The Jackie Robinson of Rodeo
Five decades ago, Myrtis Dightman broke the color barrier in professional rodeo and became one of the best bull riders who ever lived. But his imprint on the sport was only just beginning.
Christian Wallace is a staff writer from West Texas. Before joining Texas Monthly as a fact-checker, in March 2016, Wallace worked as a roughneck, a ditch digger, an electrician, a record store clerk, and a radio DJ. He earned BAs in history and English from Texas State University in San Marcos and holds a master’s degree in writing from the University of Galway in Ireland.
In 2020, Wallace wrote and hosted the documentary podcast series Boomtown, about the Permian Basin’s historic oil boom and the bust that followed. The series has more than 4.8 million downloads. Wallace has been nominated for three National Magazine Awards. His September 2019 cover story on honky-tonks was a finalist in leisure interests; his 2020 collaboration with others on “All 144 Willie Nelson Albums, Ranked” was a finalist in digital storytelling; and his July 2021 cover story on Bass Reeves was a finalist in feature writing. His work has been optioned for several film and television projects, including the forthcoming Paramount series Land Man.
Wallace lives in San Marcos with his wife, Lauren Meckel, and their pup, Wyatt.
Five decades ago, Myrtis Dightman broke the color barrier in professional rodeo and became one of the best bull riders who ever lived. But his imprint on the sport was only just beginning.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
We traveled 3,000 miles to find the state’s best little country joints. Welcome to neon nirvana.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
He wanted to become a serious literary novelist, like Faulkner or Hemingway. Fortunately for millions of Hank the Cowdog fans, he failed.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Growing up in the Permian Basin, I thought I had a sense of what it was like working the oilfields. Turns out I didn’t know a damn thing.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
His almost superhuman exploits made him one of the West's most feared lawmen. Today, the legendary deputy U.S. marshal is widely believed to be the real Lone Ranger. But his true legacy is even greater.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Long before quizzes littered the internet, TM’s Anne Dingus delighted readers with a hundred-question series that doubled as a “CliffsNotes of Texas history.”
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
A writer looks back on his 2018 cover story on Myrtis Dightman Sr., “the Jackie Robinson of Rodeo,” who broke the sport’s color line.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
And everybody won.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
The Hall of Fame bull rider is the subject of an upcoming documentary and a Hollywood biopic—but if you ask him he’s “just a cowboy.”
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
It was a riotous, emotional affair that at times felt like a family reunion.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
The Texas troubadour’s farewell lap was full of misadventures and unforgettable moments. Kind of like a classic REK song.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
A bitter feud is pitting Hondo Crouch’s descendants against longtime locals as well as encroaching developers.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
In Andrews, this mostly serve-yourself Tex-Mex restaurant was a community staple that’s still remembered fondly after its closing.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
B. J. Novak talks about his directorial debut, ‘Vengeance,’ a dark comedy set in West Texas—and about Whataburger’s “Dunkin’ Donuts moment.”
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Bob Wills fans flock each spring to the tiny Panhandle town to “dance all night, dance a little longer.”
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
He’s pushing ninety and still saddling up at the Four Sixes Ranch. Just don’t call him the last cowboy.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
For fifteen years, my 2005 GMC Sierra has, through good times and bad weather, taken me to every corner of Texas. It might be time to say goodbye, but it won’t be easy.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Oil-field medics face long hours, grisly accidents, desolation, and low pay. So why do they do it?
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
His almost superhuman exploits made him one of the West's most feared lawmen. Today, the legendary deputy U.S. marshal is widely believed to be the real Lone Ranger. But his true legacy is even greater.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Famed portrait photographer Dan Winters shifted his focus to a new character, the Permian Basin, as the storied region weathered a historic oil bust.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
He wanted to become a serious literary novelist, like Faulkner or Hemingway. Fortunately for millions of Hank the Cowdog fans, he failed.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
In Loving County, residents still feel the specter of the pandemic.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
The New York–born singer-songwriter got to Texas as soon as he could—and spent the next five decades changing the lives of seemingly everyone he met.
David Courtney, a.k.a. the Texanist, is a staff writer.
Mike Hall writes about criminals, musicians, the law, and barbecue.
