
Original Air Date: March 11, 1956Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Bill Idelson• Lawrence Dobkin• Vi...
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Unknown
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines, and before we get into this episode, I wanted to remind you to check out our other Western podcasts released daily by going to otrwesterns.com or searching OTR Westerns in your podcast app of choice. I also wanted to invite you to check out our other podcast channel releasing Non Western Shows podcast by going to otnetcast.com or by searching otnetcast in your podcast app of choice. Now let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke. Original air date is March 11, 1956 and the title is Bringing Down Father. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy.
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Narrator
Around Dodge City and in the territory on West. There's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal and the smell of Gun Smoke. Gun Smoke Starring William Conrad, the Transcribed story of the violence that moved west with young America and the story of a man who moved with it.
Matt Dillon
I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job that makes a man watchful and a little lonely.
Doc
You get caught in the rain last night, Matt?
Matt Dillon
I never left the office, Doc.
Doc
I stayed home, too.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, for once.
Doc
Ordinarily, bad weather brings a rash of broken legs and babies with it all out in the country somewhere.
Matt Dillon
You always told me living in the open is good for a man, Doc.
Doc
I said sun is good for a man.
Matt Dillon
Well, you'll get some sun next summer. And you'll complain just as hard about.
Doc
That when I think I could have an office back in Baltimore when nice, clean people come to see me.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, but nobody needs you in Baltimore, Doc.
Doc
They get sick there, too, don't they?
Matt Dillon
Oh, I don't know. I never been there.
Doc
You've never been there?
Matt Dillon
How about John?
Doc
You wouldn't last two days in Baltimore, Matt.
Matt Dillon
No? No.
Doc
People are too polite and well mannered.
Matt Dillon
Well, you teach me what it's like, Doc. But some other time.
Doc
Ah, there now, you see what I mean? Yeah, that's what I mean.
Matt Dillon
Oh.
Doc
Oh, and Chester here, he could use a little refining, too.
Matt Dillon
Well, I don't get carried away, Doc.
Chester
Morning, Mr. Dillon. Oh, Doc. Good morning.
Matt Dillon
What are you doing out here, Chester?
Chester
Oh, I got up early this morning.
Matt Dillon
I saw you could sit on the porch here and watch the street like an old man.
Chester
I already swamped out the office, Mr. Dylan.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, for the first time in two weeks. Maybe you ought to get up early every morning.
Andy Gilden
I've got too civilized for that.
Matt Dillon
Wait a minute. You didn't get up at all this morning. You were still up.
Chester
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
How much did you lose?
Chester
Oh, I wasn't gambling. I sat and talking to a little old gal I met, kindly keeping her out of the rain.
Doc
You know we know, don't you? Yes. It sure rained a barrel last night, too, didn't it, Chester?
Andy Gilden
It sure did. Duck.
Matt Dillon
Who's this?
Andy Gilden
Some kid.
Chester
I never seen him before. Mr. Jones.
Andy Gilden
Do people tell me where I can find the marshal?
Chester
You done found him.
Matt Dillon
What's the trouble, son?
Andy Gilden
My name's Gilden. Andy Gilton. Just come up from Texas with a herd.
Matt Dillon
Oh. What's on your mind, honey?
Andy Gilden
There's a man been shot, Marshall. An unarmed man.
Matt Dillon
What?
Andy Gilden
Up the river a ways, where we're holding the cattle. The trail boy shot him this morning before it got light. We Put a guard on the boss.
Matt Dillon
What's the name of this outfit?
Andy Gilden
They're Star M Cattle.
Matt Dillon
Marshall, Star M. Then Harley Burke's the trail boss.
Andy Gilden
He won't be for long, not after this.
Matt Dillon
Burke's a man of temper and he's pretty rough, but he's decent. Hard to believe he'd shoot an unarmed man.
Andy Gilden
Well, he did, Marshall.
Doc
Is the man dead, son?
Andy Gilden
He's unconscious. Has been right along.
Matt Dillon
All right, let's get going, Doc.
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Doc
Where is the man, Andy?
Andy Gilden
He's over yonder behind that bush.
Doc
There's a lot of bush around this camp. Suppose you show me.
Andy Gilden
All right.
Matt Dillon
I'm gonna talk to Burke, Doc. You let me know what you find, huh?
Doc
I will, man.
Matt Dillon
Hey, he was Marshall. Yeah, that's right.
Chester
Just look at the guard they got on Burke here. Mr. Dylan.
Unknown
I set the man to hold him, Marshall. He ain't gonna get away now.
