Persimmon Hill magazine features R.W.!

April 30, 2012

The shipping crew at Cimarron Sounds is pleased to report that R.W. was recently the subject of a major story in the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s award-winning journal of the West, Persimmon Hill.

The magazine’s profile of R.W. explores his over thirty-year history as a cowboy balladeer – from his early adventures to his recent induction into the Western Music Association’s Hall of Fame. Also included in the feature is an intimate look at R.W. the man, the husband, the father – a true cowboy whose passion and dedication to his family and faith is important above all else.

Click here to check out R.W.’s feature in Persimmon Hill.

R.W. to perform at Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival in Newhall, CA, on Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22

April 17, 2012

R.W. will be performing at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival at the Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio in Newhall, CA, next Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22.

On Saturday, April 21, R.W. will be on the California Music Stage at 1:00 p.m. Later that afternoon at 2:30 p.m., R.W. will share the Medicine Show Stage with Dave Stamey. At 8:00 p.m. Saturday evening, R.W. will be performing in concert offsite in the living room of the William S. Hart Mansion.

The following day, Sunday, April 22, after R.W.'s 8:00 a.m. Cowboy Church appearance offsite at Masters College, R.W. will again be sharing the Medicine Show Stage with Dave Stamey at 2:30 p.m. Later, on the Melody Ranch Main Stage, R.W. will give his final performance of the weekend at 4:30 p.m. All of these performances, aside from those offsite, are included in general admission for the Cowboy Festival.

For more information, visit www.cowboyfestival.org/schedule.asp or R.W.'s website tour page at www.rwhampton.com/tour.php.

R.W. to perform in Valley Falls, KS, on Saturday, April 14

April 4, 2012

R.W. will be performing at the Saddle Club Arena in Valley Falls, KS, on Satuday, April 14.

Located five miles west of Valley Falls at the corner of Kansas Highway 16 and King Road, a special dinner, served by the Saddle Club, will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for $8.00. Following the dinner will be R.W.'s performance, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15.00

For more information, call (785) 220-5405 or visit R.W.'s website tour page at www.rwhampton.com/tour.php.

R.W. shoots Cowboy's Prayer video "un-jammed​. raw & real on the row"!

March 22, 2012

Last month, during his winter tour that brought him to Tennessee and points east, R.W. stopped by Nashville's Music Row district to visit director Julian Chojnacki and producer Laura Clarke's Take 8 Films. While there, R.W. guested on Julian and Laura's "un-jammed. raw & real on the row" show, shooting a video for his recent hit, Cowboy's Prayer, from his latest album, Austin To Boston.

Julian and Laura have a fresh, interesting concept for their show. Live video, live audio, live vocals, one camera, one take, no editing, no autotune, etc., hence the term "raw & real."

Click here to see what they came up with for R.W.!

Winter Concert Tour Brings R.W. to Southeastern U.S.

February 24, 2012

R.W. Hampton's latest concert tour brings him to the southeastern United States for a series of shows that kicked off earlier this week in Nashville, TN.

R.W.'s current tour continues through Sunday February 26 in Pigeon Forge, TN, where he is headlining the area's 12th annual Saddle UP Cowboy Music Celebration. Then it's on to concert appearances in Mcdonough, GA; Chattanooga, TN; Williamsburg, VA; Midlothian, VA; Kearney, MO and Williamsburg, MO before the trail leads home for a few days of ranch work prior to the next string of dates in what is shipping up to be one of Hampton's busiest yearly touring schedules in recent memory.

For a regularly updated list of R.W.'s shows and the details for each concert, please visit his website Tour page. 

R.W. returns to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV

January 31, 2012

The shipping crew at Cimarron Sounds is excited to tell you that R.W. will be returning to Elko, Nevada, for the 2012 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

Held from Monday, January 30, through Saturday, February 4, 2012, the 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering will feature several performances by R.W. On Thursday, February 2, R.W. will perform with Rolf Flake and Rod Taylor for a program titled "Saddles and Salsa" at the G Three Bar Theatre at 1:15 p.m. On Friday, February 3, R.W. will have a solo performance at the Flag View Auxiliary Auditorium at 1:30 p.m. Also on Friday, February 3, R.W. and fellow cowboys such as Michael Martin Murphey, Waddie Mitchell, Barry Corbin, and more will perform the songs and poetry of Charlie Goodnight at the Elko Convention Center Auditorium at 6:30 p.m, and after the performance R.W. will sign autographs in the lobby. On Saturday, February 4, R.W. will perform as part of the Gathering of Praise And Worship at the First Presbyterian Church at 9 a.m. Also on Saturday, February 4, R.W. will perform alongside R.P. Smith, Skip Gorman, Connie Dover and the Waddie Pals in a showcase of "the three Rs: rhythm, rhyme and ranching" at the G Three Bar Theater at 8:30 p.m. After Saturday evening's performance, R.W. will sign autographs in the Western Folk Center lobby.

Enjoy a great week of all things cowboy!

R.W. Hampton and Vaughn Monroe Honored with 2011 Western Music Association Hall of Fame Recognition!

October 20, 2011

The Western Music Association has announced its 2011 Hall of Fame inductees, R.W. Hampton and Vaughn Monroe. The 2011 WMA Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 19, during the WMA Awards Show at the Historic KiMo Theater in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

R. W. Hampton is one of the leading Western Entertainers in America today. Blessed with a rich baritone voice, R.W. has a quality of genuineness about him that resonates when he’s on stage, in person or just through the words of his songs. For R.W. has lived what he sings about, and the world of early mornings, hard work, rough horses, maverick cattle and new ranges fits him.

R.W. has thirteen albums to his credit. His peers in the Western entertainment industry have honored R.W.’s performing and songwriting fourteen times, most recently with a 2011 Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy Museum and Western Heritage Center in the Outstanding Original Western Composition category for his song Shortgrass from his most recent CD, Austin To Boston. Hampton is also a talented actor, having made over a dozen film and television appearances, and an acclaimed playwright, winning a National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Wrangler Award for the soundtrack of his one man play, The Last Cowboy – His Journey.

