November 2026

10 LEAH GALVÁN TURNER: TWO WORLDS, ONE COUNTRY STORY For those who haven’t met you yet, tell us about yourself. I’m a West Coast cowgirl, born and raised in Morongo Valley, California. My mama’s first-generation Mexican American, my daddy’s a cowboy and rodeo champion, and those two worlds made me! I grew up with country music, Mexi- can culture, horses, rodeos, and plenty of strong personalities. I’ve been living Tequila Country long before I gave it a name. I’ve been blessed to tour with artists I grew up listening to, play the Grand Ole Opry, and have an outfit in the GRAMMY Museum. But I’m still that desert girl who loves her family, loves country music, and probably says what everyone else is thinking. What kind of experience was it to go on tour with huge country acts? Did you learn a lot? Absolutely! I’ve been fortunate to share stages with Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Jake Owen, and many other incredible artists. Opening for artists at that level teaches you about work ethic, professionalism, teamwork, and connecting with an audience. You also learn to be yourself. When thousands of people came to see somebody else, you had better give them a reason to remember you! I’m forever grateful for those experiences. Why country music? You can sing any genre, but what was it about country music that led you down that road? My dad was a rodeo cowboy, so country music and cowboy culture have always been part of me, along with my Mexican heritage. People sometimes forget that the American cowboy wouldn’t exist without the Mexican vaquero. Those cultures have always been connected. I love the storytelling in country music, but Mexican music carries that same honesty. Have you ever felt the llanto in Vicente Fernández’s voice or heard Lu- pita Infante sing with that kind of ache? That emo- tion and ability to tell a whole story through one note are things I carry with me, too. Both kinds of music feel like real life, and I’ve got plenty of life to sing about. You released a song called “American Made” that talks about your multicultural heritage. Why is this song so important to you? I was born in the saddle! My boots, my buckle, and my hat aren’t a costume; they’re a way of life.