Cowboys and Plowboys
| "Cowboys and Plowboys" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Luke Bryan and Jon Pardi | ||||
| Released | October 13, 2023 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:28 | |||
| Label | Capitol Nashville | |||
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| Producers |
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| Luke Bryan singles chronology | ||||
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| Jon Pardi singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Cowboys and Plowboys" on YouTube | ||||
"Cowboys and Plowboys" is a song by American country music singers Luke Bryan and Jon Pardi. It was released on October 13, 2023, as a non-album single. The song was co-written by Rhett Akins, Jacob Rice, and Cole Taylor and co-produced by Bart Butler, Ryan Gore, and Pardi.
Background and release
Pardi first revealed plans for a duet with Bryan in 2022 while promoting his album Mr. Saturday Night, describing the track as an anthem for "farmers and cowboys, the backbone of this country."[1] Co-written by Rhett Akins, Jacob Rice, and Cole Taylor, the collaboration was teased by both artists on social media before its official release.[2][3]
The single was released on October 13, 2023, and officially impacted country radio on October 16.[2][4] Pardi called the track "super country" and noted that it carried a strong '90s influence, crediting guitarist Brent Mason's contribution.[1]
Pardi explained that the song came about because he and Bryan's "background kind of come together," with Akins encouraging them to record it.[4][5] Bryan said he could not stop listening to the demo when he first heard it and felt Pardi was the perfect partner for the track.[2][3]
Content
"Cowboys and Plowboys" is a twang-driven country song in which Pardi portrays the cowboy and Bryan takes the role of the plowboy.[5] The verses highlight their differences, with Pardi singing of rodeo life while Bryan references farming, before the chorus unites them in shared values.[4][6] The song's upbeat tone contrasts its non-party theme, instead celebrating hardworking rural lifestyles.[1][5]
Critical reception
The track was noted by media outlets as Pardi's first new music since Mr. Saturday Night, excluding his 2022 Christmas release, and Bryan's follow-up to his 2020 album Born Here Live Here Die Here.[5][6] Taste of Country described the song as a "jubilant, twangy ode" to rural life,[5] while American Songwriter highlighted its message of unity between farmers and cowboys.[6]
Music video
The official music video for "Cowboys and Plowboys", directed by Shaun Silva, was filmed in Tennessee and Pardi's home state of California.[4] It features rodeo champions such as Kyle Lockett, Dallas Owen, and Jordan Ketscher, alongside family appearances of Bryan's wife Caroline Boyer, their dog Choc, Pardi's wife Summer, and their daughter Presley.[4][7] The autobiographical visuals emphasize Pardi's cowboy persona and Bryan's farming roots.[7]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[8]
- Luke Bryan – producer, vocals
- Jon Pardi – vocals
- Danny Rader – acoustic guitar
- Trey Keller – background vocals
- Lee Francis – bass
- Miles McPherson – drums, percussion
- Brent Mason – electric guitar
- Rob McNelley – electric guitar
- Jenee Fleenor – fiddle
- Dave Cohen – Hammond B3 organ
- Mike Johnson – pedal steel guitar
- Bart Butler – producer
- Ryan Gore – producer, engineer, mixing
- Chris Small – editing
- Ted Jensen – mastering
Charts
| Chart (2023–2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country (Billboard) | 48 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[9] | 26 |
References
- ^ a b c Nicholson, Jessica (August 28, 2022). "Jon Pardi Says He Has a Collaboration With Luke Bryan On the Way". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Jon Pardi and Luke Bryan Release New Collaboration "Cowboys and Plowboys"". MCA Nashville. October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ a b Sexton, Paul (October 13, 2023). "Country Comrades Jon Pardi And Luke Bryan Hail 'Cowboys And Plowboys'". uDiscoverMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Black, Lauren Jo (January 31, 2024). "Jon Pardi and Luke Bryan Drop 'Cowboys and Plowboys' Music Video with Rodeo Stars and Family Cameos". Country Now. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Chua, Jeremy (October 13, 2023). "Jon Pardi + Luke Bryan Salute 'Cowboys and Plowboys' in New Honky-Tonk Anthem". Taste of Country. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c Hopper, Alex (October 13, 2023). "Jon Pardi and Luke Bryan Unite "Cowboys and Plowboys" on New Track". American Songwriter. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ a b Liptak, Carena (February 1, 2024). "Jon Pardi and Luke Bryan's 'Cowboys and Plowboys' Video has Some Very Special Guest Stars". Taste of Country. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ "Credits / Cowboys and Plowboys / Luke Bryan, Jon Pardi". Tidal. October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ "Jon Pardi Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2025.