“The West - its culture and especially its music - is known the world over as being distinctly and uniquely American. When I think of the Western Music Association’s Hall of Fame and the long list of greats that have gone before me, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and humility to be included in their shadow,” said Hampton of his upcoming induction.

R.W. lives with his wife and their family on their Clearview Ranch at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains south of Cimarron, New Mexico. When he’s not headlining cowboy concerts and western music events across the nation, R.W. spends most of his time at the ranch doing the work he loves. His life is guided by his faith, his love for his family, and his desire to share cowboy life with his audiences.

Vaughn Monroe was a baritone singer, band leader and actor who recorded the best-selling version of Stan Jones’ cowboy classic, “Riders in the Sky,” in 1949.

Founded in 1989, the Western Music Association is an organization that encourages and supports the preservation, performance and composition of historic, traditional and contemporary music of The American West. The WMA Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to honor those individuals or groups of individuals who have made significant contributions in the area of Western Music composition, performance and history.

R.W.'s Austin To Boston reviewed in Western Horseman magazine!

October 6, 2011

Good news! R.W.’s latest album Austin To Boston was recently reviewed in the September edition of Western Horseman magazine.

The magazine’s Jennifer Denison praised the album for its song selection and stated that “Hampton’s rich, velvety baritone voice has never sounded better.”

Click here to read the review.

If you haven’t heard this wonderful album yet, you can listen to samples from each track here. You can also add it to your collection of R.W.’s music here.

R.W. to perform in Stillwater, OK, on Friday, September 30

September 22, 2011

R.W. will be performing at a FREE Chuckwagon Gathering at the McVey Arena in the Payne County Expo Center in Stillwater, OK. The free Chuckwagon dinner and free concert are meant to welcome all those in Stillwater to attend the Oklahoma Fellowship of Cowboy Churches' 2011 Ranch Rodeo finals on Saturday, October 1.

The McVey Arena is located at 4518 Expo Circle. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. The event is brought to you by Atwoods Ranch & Home, Cross Brand Cowboy Church and the Oklahoma Fellowship of Cowboy Churches.

For more information, call Pastor Tyler McDowell at 580-471-1724 or Dee Wynn at 405-372-8330. You can also visit the Oklahoma Fellowship of Cowboy Church's website. After entering the website, click on "Member Church Events" at the bottom on the left hand side of the home page. Then link to the event information by clicking on "OFCC Ranch Rodeo Finals."

R.W. featured on RFD-TV's upcoming 'In The Bunkhouse' television show

July 27, 2011

R.W. will be appearing on RFD-TV's show 'In The Bunkhouse with Red Steagall' for the third time this year. 

Tune in on Wednesday, July 27, at noon (CDT) and 10 pm (CDT), or on the following Sunday morning, July 31, you can DVR it at 4:30 am CDT.  It's a whole new show with plenty of great stories and songs between old friends.

For more information on RFD-TV's show 'In The Bunkhouse,' click here.

 

R.W. tops Hotdisc Chart in Europe with 'Shortgrass'!

June 1, 2011

The Shipping Crew at Cimarron Sounds is pleased to report that R.W.’s Shortgrass, the Wrangler award winning latest single from his current international CD release, Austin To Boston, has just finished an impressive three week ascent to Number One on the European Hotdisc Top 40 country chart.

"R.W. Hampton is back at the top with his latest single "Shortgrass" which climbs from 2 to 1," writes Hotdisc editor Stuart Cameron, "to reach the summit on the Hotdisc Top 40 after three weeks. The traditional country and western act is a cowboy for real and when he appeared in the UK in late 2010 he won over many new fans. His music certainly strikes a chord with European DJs..."

In fact, Shortgrass is R.W.'s third #1 on the Hotdisc chart from Austin To Boston, following the previous chart topping successes of Cowboy's Prayer and Driftin' Again.

Congratulations, R.W.!

The Shipping Crew at CIMARRON SOUNDS

R.W.’s ‘Shortgrass’ wins Wrangler Award as Outstanding Original Western Composition of the Year

April 19, 2011

The Shipping Crew at Cimarron Sounds is pleased to report that R.W.’s song, Shortgrass, has been honored by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum as this year’s Western Heritage Award winner in the Outstanding Original Western Composition category. R.W. received his award, an impressive bronze sculpture of a cowboy on horseback (known officially and affectionately as the Wrangler) and performed the song, the final track on his critically-acclaimed current CD, Austin To Boston, before a star-studded SRO audience at the 50th Annual Western Heritage Awards black-tie gala held this past Saturday evening, April 16, 2011, at the Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Also honored for their participation in the project were the album’s producers, Joe DiBlasi and Gary Bright. Click here to view photos of the event.

Commenting on his Wrangler award, R.W. explained, “I deeply appreciate this recognition for Shortgrass. It’s a special song to me. I wrote it as a tribute to my son, Cooper, and his best buddy, Dawson. They joined the Marines together during high school. Over the years, they’ve set foot in many countries and worn out their boots both overseas and around this great nation. They’ve always expressed their desire to return someday to our shortgrass country. Shortgrass was written in their honor and I accept this award in their honor.”

R.W.'s Wrangler Award is the latest in a series of recent indicators that suggest  his career is on the move. Critical response to Austin To Boston has been remarkable: “R.W. Hampton has released many outstanding albums over the years. Oklahoma: Where the West Remains and The Last Cowboy: His Journey are considered among the best the Western genre has to offer. Austin to Boston, his latest, raises the bar again.” (American Cowboy, February-March, 2011.)  “The world's number one cowboy country singer is back with a new collection of songs that will thrill existing fans and bring in thousands of new ones, too...The fourteen songs on Austin To Boston represent a tremendous achievement for R.W. Hampton.”  (CountryChart.com, November, 2010.) R.W.'s fan base is growing significantly: at last count, his Facebook Fan Page numbered more than 28,000 “Likers.” And he's been having notable success in the United Kingdom as well: Driftin’ Again, the second European single from Austin To Boston, topped Britain’s Hot Disc Country chart for eight weeks in late 2010 and by virtue of that chart performance was named the chart’s Most Popular Song of the Year.

