We're talking to Hugh McLennan, Spirit of the West, Ranch and Radio Show.

The horses and cattle and our western lifestyle and the romance that lives with it. As you know, Dave, it's always been a passion of mine. I just grew up with that. We've been trying to build a small herd of cows and I was driving truck long hours to try and finance that. Starting colts at the same time when I was on the board of the BC Cattlemen's Association. At that time we're still fighting a lot of negative publicity about the industry that is not based in fact. I was in broadcasting before this and I felt with my background in the media and my lifestyle and the people I know, maybe I could put all of this together in a weekly hour long episode that would talk about the real things that make this way a life so great. Not just the business of the cattle industry, but the cowboy poets, the western musicians, the western artists, the soloists, the leather workers and all the rest of it. Because I don't know of any other industry that has such a wonderful connection with the arts as western life and cowboy life has. So we're in our 33rd year now.

Hugh McLennan from the Spirit of the West Radio Show.

Ranching Stories and Western Lifestyle: Hugh McLennan discusses the Spirit of the West Ranch and Radio Show, highlighting his lifelong passion for Western culture, horses, cattle, and the challenges faced in the ranching industry. McLennan shares insights from his background in media and his aim to use his radio show as a platform to counter negative publicity against the cattle industry by celebrating cowboy poets, Western musicians, and artisans. The conversation reflects on the struggles and joys of ranching life, the legacy of family traditions, and the importance of connection to Western arts.

Baxter Black and Legacy of Broadcasting: The dialogue revisits memories with the late Baxter Black, a notable figure in the Western community, emphasizing his contributions to the Spirit of the West and his impact on audiences. The discussion mourns Black's passing, reflecting on his humor and storytelling that resonated with country folks, while revealing the challenges encountered in broadcasting, such as technical difficulties and loss of recordings.