Ken Overcast

"Ken Overcast is the Real Deal..."

Ken Overcast is the real deal. In this day and age of plastic throwaway everything, to find someone that is really genuine is a treat indeed. While many in the performing arts tend towards honing an act that is saleable, Ken strives very diligently to just be himself. His music, writing, and public performances are characterized by a down home connection that is indeed rare. He’s a third generation Montanan, and is truly making a mark on America’s entertainment. Both Ken’s recording and writing have been very prolific, with at least one new recording project in the mill constantly. His first book, “Yesterday’s Yarns”, was published in 2003 and quickly went into its second printing. His second book, “Shootin’ the Breeze” is scheduled for release in 2005. Ken is also the author of a popularly syndicated column entitled “Meadow Muffins”, and is the host of a nationally syndicated radio program, “The Cowboy Show” with Ken Overcast, which features both contemporary cowboy music and interviews, and a look back into the past with memories from a few old time cowboys.

B orn into a ranching family, he was raised in northern Montana on a section of the Milk River known as “Paradise Valley”. He literally grew up on a horse, and attended a rural school with three classmates. He and his wife Dawn were childhood sweethearts, and run a commercial cow/calf operation on Lodge Creek, as well as entertaining audiences all over the West. Their ranch is located within fifteen miles of where 100 years of both sides of their family have made their homes. Dawn’s only complaint is that, “He’s always running off somewhere to play that darned guitar, and leaving me home to do all the work.”

K en has been teamed with Nashville Producer, Russ Ragsdale for many years, and together they have seven CD recordings under their belts. National recognition was just a matter of time. Besides a host of nominations, Ken was crowned the Western Music Association “Yodeler of the Year”, and was awarded the coveted “Will Rogers Award” by the Academy of Western Artists.

Ken formed Bear Valley Music, a music publishing company affiliated with BMI in 1993, Bear Valley Records, and independent record company in 1994, and its book publishing division, Bear Valley Press in 2002. He is also a member of several national trade organizations, including The Academy of Western Artists, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Publisher's Association of the West, The Western Writers of America, and The Western Music Association.

Reviews/Awards

“Ken’s music represents the true essence of the American cowboy lifestyle,” said Meghan Saar,
assistant editor of the True West Magazine, in the Magazine's press release about Ken's
“Best of the West” award in 2003.

“His no-nonsense style is genuine and harkens back to the honesty and sincerity of classic country music artists – qualities that are greatly missed in today’s music.” Havre Daily News 2003


Ken Overcast is not only a Montana rancher, but he's also a cowboy singer and a darn good storyteller. Cowboy Magazine Summer 2003

More Reviews on Ken and His Radio Show

Bear Valley Records
"The Cowboy Show"
Bear Valley Press
P.O. Box 1542;
Chinook, Montanna 59523

Phone: 406-357-3824
email: 7bearval@3rivers.net