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Catch the new season of cowboy poet Red Steagall’s TV show.
Red Steagall — famed cowboy poet and longtime Cowboys & Indians contributor — places a great deal of faith in a familiar maxim: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s why you won’t be seeing too many changes as In the Bunkhouse — the weekly entertainment series he describes as his “cowboy variety” show — moseys into its third season this month (January 2 and 3) on the RFD-TV cable network.
“The format and the look of the show seem to please our audience,” Steagall says. “And we get a lot of positive feedback. So I don’t see any reason in changing it.”
All of which means faithful viewers can enjoy the same mix of music, interviews, chuck wagon cooking, and cowboy poetry that has made In the Bunkhouse must-see TV since 2010.
“I just think of this show as good, warm, comfort food for America,” Steagall says.
So he’s not about to change any of the items on his menu.
“It gives me tremendous satisfaction,” he says, “to know that I can represent the Western way of life on television with music and poetry and the chuck wagon atmosphere.”
And more. Much more.
“You know,” Steagall adds, “the image of the West and the romance of the West are not going to die. Because it’s the very heart of America. Not only the image of a person on horseback working cattle. But the set of values that it represents. Things like individualism, independence, and freedom. And honesty, integrity. The work ethic. Dedication to your family, and conviction about your belief in God. And practicing common decency and respect for your fellow man every day you live.
“Those are things everybody appreciates, no matter where they live. Those things are the key to a harmonious society. And those are things we celebrate on our show.”
The only real change this year, Steagall says, has to do with the Bunkhouse guest list. “Our guests usually set the tone for the show every week. And this year, we’ve got some different things, different people.”
During previous seasons, “I had a lot of my buddies who sing on the show. This year, we don’t have any musical guests so far. That’s not to say we won’t later on in the year. But this season, I’ve brought on some people who have an interest in the way we live and the clothes we wear, and the things we use in the Western lifestyle.”
For example: World champion calf roper Stran Smith will appear on the program representing Cactus Saddlery, to show how saddles are made at the Cactus factory in Greenville, Texas. Resistol Hats marketing manager Jay Winborn will offer a similar show and tell regarding hat manufacturing. And historian Cliff Teinert “will talk about the history of the chuck wagon — where it came from, and why it’s still important to the cowboy way of life,” Steagall says.
As always, Steagall promises, there will be plenty of cowboy music for your listening pleasure. “I’m still opening every show with a song,” he says. “But this year, I’m going to let the fellows in the band do the songs of inspiration. I want to give them more time in front of the camera.
“And also,” Steagall adds with a chuckle, “it’ll get me off camera once in a while.”
For more information on In the Bunkhouse, visit www.inthebunkhousetv.com and www.rfdtv.com.
Check out Red Steagall’s interview with legendary actor and Western artist Buck Taylor in the March issue of C&I.
