R.W. Hampton, Western Musician
By: R.W. Hampton 08/25/2009
I will always be a cowboy at heart. I worked hard to “earn my spurs”; I feel proud knowing that I rode with that special tribe, and they called me one of their own.
The most beautiful spot on earth is Clearview Ranch. If you died and went to heaven, it would be a horizontal move. The ranch is only a few miles from where I started this great adventure, and it’s the perfect place for Lisa and me to raise our kids and horses. You can look one way and see back into yesterday; the other, away off into mañana and on to forever. It gives you perspective.
I never imagined I would come full circle and own my own piece of heaven in New Mexico. I’ve written numerous songs about this area, and I always dreamed of living here, but I figured I would have to do it working for someone else.
Appearing as myself with Kenny Rogers in the movie Wild Horses was a great thrill! This was my first movie, and it costarred Ben Johnson, Dick Farnsworth and Buck Taylor. I grew up on their movies. These guys are the “Real McCoy.” Even though I was as green an actor as could be, they treated me as one of their own. They were, and are, my heroes on and off the screen.
Working on the Spade Ranch was the first time I wasn’t treated as a “kid,” so I learned that rough Canadian River country for my own. Knew every inch of it, and learned to live or die by my own decisions. I broke my first real broncs there, learned to swim the river horseback and learned that if I didn’t get along with my horse, it can be a long, lonely walk back to camp.
Twenty years and 11 albums later: Wow!
The greatest advice my parents gave was never spoken but their actions led our family by example. They put God first in their lives, and they taught us that life is not fair. We saw them live out their faith during the darkest days and the greatest loss our family experienced. When I was 14, my family and I were involved in a deadly car accident. My nine-year-old sister was among those killed. Despite unbearable pain and suffering, my parents kept their eyes upon the cross and all that it means and promises. Through their example, we learned what it really means to walk by faith and not by sight, and not to question God’s plan when it doesn’t seem fair or make sense.
A real cowboy is someone who cowboys. That is, they make their living taking care of cattle and stewarding the land with their main tool being a horse. I have the greatest respect for this occupation. I was one at one time, and I know what it takes to be one. (Sorry, no “cowboys at heart” included here.) It is the most highly skilled and underpaid occupation in the world, in my opinion. Although we ranch and live the Western lifestyle, I don’t even consider myself one of these any longer.
Comments (17)
the times we have met and listened to RW have been Sooo special, since first hearing him in Kanab, Utah!
My favorite memories are from July 4th weekend, '08 when RW "did church" in Bridgeport, CA...all alone. That hour blessed me more than most services I have attended in my life! He is so sincere, so real, a True Christian!!!
My 93-year old Cousin from Fresno, dearly loves RW; we went over and took Ed to see RW at Maverick Coffe House a few months ago!
Connie, Dayton, NV
How nice to read all of this about you R.W. CONGRADULATIONS.
Jack & Anna May
I have been proud to call R.W. & Lisa my friends for many years. He has been a HUGE influence in my life by his humble, honest, and down to earth character and genuine appreciation of his many friends and fans. He is the REAL DEAL. It makes me proud to see the media recognising this outstanding artist and mi amigo.
There used to be a little store in Santa Fe I loved that is no longer there. The second time I went there, in 2005, I picked up two CDs...one by Curly Musgrave and one by R.W. Hampton. They were all I listened to for the next three days as I prepared for the WMA Awards and Festival that I would be photographing in Albequerque that weekend. I had not heard R.W. before and was hooked from the first song. I grew up in Tucson with real Western music and knew I'd come to meet R.W. and was sure he was the real deal just through his songs. We met that weekend and I've come to know him and his wife as exceptionally "true" folks. I'll be heading to that little piece of heaven soon, and look forward to the images I'll create there. More than that, I look forward to spending time with the Hamptons. Blessings, Lori Faith Merritt
I try to do some of your songs during my service to the Lord in the church I pastor in Millersview ,Texas. Our folks are mostly Farmers and Ranchers and they love R.W .'s songs. We try to Glorify God and Praise Him and the music fits us. Thanks.
Don Sessom , Pastor
Authentic! that's RW; the real deal. So happy to have found this music. Keep it up...
Great article! The more I read and learn about R.W., the more I love and appreciate him and all he represents!
I have very fond memories of the times he and I got together with our guitars to play and sing when he was still developing his talents as a teenager. I've always loved to hear him sing.
I agree, people need to get to know RW Hampton. I was able to see him perform once, but once was enough to get hooked on his music & voice.
Its good to see RW Hampton featured. More folks need to get to know this mans music and appreciate his talent.
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