo and agricultural pursuits to the music industry occurred in the early 1960s, when he relocated to to focus on songwriting and artist development. After earning a degree in animal science and working as an , he leveraged his background in ranching and rodeo performances to connect with music professionals, marking his initial foray into promotion and talent scouting during the 1960s and 1970s. A pivotal moment in his songwriting career came in 1966, when Steagall co-authored "Here We Go Again" with Don Lanier; the track was notably recorded by and released in 1967, becoming a rhythm and blues hit that peaked at number 15 on the and number 5 on the R&B charts, while establishing itself as a standard covered by numerous artists. Steagall served eight years as a executive in Hollywood, where he played a key role in artist discovery and development, including spotting while she performed the at the in on December 10, 1974. Impressed by her talent, he facilitated her move to Nashville and secured her signing with in November 1975, paving the way for her self-titled debut album released on August 15, 1977.

Recording and Performance Achievements

In the 1970s, Red Steagall transitioned to a full-time focus on Western music, drawing heavily on cowboy themes and ranch life to distinguish his sound from mainstream country. This shift was marked by recordings that incorporated storytelling elements inspired by his experiences on the range, moving away from his earlier pop-country leanings toward a more authentic portrayal of Western heritage. Steagall achieved notable chart success during this period, with singles like "Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music" reaching No. 11 on the US Country chart in 1976, celebrating Texas culture and Western swing influences. His performances further solidified his reputation, including numerous appearances at major rodeos such as the National Finals Rodeo, where he entertained audiences with horseback entries and sets blending country, Western swing, and poetic recitations. Over his career, he completed more than 100 major rodeo and fair performances, establishing a distinctive Western music style that integrated narrative poetry with traditional instrumentation. Early albums like Party Dolls and Wine (1972) showcased his initial foray into honky-tonk and swing-infused country, while later works such as Wagon Tracks (2002) reflected a thematic evolution toward tributes to ranching and frontier journeys, featuring original songs about immigrant trails and cowboy endurance. Steagall's recordings earned critical recognition, including nine Wrangler Awards from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for outstanding Western music contributions, highlighting his enduring impact on the genre.

Studio Albums

Red Steagall released numerous studio albums throughout his career, primarily in the country and western genres, spanning from 1972 to 2019. The following table lists his main studio albums, including release years and labels.
YearTitleLabel
1972Party Dolls and WineCapitol
1973Somewhere My LoveCapitol
1973If You've Got the Time, I've Got the SongCapitol
1974Finer Things in LifeCapitol
1976Lone Star Beer and MusicDot
1976Texas RedDot
1977For All Our Cowboy FriendsDot
1978Hang On Feelin'Dot
1979It's Our Life (A Tribute to North American Farmers & Ranchers)
1982Cowboy FavoritesDelta
1986Red SteagallDot (MCA)
1993Born to This LandWarner Western
1995Faith and ValuesWarner Western
1996Cowboy CodeEagle
1997Dear Mama, I'm a CowboyWarner Western
1999Love of the WestWarner Western
2002Wagon TracksShanachie
2006The Wind, the Wire and the Rail
2007Here We Go Again (reissue/compilation elements)
2008A Cow Camp Bunkhouse Press
2011Dreamin' of... When the Grass Was Still DeepBunkhouse Press
2019Hats Off to the CowboyBunkhouse Press

Singles

Steagall charted several singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart between 1972 and 1980, with peaks reflecting his commercial success during that period. The table below details select charted singles, including titles, years, peak positions on the US Country chart, and labels where available. No Canadian Country chart entries were noted for these releases.
YearTitlePeak Position (US Country)Label
1972Party Dolls and Wine5Capitol
1972Somewhere My Love3Capitol
1973True Love51Capitol
1973The Fiddle Man87Capitol
1974This Just Ain't My Day (For Lettin' Darlin' Down)93Capitol
1974I Gave Up Good Mornin' Darling54Capitol
1974Finer Things in Life52Capitol
1974Someone Cares for You2Capitol
1975She Worshipped Me62Capitol
1976Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music11Dot
1976Truck Drivin' Man29Dot
1976Her L-O-V-E's Gone59Dot
1977I Left My Heart in San Francisco53Dot
1977Freckles Brown90Dot
1978Hang On Feelin'63Dot
19793 Chord Country Song31Elektra
1980Love's Gonna Get You Someday30Elektra
Compilations such as Classic & (2014, Delta) feature selections from his earlier work but are not original releases. No posthumous releases have been issued as of 2025.

