The Real-Life Country Music Stars Who Sing On Yellowstone: Walker, Abby, And The Soundtrack's Secret Heroes

The question of "who is the singer in Yellowstone" is one of the most common searches among fans, and the answer is more complex—and more impressive—than you might think. As of December 2025, the hit Paramount series features not one, but two major country music stars playing characters who sing on screen, alongside a meticulously curated soundtrack that has launched several artists into the mainstream. The two most prominent singers in the cast are the Academy Award-winning musician Ryan Bingham, who plays the nomadic ranch hand Walker, and the multi-award-winning country star Lainey Wilson, who portrays the musician Abby.

The show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, intentionally weaves authentic country, Americana, and folk music into the fabric of the Dutton Ranch, making the soundtrack an essential character in itself. This deep dive will uncover the identities of the actors who sing, the roles they play, and the influential artists whose music defines the modern Western epic.

The Main Singers in the Yellowstone Cast: Walker and Abby

While many actors on the show ride horses, only a select few are true, professional musicians who sing their own songs as part of the storyline. These two artists anchor the musical heart of the series, bringing a gritty authenticity to the bunkhouse and the local Montana scene.

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Ryan Bingham: The Real-Life Musician Behind Walker

Ryan Bingham is arguably the most recognizable musician-turned-actor on the show, and his character, Walker, is the primary in-show singer. Bingham is not just an actor; he is a critically acclaimed, Oscar-winning singer-songwriter in his own right.

• Character Name: Walker
• Role on Yellowstone: A former convict recruited as a ranch hand for the Dutton Ranch's Bunkhouse.
• Musical Role on Yellowstone: Walker is frequently seen playing his guitar and singing original songs, often around a campfire or in the bunkhouse, providing the soundtrack to the ranch hands' lives.
• Real-Life Music Career: Bingham won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Critics' Choice Award, and a Grammy for "The Weary Kind," the song he co-wrote and performed for the movie Crazy Heart (2009).
• Notable Songs Featured: His own songs like "A Song For The Stone," "Wolves," and "Hallelujah" are performed by him as Walker on the show.
• Fun Fact: Ryan Bingham’s music is featured more frequently on the Yellowstone soundtrack than any other single artist across all five seasons.

Bingham's music style—a blend of Americana, country, and folk—perfectly embodies the rugged, nomadic spirit of his character. His on-screen performances are authentic, pulling directly from his real-world touring and songwriting experience, which is why his character resonates so deeply with fans of the show's Western aesthetic.

Lainey Wilson: The Grammy-Winner Who Plays Abby

In Season 5, Yellowstone introduced another major country music artist to the cast: Lainey Wilson. Her character, Abby, was specifically created for her by show creator Taylor Sheridan after he became a fan of her music.

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• Character Name: Abby
• Role on Yellowstone: A hopeful country musician who becomes the love interest of ranch hand Ryan.
• Musical Role on Yellowstone: Abby performs her music in local venues, bringing Lainey Wilson’s unique "Bell Bottom Country" sound directly into the show’s universe.
• Real-Life Music Career: Lainey Wilson is one of the biggest names in modern country music, known for hits like "Things a Man Oughta Know" and "Watermelon Moonshine." She is a multiple-time CMA and ACM Award winner and a Grammy Award winner.
• Notable Songs Featured: Her song "Smells Like Smoke" was written for and featured in the series.
• Current Status: A Paramount representative confirmed that Lainey Wilson is set to reprise her role as Abby in the second half of Season 5, continuing her storyline with Ryan.

Wilson’s success in both acting and music is a testament to the show's commitment to showcasing authentic talent. Her presence as Abby deepens the connection between the series and the contemporary country music scene, a genre that is fundamentally linked to the show’s themes of Western life and tradition.

The Unsung Heroes: Key Musicians Who Define the Yellowstone Soundtrack

While Walker and Abby are the on-screen performers, the true sonic identity of Yellowstone is crafted by the artists whose music is played in the background—during dramatic montages, intense standoffs, or quiet moments on the ranch. These artists are essential to the show’s "cowboy hard" atmosphere.

The show's music supervisor, Andrea von Foerster, has a knack for selecting songs that feel organic to the setting, often featuring lesser-known or independent artists alongside legends. This curation is a major reason why the soundtrack has become so influential.

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A Deep Dive into the Show’s Musical Entities

The Yellowstone soundtrack is a treasure trove of Americana, folk, and country music. Exploring these artists is key to understanding the show's topical authority and its deep connection to the modern Western genre. The following are some of the most frequently featured and influential musicians:

• Whiskey Myers: This Southern rock/country band is a fan favorite and has had multiple songs featured, including "Stone," "Frogman," and "Bury My Bones." They are so popular with the show's audience that their music is now synonymous with the Dutton family's struggles.
• Colter Wall: Known for his deep, gravelly voice and traditional Western folk style, Wall's music, such as "Sleeping on the Blacktop," is a perfect fit for the show's rugged, old-school feel.
• Shane Smith and the Saints: Their song "All I See Is You" is a staple, often used during powerful, emotional, or action-packed sequences.
• Tyler Childers: A major figure in the new wave of Appalachian and country music, Childers' raw, honest tracks like "Lady May" have appeared in the series.
• Pete Sands: This Indigenous Utah-based musician had his song "Prayers" featured in the show after making several cameos, adding an important layer of regional authenticity.
• Other Prominent Artists: The show has also featured music from legends and rising stars alike, including Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris, Hailey Whitters, Blackberry Smoke, and Kevin Costner's band, Modern West.

The Impact of Yellowstone on the Country Music Industry

The influence of Yellowstone extends far beyond television ratings; it has become a powerful launchpad for country and Americana artists. When a song is featured on the show, it often sees an immediate and massive spike in streams and sales, a phenomenon often referred to as "The Yellowstone Effect."

By giving significant screen time to real artists like Ryan Bingham and Lainey Wilson, and by consistently featuring authentic, high-quality music from the genre, Yellowstone has cemented its status as a cultural tastemaker. It has introduced millions of viewers to a new generation of Western-inspired music, proving that the cowboy aesthetic is alive and thriving in the modern era. The singers in Yellowstone, both on-screen and off, are a critical component of the show's enduring success and its unique, compelling atmosphere.