05/31/2026
LONG POST ALERT BUT WORTH IT!
If you've spent any time around Copper River, you know one thing about usβwe absolutely love REAL country music.
This weekend I made the trip up to Gillette, Wyoming for Dusty Vaquero Days, and all I can say is WOW. What an incredible event and what they are doing to support singer-songwriters and independent country artists is something special.
The day kicked off with none other than Cody Braun (Reckless Kelly), and if you've ever seen him perform, you know that's one heck of a way to start a Saturday.
From there I got to see our buddy Wesley Barlow who helped me discover some new friends and what I hope will soon be future Copper River alumni, such as Sterling Drake and also Zack McGinn and the Moonhowlers. This brand-new project brings together Zack McGinn, Hayden Redwine, and Ross Cooper, and they're creating something really unique.
Then came Raina Wallace (Low Down Drifters), who might just be one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet. Watching her trade songs and jam with Kat Hasty was one of those moments that reminds you why live music matters.
The hits kept coming with our buddies in the Logan Ryan Band and then Kellen Smith, who never disappoints.
But if I'm being honest, one of my favorite moments of the entire day was watching hometown guy and friend Jimmy Cantwell absolutely bring the house down alongside Morgan Klaiber. Seeing that crowd react to Jimmy's songs made this Colorado boy pretty proud.
Days like this remind me why we work so hard to bring great artists to Copper River. We aren't just booking bands - we're constantly searching for the next songwriter, the next rising star, and the next artist that will make our crowd fall in love with country music all over again and say "I remember when we saw (insert your next favorite artist) at Copper River".
It was an action-packed day of discovering incredible music, making new friends, and finding more artists that we want to expose Pueblo West to.
Country music is alive and well, folks. And we're doing everything we can to bring the best of it to your backyard.