First presented in 1961, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Western Heritage Awards were established to honor and encourage the legacy of those whose works in literature, music, film, and television reflect the significant stories of the American West. Among others, this year’s Wrangler Award honorees include the Coen Brothers film True Grit, starring Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin, Matt Damon and Hailee Steinfield, named Outstanding Theatrical Motion Picture, and the television film Temple Grandin, starring Claire Danes, Julia Ormond, Catherine O’Hara and David Strathairn, named Outstanding Television Feature Film.

This is R.W.'s third Wrangler Award. In 2000, he received the Director’s Award for Excellence in Dramatic Presentation and Original Music Composition for his album The Last Cowboy - His Journey. In 2008, he received the year’s Outstanding Traditional Western Album award for his monumental CD project, R.W. Hampton Presents: Oklahoma...Where The West Remains.

Congratulations, R.W.!

The Shipping Crew at CIMARRON SOUNDS

Photo: www.ownbeyphotography.com

R.W.'s Latest Blog Post: The Homecoming of the 2/9

March 18, 2011

R.W. has a brand new blog post, "The Homecoming of the 2/9."

Click here to read a father's touching account of his reunion with his oldest son, Marine Corps Platoon Sgt. Cooper Hampton, as "Coop" returns back to America after his recent deployment in Afghanistan .

"Cowboy" or "Not Cowboy"?

March 12, 2011

"Saddle horses, catch twine, trophy buckles, and wide-open spaces – cowboy is a state of mind, a commitment, an ideology." R.W. Hampton

What’s more Cowboy – granola or baseball? A fiddle or a dog sweater? Sunglasses or the Coen Brothers? Prune juice or paisley? Sweet potato fries or a steel string guitar?

R.W. ranks 20 items on a"more Cowboy/less Cowboy" scale in the April/May issue of American Cowboy magazine. Read page 15 of the magazine to find out if you agree with R.W.'s rankings!

R.W. Crosses 25,000 Facebook Friends/Fan Threshhold - Cimarron Sounds' Shipping Crew Celebrates with 25-Hour Sale!

December 6, 2010

The Shipping Crew at Cimarron Sounds is pleased to announce that R.W. now has more than 25,000 Facebook Friends/Fans!

To celebrate this exciting news and say a special thanks to everyone whose "power of suggestion" helped make it happen,the Crew is having a 25-hour sale at R.W.’s store starting tonight, December 6, at 8:00pm CST and continuing until tomorrow night at 9:00pm CST.

All Austin To Boston items will be on sale at 25% off their regular price!

Congratulations, R.W. and thanks to all your Facebook Friends and Fans for their tremendous support!

Driftin' Again Stays at #1 on European Hotdisc Chart for Eighth Week!

November 28, 2010

The shipping crew at Cimarron Sounds reports that R.W.'s current European focus track, Driftin' Again, the second single from his international CD release, Austin To Boston, remains at Number One for the eighth week on the European Hotdisc Top 40 country chart.

Following his debut single from Austin To Boston, Cowboy's Prayer, which stayed at #1 for 3 weeks, Driftin' Again debuted on the Hotdisc chart at #1 the week of October 10th, during which time R.W. was in the United Kingdom for the British Country Music Awards.

The Hotdisc Top 40 Chart is a list of the Top 40 most popular songs released on the Rush Released promotional compilation CD. Similar in concept to the American CDX and CD-Tex compilation CDs sent to subscribing country music radio programmers (chiefly in the United States), the European Rush Released compilation CD is distributed monthly to a subscription list of over 700 country music DJs located primarily in the United Kingdom and the European Union. Each week the DJs who receive Rush Released send back reaction sheets to the publishers of Rush Released in which they are given the chance to rate every song from 10 points to zero. The resulting chart lists the songs with the highest ratings for that week. It is exclusively for clients of the Rush Released CD, and at any given time it identifies the 40 most popular Rush Released songs out of an active universe of approximately 80 country-oriented songs.

Reflecting the diversity of the European country music radio environment, where the sounds and songs of traditional country music (and cowboy music, too) are embraced alongside today's country music, artists who have had a Number One single on the Hotdisc Top 40 in the past two years include Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Mark Chesnutt, George Jones, Gretchen Peters, Michelle Wright, Gene Watson, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Rimes, the Bellamy Brothers, Clay Walker, Jim Reeves, Don Williams - and R.W. Hampton.

In fact, Driftin' Again is R.W.'s third consecutive #1 on the Hotdisc chart, charting above new releases from both Toby Keith (Bullets in the Gun) and The Bellamy Brothers (Satin Sheets)and following up his chart topping success in September with Cowboy's Prayer and following a hit last year with We've Taken Bob Back To Tulsa from his monumental album, Oklahoma... Where The West Remains.

R.W. made his first trip to the United Kingdom in early October at the invitation of the British Country Music Association to participate in the festivities surrounding their annual Awards show. Cimarron Sounds released Austin To Boston in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2010 through its UK distributor Proper Music.

Everyone at Cimarron Sounds congratulates R.W. and wishes him continued success with his growing career - inside and outside the United States!

R.W. Named WMA's 2010 Outstanding Male Vocalist!

November 21, 2010

Last night, November 20, at the Western Music Association's 2010 Awards ceremony held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, R.W. was named Outstanding Vocalist - Male, the fourth WMA award he's received in his career and his thirteenth music award overall.

Congratulations, R.W.!

