CHEYENNE, WY — In a historic moment nearly 130 years in the making, country artist Ian Munsick has officially become the first Wyoming-born artist to headline Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration. The 129th annual edition of “The Daddy of ’em All” saw Munsick take the main stage in front of a sold-out hometown crowd, etching his name into both Wyoming and country music history.
Munsick, raised on a ranch outside Sheridan, Wyoming, grew up surrounded by open skies, cowboy chords, and a deep respect for Western heritage. He previously opened at Frontier Days in 2022 — but 2025 marked the first time a son of Wyoming stood front and center as the night’s main attraction.
“I think I see a little bit of country in Cheyenne tonight!”
— Ian Munsick, live at Frontier Nights 2025
The crowd erupted in cheers at the statement — a moment that summed up the emotion in the air. As rain lightly fell over the arena, Munsick’s voice rang out in celebration of the state and sound that shaped him.
Founded in 1897, Cheyenne Frontier Days has hosted country music royalty over the decades — George Strait, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, and more — but never had a Wyoming-born artist taken the headline slot. Munsick’s presence changed that.
“The zenith of my musical ambition has always been to headline Cheyenne Frontier Days,” Munsick said ahead of the performance. “No event symbolizes Wyoming or the West better than the Daddy of ’em All. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The festival, interrupted only in 2020 due to COVID-19, is a multi-day celebration of rodeo, Western culture, Native American history, parades, and nightly concerts — all tied together by its signature “Frontier Nights.”
Known for his blend of classic country storytelling and progressive instrumentation, Munsick has carved a lane of his own. His album White Buffalo and viral hit “Long Live Cowgirls” have introduced the Rocky Mountain West to new generations of fans.
“When I moved to Nashville, there wasn’t anyone from this part of the country putting on for the West in country music,” he said in a recent interview. “That always irked me. I wanted to be that guy.”
On stage in Cheyenne, he delivered exactly that — a full-circle tribute to the land that raised him.
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By Randy Rich – for Nashville Music Guide
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