Broadcasting Career

Television Roles

Steagall began his television career with regular guest appearances on the syndicated variety show during the 1970s, where he performed and shared Western-themed segments that highlighted his persona. His appearances often integrated live musical performances, blending his songwriting with the show's comedic and musical format. A notable episode aired on December 28, 1974 (season 6, episode 16), in which Steagall saluted his small hometown of Sanford, , emphasizing its rural heritage and population of 181. Throughout the 1980s, Steagall transitioned into prominent hosting roles centered on and Western sports programming. He served as host of the nationally televised for four years, providing commentary on the premier professional event and engaging audiences with his deep knowledge of the sport. In 1985, he hosted the Winston Pro Tour, covering professional competitions and bringing a authentic cowboy perspective to the broadcasts. From 1988 to 1991, Steagall co-hosted the for the Freedom Sports Network, focusing on collegiate athletes and the future of Western traditions in . Since 2014, Steagall has hosted Red Steagall Is Somewhere West of Wall Street on RFD-TV, a lifestyle series that explores ranching, historical sites, and the stories of the American West, often accompanied by his quarter horse, Grey Dog. The show emphasizes commentary on contemporary Western life, ranch operations, and cultural preservation, earning recognition including multiple Wrangler Awards from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Radio Hosting

Red Steagall launched his syndicated radio program Cowboy Corner in April 1994, initially broadcasting from before expanding to a national audience. The one-hour show quickly gained traction for its dedication to preserving Western heritage, airing weekly and featuring a mix of traditional cowboy music, , and recitations. The program's content centers on authentic Western artists and narratives, including performances by country musicians such as and readings by renowned cowboy poets like Waddie Mitchell and . Steagall hosts the show personally, often weaving in his own poetic insights to highlight the cowboy lifestyle, with segments dedicated to interviews that capture personal stories from Western figures. This format emphasizes cultural preservation over commercial trends, drawing listeners interested in the American West's traditions. By the early , Cowboy Corner had evolved into a coast-to-coast broadcast, reaching over 160 stations across more than 30 states and solidifying Steagall's role as a key voice in radio for . Its enduring appeal ties directly to Steagall's multifaceted persona as a and performer, allowing the show to bridge his literary work with auditory without relying on visual elements common in his television appearances.

Film Career

Acting Appearances

Steagall's acting career, though not his primary focus, featured several roles in Western and adventure films that leveraged his authentic background to portray rugged, outdoorsy characters. His most prominent role arrived in 1987 in the Disney family film , directed by , in which Steagall played the hunter—a poacher who kills a mother cougar, orphaning her cubs and prompting Benji's protective adventure through the wilderness. In 1988, Steagall portrayed Porter (uncredited), a tough frontiersman figure, in the rural drama , a story of Kansas farmers uniting against an agribusiness cartel conspiring to drive up wheat prices and control the bread market. He followed with the part of Monahan in the 1990 action Western , an ensemble piece inspired by Jimmy Dean's song, involving barroom brawls and a quest for among lifelong friends in a dusty town. Steagall appeared as Tinker, an aged and resilient Western archetype, in the 1999 drama Shadows of the Past (also known as Abilene), which explores themes of , loss, and small-town bonds in rural America. On television, Steagall had minor roles in programs infused with and country Western motifs, including guest appearances on that incorporated acting skits alongside musical performances to evoke authentic ranch life.

Production Contributions

Red Steagall served as for the 1990 Western film , a project that adapted 's iconic 1961 country ballad into a cinematic tale of heroism and set in a remote mining community. As , Steagall oversaw the assembly of a cast featuring Western luminaries such as in the title role, alongside , , and , ensuring the ensemble captured the rugged authenticity of cowboy archetypes. Directed by acclaimed Western filmmaker Burt Kennedy, the movie emphasized themes of moral fortitude and communal bonds, drawing deeply from cowboy cultural traditions to resonate with audiences familiar with ranching life and Western lore. Steagall's production involvement extended to guiding thematic development, prioritizing narratives that honored authentic ranching experiences and the enduring spirit of the American West, though his directorial credits in motion pictures remain limited. This hands-on approach in Big Bad John reflected his broader commitment to preserving cowboy heritage through film, where he influenced casting choices to include performers with genuine ties to Western storytelling.

