In honor of the new release, Cowboy Heat, an anthology featuring stories from 14 other authors with fierce cowboys and the women strong enough to tame them taking the lead, we’ll walk in the boots of a cowboy for the next few Tuesdays and explore interesting facets of his life in the blog series, Cowboy Culture.

Last week, we talked about the cowboy inspired art. This week, it’s all about the music.

Long before Brooks & Dunn’s heel-toe, do si do, come on, baby, let’s go boot scooting’…boogie, the cowboy made his mark on the musical world. With a freedom never before experienced he broke all the rules, changing a steady four count to five, four, five and however else he pleased. The open west was his amphitheatre. The crickets his accompaniment. The cows and horses his adoring fans.

A harmonica became his go to instrument on the trail for its compact size and soulful bravado. Here is an example of its boastfulness.

The cowboy took the mandolin from Vivaldi’s European concert halls and gave it the earthen twang of the people.

What sings country and gets boots scootin’ like a fiddle?

Do you have a favorite country/western-fied instrument? The guitar, bass, piano or one of the above? As a former guitar picker and violin bower, I’m torn. But the fiddle wins my vote.

Remember to check out the Cowboy Heat Blog Tour and the Like Me Love Me Contest running through April 18th for prizes!

 

 

All the best,

Megan Mitcham, Author