Matt Dillon
Who are you?
Unknown
I'm rooming Jack Ruman.
Matt Dillon
You help run this outfit?
Unknown
No, I'm just a rider. Someone had to take over.
Matt Dillon
All right, Room. And you can tell those men to fall back now.
Unknown
All right, stand back now. You men, the laws here.
Matt Dillon
Hello, Burke. Marshall, tell me you shot a man.
Andy Gilden
Oh, he shot him all right, Marshall.
Unknown
And Hodges wasn't even armed.
Matt Dillon
I wasn't asking you. Rumor.
Chesterfield Advertiser
You gotta hear the truth.
Unknown
Burke here done nothing but fight with.
Matt Dillon
Hodges the whole trip.
Unknown
On his neck about something every minute.
Matt Dillon
Go on.
Unknown
You gotta admit it, Burke.
Chester
I had no use for him.
Unknown
You hated him.
Chester
He was lazy and no good. Course I hated him.
Matt Dillon
Burke, I've known you a good many years. You're as rough a trail boss as there is. You're rock headed and you drive the men as hard as you do yourself. And I've seen you be downright mean. About it could be. I sure never figured you'd shoot a man.
Chester
Surprised me too, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
All right, tell me what happened.
Chester
It was raining. I'd been out with a guard. Only dry spot I could find when I come in was way over there by Hodges. I went to sleep, and he must have woke up and seen who it was. Then he come over and kicked me in the head. Hurt me bad. But somehow I got a bullet in him before I blacked out.
Matt Dillon
You didn't know he was unarmed?
Chester
What difference it make, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Make a lot of difference if he doesn't live.
Chester
Doc here'll know about that now.
Doc
Hello, Burke.
Matt Dillon
Doc. Well, Doc, how is he?
Unknown
He's dead.
Matt Dillon
Burke.
Chester
I know, I know. I'll get my stuff together and come with you. Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Who's gonna boss this outfit now?
Chester
Oh, Andy Gillen.
Matt Dillon
Andy? He's just a kid.
Chester
His PA owns this herd, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Oh, what do you want, Burke?
Chester
Andy, your PA sent you on this drive to make a man out of.
Andy Gilden
You working for a murderer.
Chester
You're boss now. Sell the herd, pay off the men and get the rest of the money back to your paw. Can you do that? I'll be right with you, Marshall.
Andy Gilden
Fine boss. He was. Hey, Rooming. Let's start moving them cattle down river.
Unknown
Let's go, you men.
Matt Dillon
Well, what do you think, Doc?
Doc
Where Matt? That man Hodges was shot in the head and by somebody who was lying on the ground.
Matt Dillon
Burke admits doing it.
Doc
Then I guess he did it all right.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, but there's something he isn't telling me, Doc. Knowing Harley Burke, I'm gonna have a hard time finding out what it is. Hey, Sam. Yeah, Marshall? Bring me a beer, huh?
Doc
Why, sure.
Unknown
Evening, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Hello, Ruman.
Unknown
You get Burke down to jail all right this morning?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, he's in jail.
Unknown
Ever I seen a man earned a hanging, he's it, huh?
Matt Dillon
I take it you don't like him, Ruman.
Unknown
We got along just fine, Marshall. Hey, you ain't seen Andy Gildon, have you?
Matt Dillon
He's been sitting over there with Kitty. Where now? There he goes out the door. Looks like he's pretty drunk too.
Unknown
He is drunk. Been hunting everywhere.
Chester
Here you are, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Oh, thanks, Sam. I think I'll take that beer over to the table with me. Hello, Kitty.
Kitty
You sure take your time, Matt.
Unknown
No.
Matt Dillon
What's wrong?
Kitty
You saw me sitting here with that drunken kid. Why didn't you come over?
Matt Dillon
Andy Gilden may be a kid, but his pa owns the Star M& Andy's now boss of the outfit.
Kitty
I heard all about his pa.
Matt Dillon
He Must be a rich man.
Kitty
Andy wasn't talking about his money. Oh, he hates him, Matt. I never heard anything like it. Oh, why, the old man's too strict. Probably like sending him up the trail just to make a man out of him.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, now, that hasn't hurt him, Kitty.
Kitty
Matt, I think that boy'd kill his PA if he had a chance. All he talked about was how he'd like to get back at him. What are you staring at me for?
Matt Dillon
What? Oh, I'm sorry, Kitty. I was just thinking.
Kitty
Thinking about what?
Matt Dillon
I'm glad I talked to you, Kitty. Maybe now I can find out what Harley Burke's holding back from me.