Literary Works

Poetry Accomplishments

In April 1991, the State Legislature designated Red Steagall as the Official Cowboy Poet of , recognizing his contributions to preserving Western traditions through verse. This honor marked a pivotal moment in his poetic career, establishing him as a leading voice in , a rooted in the oral traditions of ranch hands and frontiersmen. Steagall's poetry style is characterized by rhythmic rhyme schemes infused with humor, drawing from authentic ranch life and Western history to evoke the daily struggles and triumphs of . His works often feature personal anecdotes and vivid depictions of rural experiences, blending lighthearted wit with poignant reflections on heritage. He frequently performs these poems live at events such as the annual Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering & Festival, where they resonate with audiences through storytelling that captures the essence of . Steagall seamlessly integrates his poetry into his musical performances and broadcasts, creating original pieces that pay tribute to agricultural traditions and the enduring spirit of ranching. For instance, he incorporates recitations into segments of his syndicated Cowboy Corner, enhancing the narrative flow alongside songs and stories. In May 2005, the Texas Commission on the Arts appointed him of for the following year, affirming his role as the first cowboy poet to hold this statewide position and underscoring the cultural impact of his verse.

Published Books

Red Steagall's first published book, Ride for the Brand, appeared in March 1993 from Press as a 168-page collection of and songs celebrating Western lifestyle themes, accompanied by musical lead sheets and illustrations from renowned Cowboy Artists of America members including Bill Owen, Fred Fellows, Joe Beeler, and Howard Terpning. His second book, The Fence That Me and Shorty Built, was released in April 2001 by Bunkhouse Press, comprising a 142-page anthology of new poetry and songs composed since his debut, also featuring lead sheets that echo the rhythmic storytelling found in his musical performances. In fall 2003, Press issued Born to This Land, a volume of enhanced by black-and-white photographs from Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Skeeter Hagler, exploring generational traditions and the enduring influence of ranching life on . Steagall's fourth book, Cowboy Corner Conversations, came out in 2004 via State House Press at , presenting transcribed interviews from his radio program that preserve oral histories of Western heritage through dialogue rather than verse. A subsequent poetry anthology, Red Steagall: New and Selected Poems, was published in June 2007 by Texas Christian University Press as part of the TCU Texas Poets Laureate Series, gathering previously unpublished works alongside selections from earlier collections to highlight his songlike rhythms and Western narratives. In November 2024, Texas Tech University Press published Steagall's autobiography Texas Red, a 224-page account of his life story in his own words, reflecting on his career in music, poetry, and Western heritage.

Western Heritage Advocacy

Cowboy Gathering and Festivals

The Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering & Western Swing Festival was founded in 1991 by Red Steagall and a group of passionate cowboys at the Cowtown Coliseum in the , , with the aim of preserving and celebrating authentic Western heritage and cowboy culture. What began as a modest gathering quickly evolved into an annual event, now in its 34th year as of 2025, held each October in the historic National Historic District. The festival features a diverse array of activities centered on Western traditions, including live cowboy music and poetry performances, traditional dancing to Western swing tunes, and competitive events such as ranch rodeos and chuck wagon cook-offs. The Western Swing Festival, a highlight hosted in venues like Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall, showcases performances by Steagall and other artists, emphasizing the genre's roots in dance halls and its enduring appeal through classic and contemporary sets. These elements draw national audiences, with the 2025 event attracting over 5,600 ticket holders and reaching more than 100,000 visitors to the Stockyards; in November 2025, it was named the Best Cowboy Music Gathering by , solidifying its status as the nation's premier Western heritage celebration. Over the years, the gathering has expanded to include dedicated youth programs, such as contests and junior chuck cooking competitions, fostering the next generation's engagement with skills and traditions. This evolution underscores the event's commitment to cultural preservation, particularly in safeguarding music—a genre Steagall has championed for over five decades—while building community through family-oriented, hands-on experiences that immerse participants in ranching life.

