Western Entertainer
R.W. Hampton’s journey as a Western entertainer is rooted in a lifetime of cowboy experiences and unwavering dedication to his craft. Born with a love for the open range, Hampton grew up in Texas and found his true calling on ranches throughout the American West, where he worked as a cowboy. His music career began in bunkhouses and around campfires, where he played his guitar and sang about cowboy life. These experiences laid the foundation for Hampton’s music and a career that has earned him widespread admiration, from rodeo arenas to international stages.
With a voice as genuine as his lyrics, Hampton’s songs resonate with fans from all walks of life. Cowboys, ranchers, and those who may never see a ranch up close cherish his music. His authenticity has endeared him to audiences worldwide. Hampton’s Western anthems reflect the life of hard work, early mornings, and rugged landscapes, giving listeners a glimpse into the soul of a true cowboy.
After a cameo role alongside Kenny Rogers in “Wild Horses” in 1985, he focused on a career in the entertainment industry. Hampton went on to perform at notable venues across the U.S., including the Grand Ole Opry and the Smithsonian, and to tour internationally. His talents extend beyond music into film and voice work, and he has even been a cowboy model for Levi’s, Stetson, and Resistol. He has appeared in over a dozen films, working alongside legends such as Ben Johnson, Barry Corbin, Buck Taylor, and Richard Farnsworth. His work has been recognized with numerous honors, including induction into the Western Music Association Hall of Fame, multiple Wrangler Awards and the Chester A Reynolds Award from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and accolades for his vocal performances and original songwriting compositions.
One of his most acclaimed works is The Last Cowboy, a one-man stage play he co-wrote with his brother, Jeff, and playwright Dave Marquis. This production, in which Hampton narrates the story of the American cowboy through song and monologue, has garnered critical praise for its heartfelt portrayal of cowboy culture and history. With 13 albums, including award-winning pieces like Austin to Boston and Where the West Remains, his music captures the spirit and resilience of the cowboy lifestyle.
Hampton has lived and worked on a number of Texas panhandle ranches over the years, including the LS, the Lit Ranch, and the Quièn Sabe. He and his wife and 4 of their six kids live in the Texas panhandle and ranch across the state line in New Mexico. Their Clearview Ranch and Six Springs Ranches in Colfax County (which he jokes used to be part of Texas) enable them to raise good horses, work cattle, and live out the cowboy way of life he so eloquently sings about.
His career, marked by authenticity, faith, and family, has solidified his place as a leading voice in Western music, making R.W. Hampton a fitting inductee into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.