Chester
I sure don't understand you, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Oh, why not?
Chester
Bert come in this morning, turned me out of jail. Now you're taking me down to the stock pins. What for?
Matt Dillon
Well, I thought you'd like to know how young Gilden made out with a sale of those cattle.
Chester
I think you're lying.
Matt Dillon
Now, there he is with that fellow rooming again. They seem to be pretty good friends, don't they?
Chester
I guess.
Matt Dillon
He just won't tell me anything, will you, Burke?
Chester
I'll tell you anything you want to know, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Oh, yeah, sure. I'm on a nanny rooming.
Unknown
What's Harley Burke doing out of jail?
Matt Dillon
A man gets cramped in there. I was walking him around a little.
Unknown
Well, I ain't gonna be seen with no murder, Andy. I'll be my room at the Dodge House should you want me.
Andy Gilden
Okay.
Matt Dillon
How'd you sell the hurt, Andy?
Andy Gilden
I sold it.
Chester
Did you get a good price?
Andy Gilden
It's no business of yours, Burke. Not no more.
Matt Dillon
Now, we can always find out from the agent, Andy.
Unknown
All right.
Andy Gilden
I got $20,000 payable tomorrow.
Chester
20,000 is a fair price. Your Paul'll be pleased.
Matt Dillon
I'll let you take it to Mr. Bodkin at the bank tomorrow, Andy. He'll give you a note for it.
Andy Gilden
I don't need no bank. And I don't need no advice either, Marshall.
Chester
Now, look, Andy, you can't carry that money home in cash.
Andy Gilden
Why not?
Chester
Nobody does. There's too many jayhawkers and bushwhackers waiting along the trail. Now, you know that.
Andy Gilden
I don't know nothing, except you can leave me alone, both of you.
Matt Dillon
We're only trying to help Auntie.
Andy Gilden
I'll do my job and you do yours. Marshall. You go hang Harley Burke.
Chester
Well, Burke, the boy's kind of headstrong, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
That's all you've got to tell me, huh?
Chester
That's all.
Matt Dillon
All right, Then let's get back to jail.
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Chester
You sure are In a hurry, Mr. Doom.
Matt Dillon
I want to find Andy before he talks. The room in Chester. It's been over a half hour already.
Chester
There's his room if he's in it.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, well, let's hope he is. Who is it? Open up, Andy.
Andy Gilden
What do you want now, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Your gun.
Chester
Here.
Andy Gilden
Now. What are you taking my gun for?
Matt Dillon
Put Chester to hold on you while he's walking you to jail.
Unknown
Jail?
Andy Gilden
Well, you're talking crazy, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Keep your voice down. Here's his gun, Chester, and you put him in a farcell. You keep him quiet, huh? Real quiet. I understand.
Chester
Come on, get moving.
Chesterfield Advertiser
Ow.
Matt Dillon
Now look here.
Chester
You don't shut up, I'll lump up.
Matt Dillon
Your head with this gun.
Andy Gilden
You can't arrest me.
Unknown
I ain't done nothing.
Doc
Get moving.
Unknown
You can't do this.
Matt Dillon
Of course I can.
Unknown
Hello, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
I'd like to talk to you, Roman.
Unknown
Shark money.
Matt Dillon
Roman, have you seen Andy Gilden in the last half hour?
Unknown
For sure. You was there at the stock pen. Why?
Matt Dillon
Well, a few minutes ago he was seen leaving town, riding north. So I saw him myself. He was riding awful fast men right.
Unknown
Out of town, Marshall. Maybe he's got a gal out the country somewhere. Yeah, what you think?
Matt Dillon
I was with the agent who bought the Star M Herd. He got the $20,000 up today, and he didn't have to wait till tomorrow.
Unknown
Say he was headed north.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Texas is south of here.
Unknown
Stealing that money. Stealing it from his own pa?
Matt Dillon
Looks that way.
Unknown
Well, ain't you going after him, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
He's a gilder, and I kind of look on it as a family matter, Roman.
Unknown
And I'm going after him.
Matt Dillon
No, you're not. You go after him, there'll be a fight. Maybe a killing will let his paw worry.
Unknown
I'm going after him, Marshall. You can't stop me.
Matt Dillon
Can't I, Roman?
Unknown
Yeah, Marshall. You got Burke back in jail.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Unknown
Well, I got something to say, and I want him to hear it, too.
Matt Dillon
Cells are out back, Roman. Through that door there, Burke. Ruman's got something he wants both of us to hear.
