EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — New Mexico singer-songwriter Randy Huston and farrier Jim Keith received the 2025 Rounders Award for “articulating the Western way of life,” the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) announced in a news release.
Both men were awarded on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces.
Huston is a rancher, rodeo competitor and acclaimed singer-songwriter who has performed nationwide. His songs have been recorded by artists such as Lee Ann Womack, Darryl Singletary and Chris LeDoux, according to NMDA.
NMDA added that he has earned numerous awards from the Academy of Western Artists, International Western Music Association, Western Writers of America, and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Beyond music, Huston has also been a longtime advocate for American agriculture and continues to raise cattle on his family ranch near Cuervo, New Mexico.
Keith, often described as a “Renaissance man,” grew up in Springer, New Mexico, and has lived a life deeply tied to ranching, rodeo and horseshoeing, according to NMDA.
A four-time World Champion Blacksmith and acclaimed farrier, Keith also taught horseshoeing, judged major competitions around the world, and managed the American Farrier Team.
In retirement, he turned his focus to cowboy art and writing, publishing “I Never Called Myself a Cowboy,” and working on his second book, “Looking Back: 66 Years of Shoeing,” according to NMDA.
“I am proud of the legacy Max has left in Western culture, and this year’s Rounders Award recipients definitely live and articulate the Western way of life. Max would be proud,” New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte, who presented the awards to Huston and Keith, said. “Jim Keith and Randy Huston have built remarkable careers that honor our ranching traditions and Western heritage.”
According to NMDA, this award was named after “The Rounders,” a classic Western novel that was written by Max Evans.
Created in 1990 by former New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Frank DuBois, the award honors those who “live, promote and articulate the Western way of life.” Max Evans was the first-ever award recipient.
For a list of past Rounders Award recipients, visit here.
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