In the sweeping landscapes of the American West, authenticity is everything — and in “A Ranch Musical,” authenticity doesn’t just appear on screen, it lives there.

At the center of this new film is Texas native, Kristyn Harris, a nationally acclaimed country western music and swing singer/songwriter, yodeler, and bona fide cowgirl whose deep roots in ranching make her an inspired choice for the story’s lead. Known for her powerhouse vocals and magnetic stage presence, Harris now steps into an entirely new spotlight: her first starring role in a feature film.

What makes this project especially unique is that it wasn’t Harris who went searching for a role — the role, in a sense, came looking for her. Director Natalie Aramendia crafted the film’s concept around Harris’s own music and the real-life ranching lifestyle she embodies, creating a role that feels less like an act and more like a natural extension of who she is. The result is a musical film steeped in Western tradition, modern challenges, and heartfelt storytelling.

Filmed on a working ranch in the rugged beauty of Tuscarora, Nevada, “A Ranch Musical” blends cinematic charm with genuine day-to-day ranch life — bottle-feeding calves, riding real ranch horses, and capturing sunsets that look almost too perfect to be true. And at its heart is Harris, navigating a journey that mirrors her own: balancing old-soul values with the innovations of a changing world.

Although the film’s release date has not yet been confirmed, we sat down with Kristyn and asked her some important questions about this exciting new challenge.

Kristyn, this film marks your first leading role on screen. What inspired you to step from the concert stage into the world of film, and what about “A Ranch Musical” made you say “yes”?

Well, I wasn’t exactly looking for it, but I’m not a person who likes to say no to a new adventure or opportunity! When Natalie first approached me about the film and her concept for it – which happened to be based around my own songs – we instantly clicked, and I was so impressed with both her and the outline she presented.
Her passion from the beginning has been to pair ranch life with music through the lens of film, which seemed like a tailor-made combination for me.

“A Ranch Musical” beautifully blends music, storytelling, and authentic ranch life. As someone who truly lives and breathes the Western lifestyle, how did your personal experiences influence your performance?

You nailed on the head the very thing that I think made this role even possible for me. Not having any acting training or experience, what helped so much was actually being able to connect with the core of the story – a strong devotion to the land and ranching way of life. And, with some of my own original songs also playing a big part in telling the story, there was a lot there for me to relate to as well. Finally, since my character is a rancher herself, having plenty of my own experience with horses and cattle made everything easier – those were the parts I didn’t even have to act!

Additionally, my “grandparents of heart” (not blood related but they might as well be), who taught me everything I know about the cattle business and made it possible for me to start my own herd, the “Diamond K”, got to actually play the role of my grandparents in the movie, and also served as the unofficial “ranch technical advisors”…so having people on set that I love and am familiar with definitely set me at ease. 

The story follows a traditional rancher learning to embrace innovation — a balance many people struggle with. How do you personally relate to that theme, both as an artist and as someone rooted in Western traditions?

One of the songs in the film, “Old Soul,” that I wrote with singer/songwriter Randy Huston, directly answers this question. I am an old soul. I have always clung tightly to the traditional (my parents had to make me get a cell phone as a teenager because I did not want one). Natalie’s own husband is an innovative electronic engineer who is breaking ground in technology that can be useful to ranchers, which is another place Natalie drew inspiration for the film. One of the last lines of “Old Soul” says, “She’s learned to keep a foot inside the modern day world, but no technology can take the heart from an old fashioned girl…” I think that sums it up well for me. I’ve learned to embrace some technology, just like my character does in the course of this story – without giving up who she is. The movie does a beautiful job in addressing the juxtaposition of technology in ranching, which is becoming very much a reality in today’s world.  

You’re known for your powerhouse vocals and yodeling skills. Did you have a hand in shaping or writing any of the songs for the film, and what was it like performing them in a cinematic setting versus a live show?

Even though I’ve never had aspirations to act, ever since I started singing as a young teenager, I would dance around the pasture with my horses belting at the top of my lungs (where no one could hear me) as if I were in the scene of some musical. Playing this part was a surreal feeling, like I was living a childhood fantasy somehow.

As I mentioned earlier, Natalie actually created the storyline around my music – yes, even including some yodeling! (The one song I didn’t write is “Cows Around,” a Corb Lund song, but it’s one I’ve recorded that has become pretty much a staple in my performances). So even though these were not songs written specifically for the movie, I was amazed at how they wove into the film.