Chester
Room and. Huh. Well, I've been waiting long enough.
Unknown
What do you mean it was you.
Chester
Kicked me in the head and shot Hodges? You know what you're gonna say.
Unknown
It was not me, Dunny.
Chester
Of course it was.
Unknown
Don't be a fool, Burke. What'd I get out of it? I don't hate old man Gilton. I don't want to steal his money.
Chester
Nobody stole his money.
Unknown
You ain't heard?
Chester
Heard what?
Unknown
Andy got paid off for them cattle today, and he rode out of town, headed north.
Chester
He did.
Unknown
And what's more, he told me he killed Hachi. He's lying.
Andy Gilden
And I can prove it.
Unknown
They tricked us, Andy.
Matt Dillon
They tricked us.
Unknown
They got us crossing each other.
Andy Gilden
Roman killed him, and I can prove it.
Matt Dillon
Oh, I kill you for that, Roman. Chester. Yes, sir.
Doc
He got him all right. Shot him right in the head. He dead?
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Chester
What'd you let him do that for, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Well, he wouldn't have talked if I'd have disarmed him, Burke. I had to take a chance.
Chester
Yeah, I guess you did.
Matt Dillon
Maybe if you'd have talked, none of this would have happened.
Chester
Well, I knew I didn't shoot that man, Marshall. But I knew the only way I'd ever find out who did was to just wait and see what they was after.
Matt Dillon
You knew they were in it together down at the stock pens. You knew they were gonna keep the money.
Chester
But I didn't know which one was the killer.
Matt Dillon
Well, it doesn't matter much now. Andy's dead and rumin'll hang anyway. But why were you protecting the two of them? Why did you take the blame?
Chester
Because I was afraid it might have been the kid that done it. Old man Gilden's the best friend I got in this world. I couldn't never have faced him if I'd brought his boy up here to hang.
Matt Dillon
I understand the boy hated him.
Chester
But he didn't hate Andy Marshall. All he wanted was for him to be a man.
Matt Dillon
Something went wrong with that.
Chester
Sure did, Burke. Yeah.
Matt Dillon
You did all your cutting. When the old man hears the whole story, he. You'll know what a good friend you've been.
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In a moment, our star, William Conrad. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more.
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Matt Dillon
You know, one of the most unpopular men on the frontier was the peace officer. Most everyone felt that they had some reason to dislike him. But next week, a man arrives in Dodge who wants to be marshal. And that was the West. Good night.
Narrator
Gun Smoke Produced and Directed by Norman McDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Our story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey, sound patterns by Tom Handley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were William Idleson, Lawrence Dobkin and Vic Perrin. Barley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty.
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Matt Dillon
L and M so good to your.
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Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on gun smoke.
Chesterfield Advertiser
This is the CBS Radio Network.
Unknown
Ram Sam Foreign.
Andrew Rines
This has been a presentation of OTRWesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739. This episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Unknown
Sam.
Original Air Date: March 11, 1956
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Host: Andrew Rynes
Source: OTRWesterns.com
"Bringing Down Father" is a compelling episode of the classic Western drama Gunsmoke, set in the rugged landscape of Dodge City, Kansas. This episode delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the complex dynamics of power within a cattle-holding outfit. Through intense character interactions and moral dilemmas, the story unravels the consequences of unchecked authority and the pursuit of justice in the Wild West.
Introduction to the Conflict (00:00 - 07:00) The episode opens with a brief introduction to Dodge City’s law enforcement challenges, emphasizing the necessity of a steadfast U.S. Marshal to maintain order. Matt Dillon, the steadfast U.S. Marshal portrayed by William Conrad, is established as a crucial but often misunderstood figure in the community.
The Incident (06:27 - 10:00) Andy Gilden, a young cowboy recently arrived from Texas, approaches Marshal Dillon with troubling news: an unarmed man, Hodges, has been shot by a member of the Star M Cattle outfit, led by trail boss Harley Burke. Gilden reveals that Burke, a man known for his temper and rough demeanor, has committed this grave act, leaving Hodges unconscious.
Investigation Begins (09:02 - 15:00) As Marshal Dillon investigates, he converses with Doc, Chester, and other town members. In a pivotal encounter, Dillon confronts Burke, who eventually admits to shooting Hodges during a confrontation. However, it becomes clear that Burke might be concealing crucial details about the incident, prompting Dillon to dig deeper.
Rising Tension (16:00 - 22:00) The tension escalates when Roman Ruman, a disgruntled member of the Star M Cattle outfit, accuses Andy Gilden of conspiring to steal money and kill Hodges. Dillon faces a moral quandary as he navigates the conflicting testimonies, striving to uncover the truth while managing his relationships with the townsfolk and outlaws alike.
