Country Music Stars we’d love to see in the ‘Yellowstone’ Universe

Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe is an ever-growing and expansive series featuring the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton played by the incredibly talented Kevin Costner. The series highlights an understated way of life, one that could almost be seen as forgotten by those who don’t realize the depth and importance of the cowboy way of life, or the Western family.

There’s something to be said about the dedication and fundamental power that comes along with being a rancher and their storyteller way of life. It’s poetic, in a way, and there’s no better way to help the narration than with good country music. In addition to the stellar and talented cast and crew, the soundtrack to the Yellowverse is next level, with fans hearing the musical stylings of some of the best in the industry, soulful and emotionally charged.

Many of the artists we’d love to see in the Yellowverse have already featured their music in the series. Still, we’re hoping to see them join the series as guest spot characters, be it because they’re performing at a local bar or music festival or because they want to try their hands at acting at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Either way, we’d love to see them on our screens soon.

Miranda Lambert

Kicking off with Miranda Lambert feels right, as she recently spoke about wanting to join the Yellowstone universe in some capacity. At an event in Texas also attended by Taylor Sheridan, she talked about the possibility of her music being on the series. Lambert’s passionate and powerful girl power anthems and stories of heart, love, and loss would be the perfect addition to the Dutton family backdrop.

Of course, she also mentioned acting, but only if the part suited her; see also — if she could come onto the series and play a role much like herself. Sheridan has already done this with one country artist, and it was a move fans adored. So given the possibility of having Lambert on the series, not just for her tunes, but as a character with her next-level personality? We’re hooked!

“I’ve never been an actress. It’s not my favorite thing. I’ve done one thing and it was probably the one. I’m not saying I won’t ever do it again. But if I can play myself… that’s a little bit easier on me.”

Here’s hoping Sheridan soon gets that memo; we’d love to see Lambert in a pink cowboy hat and a little sparkle as she takes her ranks around the ranch.

Zach Bryan

If the song “Something in the Orange” doesn’t mentally transport you to an episode of Yellowstone, we’re not sure what would. Zach Bryan is a fan-favorite in the country realm; his sultry and powerful voice can take you out of whatever you’re going through and take you somewhere else entirely. There’s a vulnerability in his vocals, mixed with the emotion he brings to songwriting — he’s a storyteller.

Being a storyteller is at the heart of the Yellowverse, and he’d be a sure fit to bring a deeper sense of power and passion to the series plus — we just love Zach Bryan. We’d love to see him as a Dutton family die-hard, someone loyal to the brand, perhaps a character Kevin Costner has known for a while and invites in for help anticipating the difficult next chapter.

Cody Johnson

Another singer/songwriter who has been featured on Yellowstone is Cody Johnson, and this one might be something already in the works, if Johnson has anything to say about it. Longtime fans of the Dutton family know that Johnson admitted in 2022 that he was actually asked to join the series of Yellowstone, but at the time that Sheridan asked him, he wasn’t able to.

Talking to Rob & Holly, he explained how the situation came to occur.

“I know Taylor Sheridan and he asked me about being there, but I’ll just be honest, he gave me very little notice. Like a couple of months. I’m booked halfway through next year already. For what I would’ve had to cancel, I would’ve lost a pretty significant amount of money. So, I said, ‘Nah, I can’t do that.'”

Does that mean he’s written off the idea in its entirety? Absolutely not! Johnson wants into the Dutton bunkhouse as much as we all want him there.

“We’ve talked about it. I’ve got a new project that I’m working on, and after that comes out, I’ve got a cowboy project that I’m putting out, and Taylor was like, ‘Man, I’d like to be involved. I want some of that music to use.”

We’re crossing our fingers that we get another chance at seeing Johnson on the series — and while we’d love him to guest star as himself or to see him in a kind role, he’d be a great villain too.

Jimmie Allen

Jimmie Allen is another fantastic country star that we’d love to see join t Yellowstone in one way or another. Some of his songs remind us of the romances in Yellowstone, those between Rip and Beth and Colby and Teeter, life-long love and fun young romance; he’s got a song for everyone. He’s also got tunes that help heal the hurt, like “Down Home,” and songs that make you feel young and wild again, like “Freedom Was a Highway.”

