Ryan Bingham is a Grammy®, Oscar®, Golden Globe®, and Critic’s Choice® award-winning artist and star of acclaimed TV series Yellowstone. In an industry often swayed by trends and marketability, Bingham stands as a beacon of genuine expression, his music a testament to the power of staying true to one’s roots. Known for his raw and emotive music, evocative storytelling, and trademark weather-beaten vocals, Bingham has risen over the years to become one of the most distinctive and authentic voices of his generation.

From a Southwest drifter and professional bull rider to an award-winning musician and star of a record-breaking hit television series, Ryan Bingham has packed a few lifetimes into his unlikely journey, all while transforming personal trials and adventures into a resonant soundtrack that speaks to the heart of the human experience. His music defies classification, with folk, blues, country, and rock ‘n roll all being part of the recipe. It’s authentic, powerful, and the songs are rooted in real life – in survival and sacrifice and, yes, sometimes just having a damn good time. Nobody making music today has a voice like Bingham’s, one that has the worn and weary character of an old fighter more than twice his age, but the power of a young man. It’s an intoxicating mixture that has made Bingham one of the most celebrated artists today.

Bingham never set out to be a musician. From an early age, Bingham’s life was defined by constant movement and the harsh realities of a nomadic existence. Hailing from a small town in New Mexico, Bingham grew up in the rugged west Texas oil fields, then spent his teenage years shuffling from town to town across the state as a pro bull-rider. For over a decade, Bingham lived out of his truck, making ends meet between rodeo competitions and day labor jobs. It was during those treks that Bingham serendipitously stumbled upon music when he began entertaining friends with the guitar, an instrument he’d learned at the age of 17 from a mariachi-playing neighbor.

Writing soon became a cathartic conduit for processing his tumultuous upbringing, and before long he was trading the wandering life of a cowboy for the wandering life of a musician. It was a transient lifestyle that enabled Bingham to absorb the rich tapestry of cultural influences along the way – from the Cajun culture along the western border of Louisiana, to the hardcore hip-hop favored by his Houston friends, to the border songs of the Mexican immigrants. In fact, until he moved to California in 2007, he never lived in any one place for more than two years. It’s this spirit of having done plenty of living early on that would later lend his music with a raw, world-weary quality that to this day resonates in every note, every word, and every silence in between. A genuine reflection of a life fully lived, not a persona crafted.

From these humble beginnings, Bingham emerged as a voice of soul and honesty. He first captured national attention in 2007 with the release of his critically acclaimed debut, Mescalito. As a rising star, he navigated a musical landscape that ranged from Woody Guthrie-style folk songs and Spanish-language balladry to gritty hard rock – signaling the arrival of a unique talent unafraid to blur the boundaries of genre while delivering music that is as real as the life he’s lived.

However, it was his poignant ballad “The Weary Kind,” penned for the 2009 film Crazy Heart, that catapulted Bingham into the global spotlight. A critical and commercial success, the song garnered Bingham an Academy Award®, a Grammy®, a Golden Globe®, and a Critic’s Choice® Award in 2010, among other accolades. That same year, Bingham was also awarded the Americana Music Association’s ‘Artist of the Year,’ firmly establishing his place in the pantheon of American singer-songwriters.

With a fiercely independent spirit and a well-earned reputation for defying convention, the real-life cowboy poet has navigated the music industry over the years entirely on his own terms. Across six acclaimed studio albums, two live records, and 2023’s raw and intimate seven-song EP Watch Out For The Wolf —where he took on the roles of writer, producer, performer, recording engineer, and mixer for the first time—Bingham’s commitment to honest, unfiltered storytelling has never wavered. With each new chapter in his discography, Bingham remains true to his roots while continuously pushing creative boundaries. It’s music that is timeless, reflecting the ever-shifting landscape of the American experience, where personal and communal stories intertwine, and triumph and tragedy coexist.

In addition to music, Bingham has also made his mark in the world of acting, most notably for his role as “Walker” on the acclaimed neo-Western television series, Yellowstone. Over the past five seasons, his portrayal as a ranch hand with a troubled past and a talent for music has become a fan favorite, expanding his fanbase while adding another layer to his multifaceted career.

Most recently, this past November, Bingham released his latest project, Live at Red Rocks, a powerful live album capturing one of his most iconic performances at the legendary Colorado venue. Backed by The Texas Gentlemen, the electrifying 16-song collection brings his catalog to life, showcasing his raw energy and signature sound in front of a passionate, sold-out crowd.

Ahead of the Yellowstone Season 5 finale in December, Bingham also surprised fans with the debut of his latest single, “A Song for the Stone,” his first original track written for the series. Wanting it to feel authentic to both the story and his own journey with Yellowstone, Bingham took his time crafting the haunting, evocative song. Performed in character during a campfire scene in Episode 9, it stands as a heartfelt tribute to the show’s legacy. Upon its release, Bingham dedicated the song to the fans, cast, and crew, sharing, “It’s taken me a while to write this song, but sometimes you’ve got to live it before you can write it.”

Beyond music and television, Bingham also manages an accomplished portfolio of business ventures, including helming his own label for over a decade (The Bingham Recording Co.) and pioneering The Great Western, an annual two-day music festival and rodeo held each fall in Fort Worth, Texas. Most recently, after several years in the making, Bingham ventured into the world of spirits with the launch of Bingham Spirits. In 2024, the company debuted its first product, Bingham’s Bourbon – a handcrafted, small-batch Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey now available in Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada, and Florida, with plans to expand throughout 2025.

Up next, Ryan Bingham will play the Two Step Inn Festival in April before hitting the road this summer for The All Night Long Tour, presented by Bingham’s Bourbon. His first full-band tour since 2019, it will feature Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen delivering a raw, immersive experience with no opener—an evening fully curated by Bingham, engaging fans from start to finish.