From DJ T-Rock to Western Actor: Travis Lee Eller’s Evolution in Entertainment

Travis Lee Eller’s path to stardom is anything but ordinary. Originally hailing from North Carolina, Travis has transformed his career from a renowned Hip-Hop DJ and music producer into a respected Western actor. But what sets him apart is his unique contribution to the costume department with his authentic outlaw hats.

The Shift from DJ T-Rock to Acting in Westerns

Travis started his career as DJ T-Rock, making waves in the Hip-Hop scene with solo albums and collaborations with producer Squashy Nice. However, by 2010, he found himself at a crossroads. The music industry was evolving rapidly with new technologies, and the club scene was no longer as appealing. “My DJ career just sort of came to a screeching halt after 2010,” Travis explains. “I couldn’t keep up with the new technologies, the push-button culture, and the laptop-compatible systems. The music wasn’t something I was feeling either.”

Seeking a new direction, Travis decided to venture into filmmaking. Living in Los Angeles, he saw an opportunity to explore acting. “I saved up some money, bought a nice camera, and began filming my own material. I thought the easiest thing for me to do would be Westerns. Get some period clothing, grab a friend, go to the desert, and start filming.”

Leveraging Experience as a TV Stage Manager

Before stepping into acting, Travis gained valuable experience as a TV stage manager. This role taught him the ins and outs of TV production, from landing on marks to reading teleprompters. “It was a live show, so when I got in front of the camera, it was easy for me to use my experience as a DJ to show the confidence I had developed from entertaining crowds,” he says.

Innovating with Ugly Outlaw Hats

Travis’s love for Westerns didn’t stop at acting. He launched Ugly Outlaw Hats, creating distressed, worn-looking hats that embody the rugged spirit of the Old West. The idea stemmed from his experience on set, where he was given pristine clothing for an outlaw role. “I told myself I was going to make my own hats! I like to distress my hats, make them look worn. I model them after what they would have actually looked like in the Old West or on an old Spaghetti Western film.”

Highlight from ‘Elkhorn’

Travis’s role in the TV series ‘Elkhorn,’ about Theodore Roosevelt in the Dakota Badlands, is a career highlight. “The highlight for me was just getting the part. It was my first ‘in-person’ audition coming out of the pandemic. Everything before was always a video audition,” he shares. The show, available on the INSP network and various streaming platforms, features Travis as Joe Ferris, a shopkeeper.

Balancing Acting and Hat-Making

Managing both an acting career and a hat-making business might seem challenging, but Travis finds a way. “I do most of my hat-making on the weekends or weeknights. If I have an acting gig, it’s pretty easy for me to catch up on hats at some point,” he explains.

Advice for Aspiring Actors in the Western Genre

For those looking to break into the Western genre, Travis advises, “Don’t act like you’re in a Western. Just act. Be the character, think about the time the character lives in, the troubles they face. Don’t be cliche! Be the person you interpret as the character. Don’t be a characterization of the character.”

Travis Lee Eller’s journey from DJ T-Rock to Western actor and hat-maker showcases the power of adaptability and innovation. His ability to reinvent himself and embrace new challenges serves as an inspiration to aspiring actors and creators everywhere.