As founding director of the Western Folklife Center and the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering I have been inspired by both ranch people who recite the old verses about the West and those who write new poetry. I’m no cowboy though I’ve been a rancher and still own a few cows. I really don’t write songs about ranching but have been inspired to write my songs from the creative voice of ranching people.
Having been a musician most of my life, playing mostly traditional old-time string band music, the interest in being a singer-songwriter has been a big step. I was in a group that toured and recorded called the Deseret String Band. In the past few years I’ve played music on and off with the Secondhand Band and more recently with Red Rock Rondo. My goal is to make a recording of my own songs.
I produce regularly for NPR with my partner Taki Telonoidis and can mostly be heard on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday. Check out our series, What’s in a Song on the NPR website. We also produce some public TV including a documentary called, Why the Cowboy Sings. We are currently working on a documentary based on the music of Red Rock Rondo.
I’ve been married to the love of my life Teresa Jordan for over 15 years and have a daughter I’m crazy about who lives and teaches in Mexico City.
Hi, Hal, Thanks for the add. Lately I've been listening a lot to the Deseret String Band's "Utah: Songs of Statehood." It's a great CD and I especially love the song "Oh, Sisters." Thanks for making such wonderful music. John
Hey! Good Stuff! I like hearing what other singers are doing in our part of the world. You ought to listen to my stuff and give me a few pointers! -Kirk