Working Ranch Magazine Invites R.W. to Blog for Them

November 1, 2010

Toppin Out... R.W. Hampton to blog for Working Ranch Mag.

by Tim O'Byrne

Nov/Dec 2010 Issue

Tim catches up with R.W. as he is headed to Europe for the British Country Music Awards and acknowledges what we all are realizing... that although none of us knew what "blogging" was a few years ago and very few of us would ever have considered writing one; we have found they are fun to read, informational, and heck... down right addictive to follow once we find writers we like.

And so, R.W. has been asked to join the blog staff along with the esteemed ranks of writers like Brett Haas, Sara Gugelmeyer, Ryan Goodman & Andy Peterson.

To read the blogs and find out more about Working Ranch Magazine & TV go to Working Ranch TV.

An Important Message from R.W. & Lisa

October 15, 2010

In June of 2007 Harold T. Holden, an internationally renowned Western artist and a dear friend of ours (and many others in the Western community), was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a rapidly progressive and generally fatal disease that ultimately robs a patient of the ability to breathe. Pulmonary Fibrosis claims the lives of 40,000 people each year - the same number as breast cancer. There is no known cause, no FDA approved treatments and no cure. A lung transplant is the only known effective treatment.

After months on the transplant list at Integris Transplant Center in Oklahoma City, Harold received a new right lung this past July. The good news is that Harold is doing well, but as one can imagine, the medical bills are substantial: transplantation and the expenses involved are almost overwhelming for a family.

Harold (or “H” as he is known by many) and his wife, Edna Mae, spearheaded several fundraisers when R.W. was battling cancer in 2000 and 2003, so it is only natural that R.W. wants to give back in the Holdens’ time of need. Friends of Harold and Edna Mae have organized a benefit concert, art show and sale, and silent auction in Enid, OK this Saturday evening, October 16, 2010, to help with the Holdens’ expenses. R.W., Rich O’Brien and R.J Vandygriff will perform during the concert segment of the event, which will take place at the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Enid. Wayne Spears as Pawnee Bill, and Doug Sauter and his collection of horses will also be in attendance that evening. We hope you can join us in person in support of Harold and Edna Mae, and we ask that you please consider a donation, or the purchase of a donated item, to help ease their tremendous financial burden.

If you cannot join R.W. and his friends this Saturday evening, but would like to participate in some way, please consider a donation or the purchase of one of the many collectible Western Art items available for sale through this benefit. For a list of the items on sale, please contact R.W.’s office via email at rw@rwhampton.com or call the office at 1-800-392-0822.

Tickets for the benefit are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 at the door and can be purchased at Way Out West, Soapweeds and Cactus, Simpson’s Old Time Museum, and Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid, or by calling R.W. Hampton’s office at 1-800-392-0822 with a credit card.

Concert Information:
Harold T. Holden Benefit Concert, Silent Auction and Sale
Saturday, Oct 16, 2010
Emmanuel Baptist Church of Enid
2505 West Owen K. Garriott
Enid, OK 73703
6:00 p.m. Art Show, Sale and Silent Auction
7:30 p.m. Concert
Artist & Entertainers Reception following Concert

Your generosity and your continued prayers for the Holdens are deeply appreciated.

Sincerely,
R.W. & Lisa

Pre-order R.W.’s new CD, Austin to Boston!

September 27, 2010

Cimarron Sounds is very proud to announce that you can now pre-order R.W.’s new CD, Austin to Boston!

Head over to R.W.’s store to purchase the album and more! All orders will be shipped to arrive as close as possible to the October 19 official U.S. release date of Austin to Boston.

R.W. tops Hotdisc Chart in Europe with 'Cowboy's Prayer'!

September 7, 2010

The shipping crew at Cimarron Sounds reports that R.W.’s current European single, Cowboy's Prayer, the leadoff single from his forthcoming international CD release, Austin to Boston, has just finished an impressive three week run at Number One on the European Hotdisc Top 40 country chart beginning Thursday, August 12 and continuing through Wednesday, September 1.

Cowboy's Prayer made its debut on the Hotdisc chart at #2 the week of August 5, moving into the top spot the following week.

The Hotdisc Top 40 Chart is a list of the Top 40 most popular songs released on the Rush Released promotional compilation CD. Similar in concept to the American CDX and CD-Tex compilation CDs sent to subscribing country music radio programmers (chiefly in the United States), the European Rush Released compilation CD is distributed monthly to a subscription list of over 700 country music DJs located primarily in the United Kingdom and the European Union. Each week the DJs who receive Rush Released send back reaction sheets to the publishers of Rush Released in which they are given the chance to rate every song from 10 points to zero. The resulting chart lists the songs with the highest ratings for that week. It is exclusively for clients of the Rush Released CD, and at any given time it identifies the 40 most popular Rush Released songs out of an active universe of approximately 80 country-oriented songs.

Reflecting the diversity of the European country music radio environment, where the sounds and songs of traditional country music (and cowboy music, too) are embraced alongside today’s country music, artists who have had a Number One single on the Hotdisc Top 40 in the past two years include Tim McGraw, Mark Chesnutt, George Jones, Gretchen Peters, Michelle Wright, Gene Watson, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Rimes, the Bellamy Brothers, Clay Walker, Jim Reeves, Don Williams - and R.W. Hampton.

In fact, Cowboy's Prayer is R.W.'s second #1 on the Hotdisc chart, following up his chart topping success early last year with We've Taken Bob Back To Tulsa from his monumental album, Oklahoma Where The West Remains.

The timing works out favorably for the chart success of Cowboy's Prayer: R.W. makes his first trip to the United Kingdom in early October at the invitation of the British Country Music Association to participate in the festivities surrounding their annual Awards show. Proper Music will release Austin to Boston in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2010, shortly after its Cimarron Sounds release in America.

Everyone at Cimarron Sounds congratulates R.W. and wishes him continued success with his growing career - inside and outside the United States!

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R.W. celebrates 7 years cancer-free with the John Wayne Cancer Center

August 10, 2010

Did you know R.W. is a three-time survivor of Melanoma Cancer?

Fortunately he's been cancer-free for over seven years now as of this August!

