Parker McCollum Embraces His Wild Side on ‘Like a Cowboy’
There's a family connection behind this open-range ballad.
Newcomer Parker McCollum tips a hat to his wilder side in the new track “Like a Cowboy,” a quiet confession with a deeply-personal connection.
Written by country star Chris Stapleton and Al Anderson, “Like a Cowboy” is the first song recorded by McCollum that the Austin, Texas, native didn’t write himself — but it means a lot to him all the same. Backed by a patient piano and sung with careful reservation, the weary open-range ballad tributes stand-up men and women with a little outlaw in their heart. Meanwhile, its video brings that theme to life, mixing in-studio footage and live performance shots with photos of McCollum’s late grandfather, who he says inspires much of his career.
“When I first heard ‘Like A Cowboy’ I probably listened to it 15 times in a row,” the promising new talent explains. “It made me think of my Grandpa who would have loved this song. He was one of my best friends and he believed in me so much that I know he’d be happy to see everything that’s happened in my career.”
“And I’d ride like a thief on the run / And I’d hide from the things that I’ve done / And I’d fly like the wind to the sunset / Just like a cowboy should do / Just like a cowboy should do,” goes the chorus.
Following up a years-long run as an independent artist in Texas, McCollum’s major-label career is still just getting started. Along with “Like a Cowboy,” his first single, “Pretty Heart,” hits radio officially on April 27 — but it’s already made an impact, cracking the Top 40 of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
