Tylor and the Train Robbers
In the rugged expanse of West Texas, where history whispers through dusty winds and forgotten trails, the legend of notorious outlaw Black Jack Ketchum refuses to fade. Born Thomas Edward Ketchum in 1863 in San Saba County, Black Jack rose from humble cowboy roots to become one of the Old West's most infamous train robbers, leading a gang that terrorized the Southwest in the 1890s with daring heists across Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas.
His life of crime intersected dramatically with Tom Green County—home to San Angelo—where he committed his first major offense: the 1895 murder of neighbor John N. "Jap" Powers in the small community of Knickerbocker, just southwest of San Angelo. Accused of the killing, Ketchum fled westward, absconding into the wilds near what is now known as Ketchum Mountain in Irion County, approximately 40 miles west of San Angelo (sources vary on exact distance, but it's a ridge about 11 miles west of Mertzon, itself 26 miles west of San Angelo). This mountain, rising to about 2,741 feet, stands as a geographic echo of his name and legacy, whether named in his honor or otherwise tied to family roots in the region.
Fast-forward over a century, and Black Jack's shadow looms large over modern outlaw country music through the Boise, Idaho-based band Tylor & The Train Robbers. Led by singer-songwriter Tylor Ketchum—who proudly claims to be the great-great-grandson of the legendary train robber—the group channels the spirit of the Old West into twangy, storytelling anthems that blend Americana, country, and rock. The band's name itself is a direct nod to Black Jack's criminal exploits, particularly his gang's multiple train robberies, including the infamous 1899 holdup of a Colorado & Southern Railway train near Folsom, New Mexico, which led to his capture after a botched solo attempt left him wounded and eventually hanged in 1901.
The parallels between Tylor Ketchum's band, Black Jack's history, and the San Angelo area are as striking as they are poetic. Geographically, the connection roots in West Texas soil: Black Jack's outlaw life took a pivotal turn in Knickerbocker, a quiet spot in Tom Green County where he worked as a cowboy before turning to crime. After the Powers murder, he evaded authorities by heading west toward rugged terrains like Ketchum Mountain, symbolizing a desperate flight across the same arid landscapes that now inspire Tylor & The Train Robbers' music. The band, though based in Idaho, draws heavily from this Texas heritage—Tylor has spoken of his ancestor's tales influencing the group's identity, with their 2019 album "Best of the Worst Kind" featuring the track "The Ballad of Black Jack Ketchum," a non-fictional recounting of the outlaw's life, capture, and gruesome execution (where a miscalculated rope drop infamously decapitated him).
Thematically, the link to train robbing is unavoidable. Black Jack's gang, including his brother Sam, specialized in holding up trains for payroll and valuables, embodying the romanticized yet brutal archetype of the Wild West bandit. Tylor & The Train Robbers mirror this in their moniker and lyrics, evoking a sense of rebellion and wanderlust. Songs like "Lost and Lonely Miles" and "Good at Bad News" from their discography paint pictures of outlaws on the run, much like Black Jack's evasion through Tom Green County's fringes. Tylor has shared in interviews that the family tie—verified through genealogical claims of direct descent—informs the band's outlaw ethos, turning historical notoriety into musical narrative.
For San Angelo residents, this connection adds a layer of local pride to the band's story. Tom Green County, with its history of frontier justice and cattle drives, served as the backdrop for Black Jack's early crimes, and today, echoes of that era persist in cultural touchstones like the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo or the nearby Fort Concho historic site. Tylor & The Train Robbers, through their West Texas-rooted ancestry, bridge the gap between 1890s lawlessness and contemporary country music, reminding us that the spirit of the train robber lives on—not in heists, but in harmonies that capture the untamed heart of the American Southwest.
As Tylor Ketchum continues to tour and release music, including recent tracks like "Whiskey Preachin'," his band's saga proves that some family legacies are too wild to be left in the past. In a region where history and myth intertwine, Black Jack's ghost rides the rails once more, courtesy of his purported descendant and a band that robs hearts with every chord.
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For the past decade, Tylor & the Train Robbers have been blazing trails, carving a path through the heartland with their roots country and Americana music. With boots worn thin from relentless touring, they've crisscrossed the country, honing their craft and delivering electrifying performances, leaving a trail of devoted fans in their wake.
Brothers Tylor Ketchum, Jason Bushman, and Tommy Bushman form the core of this musical powerhouse. Tylor, the eldest, takes the reins as the band's frontman, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter, weaving stories through his lyrics. Jason, on bass and backup harmonies, and Tommy, on drums and vocals, provide the steady heartbeat and backbone that defines the band's signature sound. Completing the quartet is Rider Soran, whose lead guitar, pedal steel, and lap steel chops add layers of depth and emotion to their music.
The pristine arena-ready sound for all of our concerts is produced by the Musik Factory and Tradewind Sound.
Tylor & The Train Robbers' sound is a raw, authentic force—gritty and soulful, with haunting melodies that carry a powerful, rebellious edge. Their music feels timeless and melancholic, deeply narrative-driven through Tylor's deep-voiced delivery that's both iconic and Americana-infused, channeling an outlaw spirit that's heartfelt yet introspective. Resonant and brooding, with folksy undertones and a defiant streak, their tracks evoke dusty trails and shadowed canyons, pulling listeners into a world where the past's echoes meet modern defiance. Attending one of their concerts is like stepping into a living legend: the air thick with energy as the band unleashes soulful riffs and haunting harmonies that build to powerful crescendos, leaving audiences captivated by the raw authenticity and gritty narratives. It's a rebellious gathering, where melancholic ballads give way to defiant anthems, creating a timeless, introspective vibe that's resonant and brooding—folksy tales of outlaws and heartbreak delivered with heartfelt passion, making every show feel like a defiant stand against the ordinary.