To celebrate this great milestone, R.W. is donating $1.00 from every CD or Cassette sold through his office during the month of August to the John Wayne Cancer Center.

You can help R.W. and others fight cancer with each purchase by calling the office at 1-800-392-0822 from within the U.S.A. or call 1-575-483-0042 if you are an international customer. You can also purchase products through R.W.'s website store 24 hours a day with a major credit card by clicking the Store Page or by adding any CD to your shopping cart as you listen to them from the Music Page.

Join R.W. as he celebrates his personal fight against cancer and helps others - 'cause that'll be the day - when cancer is no more!

R.W. Hampton - Techno Cowboy?

August 5, 2010

With a laugh he explains himself as a “techno cowboy without a computer.” It appears that R.W. has found himself embarking on a journey into the world of the internet this summer: under the strong “encouragement” of his manager and the typing assistance of his wife, R.W. has been publishing heart-warming, funny and poignant posts weekly on his Facebook Fan Page. Although his official website is still the number one resource for all R.W. information, having a Facebook Page has enabled R.W. to share songs from his upcoming Austin to Boston album, post new tour dates, photos and video clips, and of course, regularly publish his well-loved 420-character “status updates” with their colorful glimpses of Hampton life at home and on the road. Indeed, the popularity of his posts - 7,500 new Facebook fans added in the past few months alone (as well as the ever-expanding love online for his music across the United States and in as many as 20 other countries), confirms his Facebook page as a vital and viral destination where folks enjoy gathering to learn more about R.W.’s encounters and exploits, opinions and ideas.

Our “techno cowboy’s” thought-provoking Notes From Clearview Ranch blog posts here on this website have also found an admiring audience. Featuring both video and written posts, R.W.’s stories are humorous, unexpected, insightful and characteristically humble, whether he is explaining the sentimental value of his great-grandfather’s rocking chair, examining the connection between men and the land on which they live, penning a heart-felt tribute to a US Marine, or having some fun with his new song, Job For A Cowboy, from Austin to Boston.

Stay in tune with all things Hampton: join R.W.’s Facebook Fan Page, subscribe to his Notes From Clearview Ranch blog - or do both!

R.W. WRITES SONG FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY!

July 2, 2010

Earlier this week, inspired by the upcoming departure of his son, US Marine Sgt. Cooper Hampton, on his second combat deployment, R.W. wrote a new song just in time for our nation’s Independence Day.

To watch a video of “Not For Sale,” R.W.’s “little tribute to America and all the men and women who have paid the price for our freedoms,” visit R.W.'s blog.

Happy Independence Day!

NAME OF THE HAMPTONS’ NEW COLT OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED!

June 30, 2010

Earlier this month, R.W. announced on his blog that there had been a new addition to the Clearview Ranch family in the form of a bold, brave colt. After struggling to find a name for the little guy, the Hamptons decided to have some fun and let R.W.’s fans name him.

After receiving almost 250 name suggestions for the young one on R.W.’s blog, Facebook, and R.W.’s YouTube channel, the Hamptons narrowed it down to three favorites – Butler, Choco and Roscoe. To pick the colt’s name, the family allowed fans to vote for their favorite of the three, and after 242 votes, they have made their decision.

Click here to see R.W.’s announcement of the winning name and see the little firecracker in action!

R.W. LAUNCHES NOTES FROM CLEARVIEW RANCH BLOG!

April 30, 2010

The adventuresome spirit of the cowboy bursts forth in the blogosphere with the launch of R.W.’s blog, Notes From Clearview Ranch.

As R.W. explains in his introductory blog post, “It’s kind of exciting every now and then to head up a new trail just to see where it goes. Well, that’s what I’m doing here and I’d consider it an honor if you’d see fit to come along.”

R.W. promises to share his unique perspective about his music and career, life on the ranch, and much more. Anything goes! “That’s what I want to do with this blog: give you my perspective on the everyday things we all deal with in life. It certainly won’t be the only view, and may not be your view, but it will be uniquely mine.”

To read Notes From Clearview Ranch, click here.

Click here to subscribe to R.W.'s blog via RSS.

Click here to subscribe to R.W.'s blog via email.

“BORN TO BE A COWBOY” – R.W. LIVE VIDEO FROM ELKO 2009 ON YOUTUBE!

January 26, 2010

This weekend, R.W. will be heading out to Elko, Nevada, for his performances at this year’s National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. For a taste of what to expect, check out this YouTube video of R.W.’s “Born To Be A Cowboy,” from his Wrangler Award winning album, The Last Cowboy – His Journey.

OKLAHOMA...WHERE THE WEST REMAINS NAMED AMONG TOP CDS OF 2009!

January 12, 2010

Good news! Two reviewers in the January issue of Country Music People, one of the United Kingdom’s top country music magazines, have included R.W.’s award winning Oklahoma... Where The West Remains in their year-end lists of the Best Five CDs of 2009!

Check out their comments:

“The west lives thanks to this genuine cowboy. A fine combination of words and music that moves from western tales to western swing.” – Tony Byworth

“More than I ever thought I wanted to know about Oklahoma delivered in an enchanting cowboy style. The album was a revelation. Hugely enjoyable, educational, and musically superb (and it swings, too).” – Duncan Warwick

If you haven’t heard this wonderful album yet, you can listen to it in its entirety here.

Or you can add it to your collection of R.W.’s music here.

Happy 2010!

MAJOR COVER STORY ON R.W. IN THE WESTERN WAY!

October 14, 2009

R.W. is the subject of a major cover story in The Western Way's Fall issue. R.W. Hampton - Riding for His Own Brand details R.W.'s extraordinary life - from his early adventures as a cowboy to his life nowadays as one of the world's leading Western entertainers. Click here to check it out!

R.W. RECEIVES AMERICAN COWBOY CULTURE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD!

