J.L. Workman was born and raised in Utah, where he still resides in Cedar City, surrounded by the rugged landscapes and rich Western history that inspire his stories.

Before joining the U.S. Army at the age of thirty, he worked as a mechanic. He went on to serve eleven years in the military, including three combat deployments, before returning home to open his own automotive repair shop.

Growing up, Workman listened to his father sing the old cowboy ballads, with "Utah Carol" always holding a special place in his heart. His book, The Story Behind the Ballad, brings new life to that treasured song, imagining the untold story behind one of the West's memorable cowboy ballads.