Red Steagall Institute

The Red Steagall Institute for Traditional Western Arts was named and approved in November 2023 by the Board of Regents, under the auspices of the National Ranching Heritage in . This followed the donation of Steagall's personal collection of Western artifacts by him and his wife, , in August 2023, which captures stories of through various media. In May 2024, the Board approved a $28 million expansion of the to accommodate the institute, with public announcement of the project occurring in June 2024. The institute's core purpose is to serve as a permanent home for Steagall's donated collection, including Western artifacts, recordings, and poetry manuscripts that reflect his lifelong contributions to cowboy culture. This repository integrates with the Center's 30-acre museum, which already documents over 200 years of ranching history, ensuring these items are preserved for public access and study. Centered on education and cultural continuity, the institute emphasizes hands-on training in traditional Western arts through full-time workshops and dedicated studio spaces, where participants learn directly from master artisans. Programs cover disciplines such as bit and spur making, leatherwork, , sculpting, songwriting, recitation, and writing, fostering skills that sustain the ranching community's heritage. By prioritizing long-term preservation, the institute aims to pass forward the narratives and techniques of to future generations.

Honors and Awards

Music and Entertainment Recognitions

Red Steagall has received multiple Wrangler Awards from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for his contributions to original Western music, recognizing his songwriting and album productions that preserve cowboy traditions. In 1993, he won for Best Original Music with his album Born to This Land on Warner Western Records, followed by the same category in 1995 for Faith and Values. He earned additional honors in 1997 for Dear Mama, I'm a Cowboy and in 1999 for Best Traditional Music with Love of the West, both on Warner Western. In 2002, Steagall received the Best Traditional Music award for Wagon Tracks on Western Jubilee Recording, marking his fifth such recognition for musical works that blend storytelling with Western swing and country elements. Steagall's songwriting legacy was further acknowledged through his 2007 induction into the Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association Hall of Fame, celebrating his enduring impact on music with hits like "Here We Go Again" and compositions that capture ranching life. In the realm of broadcasting, Steagall's television series Somewhere West of Wall Street, which he created and hosts on and , has garnered four Wrangler Awards in the Western lifestyle programming category, highlighting his role in promoting Western entertainment through interviews and performances. Specific wins include the 2016 award for film and TV excellence and the 2017 Western Lifestyle Programming Award, underscoring his influence in media that educates on cowboy culture.

Cultural and Rodeo Honors

Red Steagall has received numerous honors recognizing his lifelong dedication to preserving Western heritage, cowboy poetry, and culture. In 1991, the Texas State Legislature officially named him the Cowboy Poet of , acknowledging his contributions to authentic cowboy verse and storytelling traditions. This title underscored his role in revitalizing as a vital element of cultural identity. In 1999, Steagall was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame at the , honoring his embodiment of the cowboy spirit and his efforts to perpetuate Western traditions through poetry, music, and advocacy. This induction highlighted his status as a living link to the historical trails that shaped history. Steagall's recognitions continued with his induction into the at the in in 2003, where he joined luminaries who advanced Western performing arts and folklore. In January 2004, he was enshrined in the in Fort Worth, celebrated for his embodiment of cowboy values and his work in promoting ranching heritage. The following year, in 2005, Steagall earned induction into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in , recognizing his deep involvement in as a performer, producer, and cultural ambassador. In May 2005, the Commission on the Arts appointed Steagall as the of for 2006, making him the first cowboy poet to hold the state's highest literary honor; he was celebrated in ceremonies at the State Capitol in Austin before both legislative chambers. This accolade affirmed his influence in blending traditional cowboy narratives with broader literary recognition. More recently, Steagall was named the Legend of ProRodeo in 2023 by the and Museum of the American Cowboy in Colorado Springs, honoring his pioneering contributions to entertainment and Western cultural preservation over six decades. In 2025, he received the Ken Stemler Pioneer Award from the same institution, acknowledging his innovative leadership in promoting as an integral part of American heritage. These awards reflect Steagall's ongoing impact, including his founding of the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering, which supports Western cultural education.

