Steve Martin Books Date With Ryman; John Dawson Died; Odes to Cowboys and Cars

Gosh, I had no idea the song “See You There” off Joey’s “Strong Enough To Cry” album was a true story about her brother being killed in a car wreck on the way to the county fair! Now when I listen to that fine song its going to hit me even harder…

Its nice to see Rachel Proctor releasing an indie album. Its about time Ashley Monroe followed suit.

As for a great cowboy song, its hard to beat Ian Tyson’s “Cowboy Pride” as performed by Michael Martin Murphy on the first volume of Cowboy Songs.

Yes Rick, thats also a favorite of mine. I love that whole album.

Favorite song about a cowboy would be Jerrod Niemann’s tune that Garth Brook sang..”Good Ride Cowboy” about the ultimate cowboy…Chris Ledoux.

I have to say for a change, it is welcoming that Steve Martin is showcasing his banjo talents at the Ryman stage. A much better “crossover” from tv/movies than say Kevin Costner.

Drew – I usually use “passed away,” but I guess for the sake of brevity I used “died” today. And even though it’s a common practice, I don’t like to use the present tense (”dies,” “passes away”) when mentioning someone’s death.
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Nice cowboy song suggestions, too. I’m a big fan of Jerry Jeff Walker’s version of “night Rider’s Lament.” Brady says he’s partial to Chris LeDoux’s, who has a killer version of Charlie Daniels’ “Caballo Diablo.” Ed Bruce’s “The Last Cowboy Song” is a favorite as well.

“Cross The Brazos At Waco” by Billy Walker
“Big Iron” by Marty Robbins
“Patanio, The Pride of the Plains” by Hank Snow

“Night Rider’s Lament” by Chris LeDoux is great. LeDoux’s Old Cowboy Classics is a favorite from childhood. Michael Martin Murphey’s cowboy albums are good. It’s hard to beat Marty Robbins’ Gunfighter Ballands and Trail Songs, though, especially “El Paso” and “Stawberry Roan.” “The Cowboy in the Continental Suit” isn’t as well known, but is good, too.

“Don’t Come the Cowboy with Me, Sunny Jim” — either Kirsty MacColl’s or Kelly Willis’s version. The perfect woman’s “yeah, yeah” response to the cowboy fantasy.

Let us not forget Gary Floater’s “It’s High Time This Old Cowboy Quit Getting So Goldanged High.”

Brady, I wasn’t familiar with Ledoux’s version of “Night Rider’s Lament”, but I checked it out and it’s great. In fact, I liked the whole sound of the album that it’s from enough to buy it just now.

Actually, I like Chris’s version. I’m realizing that, maybe, I just hate Cash’s version…blasphemous, I know.

You can pretty much pick any Chris LeDoux album and find a handful of good cowboys songs. That’s probably why he’s one of my favorite artists.

If we’re gonna go with some Strait..”I Can Still Make Cheyenne”

“Amarillo By Morning” is my favorite Strait song in this category.

That video of Joey Martina brought me to tears almost instantly… I’ll love “To Say Goodbye” even more now than I already do.

I sure hope they make a real music video for that song… the video she posted shows that it could be the next “Stay”… but much, much better

I’ll come out of left field and pick Nanci Griffith’s version of “Night Rider’s Lament” as my favorite. I seem to recall the guy who wrote that song was from Alaska, thus the reference to the northern lights, a very unusual thing in a cowboy song.

Jim C, Del McCoury’s highly successful cover of Richard’s “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” made him instantly an adopted part of the bluegrass musician family! (lol)

The Last Cowboy Song, my favorite version is by the Highway men.

And on the pop side–Where Have All the Cowboys Gone by Paula Cole.

Cowboy songs: I’m continually amazed at how far back knowledge and taste doesn’t go – not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s odd to see folks go on about “traditional” or “real” country and then see that what they mean by that goes all the way back to, uh, 1970 or so . Me, I’ll take “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” which is a boatload of fun to sing, or else “Goodbye Old Pal,” which is a boatload of fun to play.

Wow, Rick. You’re right, the Nanci Griffith version is awesome. It may be my favorite so far. I’ll admit that I didn’t know there were so many versions.

Jon: I know the song Tumblin Tumbleweeds, I just hate it.

If we are going for worst cowboy song there is always The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance.

I know the Bogguss version and while I love her, I think her version is kind of lackluster.

Brady,
What? Who?:)

Jon,
I grew up with that song thanks to my dad (who is unbelievably knowledgeable about music and most other things, it seems) and I just don’t find it interesting. That’s why I didn’t mention it or even think of it.

I don’t have anything against cowboy songs, but it’s definitely not one of the themes that interests me in real life or song. At least I love a good drinking or cheating song, even if I don’t participate in those activities.

A few more to add…”Happy Trails to You….” (sing along everybody) and the Cowboy Call from Eddy Arnold and “Home on the Range” by Gene Autry and “Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphy.

I love Suzy Boggguss’ versions of both Night Rider’s Lament and Someday Soon.

One I don’tthink anyon else has mentioned that I really like is Radney Foster’s Went For A Ride.

“Faster Horses” isn’t a cowboy song – the horses are racehorses, most likely Kentucky racehorses. Tom T. would go nuts if he heard it called a cowboy song. Just sayin’…