Music, Mountains, and Memories on the Knoll
You don’t have to wander far in Estes Park before someone mentions Cowboy Brad. And if you’ve ever been to Bond Park on a summer evening and heard a warm baritone drifting through the air with a guitar strumming along, chances are you’ve already met him.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Brad on the Knoll property overlooking our beautiful little town. The air was crisp, the view was postcard-perfect, and the stories? Well, they were as rich as the history of Estes Park itself.
Raised in Estes (But Still Growing)
Now, Brad is quick to tell you he was “raised here, but not yet grown up”—a line that got a laugh out of me and just about sums him up perfectly. He came of age in Estes back in the 20th century, when things were a little quieter, the ski hill was still open, and everybody knew everybody (for better or worse).
He and his buddies used to skip out of school in the afternoons to go skiing at Hidden Valley or scrambling up Lumpy Ridge—activities that might raise an eyebrow today, but back then? It was just good, clean mountain-town living.
From Park Ranger to Park Performer
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Brad spent 14 years as a seasonal ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park, working the wilderness beat and helping out on search and rescue teams. Longs Peak was his backyard, and let me tell you, this man has stories.
He practiced what they call "Preventative Search and Rescue," which basically means talking some sense into flatlanders before they try to conquer a fourteener in gym shorts and no water. And trust me, it happens more than you’d think.
Brad's experiences in the Park gave him a deep appreciation for the unpredictability of altitude and the resilience of the human spirit—lessons that seem to come through in his music, too.
The Music Man of the Mountains
Brad didn’t pick up a guitar overnight. Like many of us, he started with piano lessons (and a piano teacher he didn’t quite like), then trombone after watching The Music Man, and finally, guitar—his true love.
His parents bought him a classical guitar and one year of lessons when he was 12. After that, he was off and running. By the time he hit high school, he was playing in bands, writing music, and soaking in every kind of acoustic storytelling he could get his hands on—from folk to bluegrass.
Today, he’s written nearly 300 songs and performs regularly in Bond Park all summer long. You can find his CDs at Peaks Hallmark in town or online at cowboybrad.com. But if you ask me, there’s nothing quite like seeing him live on a cool summer night with the sun going down behind the mountains and kids dancing on the grass.
Bond Park Nights & Cardboard Brad
Brad’s performances in Bond Park have become a summertime tradition. What started as a small town effort to bring some life to the evenings has grown into a beloved staple for locals and tourists alike.
No campfire anymore (fire restrictions and all that), but the warmth is still there. Families come back year after year, some even bringing gifts—like the little girl who once showed up with a life-size cutout of “Cardboard Brad.” He still has it, by the way.
I’ve sponsored Brad’s music in the park for years because I believe in the kind of community it builds—the kind where memories are made and music drifts through the streets like a friendly wave from an old neighbor.
Estes Park, Home Sweet Home
People ask Brad all the time why he hasn’t moved to Hawaii, where his brother lives. And every time, he smiles and tells them, “Because I’m a mountain boy.”
That’s the truth of it. Estes isn’t just where Brad lives—it’s who he is. His music, his stories, his heart—they all belong to this valley, and we’re all a little better off for it.
So next time you’re in town, swing by Bond Park. You might catch Brad playing a tune you know—or one he wrote just for Estes Park.
And if you’re lucky, he might just give you a wink and a wave before launching into the next song. That’s the magic of Cowboy Brad. And that’s the magic of Estes.
Want to meet Brad in real life? He plays most summer evenings in Bond Park. You can also check out his music at cowboybrad.com
