On this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with Texas country singer-songwriter Summer Dean in her home in Fort Worth, Texas, for a conversation about music, songwriting, life, and the journey that led her to become one of the most respected voices in Texas country music.Summer shares her story of growing up in rural Texas, her connection to ranching and the country lifestyle, and the path that eventually led her to leave behind a career as an elementary school teacher to pursue music full-time.We talk about the risks that come with chasing a dream, the years of hard work it took to build her career, and the honesty and vulnerability behind the songs she writes.Summer has become known for her authentic songwriting and traditional country sound, with albums including Bad Romantic and The Biggest Life. Her music draws from real-life experiences, relationships, heartbreak, independence, and the world she knows best.In this conversation, we also talk about her career, the Texas music scene, songwriting, the people and experiences that have influenced her, and what it takes to keep moving forward in an industry where there are no guarantees.From her home in Fort Worth to stages across Texas and beyond, Summer Dean has built her career by staying true to herself and telling stories that are honest, personal, and unmistakably country.Follow Summer Dean:Website: SummerDeanMusic.comInstagram: @summerdeanmusic

Carson Jeffrey: The Cowboy Behind the Music | Dusty Vaquero Podcast

On this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with Texas Country singer-songwriter and cowboy Carson Jeffrey to talk about music, ranch life, rodeo, and what it takes to build a career while staying true to your roots.

Carson grew up around the cowboy lifestyle in Cat Spring, Texas, and has built a life that looks a little different from the typical touring musician. During the week, he’s working on the ranch—building, fixing fences, mowing pastures, and roping calves. When the weekend comes, he hits the road as a musician, playing more than 100 shows a year across Texas and the Southern United States.

We talk about Carson’s journey through Texas A&M, how he got started writing and performing music, his experiences in the rodeo and cowboy world, and how those experiences have shaped the songs he writes.

Carson released his debut album, Muchos Sonidos, in 2019, which featured the fan-favorite “Ranch Girl Dream.” He followed it with Fair Weather Cowboy in 2022, an album that digs into themes of growing up, relationships, loneliness, and the realities of the cowboy lifestyle.

From ranch work and roping calves to playing packed Texas honky-tonks, Carson Jeffrey represents the kind of authentic Texas Country storyteller that the Dusty Vaquero Podcast is all about.

Follow Carson Jeffrey:

Website: carsonjeffrey.com
Instagram: @carson.jeffrey
YouTube: Carson Jeffrey
Spotify: Carson Jeffrey

Follow the Dusty Vaquero Podcast for more conversations with the cowboys, ranchers, musicians, artists, and storytellers who are helping keep the Western way of life alive.

Logan Ryan: From Welding to Texas Country | The Logan Ryan BandOn this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with Texas singer-songwriter Logan Ryan of The Logan Ryan Band at his home in Texas.Logan shares his journey into music, from picking up a guitar at a young age and writing songs to playing South Texas honky-tonks and building his career as an independent artist. We talk about the hard work that goes into chasing music, where he sees his career heading, the growth of The Logan Ryan Band, and his plans for the future.Before pursuing music full-time, Logan spent years working ranch jobs and as a professional welder. We also dive into his welding background, balancing blue-collar work with his passion for songwriting, and what ultimately pushed him to take the leap and pursue music full-time.Logan Ryan's sound blends Texas Country, Red Dirt, and Americana, bringing honest songwriting and a working-class perspective to his music. His album, Kamikaze, was released in 2026.Be sure to check out Logan Ryan and The Logan Ryan Band:Website: https://loganryanband.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7LVl0gsG1AEc6lid0fJK6PInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/loganryanband/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLoganRyanBandYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw2YMl2IW1HLXGFbqrsCg_A

Logan Ryan: From Welding to Texas Country | The Logan Ryan Band

On this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with Texas singer-songwriter Logan Ryan of The Logan Ryan Band at his home in Texas.

Logan shares his journey into music, from picking up a guitar at a young age and writing songs to playing South Texas honky-tonks and building his career as an independent artist. We talk about the hard work that goes into chasing music, where he sees his career heading, the growth of The Logan Ryan Band, and his plans for the future.

Before pursuing music full-time, Logan spent years working ranch jobs and as a professional welder. We also dive into his welding background, balancing blue-collar work with his passion for songwriting, and what ultimately pushed him to take the leap and pursue music full-time.

Logan Ryan's sound blends Texas Country, Red Dirt, and Americana, bringing honest songwriting and a working-class perspective to his music. His album, Kamikaze, was released in 2026.

Be sure to check out Logan Ryan and The Logan Ryan Band:

Website: https://loganryanband.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7LVl0gsG1AEc6lid0fJK6P
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loganryanband/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLoganRyanBand
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw2YMl2IW1HLXGFbqrsCg_A

Colten Jesse: From Oklahoma Bull Rider to Troubadour

On this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with Oklahoma-born bull rider and songwriter Colten Jesse to talk about the road that took him from riding bulls in small-town Oklahoma to competing on the biggest stages in professional bull riding—and eventually finding a second career in music.

Colten grew up in Konawa, Oklahoma, riding bulls from a young age and working his way through the ranks before making his way into the PRCA and eventually the PBR. Along the way came wins, injuries, the pressure of professional bull riding, and the experiences that shaped him both inside and outside the arena.

JB and Colten also dig into how music entered his life during a time when injuries kept him away from riding. What started with a pawn-shop guitar eventually turned into songwriting and a growing music career, with songs inspired by the people, places, struggles, and hard-earned lessons of his life.

It's a conversation about Oklahoma, bull riding, injuries, music, friendship, and figuring out what comes next when the life you thought you'd live starts to change.

This is the story of Colten Jesse—from the back of a bull to behind a guitar.

Brennan Scott Greene: From the Family Ranch to Music

On this episode of the Dusty Vaquero Podcast, JB Zielke sits down with songwriter and musician Brennan Scott Greene at JB’s home in Gillette, Wyoming, for a conversation about family, ranch life, and finding his way into music.

Brennan shares stories from growing up on his family’s ranch, the lessons and experiences that came from that way of life, and how his upbringing shaped the person and artist he would become. The conversation also dives into how Brennan discovered music, what ultimately led him to pursue songwriting, and how the life he grew up living continues to influence the music he creates today.

It's a conversation about ranching, family, hard work, music, and the roots that never leave you.

Hosted by JB Zielke.

West Texas native Kat Hasty sat down on the podcast in Turkey Texas. We talk about life on the road and the ever changing music world musicians navigate.

Matt Tumlinson is a Texas artist, he makes his living with a pencil and a paint brush. We sat down to talk in Turkey Texas about how Matt made art his full time job and the things that inspire him.

Find Matt at www.tumlinsonart.com

We met up with Zack in Turkey Texas this spring. Zack is the front man and founder member of the band Dolly Shine, but lately he has taken on a solo project centered around cowboy and western music as well as a project with his friends Ross Cooper and Hayden Redwine. Zack is a father, husband and West Texas cattle rancher. You can find Zack's music here:https://open.spotify.com/artist/2zSEHeXHYoCiv5VkJE8lNi?si=gAzGsHI4SLCRK6MIj6xohQYou can find Dolly Shine's music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/62KOMT8z56UAfFk3YMKHKL?si=s_rT0C5lRkyhQQjXShCc5A

From the saddle shop in Turkey Texas we learned about Zack's rodeo career, what its like to live out of a van and travel the west playing music.

Find Zach's Music on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/41Tb9oRP77iJ5r9I2XbyFh?si=uFjR-QOVREeYUgLitxLlQw