September 11, 2009

Last night at the 2009 American Cowboy Culture Awards, R.W. was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to the development of cowboy culture and the preservation of our western heritage. Since 1989, the American Cowboy Culture Awards gala to honor those who succeed in keeping the spirit of the West alive has been the inaugural event of the National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration, which occurs annually the first weekend after Labor Day in Lubbock, TX. Held at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center at 1501 Mac Davis Drive, the 2009 Awards banquet began at 6:30pm and included a performance by R.W. during the evening. Congratulations, R.W.!

For more information about the American Cowboy Culture Awards and the National Cowboy Symposium, visit www.cowboy.org or call (806) 798-7825. For tickets, click here.

R.W. FEATURED IN TRUE WEST MAGAZINE!

September 7, 2009

Another fascinating article about R.W. - True West Magazine's September issue features some surprising insights from the cowboy star on topics as diverse as what makes a real cowboy, his most beautiful spot on earth, the greatest advice his parents ever gave him, the strangest road trip adventure he's ever had, and more.

Click here to read the True West feature.

MORE EUROPEAN PRAISE FOR OKLAHOMA...WHERE THE WEST REMAINS!

August 24, 2009

The June/July issue of Country Music & Dance in Scotland and Northern Ireland contains not one, but two, positive reviews of R.W.'s Oklahoma...Where The West Remains!

To read the reviews, click here.

LIVING COWBOY ETHICS PROFILES R.W.

August 17, 2009

R.W. was recently profiled in a glowing four-page article in the summer 2009 issue of Living Cowboy Ethics magazine. The article takes an intimate look at R.W.'s home and family life, his three-decade entertainment industry career, his early life as a cowhand in the American West, and his role as proud father of a United States Marine Corps squad leader.

To read the Living Cowboy Ethics article, click here!

COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE NAMES OKLAHOMA...WHERE THE WEST REMAINS CD OF THE MONTH!

August 3, 2009

Country Music People, one of the United Kingdom's top country music magazines, has not only praised R.W.'s Oklahoma...Where The West Remains! with a Five Star Rating, but has also named Oklahoma... the "CD of the Month" for its July/09 issue!

To read the Country Music People review, click here.

R.W. ACHIEVES CHART SUCCESS IN EUROPE!

June 9, 2009

The shipping crew at Cimarron Sounds reports that R.W.’s current European single, We’ve Taken Bob Back To Tulsa, from his award winning CD, Oklahoma...Where The West Remains, recently climbed to the Top of the European Hotdisc Top 40 Chart for the week beginning May 28, 2009.

The Hotdisc Top 40 Chart is a list of the Top 40 most popular songs released on the Rush Released promotional compilation CD. Similar in concept to the American CDX and CD-Tex compilation CDs sent to subscribing country music radio programmers - in the case of CD-Tex, to radio programmers of Texas music not only in Texas but around the world - the European Rush Released compilation CD is distributed monthly to a subscription list of over 700 country music DJs located primarily in the United Kingdom and the European Union. Each week the DJs who receive Rush Released send back reaction sheets to the publishers of Rush Released in which they are given the chance to rate every song from 10 points to zero. The resulting chart lists the songs with the highest ratings for that week. It is exclusively for clients of the Rush Released CD, and at any given time it identifies the 40 most popular Rush Released songs out of an active universe of approximately 80 country-oriented songs. Reflecting the diversity of the European country music radio environment where the sounds and songs of traditional country music (and cowboy music, too) are embraced alongside today’s country music, artists who have had a Number One single on the Hotdisc Top 40 in the past two years include Tim McGraw, Mark Chesnutt, George Jones, Gretchen Peters, Michelle Wright, Gene Watson, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Rimes, the Bellamy Brothers, Clay Walker, Jim Reeves, Don Williams - and now, R.W. Hampton.

Congratulating R.W. on his first Hotdisc Number One, Hotdisc founder Stuart Cameron enthused, “Delighted for R.W. because it sends out a clear message that European DJs love traditional country and western music.” Upon learning the news of his European chart success with We’ve Taken Bob Back To Tulsa, R.W. responded, “My thanks go out to all my new country radio friends in Europe. I’m delighted that my brand of cowboy music is finding favor overseas.”

We’ve Taken Bob Back To Tulsa is the third song from Oklahoma...Where The West Remains to be released as a Rush Released single. R.W.’s first track, The Everlasting Hills Of Oklahoma, peaked at #4 on the Hotdisc Top 40 chart the week of November 27 last year, while his second release, Oklahoma Hills, held the Number Six position for two weeks this past February.

Everyone at Cimarron Sounds congratulates R.W. and wishes him continued success with his growing career - inside and outside the United States!

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MAVERICK MAGAZINE PRAISES OKLAHOMA...WHERE THE WEST REMAINS

May 3, 2009

Maverick Magazine, one of the United Kingdom's top music magazines, gives R.W.’s Oklahoma…Where The West Remains CD a Four and a Half Star Rating (out of five) in its April/09 issue!

To read the Maverick review, click here.

UNITED KINGDOM RELEASE FOR OKLAHOMA...WHERE THE WEST REMAINS

April 6, 2009

R.W.'s Oklahoma...Where The West Remains CD will be released on April 20th in the United Kingdom through Proper Music Distribution, the U.K.'s leading independent distributor. The award winning CD was named Album of the Year in the United States last year by both the Western Music Association and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. This release is the first for any Hampton CD outside the U.S. Congratulations, R.W.!

R.W.'S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE NOW LAUNCHED!

April 4, 2009

R.W's official Facebook page is now up at Facebook.com!

R.W.'s page has all sorts of features available, including special photos, tour date information and even unlimited plays on featured songs. Now you can add or dedicate songs like For The Freedom and Oklahoma Hills through your Facebook profile. You can also upload your fan photos to R.W.'s page, post messages on his Wall, or 'iLike' R.W. directly from his page. In order to post R.W.'s music to your profile, you'll first need to add the iLike application to your profile (highly recommended: when logged in, click the "applications" tab in the bottom left hand corner, click the "Find More" button and search for iLike).

