Rich O'Brien

Acoustic Magazine has called Rich O'Brien "the house guitarist for the cowboy music revival." He is probably in greater demand for western recording sessions than any other musician. Ranger Doug, one of the genre's greatest guitarists himself, has called O'Brien a national treasure!

Born in Southwestern Missouri, O'Brien credits his mother Gracie, a Carter-style guitarist, with fostering his love of music. When he left home for Texas, he had no way of knowing the impact he would eventually have on western music and western swing. But early on, his skills became evident to others as he toured with Ray Price, etc. and started recording with Tom Morrell and the Time-Warp Top Hands.

In Texas, over the past two decades Rich has played a key role in the award-winning music performed and recorded by Western Music Hall of Fame members Don Edwards and Red Steagall, among others. Not only has there been great demand for his guitar playing; his skills as an arranger and producer became so evident that he is widely recognized as one of the genre's very best producers. He has now played on or produced over 200 recordings, appeared on numerous national TV and radio broadcasts, performed twice at the White House and many times at the nation's most widely-recognized western music events.

While he has recorded with and/or produced Steagall, Edwards, Sons of the San Joaquin, Waddie Mitchell and many others, he has also recorded his own outstanding guitar CDs, and he is the artist Cindy Walker chose to record demos of her new compositions.

One of the most sought-after awards in western music is the Wrangler Award, presented by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Rich has won 11 Wrangler Awards, more than any recipient in any category in the Museum's history!

O.J. Sikes