There’s John Wayne, George Strait, Reba McEntire and now Cowboy State Daily’s very own Wendy Corr. On Wednesday, Corr joined those Western icons as being honored by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
Corr has been announced as the winner of the museum's prestigious Western Lifestyle Award.
Corr is being recognized for her Jan. 5, 2024, podcast interview with mystery novel writer Craig Johnson on her weekly podcast, “The Roundup.”
Wayne, Strait, McEntire and several distinguished actors, musicians, media personalities are among past people honored by the Western Heritage Museum.
This year, Corr is joined in a class that includes country music stars Brooks and Dunn.
Corr said she was grateful to be able to bring stories to listeners about a state and culture she loves, and she feels proud working for an organization such as Cowboy State Daily whose mission is to report the important news and stories of Wyoming.
“What we’re doing is grassroots,” she said. “It’s not about me; it’s about elevating Wyoming stories and voices. These are people who are worth knowing, and I just think it’s so meaningful to be able to introduce them to a whole new audience."
Cowboy State Daily Co-founder and Executive Editor, Jimmy Orr, said he is pleased to see Corr's work getting national recognition.
“She’s a major market talent, and Wyoming is so very fortunate to have her here,” Orr said. “There’s no one better in Wyoming's broadcast space, and we’re thrilled to have her as our teammate.”
Known as the Oscars of the Western world, the award, now in its 64th year, honors those who have made significant contributions in literature, music, television and film who embody the spirit of Western culture and life.
Other previous winners include a veritable who’s who in western culture such as President Teddy Roosevelt, actors Will Rogers, Robert Duvall and Clint Eastwood and country music legend, Bob Wills, among many others.
Johnson himself is a past recipient for his popular Walt Longmire mystery book and television series. Two years ago, he presented the award to actor Lou Diamond Phillips.
In other words, winning this award is a big deal.
Telling The Stories Of Wyoming
Corr was still reeling from the news as she struggled to put into words how meaningful it is to be recognized for her work.
“Oh my goodness,” she said. “It’s validation that what I’m doing means something to other people, whether it's telling the people of Wyoming’s stories or introducing people to the movers and shakers across our state.”
Many readers will recognize Corr as the face and voice behind Cowboy State Daily’s daily news broadcast. As Broadcast Media Director, Corr is responsible for managing the digital platform, including producing her weekly podcast in which she interviews Wyoming people who are making a difference.
Along with Johnson, Corr has interviewed many other notable Wyomingites on her podcast, including author CJ Box, Yellowstone National Park Superintendent, Cam Sholly, and musical great, Chancey Williams, among many others.
Wyoming’s Voice
Corr has a long history in news, including past jobs as a multimedia journalist for several news organizations. Along with her “day job,” she is also a health and wellness coach, music director at her church in Cody, Wyoming, and a vocalist and bass player in her partner Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue, which she’s been a part of for the past 18 years.
Miller, who is known colloquially by Cowboy State Daily staff as Corr’s “driver,” was in fact driving Corr around on Sunday as the two headed home from church. He, too, is a heavy weight in the Western world with a long history in the Western music industry as well as a former game show host.
Along with Corr, Miller’s daughter, Hannah, rounds out the band, that plays every summer in Cody and across the country.
Miller gushed with pride over Corr’s recognition. He discovered Corr nearly two decades ago while judging a music competition that she won. Afterwards, he asked her to join the band, which she eventually did two years later.
It was a thrilling venture for Corr, who said her life’s dream was to be a country music star ever since making her debut at age four singing Tanya Tucker’s “Delta Dawn.”
“This is a big deal for Wendy,” Miller said of the award. “To watch her grow and blossom, not only personally but also professionally, is just astounding.”
And though Corr has won several awards in the past for her journalism work, this one is truly the most meaningful, she said, because it is emblematic of the Western way of life and the culture that she loves.
There’s just something about the ethos of the Western culture and life that resonates with people.
“I think it’s an ideal that we all aspire to, that we can tip our hats to our neighbors, still believe in an honest day’s work and where a man’s handshake and his word still count,” she said. “We all want to believe that that endearing notion is still alive.”
Magic Behind The Mic
Corr is known among staff as being one of the nicest humans on earth as well as a dedicated co-worker. She is equally genuine behind the mic when interviewing both Cowboy State Daily journalists and her podcast guests.
Many who have been interviewed by Corr note her genuine curiosity and kindness that pour into her interviewing skills and allow her to connect with her subject. This is emblematic in her interview with Johnson, who referred to the conversation as his “most enjoyable interview” and Corr as an “absolute charm.”
Corr was equally complimentary of Johnson. She has read all of his books and grew up in Buffalo, close to Johnson’s Ucross ranch.
“This really helps us connect,” she said, “and that makes for a good conversation.”
She sees many of their neighbors and places in his characters and backdrops, she said, and feels Johnson’s Longmire character encapsulates the very spirit of what makes Western culture so unique and special to her.
Corr has attended the award ceremony for the past two years. She performed with Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue two years ago. But it will be much different this year being the one who is honored on stage on April 12 at the museum in Oklahoma City.
