It's been 50 YEARS since Michael Martin Murphey's hit song, Wildfire, first debuted - and not only is a remake of this timeless treasure with none other than Cody Johnson now available, but Wildfire the movie hits Fandango's streaming services tomorrow, October 10, 2025!!

Here's your chance to hear the backside story of how Michael wrote this hit song that was at first rejected by the executives in the industry.

You'll get to hear all about the movie, as well as Michael's insight into American freedoms, our country's history, as well as his deep appreciation for music and its roots!

This episode of Calling to the Good is your chance to get to know the real Michael Martin Murphey, and we think you're gonna love him!

When it comes to music, Carlos Washington loves western swing, rodeo, and cowboy classics, so it's no surprise that he's in the middle of creating his own music legacy that is timeless.

Having been awarded 2018 & 2023 Songs of the Year and also having earned multiple award nominations for Western Entertainer, Performer, Group & Album of the Year, Carlos Washington is also a cowboy at heart with an engineering degree to boot!

Not only will you enjoy Carlos' music, but his personality is pretty shiny too! Thanks for pulling up this episode of Calling to the Good with Carlos Washington!

With a twinkle in his eyes that reminded me of Johnny Gimble and a smile like that of Bob Wills, Jason Roberts took us on a journey down the road of where it all began for him.

We talked a little Willie, we talked a little George, and of course we spent a little time Asleep at the Wheel , and then he played us out with a tune called 𝑭𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 on his fiddle.

I was blessed to sit down with the man behind Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys under the direction of Jason Roberts - and the moment definitely did not disappoint!

You're gonna love every minute of this one! Enjoy!

Thank you to the Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival and Mr. Mike Markwardt for sponsoring this western swing series, as well as for the use of the pics in the vodcast! Also, special thanks to the Coleman Theater in Miami, Oklahoma for the use of your ballroom as our recording studio - and to Michelle Loftis for riding shotgun with me!

BirthplaceOfWesternSwing.com

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After losing two of her daughters just before Christmas in 2023, Jennifer Adair could have crumpled and crawled into her bed and never gotten up again...

I can relate to her heartache as a mother, but what she did next is an inspiring story you'll want to hear.

Pawhuska has a new non-profit in its midst. It's Growing Arts Pawhuska - and its founder is Jennifer Adair.

Listen in as Jennifer takes time to tell her story to host, Kelly Hurd, and you just might wipe a few tears and be encouraged to choose to live again as well.

For the first time since Little House on the Prairie, actor Stan Ivar (John Carter) and Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter) are together again on stage at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks, California - AND to make it even better, Little House's former Casting Director, Susan McCray is the play's director!

Listen in as Susan, Pam, and Stan reminisce with host, Kelly Hurd, about their Little House on the Prairie days, their first impressions of Michael Landon, as well as give you a glimpse into their upcoming performance in which play attendees can even participate in a question and answer session, meet the cast, and get autographs following each performance!

Find out more and get tickets at the link below:https://susanmccrayproductioncom.ludus.com/index.php

Sitting in the green room backstage at the Western Swing Festival in Snyder, Texas - Billy Mata took time to look over his shoulder back to when it all began and the journey along the way.

If you're looking for greatness cloaked in humility, you'll find it in Billy Mata - along with a big heart, an unmistakable style, and one of the smoothest voices you'll ever hear!

From traditional country to western swing, and from Bob Wills to Ray Price and Johnny Cash - Billy Mata makes it all his own - while making music like it used to be!

BillyMataEntertainer.com

I'm your host, Kelly Hurd - and I approve of this episode. ;)

Thanks for traveling with me, John Hurd!

Enjoy this interview with Cary Ginell - a veteran radio broadcaster, folklorist, and author of ten books on American music. He is an award-winning writer and music historian who took a moment to sit down with host, Kelly Hurd, recently and discuss the beginnings of the western swing music genre.

Through Cary's reminiscing about the days of Milton Brown, Bob Wills, and the Light Crust Doughboys, you'll feel as if you stepped back into the 1930s!

Get to know Milton Brown and Bob Wills a little better through the insights of Cary Ginell.

And in the opinion of Kelly Hurd - Bob Wills is still the king, of Western Swing!

It was Mother's Day at Joey and Sherry McKenzie's house down in Texas. Bob Wills' daughter, Carolyn, was there as well - when Joey McKenzie of The Western Flyers took time to sit down for a little one-on-one interview about how a fiddle-loving youth from Oregon stepped into his dream of Western Swing and found the love of his life as well!

The Western Flyers | Western Swing & Country Band

Bob Wills passed from this life on May 13, 1975, and almost 50 years to the day, I got to sit down with the daughter of the King of Western Swing - Carolyn Wills - to reminisce about her childhood, talk about what it was like at her house growing up, as well as celebrate her new success as an award-winning author with her children's book, "Glory Be! It's Punkin's Story!" about her father's horse, Punkin'.

Many thanks to the folks at the Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival and its founder, Mr. Michael Markwardt for sponsoring this Western Swing series on Calling to the Good!

For tickets to their annual Western Swing festival in Fort Worth, Texas each year check out their website at BirthplaceOfWesternSwing.com!

To order a copy of Carolyn's children's book visit BobWills.com

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I remember Monday nights on NBC and later rushing home from school to watch Charles Ingalls and the folks of Walnut Grove on Little House on the Prairie.

In this episode, we are visiting with the gal everyone just loved to hate on Little House - that notorious Nellie Oleson (aka actress Alison Arngrim)!

Listen in as Alison tells us about Willie (Jonathan Gilbert), Harriet (Katherine McGregor), Charles (Michael Landon), and more!

Here's your opportunity to get to know the actress behind Walnut Grove's spoiled brat and step onto the set with her way back in the day!

I hope you enjoy this interview!

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