Calling to the Good

I just might love this interview above any other I've been blessed to do on the Calling to the Good podcast - and the reason for that is the heart that John England brought to it - and his willingness to share about the tough places that shaped his heart. Grab a cup of coffee and sit in on this one - I hope you love it as well! CallingToTheGood.com

Taking you inside the Lodge on the Delaware Tribe Ranch, as well as a jumping into the history and vision of the tribe - this episode of Calling to the Good finds host, Kelly Hurd, visiting and enjoying some light-hearted conversation with the Board of Directors of the Delaware Tribe Ranch - Jim Perrier, Tanayia Hubler, Dale Goode and ranch manager Shaun Scott up near Sedan, Kansas - where spaciou...

It's been 50 YEARS since Michael Martin Murphey's hit song, Wildfire , first debuted - and not only is a remake of this timeless treasure with none other than Cody Johnson now available, but Wildfire the movie hits Fandango's streaming services tomorrow, October 10, 2025!! Here's your chance to hear the backside story of how Michael wrote this hit song that was at first rejected by...

When it comes to music, Carlos Washington loves western swing, rodeo, and cowboy classics, so it's no surprise that he's in the middle of creating his own music legacy that is timeless. Having been awarded 2018 & 2023 Songs of the Year and also having earned multiple award nominations for Western Entertainer, Performer, Group & Album of the Year, Carlos Washington is also a cowboy...

With a twinkle in his eyes that reminded me of Johnny Gimble and a smile like that of Bob Wills , Jason Roberts took us on a journey down the road of where it all began for him. We talked a little Willie , we talked a little George , and of course we spent a little time Asleep at the Wheel , and then he played us out with a tune called 𝑭𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 on his fiddle. I was blessed to sit down with the m...

After losing two of her daughters just before Christmas in 2023, Jennifer Adair could have crumpled and crawled into her bed and never gotten up again... I can relate to her heartache as a mother, but what she did next is an inspiring story you'll want to hear. Pawhuska has a new non-profit in its midst. It's Growing Arts Pawhuska - and its founder is Jennifer Adair. Listen in as Jennifer...

For the first time since Little House on the Prairie , actor Stan Ivar (John Carter) and Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter) are together again on stage at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks, California - AND to make it even better, Little House's former Casting Director, Susan McCray is the play's director! Listen in as Susan, Pam, and Stan reminisce with host, Kelly Hurd , about their Litt...

Sitting in the green room backstage at the Western Swing Festival in Snyder, Texas - Billy Mata took time to look over his shoulder back to when it all began and the journey along the way. If you're looking for greatness cloaked in humility, you'll find it in Billy Mata - along with a big heart, an unmistakable style, and one of the smoothest voices you'll ever hear! From traditional c...

Enjoy this interview with Cary Ginell - a veteran radio broadcaster, folklorist, and author of ten books on American music . He is an award-winning writer and music historian who took a moment to sit down with host, Kelly Hurd , recently and discuss the beginnings of the western swing music genre. Through Cary's reminiscing about the days of Milton Brown, Bob Wills, and the Light Crust Doughbo...

It was Mother's Day at Joey and Sherry McKenzie's house down in Texas. Bob Wills' daughter, Carolyn , was there as well - when Joey McKenzie of The Western Flyers took time to sit down for a little one-on-one interview about how a fiddle-loving youth from Oregon stepped into his dream of Western Swing and found the love of his life as well! The Western Flyers | Western Swing & Country Band

Bob Wills passed from this life on May 13, 1975, and almost 50 years to the day, I got to sit down with the daughter of the King of Western Swing - Carolyn Wills - to reminisce about her childhood, talk about what it was like at her house growing up, as well as celebrate her new success as an award-winning author with her children's book, "Glory Be! It's Punkin's Story!" abou...

I remember Monday nights on NBC and later rushing home from school to watch Charles Ingalls and the folks of Walnut Grove on Little House on the Prairie . In this episode, we are visiting with the gal everyone just loved to hate on Little House - that notorious Nellie Oleson (aka actress Alison Arngrim )! Listen in as Alison tells us about Willie (Jonathan Gilbert), Harriet (Katherine McGregor), C...