We've only just begun to get this rolling, so please feel free to give us any suggestions or comments about what you'd like to see on R.W.'s page. Be sure to visit the page often as we'll be updating and expanding it regularly. Hope to hear from you!

LISTEN TO CALLING ALL COWBOYS INTERVIEW WITH R.W.

March 9, 2009

Effective immediately, Calling All Cowboys radio is featuring the first part of a terrific interview with R.W. The station, based out of Bend, Oregon, can be heard around the world online at http://www.kpov.org/index.php?option=com_shows&task=view&id=57. The interview will also be available for the following week in the Show Archive section on the left hand side of the page. The second part of the interview will be featured on Wednesday, March 11th.

MOVIE - DOC WEST - RELEASES IN ITALY

March 9, 2009

Look for this new Italian Western scheduled to release in March of this year on Italian Channel Canale 5. Starring International star, Terrence Hill, and directed by award winning Italian director Giulio Base, the movie shot from October through December 2008 at several locations around Santa Fe, New Mexico.

R.W. worked with several members of the cast, including Hill and Neil Summers, years ago on the Lucky Luke series. Through that connection he was invited to play the role of “Scar” one of the notorious bad guys who, along with Garvey (Alessio Di Clemente), is hired by a rancher to rid the area of farmers.

The hero, Doc West, arrives in the town of Holysand to hustle the locals at cards but finds himself caught between the two warring families. Doc's numerous talents - like gunslinging and prowess of wit - and his secret past as a doctor capture the interest of the local Sheriff, an orphan boy and a beautiful, strong-minded school teacher, who want to keep him in town, but that’s going to be tough...

You can view a trailer for 'Doc West' with a quick glance at R.W. on Terrence Hill's official website or on youtube. Photos from on set are posted in the "RW Live" gallery on the Photo Page of this website.

Originally shot as a pilot for an Italian television series there is the possibility of additional episodes to be filmed this coming year. The movie will most likely be marketed here in the United States direct to DVD with a tentative release date in the summer of 2009.

CIMARRON SOUNDS RELEASES HAMPTON
COLLECTOR'S EDITION CD MY OLD FRIENDS

December 17, 2008

Cimarron Sounds has released a Limited Edition Collector's CD of tracks from R.W.'s previous albums, some of which are no longer available on CD. The album, titled My Old Friends, follows the 2007 award winning album, Oklahoma...Where the West Remains, which has won both a Wrangler Award and the Western Music Association's Traditional Album of the Year award.

My Old Friends includes ten tracks previously released on Cimarron Sounds. Hand picked by R.W., many of the songs were written by him and they include the popular Donnie Catch a Horse and Driftin’ with the Wind. Also on this album are the traditional cowboy songs Border Affair and Diamond Joe, tunes that R.W. considers among his personal favorites. Listeners will also be pleased to find a bonus track at the end of the album that R.W. penned and recorded several years ago but till now has never released, Little Bit of Lovin'.

Available only through the Cimarron Sounds office or on R.W. Hampton's website, My Old Friends sells for $11.99. To order, call 1-800-392-0822 or go to R.W.'s website store.

NEW TOUR DATES ADDED!

December 4, 2008

2009 is going to be an exciting year for R.W.'s fans. Visit the Tour page for a hint of things to come...

WHERE THE WEST REMAINS WINS SECOND
'ALBUM OF THE YEAR' AWARD!

November 25, 2008

Oklahoma...Where the West Remains, R.W.'s latest album, has been named 2008 Album of the Year by the Western Music Association.

“I am truly honored that the members of this association would find this love letter about the West and the state of Oklahoma as moving as I have,” said R.W., who received the award at the 20th Annual Western Music Awards on November 22 in Albuquerque, N.M.

This is the second honor this year for Oklahoma...Where the West Remains. Earlier in the year it received the prestigious Wrangler Award for Best Traditional Western Album at the annual Western Heritage Awards sponsored by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Commemorating Oklahoma’s 2007 State Centennial Celebration, the album is the brainchild of Executive Producer Edna Mae Holden of Enid, Okla. The text and songs were written with R.W. in mind as the “voice” to carry the story along with accompaniment by the Enid, Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Doug Newell, and the Chisholm Trail Cowboy Band. Produced by Richard O’Brien, the album was a four-year project from conception to realization.

Oklahoma...Where the West Remains is a monumental 33-track, hour-long journey in story and song. Hampton and friends take the listener on a 100-year musical and factual journey, visiting the Native Americans, buffalo soldiers, cattle drovers, ranch hands, settlers and seekers, industrialists and artisans, cowboys and characters that formed the fabric of the Sooner State. While telling the story of Oklahoma, the album also depicts the parallel history of America’s Westward expansion and development.

“Working on this project with my friends Edna Mae Holden, Rich O’Brien and the Enid Symphony has been exceptionally rewarding,” said R.W. “This latest award is a tribute to their dedication and love for the album and its subject.”

The award from the Western Music Association is R.W.’s third. He was named Male Performer of the Year in 2004, and his song For the Freedom was Song of the Year in 2006.

RW RETURNS FOR TWO NIGHTS TO THE PRAIRIE ROSE IN BENTON, KS - NOVEMBER 8 & 9!

October 23, 2008

RW makes a much-welcomed return to the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper in Benton, KS early in November, bringing with him two night's worth of great music! On Saturday, November 8th, RW will perform his fans' favorite secular hits from his eleven-album catalog. On Sunday, November 9th, he'll treat his audience to a special concert of inspirational songs from his two gospel CDs, Then Sings My Soul and I Believe. Reserve your seat now by calling The Prairie Rose at 316-778-2121.

OKLAHOMA...WHERE THE WEST REMAINS NAMED WESTERN HERITAGE ALBUM OF THE YEAR!

