Some things take time, and this album is one of them. Legend Of The West is out now, and I couldn’t be more proud to finally share it.
The cover features a photograph that immediately spoke to me the first time I saw it. It’s believed to be the first photo ever taken of a cowboy being bucked off a horse, captured in 1898 by L.A. Huffman in Miles City, Montana. Even more remarkable, the shot was taken out on the open range, not in a corral or arena.
The image was later digitally restored and enhanced by Gary Coffrin, who helped bring out the incredible detail and significance of the moment. There’s grit, instinct, and history in that frame, the same qualities I wanted this record to hold.
The songs were recorded in two sessions nearly a year apart at Sound Emporium in Nashville, one of the most respected studios in country music. The album was produced by Dean Miller, a seasoned producer and the son of the legendary Roger Miller.
I had the chance to work with some of the best session players in Nashville. These musicians don’t just bring skill, they bring feel, timing, and soul. We were lucky to have the same group for both sessions, which gave the album a consistent and lived-in sound from start to finish.
This project had been sitting with me for years, waiting for the right moment. It nearly didn’t happen. But now it’s real, and it’s out there.
Thank you to everyone who has followed the journey, shared the early singles, or helped keep this dream alive.
— Rick Marshall
