About Rex Rideout

His interest sparked by the Scottish and German craftsmen of the community in which he was raised, Rex Rideout has studied the trades and skills of the 19th Century for more than 25 years. His strongest interests have been in woodworking and metalwork with axes and other edge tools. He's been involved in restoring and stabilizing many log buildings and other historic structures.

Rex is also a long-time student of the music and songs of the 19th-Century American West. As the proprietor of Time Travel Music, Rex has performed at countless historic sites and museums across the West. His music has also been featured on television and radio. Rex plays many musical instruments: mandolin, fiddle, guitar, banjo, and tin whistle, to name just a few. He usually joins historian Mark Gardner for Venues of the early West.

How 19th-Century Americans obtained their food, shelter, and entertainment is a fascinating study, and Rex eagerly shares his findings during his living-history engagements.

When he is not performing, or swinging an axe or hammer, Rex builds and services laboratory and research instruments for the Colorado School of Mines. Rex's sons, Benjamin and Daniel, have taken up their father's interests in both living history and music.

Cowboys & Aliens

The block buster film Cowboys & Aliens, starring Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig was released July 29. I've enjoyed seeing it a few times and find it a fine film with many nods to the old westerns. I am honored to have had a part in this. True West Magazine made the film a cover story in their September issue. Find True West's Western film reviewer, Henry Beck's interview with me from that issue here.

We're Official!

Mark and I are honored that our popular concert/program on Jack Thorp and his 1908 book of cowboy songs (the very first collection of cowboy ballads ever published) has been recognized as an "Official New Mexico Centennial Project." We are now accepting requests to perform this educational and entertaining program for 2011 and 2012. Learn more on the official centennial website.

Ladies' Choice

After almost two years, Ladies' Choice is ready. This CD was created in response to friends and family asking me to record favorites they've heard me perform. In truth, it should be titled, Rex and Friends for all my friends that joined me for a really fun project. Look on the Recordings page for more information.

YouTube

OK, everyone is on YouTube. Sure, who wouldn't like to actually see someone do a song? I am slow to get on this bandwagon but here am I playing Jack Thorp's Frijole Beanses to my own melody. Frijole Beanses And here I accompany Mark in promoting his new book "To Hell on a Fast Horse" with the song, Knockin' on Heaven's Door. Mark Gardner You can find out more about Mark's book by looking in the Now Part of History in my Events section or follow the link to Mark's website below.

FaceBook

FaceBook is a handy medium. I'm able to post stories and keep up with my fellow musicians, friends and family. Look for notes about recent events, songs, photos and who knows what there. FaceBook

Western Music Association

I am happy to be a member of the Western Music Association. They promote western music and have a showcase of performers as well as events all available through their website.

"BEST MUSICAL TOUR OF THE WEST"

True West Magazine awarded Mark Gardner and I "Best Musical Tour of the West" in their 2009 Best of the West issue. "...Thorp published the first collection of cowboy songs in 1908, and Old West music revivalists, Mark Gardner and Rex Rideout brought those songs to life at concerts in New Mexico during 2008 --- on vintage instruments, no less. ... For those who heard the show, Jack Thorp's words hung in the air." Mark and I are honored to be recognized by a such a champion of the preservation of Western heritage.

JACK THORP

In the year 1908, Jack Thorp visited P.A. Speckmann at his print shop in Estancia, New Mexico and had him print 2000 copies of his "Songs of the Cowboys". Mark and I performed all around the West in 2008 telling everyone of the centennial of the very first book of cowboy songs. We will continue to celebrate Jack's legacy. The Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry or, Cowboy Poetry at the Bar - D Ranch has assembled a great study of the early cowboy writers and showcase contemporary writers and events today. They have assembled the most complete study of Jack Thorp known to me. I invite you to visit their page here about Thorp and then stay to see everything else they offer.

Mark Lee Gardner I first visited Bent's Old Fort in '83. There in front of the trading post was this fellow playing some old tunes on a banjo. It was just what the place needed. It brought things to life and completed the setting. That was musician, historian and author, Mark Lee Gardner. I see us as kindred spirits, we see the value of keeping these old songs alive. Over the decades we've been on the same mission, often together as a duo which is what I prefer. On his website you'll learn more about him, his projects and many books that he's published. Besides his skill with the banjo, he's one of the best bones players I know of and is dandy with a tenor guitar! Check out Mark's new book published by Harper Collins "To Hell on a Fast Horse: Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett and the Epic Chase to Justice in the Old West" For special features relating to the book, click here. To see all of Mark's other books and projects, click here.

Entire site Copyright © 2007–2011 by Rex R. Rideout. All rights reserved.