April 17, 2008

Last Saturday evening, April 12, 2008, R.W.'s monumental CD, Oklahoma...Where The West Remains, was named Outstanding Traditional Western Album of the Year by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Click here to read more about this prestigious recognition for R.W.

WESTERN HORSEMAN PROFILES R.W. AND 'OKLAHOMA' CD

March 27, 2008

Western Horseman's February 2008 issue features an interesting profile of R.W. and his new Oklahoma...Where The West Remains! CD by the magazine's Senior Editor, Jeniffer Denison. To read this article, click here.

NEW CD!  R.W. HAMPTON PRESENTS: OKLAHOMA...WHERE THE WEST REMAINS

November 2, 2007

Yes, R.W.'s newest album is about to hit the shelves! R.W. Hampton Presents: Oklahoma...Where The West Remains will officially be released November 13th, 2007. As a member of the R.W. Hampton email fan club, through the month of November you can still get your Pre-release autographed copy of this unforgettable album. Over one hour of unforgettable stories and songs recorded with R.W., Rich OBrien, the Chisholm Trail String Band and featuring the Enid Symphony Orchestra. To hear a sample of this great album go to the R.W. Hampton page at myspace.com and select For The Freedom, which is an all new recording of the 2006 WMA Song of the Year, written by R.W., but this time recorded with the accompaniment of the String Band and the Orchestra under the direction of Doug Newell. Albums are available at $20.00 each (plus s/h and NM taxes when applicable) through our office at 1-800-392-0822 or 575-483-0042 or by email.

OKLAHOMA HITS 100!

October 20, 2007

The state of Oklahoma has been celebrating their centennial all year long, but the festivities will culminate in Oklahoma City this coming weekend since the official statehood birthday is November 16th. Celebrate with us on Sunday November 18th as R.W. joins Rich O'Brien and the Chisholm Trail String Band and the Enid Symphony Orchestra for a premier performance of Oklahoma...Where the West Remains at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The performance will be held at 2:00 PM in the Sam Noble Center at the Hall. Tickets to the performance will be on sale through November 15th and include an all day pass to the museum. Tickets can be purchased through our office at 1-800-392-0822 or by calling 580-233-6300.

R.W. Hampton comes to Kansas for concerts April 30 through May 9!

Kansas residents and visitors alike have a rare opportunity to enjoy the music of award winning cowboy entertainer R.W. HAMPTON when the Cimarron Sounds recording artist performs a series of concerts in the state from Saturday, April 30 through Monday, May 9. R.W's nine solo acoustic performances (including one concert in Missouri) will feature material from his wide ranging ten-album catalog of cowboy music and showcase his latest CD, Austin To Boston. In several instances R.W. will perform a program of songs from his two cowboy gospel albums.

R.W.'s Kansas tour itinerary includes the following shows:

• Saturday, April 30. A Cowboy’s Faith: R.W.’s Cowboy Gospel Concert, Heaven Bound Cowboy Church, Dodge City, KS.

• Sunday, May 1. A Cowboy’s Faith: R.W.’s Cowboy Gospel Concert, New Trail Fellowship Cowboy Church, Abilene, KS.

• Tuesday, May 3. Purina’s Spring Fling: Reception BBQ & Concert: Lyon County Fairgrounds, Emporia, KS.

• Wednesday, May 4. Purina’s Spring Fling: Reception BBQ & Concert: Ransom Heart Ranch, Lone Jack, MO.

• Thursday, May 5. Purina's Spring Fling: Ropin' Hope Cowboy Church, Silkville Ranch, Williamsburg, KS.

• Friday, May 6. Purina's Spring Fling: Reception, BBQ and Concert, Silkville Ranch, Williamsburg, KS.

• Saturday, May 7. 3rd Annual Prairie Rose Western Days Festival, Prairie Rose Chuckwagon, Benton, KS.

• Sunday, May 8. Cowboy Gospel Concert, Prairie Rose Western Days Festival, Prairie Rose Chuckwagon, Benton, KS.

• Monday, May 9. Bichelmeyer Land & Cattle Presents: Wrangler Experience & Benefit, Silkville Ranch, Williamsburg, KS.

Specific details can be learned about R.W.’s upcoming Kansas tour at his website tour page: http://www.rwhampton.com/tour.php. or check out R.W.'s Facebook Events list.

 A ranching resident of Miami, New Mexico, R.W. is counted among America’s foremost Western entertainers and these days his career progress is accelerating:

• On Saturday, April 16, R.W.'s song Shortgrass was honored by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum as the year’s Outstanding Original Western Composition. R.W. received his award, a bronze sculpture of a cowboy on horseback (affectionately known as the Wrangler) and performed Shortgrass, the final track on Austin To Boston, before a star-studded SRO audience at the 50th annual Western Heritage Awards gala held at the Museum in Oklahoma City. This honor marks the fourteenth time R.W. has stepped to the podium to accept a Western music award.

• Critical response to Austin To Boston has been remarkable: “R.W. Hampton has released many outstanding albums over the years. Oklahoma: Where the West Remains and the Last Cowboy: His Journey are considered among the best the Western genre has to offer. Austin to Boston, his latest, raises the bar again.” (American Cowboy, February-March, 2011.) “The world's number one cowboy country singer is back with a new collection of songs that will thrill existing fans and bring in thousands of new ones, too...The fourteen songs on Austin To Boston represent a tremendous achievement for R.W. Hampton.” (CountryChart.com, November, 2010.

• R.W.’s fan base is growing significantly: currently, his Facebook Fan Page numbers more than 28,000 Likers.

• R.W. has been having notable success in the United Kingdom, too: Driftin’ Again, a Western Swing tune that was the second European single from Austin To Boston, topped Britain’s Hot Disc Country chart for eight weeks in late 2010 and subsequently was named the chart’s Most Popular Song of the Year.

Everybody at Cimarron Sounds congratulates R.W. on his growing career. In turn, R.W. invites all his Kansas (and Missouri) fans and friends, both old and new, to come catch a show and visit with him during his upcoming series of concerts.