Jeff Salamon is the deputy editor at Texas Monthly.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Katy Vine has been a staff writer since 2002.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
This year’s festival is all-virtual, but its lineup is still all-star, as demonstrated by this trio of recent books from Texas authors.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Emily McCullar is a senior editor covering pop culture, news, and Texas history. One time she wrote about sports.
Doyin Oyeniyi writes about culture and checks facts.
In the first film for our new Being Texan docuseries, three pint-size cowboys make their inaugural rides on flesh-and-blood steers.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
The kids’ television program, helmed by a crop of Texan theatrical talents, landed on PBS 25 years ago.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Cat Cardenas is a writer focused on culture, entertainment, and the state’s Latino community.
After the oil bust, wind and solar energy might be the Permian Basin’s best hope.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Christian Wallace talks to some familiar faces from the Boomtown series in an attempt to understand what happened on April 20, 2020—when oil prices went negative for the first time in history.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
The recording career of country music’s greatest artist, surveyed, sized up, and sorted on the occasion of his 87th birthday.
David Courtney, a.k.a. the Texanist, is a staff writer.
Mike Hall writes about criminals, musicians, the law, and barbecue.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Record-breaking oil production in the Permian Basin has brought the boom to the Big Bend’s doorstep for the first time. Is it too late to save this pristine landscape?
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
No oil and gas baron since John D. Rockefeller has made more of an impact on society than George P. Mitchell. But this son of poor Greek immigrants who died a billionaire wanted to leave a legacy beyond oil and gas.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Christian talks with renowned business writer Bethany McLean about how the finances of fracking aren't what they're cracked up to be.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
The uneasy alliance between ranchers and the oil industry goes all the way back to the early wildcatting days in West Texas. But today, that relationship is more fraught than ever.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
The Permian Basin is the birthplace of Friday Night Lights. But the historic oil boom threatens beloved high school football traditions.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
During booms, the Permian Basin sees a rise in prostitution charges. But misperceptions and stereotypes about sex work have led to policies that may actually harm the women involved.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
We explore a different kind of boom in the Permian Basin. Meet the women working at a lingerie coffee shop, a “breastaurant,” and two area strip clubs.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Working in the oil patch is incredibly dangerous. But March 10, 2015, brought unimaginable tragedy for one Andrews family.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
A devastating bust transforms the Permian from the promised land into a wasteland.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
The Santa Rita oil well, named after the patron saint of impossible dreams, launched the first Permian Basin boom and has been fueling the dreams of West Texas wildcatters ever since.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
A brief history of one of our most beloved (and endangered) cultural institutions.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
From Ernest Tubb to Bob Wills to Willie, Texas has produced a jukebox worth of classics. Here are the best.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
We traveled 3,000 miles to find the state’s best little country joints. Welcome to neon nirvana.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Apollo’s 11 launch, Ellis covers Nina Simone’s classic version of “Everyone’s Gone to the Moon.”
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Though some will reap serious profits, the region’s dealing with skyrocketing rents, overcrowded schools, and potholes as big as VW Beetles.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
The Lubbock native talks about his trippy, blood-flecked radio plays, the border wall, and working with Jo Harvey Allen.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
The Austin-based songwriter opts for the keys and wry humor on his latest single.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Spoiler: The answer is yes.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
And it wasn't just because of Willie Nelson. We spent time on the ground at Austin's Auditorium Shores on Saturday night, and here's what we found.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Musgraves joined Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and others to honor Miller's legacy.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Five decades ago, Myrtis Dightman broke the color barrier in professional rodeo and became one of the best bull riders who ever lived. But his imprint on the sport was only just beginning.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
The film debuts at the Dallas International Film Festival this weekend.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Remembering "The Alamo" through souvenir shot glasses, John Wayne toilet paper, and the family that brought the 1960 classic to Texas.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Chris Fullerton performs the final song of the beloved Texas songwriter.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Can a 1960s novel with a cult following finally become the blockbuster film its fans believe it should be?
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Plus: Does Coach really deserve Tami Taylor?
Emily McCullar is a senior editor covering pop culture, news, and Texas history. One time she wrote about sports.
Christian Wallace writes about West Texas, oil and gas, music, cowboys, history, and history-making Texans.
Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business.
Doyin Oyeniyi writes about culture and checks facts.