John Bradshaw Talks Ranch Journalism and Elmer Kelton’s Legacy

In this episode of the Dusty Trails and Tall Tales Podcast, we sit down with award-winning journalist and Western author John Bradshaw, a native son of Abernathy, Texas. With over a thousand published stories under his belt, Bradshaw has spent decades chronicling the real American West—writing for ranching, horse, and livestock publications, including his long-standing work with Livestock Weekly.

We talk about his unique journey from shoeing horses to reporting on the livestock industry, and how that path ultimately led him to co-author The Familiar Stranger—the final novel of legendary Western writer Elmer Kelton, completed in collaboration with Kelton’s son, Steve.

Join us as we explore Bradshaw’s passion for storytelling, his thoughts on preserving Western heritage through journalism, and what it was like helping bring a Kelton novel to life.

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with the people keeping the spirit of the West alive:
https://www.youtube.com/@GreatAmericanWesterns

----
🎙 Subscribe for more interviews with today’s top Western writers and historians.
📌 Watch our full playlist of Dusty Trails and Tall Tales interviews:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvqQ2BRltXZWqtznt46AQ_cJrD_0jXECe—

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment to support Western storytelling!

📺 Subscribe to The Great American Western on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GreatAmericanWesterns
🌵 Visit our website: https://thegreatamericanwestern.com/
🎙️ Listen to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7m3TvacJeYfImIsMAndo5x

Watch more episodes of The Dusty Trails and Tall Tales Podcast and subscribe for interviews, stories, and deep dives into the greatest Westerns ever told.
🎥 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvqQ2BRltXZWqtznt46AQ_cJrD_0jXECe&si=qUCm5w8nTKeuPsPK

📌 Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GreatAmericanWesterns
🌐 Visit the website: https://thegreatamericanwestern.com/
📬 Sign up for the newsletter: https://thegreatamericanwestern.substack.com/