Here’s your daily reminder that Ryan Bingham is cooler than you.
Born in New Mexico, raised in Texas, the troubadour has made a name for himself as one of the most authentic songwriters country music has ever seen, and he’s been able to parlay his alt-country superstardom into an acting career highlighted by his role as Walker on the Paramount’s hit series Yellowstone. The guy has done it all, seen it all, and is just an all around smooth operator.
With his music style and propensity for playing cowboy roles on the big screen, it’s well known that Bingham has real roots in rodeo, competing on rodeo circuits in the southwest throughout his teens and early adulthood.
It was on these circuits where Bingham began to hone his craft as a musician and a songwriter, and presumably, the rodeo life he led at the time contributed to his gritty style of music.
Well, I’ve never intentionally sought out footage of Bingham’s rodeo days, but I can’t imagine there’s too much of it out there. Thankfully for us fans of all things Bingham, he took to Instagram to share some throwback tape from a rodeo across the border in Monterrey, Mexico circa 1997 or so, riding a bull named Rambo.
Just when you think this guy couldn’t get any cooler…
“I couldn’t ride bulls like JB Mauney, but I would definitely grit my teeth and try one back in the day. 17 years old at Far West Rodeo in Monterrey, Mexico.”
Now that you’re reminded Ryan Bingham is cooler than you, it’s only right that we cue up a few of Bingham’s best.
“Hallelujah”
“All Choked Up Again”
“South Side of Heaven”
“Wolves”
A Triple Threat
Even his castmates on the hit series Yellowstone think he’s a total badass. Or as Jimmy (played by Jefferson White), an amazing “triple threat.”
“Ryan Bingham is an amazing triple threat. He’s an incredible actor, obviously a great musician, but he’s also and incredible cowboy.”
The music is obvious, the acting chops are in plain sight, but did you know that Ryan (a New Mexico native) actually grew up roping and riding all over Texas? He even landed a job at Disney World in Paris, France, riding in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
So when he stepped on the set of Yellowstone, he was a natural.
Watch Ryan perform “All Choked Up Again” from the Dutton Ranch bunkhouse, one of the most captivating scenes from the first season of the show.
In this episode, the new ranch hand Walker sits down with his guitar to pick on a song for the rest of the fellas in the bunkhouse. Before he begins he asks if they want to hear a happy song or a sad song.
When they say “happy,” he performs “All Choked Up Again.”
“Well, if that’s your happy…don’t you ever play me goddamn sad.”
Helluva scene.
If you’re looking for the entire Yellowstone soundtrack, complete through every episode of Season 5, then look no further.
Our Yellowstone: The Soundtrack Playlist, featuring every song from every episode, updated in real time, every Sunday night.
