BLACK COWBOYS of RODEO
“Can I get a “Yee-ha!”Black Cowboys of Rodeo is a marvel of a book—built with muscular research and smooth writing, resurrecting larger-than-life characters who will amaze and inspire readers. Cowboys have long been symbols of American grit and self-reliance. Black cowboys are that and more. Thank goodness their stories are finally being told—and told so beautifully.”
— Jonathan Eig; Best-Selling Author; Ali: A Life
“My personal fascination with The Old West was ignited when I was 7 years old. Our family owned a sprawling ranch in Guffey, Colorado, within the Rocky Mountains. This was my introduction to the life and history of the cowboy, more specifically the black cowboy. Hollywood has not always been on the right side of history when it comes to portraying Black cowboys, but a thoroughly researched book like Black Cowboys of Rodeofinally amends that narrative. I was excited to see my friends Glynn Turman, Obba Babatunde, James Pickens Jr., and Reginald T. Dorsey share their own untold stories of team roping and riding horses right alongside the accomplishments of Bill Pickett, Charlie Sampson and Fred Whitfield.”
— Blair Underwood; Actor, Producer and Director
“Keith Ryan Cartwright’s masterful excavation of the contribution of Black cowboys to American History is both rich and timely. The engaging stories of the individuals chronicled in Black Cowboys of Rodeo: Unsung Heroes from Harlem to Hollywood and the American West chronicle the lives and struggles of men who were not only field hand and laborers, but family men, businessmen, entertainers and entrepreneurs. This book will be illuminating to many still unfamiliar with the important role they played in the taming and shaping of the American West.”
— Dr. Yohuru Williams; Founding Director, Racial Justice Initiative at University of St. Thomas
“From the Gene Autry epigraph that opens it, this entire book is a revelation—a lively and comprehensive look at a subculture, but one that spills its bounds to become a sweeping panorama of American life. Depression-era foreclosures, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, crashing the Oscars, John Wayne’s Dollar and Roy Rogers’ Trigger, plus cameos from Willie Nelson, Medgar Evers, Aretha Franklin’s ex-husband, and Muhammad Ali (on horseback!)—hold on for the ride, because Black Cowboys of Rodeo will buck off every one of your preconceptions.”
— Alexander Wolff; Best-Selling Author; The Audacity of Hoop: Basketball and the Age of Obama and Big Game, Small World: A Basketball Adventure
“Keith Ryan Cartwright’s book is an essential corrective to the lilywhite history of the cowboy and the American West that has been promoted by motion pictures and white supremacist for centuries. It works as both a sweeping look at the Cowboy ethos and profiles of scores and men (and women), whose greatness made America.”
— Nelson George; Author, Filmmaker, Music and Culture Critic
“Black Cowboys of Rodeo is a much-needed look at the lives of modern Black cowboys. For too long, this story has been overlooked. But that omission stops with this book. Keith Ryan Cartwright takes readers on a journey from farm life in Oklahoma, to the Jim Crow south, the bright lights of Hollywood, and the streets of Harlem. Filled with stories of famous men like the legendary Bill Picket and many other unheralded Black men who scraped their way to make a living in rodeo, Cartwright has produced a beautifully written manuscript about Black manhood.”
— Louis Moore; Best-Selling Author; We Will Win the Day: The Civil Rights Movement and I Fight for a Living: Boxing and the Battle for Black Manhood 1880–1915
“With the vivid, detailed portraits in Black Cowboys of Rodeo, Keith Ryan Cartwright not only chronicles a series of brave and pioneering lives, he also fills in a missing and vital piece of America’s cultural history.”
— Alan Light; SiriusXM Host, Best-Selling Author and former Editor-in-Chief of Vibe and Spin magazines
“It’s weird to call it a book. It seems like so much more than that. Keith Ryan Cartwright is a master storyteller, who has accomplished what could be considered his life’s work in his first attempt. This is a very important book coming at an equally important time.”
— Ty Murray; Nine-Time PRCA World Champion
“There is nothing quite so tantalizing as hidden history. Remember what it felt like to be a young person, when it seemed like grownups were conspiring to hide the truth? In this case, they were. When one reads a book like Black Cowboys of Rodeo, young people searching for identity find their heroes.”
