Will Ryan is a proud member of:

Western Music Association
Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Executive Committee member)
Hollywood Heritage
Silent Society
Cinephile Society
Autry Center of Western Heritage
Cowboy Sheet Music Society
Screen Actors Guild (served several committees)
Writers Guild of America
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
PAST PRESIDENT: International Animated Film Society (ASIFA-Hollywood)
PAST BOARD MEMBER: The Recording Academy (NARAS)

Some of the awards won by Will Ryan

RIAA Gold Record (two)
BMI Pioneer/Silver Circle Award
Annie Award (as Creator of Best Series in an Electronic Medium)
Annie Award nomination (for Best Song)
Emmie Award nomination
Official Troubadour of Burbank, California (mayoral decree)
3 time Jackalope winner

“The Unofficial Cowboy Band of Hollywood!”

Will Ryan has won two Gold Records, an Annie Award, BMI’s Pioneer Award and nominations for the Writers Guild Award and an Emmy. But Will’s proudest achievements are the passel of accolades being given to him and his band, the Cactus County Cowboys for their “Cowboy Skiffle” music and motion picture work.

Folks call them “the Band that Won the West” and Will (guitar, humidophone, songwriting and vocals) and his buckaroos have indeed won hearts of Western audiences with their fresh melodies, impressive musicianship and off-beat humor.

The cactus crooner’s background includes working as a voice actor in Oscar-winning motion pictures and on thousands of television and radio episodes (He voiced Disney’s Tigger for 16 years). Will’s equally noted as a songwriter for artists such as the Pointer Sisters, Joanie Sommers and Patti LaBelle. And he spent years as a producer, writer and composer for characters created by Walt Disney, A.A. Milne, Jim Henson and Dr. Seuss.

Will’s principal Cactus County sidekicks are Westy Westenhofer (bass, Tuba, sousaphone and vocals) and John “Presto” Reynolds (guitar, banjo and vocals). Both had worked with Will for over a decade on records, films and television projects. Prior to that, they performed throughout the United States in colleges and clubs and touring with such favorites as Julie Andrews and the Smothers Brothers.

The Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood was the group’s first regular venue. “Will Ryan’s Cactus County Roundup” ran from 2008 until 2010, showcasing the band and celebrity guests performing Will’s original material. During this period the trio began working with internationally respected composer “Buckaroo Benny” Brydern (violin and vocals), versatile “Chaparral Katie” Cavera (Banjo, guitar, bass and vocals) and wunderkind “Cactus Chloe” Feoranzo (clarinet, sax, mandolin and vocals). Concurrently playing in venues throughout southern California, the group’s fan base soon grew to include a multitude of Tinseltown’s talent pool.

Will, already long-time “Official Troubadour of the City of Burbank,” quickly became “The Unofficial Singing Cowboy of Hollywood” by performing at industry functions, tributes, charity events and screenings – for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the American Cinemateque, the 75th Anniversary Celebration of Republic Pictures, the Kiwanis Tribute to Patrick Wayne, the Silent Society (preservationists of pre-talkies cinema), the Cinephile Society and more. In addition, they have contributed their talents to the Mounted Division if the Los Angeles Police Department, Hollywood Heritage, Silents Under the Stars and others.

Will's wireless work (he's featured in over 500 scripted radio episodes) has won him the title “King of the Radio Cowboys”.