Mudcat's own Rex Rudeout's new "Jack Thorpe's Songs of the Cowboy" which is available with the book of the same name at THIS SITE and I see the first recommendation is by Don Edwards:

Mark Gardner and Rex Rideout have done a masterful job in their major contribution to the history of cowboy music and cowboy culture.

There is also a thread about it which you may read by clicking here.

I might have a couple of these left. If you are interested let me know by PM. Be sure to read down in the thread where Mudcatters helped to identify some of the original artists. It was a wonderful experience.

I second Chris LeDeux, esp. his early stuff. It's the pure-D authentic stuff of Wyoming. He used to bring his albums to the radio station where we worked when he was first starting out and needed airplay.

Also, Rex Allen and Rex Allen Jr. Maybe more country but still very cowboy, at least in my family's opinion.:-) Beautiful voices, both of them.

Have fun!

kat