References

  1. https://texasrodeocowboy.com/inductees/red-steagall/
  2. https://westernhorseman.com/ranching/classic-cowboys/red-steagall-rhythm-rhyme-and-ranch-life/
  3. https://texasstartrading.com/red-steagall-tells-his-remarkable-life-story/
  4. https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/collections/awards/wha/red-steagall/
  5. https://www.redsteagall.com/about
  6. https://texassongwriters.com/inductee/red-steagall/
  7. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0824134/bio/
  8. https://www.prorodeohalloffame.com/pioneer-award/2025-red-steagall/
  9. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/868083716/the-academy-of-western-artists-announces-finalists-for-18-award-categories
  10. https://ranchingheritage.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/RR_Summer18_final.pdf
  11. https://www.mrt.com/entertainment/music/article/Cowboy-poet-and-musician-Red-Steagall-to-receive-12499739.php
  12. https://www.truewestmagazine.com/article/what-history-has-taught-me-red-steagall/
  13. https://rodeolife.com/western-art-round-up-ted-steagall/
  14. https://www.ttupress.org/author/red-steagall/
  15. https://alancackett.com/red-steagall-living-the-western-of-his-music/
  16. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/28763/all
  17. https://www.mca.com/artist/reba/
  18. https://genius.com/albums/Reba-mcentire/Reba-mcentire
  19. https://alancackett.com/red-steagall-living-the-western-of-his-music
  20. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?id=109202
  21. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/red-steagall-mn0000383072
  22. https://www.amazon.com/Wagon-Tracks-Red-Steagall/dp/B0002IQLP8
  23. https://www.lpdiscography.com/?page=discography&interpret=341
  24. https://www.discogs.com/artist/933663-Red-Steagall
  25. https://www.musicvf.com/Red+Steagall.songs
  26. https://epguides.com/HeeHaw/
  27. https://www.rfdtv.com/red-steagall-somewhere-west-of-wall-street
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4689158/
  29. https://www.depts.ttu.edu/agriculturalsciences/Students/scholarships/college/Steagall.php
  30. https://www.redsteagall.com/cowboy-corner
  31. https://kulpradio.com/shows/red-stegall-cowboy-corner/
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092638/
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097156/
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099134/
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159233/
  36. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/68601/big-bad-john
  37. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0824134/
  38. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/poet-laureate
  39. https://www.amazon.com/Fence-That-Me-Shorty-Built/dp/0967761018
  40. https://www.ttupress.org/9780896727236/born-to-this-land/
  41. https://www.tamupress.com/book/9781880510841/cowboy-corner-conversations/
  42. https://www.ttupress.org/9781682832257/texas-red/
  43. https://www.redsteagallcowboygathering.com/our-story/
  44. https://apha.com/2025/11/red-steagall-cowboy-gathering-named-best-cowboy-music-gathering-by-true-west-magazine/
  45. https://www.fortworth.com/blog/stories/post/red-steagall-cowboy-gathering-western-swing-festival/
  46. https://www.americanhorsepubs.org/newsgroup/red-steagall-cowboy-gathering-returns-to-the-fort-worth-stockyards-for-its-34th-year/
  47. https://www.redsteagallcowboygathering.com/
  48. https://www.redsteagallcowboygathering.com/western-swing-festival/
  49. https://www.redsteagall.com/about-cowboy-gathering
  50. https://www.redsteagallcowboygathering.com/youth-events/
  51. https://www.fortworth.com/events/annual-events/red-steagall-cowboy-gathering-western-swing-fest/
  52. https://www.texastech.edu/board-of-regents/november-2023/acs-naming-nov-2023.pdf
  53. https://ranchingheritage.org/read-steagall-donates-western-arts-collection-to-national-ranching-heritage-center/
  54. https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/local/2024/06/09/national-ranching-heritage-center-to-expand-with-new-28-million-western-art-interactive-institute/73703457007/
  55. https://www.redsteagallinstitute.org/
  56. https://texassongwriters.com/hall-of-fame/
  57. https://www.cowboysindians.com/2017/05/red-steagalls-somewhere-west-of-wall-street-wins-prestigious-western-heritage-award/
  58. https://www.redsteagallcowboygathering.com/cowboy-poetry/
  59. https://www.texastrailoffame.org/inductees/red-steagall
  60. https://www.tchof.com/post/red-steagall
  61. https://texasrodeocowboy.com/inductees/red-steagall
  62. https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ref/abouttx/poets.html
  63. https://www.prorodeohalloffame.com/prorodeo-hall-of-fame-announces-2023-legend-of-prorodeo/
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