Ian Munsick mixes western with pop covers

Wyoming cowboy meets pop

Born and raised in Sheridan, Wyoming in 1993, Ian Munsick is a country singer-songwriter who brings genuine Western heritage into his music. From childhood, he performed alongside his father and brothers, a family band that established his roots in raw, storytelling-driven music.

With multi-instrumentalist talents and a tenor voice, he studied at Belmont University before breaking into the Nashville scene. His mission? To re-center Western landscapes and values in modern country music.

High‑tenor with coyote howls

Munsick doesn’t match the stereotypical rugged baritone; he uses his high-altitude tenor to hit “girl notes” and even emulate coyote howls. This distinct vocal range sets him apart within country, enabling playful moments like pop medleys during live shows.

He emphasizes authenticity, saying it’s more important to “be unapologetically you” than follow trends. His refined vocal style and characterful sound are signature to his Western-pop fusion.

Pop girl medley surprise crowd

During live concerts, Munsick surprises audiences with an eight-minute medley of female pop hits, from Britney Spears to Taylor Swift, complete with dance moves. Covering songs like “Genie in a Bottle,” “Toxic,” “You Belong with Me,” and “Espresso,” he keeps fans guessing.

His philosophy: live performances should balance authenticity and fun, ensuring crowds enjoy themselves for 90 minutes. The medleys demonstrate his vocal versatility and willingness to break convention.

Countrified “Espresso” gains praise

Munsick turned heads by releasing a Western-infused cover of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.” Fans called it “one of the more iconic things I’ve ever seen live,” praising its authentic country twang and fiddle flourishes.

Even Carpenter’s original has surpassed 2 billion Spotify streams, yet his rendition found its acclaim. Munsick teased it on social media, captioning “Someone had to do it,” reinforcing his playful but grounded approach.

Roots in family band

As a child, Ian performed with his father and brothers in a family band, learning to entertain live audiences from a young age. He learned stage presence from his dad and brothers, mastering entertainment from a young age.

Though raw and acoustic, these early performances shaped his authenticity and storytelling qualities he carries into modern productions.

Overcoming stutter through music

Munsick shares that his childhood stutter vanished when he sang on stage; music unlocked his fluency. This personal breakthrough emphasizes how performing empowers him and anchors his purpose.

Music became both vocation and salvation, reinforcing his belief that he’s meant to be onstage; it’s where his voice and his heart truly speak.

Reinventing country western

Ian’s goal is clear: “Put ‘Western’ back in country Western,” by emphasizing Western landscapes and cowboy traditions. He is inspired by Wyoming’s ranching life, aiming to diversify a genre that too often focuses on Southern influences.

With lyrics rooted in horses, prairies, and open skies, he taps into Western heritage rarely heard on mainstream country radio.

Two albums and documentary

Munsick has released two albums: Coyote Cry (2021) and White Buffalo (2023); his third, Eagle Feather, dropped April 18, 2025.

The White Buffalo era also saw a documentary, White Buffalo: Voices of the West, highlighting cowboy and Indigenous stories; it earned awards and film festival recognition.

These works showcase his commitment to Western authenticity, narrative depth, and cross-genre appeal.

Collaborations boost credibility

Ian’s duet “Long Live Cowgirls” with Cody Johnson remains a standout. Co-written and produced by Ian, the song features fiddle, banjo, and atmospheric howls. Originally recorded in 2021 and released in January 2022, the duet went Gold and gained steady rotation on SiriusXM country stations..

Collaborating with established Western artists like Johnson and Lainey Wilson anchors his place in traditional country circles.

Red rocks and Opry appearances

He made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2021, impressing audiences with his howling tenor and cowboy persona. In 2024, he sold out Red Rocks Amphitheatre, where he was honored with a Crow Nation feather, symbolizing acceptance into Native American cowboy culture.

These milestones mark his growing authenticity and influence within Western music.

Family life inspires lyrics

Away from performances, Ian and his wife Caroline, also his manager, have built a grounded life in Tennessee and Wyoming.

Their son Crawford, born February 2020, and expected daughter in early October 2025, appear in meaningful tracks like “Caroline” and “The Gate”. These deeply personal songs reflect his family’s influence and balance music with devotion to loved ones.

Touring grounds wild audience

With no major radio hits, Munsick relies on touring and grassroots appeal to build a devoted following. He’s toured alongside artists like Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Morgan Wallen, while headlining venues such as Red Rocks and Cheyenne Frontier Days.

In July 2025, he’ll be the first Wyoming native to headline Cheyenne Frontier Days. His path emphasizes authenticity over fleeting radio success.

“Eagle Feather” themes explored

Released April 2025, Eagle Feather features tracks like “Feather in My Hat” (with Lainey Wilson), “God Bless the West” (with Cleto Cordero), and “Firewater”. The title track symbolizes his induction into the Crow Nation and carries spiritual reverence for Western tradition.

Across twenty tracks, Ian weaves nature, family, spiritual imagery, and ranch life into a cohesive Western narrative.

Grassroots over radio push

Despite lacking mainstream radio penetration, Munsick remains unapologetic about his artistic authenticity. He credits friends like Cody Johnson for guidance and views originality and genuine storytelling as key to sustained fan loyalty.

His quote,, “We’ve always known it’s more important to be original, which doesn’t always go hand in hand with radio” exemplifies his principled stance

Western heart, ambitious vision

Ian admits he’s “hungry” for broader success, dreaming of coast‑to‑coast arenas, but refuses shortcuts or compromises. His integrity shows in a firm “no” to songs that don’t feel true to him.

At the core, he wants to preserve Western identity, entertain sincerely, and grow naturally, remaining thankful but never complacent.

That’s a big reason his fans have stuck with him, especially as he continues to carve out his space alongside standout tracks from new country songs in 2022 you should know.

Western pop fusion continues

Ian’s live medleys and covers push boundaries, attracting new listeners while honoring Western roots. As he headlines major venues and festivals, including the Opry and Frontier Days, his fusion of ranch-born authenticity and pop creativity continues to captivate.

His story shows a modern cowboy’s journey: charting an unhurried path, staying true to self, and putting “Western” firmly back in country Western. And with stars like Cody Johnson even teasing a duet with Luke Combs, it’s clear that heartfelt collaborations are driving the genre forward.

Which rising country act do you think deserves the next big spotlight? Let us know in the comments!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.