Sometimes, traditional country stars like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams dabbled in western as well. And I am sure you all remember Slim Whitman, who actually was more than a novelty in his day.

In the early 1970’s, western waned and “country and western” just became “country.” It was modern times, we’d been to the moon and there were other concerns to consider. Cowboy songs were gone.

Time passes and what was once old becomes new again: western music is making a bit of a return. Maybe that’s because a lot of artists that are revisiting the old styles, and updating them into something new. Western music is no exception and musicians are again tapping into its rich vein.

You’ll find no better example of “modern” western and a paean to its past than Marty Stuart’s last album “Way Out West.” The title track is something that could have been recorded in 1965, but it a 21st-century sensibility that could only be made in modern times. Also on that record is “Old Mexico” – a pure western song that will make you think Stuart is channeling the late Marty Robbins.

Another artist to check out for modern western is Gil Landry’s solo work, especially with songs like “Fennario” or “Denver Girls.” Landry will take you out under the infinite Colorado skies and tell you a story or two in the blowing winds.

It’s a great form of American music, and one that really sets a technicolor vision of a mythical place.