Artist Information
Andy Hedges is a songster, reciter, storyteller, guitarist, and collector of cowboy songs and poems. The son of a schoolteacher and a rodeo cowboy turned preacher, Andy was born in Lubbock, Texas. He grew up in the small community of Tokio, Texas, where his family paid rent on an old farmhouse by looking after a few head of cattle. It was there that Andy fell in love with traditional music by listening to his father’s cassettes of cowboy songs.
Andy’s vast and varied repertoire includes cowboy poetry recitations, obscure western ballads, and the folk-blues of the working cowboy. He also hosts a podcast, Cowboy Crossroads which features in-depth interviews with fellow musicians and poets. Andy has performed many times with folk legend Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and the duo’s performance at the 60th Newport Folk Festival was named one of the “10 Best Things We Saw” by Rolling Stone. Andy’s latest album Roll On, Cowboys is collection of cowboy duets with guest artists including Corb Lund, Dom Flemons, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, and Tom Russell.
"Andy could very well carry on the traditions when all of us old guys are gone. I'd feel assured in knowing the music of our great American West was in good hands." - Don Edwards
“This cowboy songster is not just a contender, he’s the real deal.” – Tom Russell
"I've always admired Andy Hedges for his longstanding fascination for classic cowboy songs. He sings 'em with just the right amount of grit and wry cowpoke humor." - Michael Martin Murphey
"Andy is just the kind of artist I like. Deep into the tradition and carrying it into the future with his own voice." - Jim Rooney
"He embodies the future of the tradition." - Waddie Mitchell
"Hedges blends tradition with vanguard..." - Jennifer Denison, Senior Editor, Western Horseman
“…Andy is at the epicenter of the collective beating heart of cowboy poetry and music. As an artist, and as a man, he is among the finest this renaissance has to offer.” – Randy Rieman