— Erin Alvardo; High School Librarian and Cofounder, Southeastern Young Adult Book Festival
BULL RIDING, RODEO and WESTERN LIFESTYLE
“I have followed your career for many years and … I believe you are one of the greatest journalists, writers that this sport has ever known. I applaud you for what you have been able to give to the sport and the history that you have archived and the accounts and the way you articulate the events and the people, is top notch. The sport of bull riding is better because of Keith Ryan Cartwright. That comes from the heart as someone who is an observer and fan. I’m a big fan.”
— Bill Putnam; founder, The Bull Riding Hall of Fame
“Keith is a guy that has the unique ability to ask questions and get out of the way and let the story go in the direction that the teller tells it. He doesn’t just try to get a person to say what he thinks they should, and that is something I have always appreciated when working with him and reading his work.”
— Justin McBride; two-time PBR World Champion / PBR Ring of Honor / CBS broadcaster
“Keith Ryan Cartwright is a natural born writer that submerges himself in his subjects and comes out the other side with a fair and accurate account of the story with no rock left unturned. When I first met him, he didn’t have a clue about bull riding, but in short order became an expert on the sport. On top of this, he is Harvard-educated in his craft. I’m a fan of his work.”
— Ty Murray; nine-time PRCA World Champion / PBR Ring of Honor / CBS broadcaster
“Keith gets it right. When he interviews someone he makes sure he understands the answers to his questions, and is always accurate and fair in his writing.”
— Cody Lambert; PBR cofounder / PBR Ring of Honor / PBR Livestock Director
“Keith always wrote what I said, never changed anything about an interview and the truth is always good with me.”
— J.B. Mauney; two-time PBR World Champion
“I’ve had the opportunity to speak with and be interviewed by KRC on many occasions. He has been a true professional on every level. He asked meaningful questions rather than just making a statement with the intent of creating content. His pieces have been accurate and very well written. KRC is one of the best I’ve dealt with.”
— Curtis Leschyshyn; Stanley Cup winner, Colorado Avalanche / ABBI Stock Contractor
“He’s great. His unassuming demeanor makes you very comfortable in an interview. His stories are creative but fair. Honest and to the point. One of the few writers I feel is trustworthy.”
— Shorty Gorham; PBR bullfighter / CBS broadcaster
“I have been interviewed by him, and I have been the interviewer of him. And no matter which side I am on, the conversation with Keith Ryan Cartwright is always heartfelt, intellectually stimulating, and honest. Keith is the ultimate professional and a dear friend.”
— Flint Rasmussen; PBR Entertainer / Sirius XM radio host
“Like any good writer, KRC is adept at studying a landscape, charting out a course, and then deftly navigating readers to his chosen destination. But what makes Keith great, is his keen ability, if need be, to steer ‘without the help of the stars’ and use his intuition to guide both the interview, and the final product, to its proper home. His unique skillset turns each assignment into its own Literary Lighthouse. One that, while keeping us away from the usual dangers and trappings of common authors, also acts as an intended beacon- to ensure those who choose to make the journey, arrive at the proper point, richer for the experience.”
— Craig Hummer; CBS, ESPN and NBC broadcaster (PBR, Tour de France, Olympic Games)
“In all the time I’ve known and worked with Keith, I’ve always known him to write with integrity and never twist anything to fit a certain context. He’d always shoot straight and quote accurately in every article that was written. And as a competitor, I thoroughly enjoyed being interviewed by Keith because he had actually done his homework beforehand and was knowledgeable about the subject at hand. Always came across as a well-informed professional that did his job with excellence.”
— Kody Lostroh; PBR World Champion
“Almost anyone who reads anything that you write recognizes your name. You’re a very good writer. … I admire your work ethic and your continuing education that you’re always doing. You’re a person to be admired.”
— the late Sharon Shoulders; board of directors for the Oklahoma Heritage Association and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Rodeo Historical Society; known as the First Lady of Rodeo
“KRC is the best history teller that I ever talked to. He is right on point, always able to get deep in the subject, writing exactly was told to him without making up facts to please the reader. He is always honest and knows how to tell the true story (without) making one look bad. I have a lot of respect for him not only as a writer, but as a person. I enjoy reading his writing.”
— Robson Palermo; three-time PBR World Finals winner