In some ways, singing my songs in a cinematic setting felt natural – in other ways, not at all. For one thing, I’m used to always having my guitar on, which gives me something to do with my hands; and for another, I don’t consider myself a dancer at all, but there was definitely some dancing involved in the music scenes (thank goodness for the help of Laura, the wonderful choreographer that Natalie brought on board)

This movie was filmed on a real working ranch in Tuscarora, Nevada. What was that experience like — any behind-the-scenes stories that stand out from shooting in such an authentic setting?

Where do I even start?! Reflecting upon this question, my face melts into wonder and an awe-inspiring sigh at the memory. The location for shooting this movie was indescribable. Five thousand acres of gorgeous landscape! I also believe that God really had a hand in this movie shoot because we were blessed with the most perfect weather the entire time. The sunsets were Ansel Adams worthy every single night, the daytimes showered us with cottonwood blossoms on the breeze as if someone gave them the cue “Action!”… and there was so much variety to the topography of the ranch that we sometimes were shooting in cow pastures of heavy desert sagebrush and other times at the top of a vista where you can see for forever and a day, and other times in a lush green field with a creek running through. Additionally, with it being an authentic working ranch, we were filming in and around their real life day to day work, which had advantages too…we got to include footage of bottle feeding the leppy calves, and members of the ranch family became extra wranglers on set during the cow scenes… even my other “co-star” — Annie the horse  — was one of their own ranch horses.

Your character’s journey involves learning from someone completely different — a city-born tech-savvy neighbor. What was the dynamic like working with your co-star, and how did you approach building that on-screen chemistry?

This was probably the biggest challenge I faced. The city slicker neighbor, and romantic interest in the film, was played by a professional actor out of Salt Lake City (but originally from New York). We could not have been more different, and on top of that, me already so wet behind the ears with acting. However, again, it helped that he was exactly what his character was – the city boy totally out of place on a ranch. Natalie’s great directing and the wonderful crew all helped set us up for success.  

Country music has always been about storytelling. How do you think “A Ranch Musical” continues that tradition, and what new light does it shed on Western life for modern audiences?

Although it’s fictional and fun, “A Ranch Musical” depicts ranching in the modern day, visiting age old themes (city versus country; saving the ranch) but in a fresh way. Natalie was inspired to create this film because she herself comes from the city and was captivated with the rural American west…so this movie’s storytelling serves to do the same for its viewers.

Director Natalie Aramendia brings a unique vision to this film. What was it like collaborating with her, and how did her direction help bring both your character and the story to life?

I’ve answered this question in little ways already, but Natalie was amazing to work with. Even after days and (long, long) days of filming and little sleep, she always came to set upbeat, cheerful and ready to encourage. As a nervous newbie to the acting world, she put me totally at ease. All the direction she gave was so helpful, but she also was totally open to feedback on the script or tweaking lines to make it sound or feel more comfortable or authentic to deliver. She genuinely wanted the movie to be the best it could be, and had zero ego about it. On top of that, her husband, Guillermo, was a gem, being the best support (and cook) for the cast and crew every day, and the crew that Natalie put together could not have been more wonderful to work with… talented, tireless, going above and beyond, dedicated to excellence, but just as encouraging, easygoing and fun to work with. It was a blessed group of people to get to spend all that intense time around!

From award-winning musician to movie star — that’s quite a leap! How has this project challenged or changed you creatively?

Whew! I had no idea what to expect going into this project – and it honestly all came about so quickly that I didn’t have much time to think about it ahead of time. I had no idea if I’d love it or absolutely hate it. I was definitely nervous and unconfident in my own abilities, but like I said, I do like a new adventure, especially when it’s closely related to the vein of things I already love and care about. In the end, it put me way out of my comfort zone, but I had a total blast. I learned a ton…not only all the on set lingo, but also how much really goes into making a movie that I had no idea about. 

Finally, what do you hope audiences take away from “A Ranch Musical” — both in terms of its message and its celebration of the Western spirit?

Just that – a celebration of western spirit, and a true appreciation and respect for the ranching way of life. Plus, a laugh or two, a few smiles, and maybe even the discovery of a type of music they hadn’t heard before. 

For more information about A Ranch Musical, please visit www.ranchmusical.com.

For more information about filmmaker Natalie Armendia, please visit www.filmmakernatalie.com/bio.

For more information about Kristyn Harris, please visit www.KristynHarris.com.

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Cover photo courtesy Kristyn Harris.

Bob Valleau is a regular entertainment writer for Texas Lifestyle Magazine.