Is Walker from Yellowstone a real singer? The truth about Ryan Bingham

If you’ve ever watched Yellowstone, you know Walker. He is the rugged, guitar-playing cowboy who always seems to find trouble. Played by Ryan Bingham, he’s got that outlaw charm. He also has a talent for making people question if he’s about to start a fight or sing them a sad song.

But here’s the big question: Is Ryan Bingham a real singer, or is he just playing the part? Buckle up, because the truth is even cooler than you think.

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Yellowstone actor's journey from rodeo to singer

Ryan Bingham didn’t grow up dreaming of music. Nope, he was all about the cowboy life. Born in New Mexico and raised across Texas, he was riding bulls before he was strumming guitars.

His first audience was fellow rodeo riders. He played in the backseat of cars on the way to competitions.

His musical journey kicked off when his mom bought him a guitar at 16. At first, he only knew one mariachi song. But instead of learning more, he started writing his own. And since then, songwriting has become his way of dealing with the ups and downs of life.

Bingham started playing in dive bars and honky-tonks. He often competed with rowdy crowds interested in beer than ballads. But his raw, gritty voice and honest storytelling eventually caught attention.

By 2007, he landed a record deal with Lost Highway Records and released Mescalito. Then, in 2009, he wrote The Weary Kind for the movie Crazy Heart. That was a song that would change his life.

Suddenly, this former rodeo rider was standing on the biggest stages. He won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy.

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The Yellowstone Connection

So, how did Bingham end up in Yellowstone? Well, creator Taylor Sheridan, a big fan of Bingham’s music, saw something in him that went beyond just his songs. Instead of just featuring his music, Sheridan cast him as Walker. He played a drifter with a guitar and a knack for making enemies at the Dutton Ranch.

Walker’s been through the wringer. He’s been marked for death more times than we can count. Yet, somehow always finds a way to dodge the “train station.” His mix of cowboy wisdom and bad luck makes him one of the most unpredictable characters on the show.

And yes, every song Walker plays? That’s 100% Bingham performing his own music. His song Wolves from American Love Song was even featured on the show.

Fans of Yellowstone know Walker is a tough one to pin down. One minute, he’s ready to leave the ranch for good. And the next, he’s back playing guitar in the bunkhouse.

Speaking about his character being a hero or a villain, he shared with Taste of Country in an interview:

“There’s a bit of a conflict there. He’s damned if he does and damned if he don’t.”

And honestly, that’s what makes Walker such a great character. You never know if he’s about to ride off into the sunset or get tossed into a ditch.

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More than just an actor

Outside of Yellowstone, Bingham hasn’t slowed down. He’s released several studio albums and even has his own music festival, The Western. He’s also dipped his boots into acting. He starred in A Country Called Home and Hostiles alongside Christian Bale.

And while music remains his first love, acting has been an unexpected adventure. He once described his Yellowstone experience as a dream come true:

“I’ve always romanticized about Montana and cowboying up in that country.”

So, is Walker from Yellowstone a real singer? The answer is a resounding YES. Ryan Bingham is the real deal. He is a cowboy-turned-musician-turned-actor who’s lived a life as wild as the stories he sings about.

And whether he’s playing Walker, writing songs, or dodging trouble on the ranch, one thing’s for sure: He’s got the soul of a cowboy and the heart of a storyteller. And that’s what makes him, and Yellowstone, so darn unforgettable.

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