Morey Sullivan is a legend in his own time. He brought the band that Hank Thompson later dubbed The Brazos Valley Boys - and they are still playing good music today! Join us down at Good Time Charlee's in Pawhuska, Oklahoma as Morey Sullivan and host, Kelly Hurd , talk about how it all began with Hank Thompson and where it's all headed today! Also, Hank Thompson's Brazos Valley Boys wi...

If you haven't already tuned in to American Country Network (ACN), after listening to this episode you just might want to, because ACN is airing original country music content that you're gonna love! We have two of the network's creatives on Calling to the Good today and they are also BOTH performing at the upcoming Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival in Fort Worth, Texas in N...

Hey y'all! Let's do a little Calling to the Good ! Pull up a chair and join us around a table in the historic Guthrie Depot as the "boys" of Oklahoma Swing talk a little Bob Wills, limousines, Reba, barn fiddlin', dozens of dollars, and the journey that brought them together to revive Western Swing music north of the Red River! May all your pastures be belly-deep, your cattle...

When you get five Kentucky gentlemen together, you just never know where the conversation might go... I enjoyed every minute of visiting with The Honkytonk Wranglers as part of our Western Swing music series brought to you by the Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival ! Turn the volume up and get to know Sethro, Clayton, Scooter, Spencer, and Josh. You just might like a little Bone Stock Hon...

This is one epic conversation! Here we were in the historic Stampede Dance Hall on the Snyder Highway outside of Big Springs, Texas with none other than Jody Nix - a legend in Texas dance hall music. We talked about his being invited to be part of the last Bob Wills album ever recorded - "For the Last Time" - as well as about growing up with the King of Western Swing coming over to his h...

Jake Hooker and Tommy Hooker have been making dance music for decades and managed to stay true-to-self in the Western Swing industry while putting their own stamp on it and calling it Texas Swing! Around a wooden table over a cup of coffee, host Kelly Hurd , joined Jake and Tommy in the Hooker's guest house/music studio for a conversation that will stand the test of time and one that was definitel...

Over the past 25 years, Texas music legend - Dave Alexander - has established himself as one of today's most sought-after Country and Western Swing performers! When Dave is not performing with his own award-winning Big Texas Swing Band, you’ll find him touring and recording with such artists as George Strait, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Sheryl Crow, Asleep At The Wheel, Tracy Byrd, Randy Travis, D...

Enjoy this iconic moment! You're invited to pour yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy a little time at the ranch office of cowboy poet, songwriter, singer, and legend - Mr. Red Steagall - as he reminisces about his life, insights, and legacy. with host, Kelly Hurd . *Many thanks to Mr. Gary Kinslow of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City for your gracious kindness. I...

Thank you to Good Time Charlee's on Kihekah Ave. in Pawhuska, Oklahoma for hosting this recording! We appreciate your hospitality!! The House of Pain's former rapper turned philanthropist has a story of redemption and relationship that not only rescued him from his own house of pain, but has led him to give back to his community in bigger ways than he could have ever imagined... Turn up the volume...

You know him as Alamanzo Wilder on Little House on the Prairie, and we were thrilled to have actor and author, Dean Butler , sit down with host, Kelly Hurd , for an honest look into his new book, "Prairie Man" published by Kensington Publishers. Meet the real Dean Butler in this episode! Get ready to enjoy this one!

Mark Allen Cash (Johnny Cash's nephew) and Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie) sit down with host, Kelly Hurd around Johnny Cash's kitchen table in Bon Aqua, Tennessee for a little pickin', grinnin', and sharin' something good called hope. Mark even picks up Johnny's guitar and begins to play and sing! If you've been through something lately - this episode is for you!

What a treat it was to sit down with Danette Daniels, owner of The Water Bird Gallery in Fairfax, Oklahoma, and visit with her about The Water Bird venue/gallery/museum - as well as hear her Osage perspective on Killers of the Flower Moon and even get the story on the use of her historic building for filming the movie! Danette has a heart for her community and its history. She is also making a pos...

You're invited to join us around the dining room table as Cecil and Cathy McGarrah, owners of The Cottages on the Prairie in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, tell us a little of their back story to starting an AirBNB business, as well as disclosing a few insider tips on how to #LiveLikeALocal when you come for a visit to Osage County, Oklahoma! https://www.thecottagesontheprairie.com/ #TheSmilesAreAlwaysFr...