The historic Empire Ranch has been a working cattle ranch for almost 150 years. Its rich history includes successive ownership by two prominent ranching families, two corporations, and finally by the federal government on behalf of the general public.

Originally established in the 1860’s as a homestead ranch of 160 acres with a flat topped four-room adobe ranch house and adjoining adobe-walled corral and finally the BLM took over in 1988 with a commitment to preserve the historic Empire Ranch buildings and interpreting them for future generations.

Television series like Bonanza were filmed at empire and movie stars like John Wayne and Barbara Streisand filmed movies here. Sit back and enjoy the story of Empire Ranch as told by Empire volunteers Rick and Marti.

The Roaming Hillbilly started down the path of hillbilly music a decade ago with high energy, San Francisco Peninsula-based Americana Bluegrass. After teaming up with the Edgewood Mountain Boys,

Hillbilly (as his friends call him) quickly discovered his new passion that included roaming through the crowd playing music while the band performed on stage.

The rest is history! His current mission in life is as a solo musical entertainer to energize folks while sharing his boot stompin hillbilly music. Whether he's greeting folks with music as they first arrive at an event or keeping folks entertained as they stand in concession lines, there is always an opportunity to create smiles, do a little hillbilly dance or take a selfie.

Kick back for a minute and enjoy The Roaming Hillbilly passing through our podcast.

On this edition of the Cowboy Up podcast, we introduce TJ Jones, a real-life rodeo announcer with the Tejas rodeo near San Antonio, taxes. TJ’s mom was showing horses while he was growing up and his father was on the Sul Ross State Rodeo in Alpine, Texas so his rodeo roots run deep.

TJ NEVER starts a rodeo without speaking to our Creator who blessed us with the ability to do what we do. With Christ, all things are possible. According to TJ, whoever said a dog is a man’s best friend, never owned a horse. Good ol Buster has really turned into a great announcer’s horse and he’s the best coworker he’s ever had.

He hopes the Lord blesses him with many more years getting to announce rodeos from the back of ol Buster. TJ says there’s no better place to be on a Saturday night than a Tejas rodeo. Give TJ a healthy listen on the Cowboy Up podcast