We’d love to see Allen in a role that brings him close with the bunkhouse boys; maybe he comes to the Yellowstone to help teach them something, or he’s a traveling man — just passing through. We think he’d have next-level chemistry with them and would love to see it.

Jackson Dean

Jackson Dean is another artist already featured in Yellowstone as far as his songs are concerned, and we’re not sure if he’d like to try his hand as an actor at all, but we’d be totally game if he did. Dean has a drawl, a slow drag to his voice that you can almost feel as he sings; he’s passionate and motivated — and he’s full of talent and a cowboy understanding.

Dean’s “Don’t Come Lookin” was featured in the fourth season of Yellowstone, and it’s as perfect for the series as the title might suggest.

So who would we love to see Dean play in the Yellowverse? Honestly, an enemy of the family. He’s got just the right amount of grit to play someone who stands out as a bad guy, and we’re here for it.

Tyler Childers

Tyler Childers’ “Lady May” played during one of the most beautiful scenes in Yellowstone history — a vulnerable moment between Rip and Beth. As you know, Beth kept her walls up high where Rip was concerned; she did so for years, and when she and Rip were the only two at the Yellowstone, a rare moment in time, he turned the ranch into a dance floor for the two of them. Lady May sounded over the speakers as they fell into one another, and we truly saw that what exists between them is so deep, raw, and authentic — it’s the love story of our generation.

So yeah, Childers has an impact on Yellowstone already, and we’d love to see him on the series as himself, maybe showing up to sing that very song. There’s something so special bout it to the hearts of Yellowstone viewers everywhere, and it would feel like a real treat.

We’ve already seen some country icons in the Yellowstone universe — from up-and-comers who are taking the realm by storm to legends in the country music realm; here’s a peek at some of the powerhouses who have joined Taylor Sheridan’s Dutton family realm in a significant way.

Lainey Wilson

Lainey Wilson was on the series as a guest star in season five, and while we’ll forever wish we had more time with her, the doors are always open for her character to return. No great death or destruction was thrown into her path before her exit, just the overwhelming feeling of heartache as Ryan and Abby realized that time wasn’t on their side this go around. That love wouldn’t be enough for them to make it this time.

Ryan Bingham

Ryan Bingham is an integral part of the Yellowstone family, as the loved or loathed ranch hand named Walker. He’s not the most accessible ranch hand to fall for, which is different for the flow of the series but necessary. If it were all sunshine and rainbows, it certainly wouldn’t be the Yellowstone realm we know and love.

Walker has made some highly questionable decisions in his time at the ranch, but he’s also stepped up when required and provided several moments of guitar playing and crooning that fans can’t get enough of. Here’s to Walker, whether you love or hate him — you’re still thinking about him, and that’s all he wants.

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were the patriarch and matriarch of the Dutton family in 1883, as James and Margaret. They’re also country music superstars and a married couple in real life. Their on-screen bond was only made better by the real love they share for one another, a real love that’s seen ups and downs for both Hill and McGraw.

So as James and Margaret navigated moving their family west to find fortune, a better future, and hope for their children, they knew how to play a couple who loved each other without agreeing on everything. They played a pair who were relatable, vulnerable, and fiery. Their impact on the series is a fan-favorite, and we couldn’t dream up a better pairing to be the first leading family of the Dutton tree we’ll be introduced to.

Shane Smith and the Saints

Shane Smith and the Saints are a band that had a shining moment in Yellowstone, much like we could see some of the other country artists we’d love to see make their Yellowstone debut. They were a headliner at a festival in Yellowstone, and it was as natural as possible. They fit seamlessly into the storyline, their music a perfect backdrop for the episode, and everyone at the ranch got to cut loose and have fun when they were part of the series.

We’d love to see another music festival with their involvement, and we’re crossing our fingers that we will see them again sooner than later.

This list could have gone on and on, and maybe we’ll talk about more stars when season five gets closer, but with more seasons on the horizon, there’s an ample opportunity for country music magic to be had and singers to guest star.