Bootmaker
Wes Shugart
Wes Shugart makes custom cowboy boots from scratch at Music City Leather near Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up on a cattle farm in Georgia, decided in his 40s to become a bootmaker, apprenticed under a third-generation bootmaker in New Mexico, and opened his shop in 2012. He builds each boot from eight measurements on a single-needle sewing machine from 1931 he calls "Edith."
Known for
Handbuilt boots from eight measurements; opened 2012
Biography
History
Wes Shugart is a custom cowboy bootmaker at Music City Leather. WPLN (16 November 2022) places the studio in Brentwood, Tennessee, while Nashville Voyager (27 October 2021) heads its interview as Nashville — the two outlets differ on the exact location.
WPLN reports he grew up on a cattle farm in Georgia, decided in his 40s to make boots, went west to apprentice under a third-generation bootmaker in New Mexico, and opened Music City Leather in 2012. A pair can take 30 to 100 hours to build, with prices starting around $2,500; he takes eight measurements and builds each boot by hand, including on a single-needle sewing machine from 1931 he calls “Edith.” Nashville Voyager says he previously worked in home building before apprenticing in the west, and that he takes eight measurements plus pedographs and tracings, transferring them to a last, with clients choosing leathers, toe shape, heel height, and top design.
Sources
Identification and markings
Maker-specific markings guidance has not been documented yet. Preserve the complete stamp and compare it against dated sources.
Sources and references
Historical references are cited with the history above. Each catalog record includes its own supporting evidence.
Encyclopedia references: CowboyBootsDB and maker archives linked where available. Historical dates and attributions can vary by source.