Roll With the Punches – Ryan Bingham

From his childhood spent moving between California and Texas as his alcoholic parents searched for work, to being awarded both an Oscar and Grammy for “The Weary Kind,” featured in Jeff Bridges’ film Crazy Heart, Ryan Bingham has experienced both highs and lows – yet through it all found music as his source of solace.

Born in New Mexico

Growing up riding bulls and working oilfields, Ryan Bingham spent his early years moving around from place to place as the energy business boomed and busted, following its boom-or-bust cycle. Living this nomadic life allowed him to absorb a wide range of cultural influences ranging from Woody Guthrie-style folk songs and Spanish balladry of his roots all the way through to hard rock from his musical heroes.

Bingham’s music strikes an emotional chord; with its raw, emotive, and evocative storytelling that mirrors how American experience encompasses triumph and tragedy from moment to moment. And in an industry so often dictated by trends or marketability, his honesty remains undiminished; this makes him truly remarkable.

Raised in Texas

Ryan Bingham made his mark in Texas music in 2006 after being invited by outlaw country musician Terry Allen to assist with celebrating his wedding anniversary at West Texas art enclave Marfa. There, Bingham met Joe Ely and other musicians and was taken under their wings.

His 2007 album Mescalito and subsequent film Crazy Heart brought him national acclaim, earning critical acclaim as an up-and-coming troubadour, prompting critics to seek new words to describe his raw, husky voice.

Bingham’s music defies categorization, featuring elements of folk, blues and country with an authentic feel that hits you directly in the gut. He joined World Cafe to talk about his past, present and potential future endeavors.

Moved to California

Bingham appears to have found his footing after years of turmoil, learning how to ride out each momentous event with grace and ease. Though still living on the move – moving every year or two (unless filming Yellowstone), but finally taking pleasure in allowing his wild heart some play time as well.

At the outset of his career, when he burst onto the scene with “Mescalito,” Bingham has defied easy categorization with his music. Ranging from Woody Guthrie-inspired folk songs to Spanish language balladry and beyond – his sound combines country Americana rock. On his latest album he offers rugged reflections about global issues as well as personal history – stopping by our studio for this World Cafe session to perform some songs for us!

Moved to Texas again

Ryan Bingham has made the most of his attitude of accepting whatever comes his way and adapting accordingly. Though he has experienced thrilling highs and debilitating lows in life, that has never stopped him from following his dream and reaching his goals.

Oscar-winning musician Jason Robert Brown recently released his new album American Love Song. His musical style defies easy categorization; its ingredients include folk, blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll styles all mixed into his mix.

Bingham recently unveiled his debut LP and has also reestablished the Western Music Festival in Luckenbach and launched Bingham Spirits, his line of bourbon whiskey. Additionally, Hassie Harrison (Watson/Laramie in Yellowstone) and Bingham got married on-screen!

Won an Academy Award

The Academy Awards may seem fixed and inflexible, but their traditions can change over time. Recently, for instance, their organizing body revised their guidelines in order to include more women and people from underrepresented identities as secondary roles in supporting roles.

Ryan Bingham’s life story reads like something out of a country song: As his parents chased oil-field jobs across New Mexico and Texas, his childhood consisted of drifting between New Mexico and Texas with them; riding rodeo circuit; mourning his mother due to alcoholism and then ultimately her suicide as well as going through rodeo circuit. All this experience eventually culminated with him recording American Love Song for release later that same year.

Bingham’s stirring songs capture the American experience with its mix of tragedy and triumph that can come at any moment. Aside from his musical career, he runs a distillery and founded the Western Music Festival in Luckenbach.