Climactic Revelations (22:00 - 24:00) In a dramatic turn, it's revealed that Chester, another member of the outfit, took the fall for Burke’s actions to protect Andy Gilden, who harbored genuine loyalty and friendship towards his aging father, Mr. Gilden. This act of sacrifice adds depth to Chester’s character, showcasing his internal conflict and sense of duty.
Resolution (24:00 - End) Marshal Dillon confronts the intertwined fates of Burke, Chester, and Gilden, ultimately leading to the execution of justice. The episode concludes with reflections on Dillon’s role as an often unappreciated peacekeeper in the tumultuous frontier, setting the stage for future conflicts and resolutions in Dodge City.
Matt Dillon (William Conrad): The principled U.S. Marshal dedicated to upholding the law in Dodge City. His moral compass and investigative prowess are central to resolving the episode’s conflict.
Chester (Barley Bear): A loyal member of the Star M Cattle outfit who grapples with his conscience when compelled to protect his friend Andy Gilden by taking the blame for Burke’s actions.
Doc (Howard McNear): The town’s wise and compassionate doctor, who provides counsel and support to Matt Dillon throughout the investigation.
Kitty (Georgia Ellis): A social figure in Dodge City who interacts with Dillon, offering insights into the community’s sentiments and personal dynamics.
Andy Gilden (Unnamed Actor): A young, headstrong cowboy torn between his loyalty to his father and the corrupt practices within the Star M Cattle outfit.
Harley Burke (Unnamed Actor): The volatile trail boss whose violent actions set off the central conflict of the episode.
Roman Ruman (Unnamed Actor): A contentious member of the outfit who accuses Andy Gilden of wrongdoing, adding further complexity to the narrative.
Matt Dillon:
"I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job that makes a man watchful and a little lonely." (03:54)
Doc:
"You get caught in the rain last night, Matt?" (04:34)
"Ordinarily, bad weather brings a rash of broken legs and babies with it all out in the country somewhere." (04:43)
Harley Burke:
"Andy, your PA sent you on this drive to make a man out of." (11:28)
Andy Gilden:
"I don't need no bank. And I don't need no advice either, Marshall." (15:36)
"I'll do my job and you do yours. Marshall. You go hang Harley Burke." (16:20)
Chester:
"Because I was afraid it might have been the kid that done it. Old man Gilden's the best friend I got in this world. I couldn't never have faced him if I'd brought his boy up here to hang." (23:20)
"But he didn't hate Andy Marshall. All he wanted was for him to be a man." (23:40)
Matt Dillon:
"You did all your cutting. When the old man hears the whole story, he. You'll know what a good friend you've been." (23:50)
Loyalty vs. Justice: Chester’s decision to take the blame for Hank Burke’s actions highlights the tension between personal loyalty and civic duty. This conflict drives much of the emotional weight in the episode.
Corruption and Power: Harley Burke embodies the corruption that can arise from unchecked power within influential positions, posing a significant threat to the community’s well-being.
Youth and Authority: Andy Gilden’s struggle with his father’s strict expectations and his own path underscores the generational conflicts and the quest for personal identity in the harsh realities of the frontier.
Moral Ambiguity: Characters like Roman Ruman introduce moral complexity, blurring the lines between right and wrong and challenging Marshal Dillon to navigate a web of deceit and conflicting loyalties.
"Bringing Down Father" is a testament to Gunsmoke's enduring legacy, weaving a narrative rich with moral dilemmas, character depth, and the timeless struggle between law and chaos. Through Marshal Dillon’s unwavering pursuit of justice and the intricate relationships among the townsfolk and outlaws, the episode encapsulates the essence of the American West’s tumultuous spirit.
For newcomers, this episode offers a quintessential Gunsmoke experience, showcasing the series' ability to blend action, drama, and poignant storytelling against the backdrop of Dodge City’s untamed frontier.
Production Credits:
Produced and Directed by Norman MacDonald.
Story by John Meston.
Music by Rex Corey.
Sound Patterns by Tom Handley and Bill James.
Featuring William Idleson, Lawrence Dobkin, and Vic Perrin.
Advertisements: The episode includes period-specific advertisements for Chesterfield cigarettes and Indeed job postings, reflecting the era's commercial landscape.
This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the essence of the episode while highlighting key moments and dialogues. For a full experience, listeners are encouraged to tune into the episode through OTRWesterns.com.