You’ve heard the song. Honestly, if you’ve spent more than five minutes in a Texas honky-tonk or flicked through a country radio station in the last forty years, those opening notes are basically hardwired into your brain. But there’s a specific version that keeps popping up in late-night YouTube rabbit holes and Facebook shares that confuses people. We’re talking about the time Brooks & Dunn Cowboy Rides Away became a thing—and why it still sparks debates about who actually "owns" that classic sound.
Most people associate the track exclusively with George Strait. He’s the King, after all. But back in 2009, something happened that shifted the perspective for a lot of fans.
The Night Brooks & Dunn Reimagined a Legend
It wasn’t just a random cover.
The Academy of Country Music (ACM) decided to honor George Strait as the "Artist of the Decade." This was a massive televised event—the ACM Artist of the Decade All-Star Concert. Every heavy hitter was there. Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Taylor Swift, even Alan Jackson. But when Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn stepped onto that stage, the energy in the room shifted.
They didn't just sing the song. They lived in it.
Ronnie Dunn has a voice that shouldn't be legal. It’s got this gritty, soulful power that can make a grocery list sound like a Greek tragedy. When he took the lead on "The Cowboy Rides Away," he didn't try to mimic Strait’s smooth, effortless delivery. Instead, he leaned into the heartache. Kix’s harmonies provided that signature Brooks & Dunn wall of sound that dominated the 90s.
📖 Related: Colin Macrae Below Deck: Why the Fan-Favorite Engineer Finally Walked Away
It was a "passing of the torch" moment that wasn't actually a passing of the torch. It was just pure respect.
Why Does Everyone Think It’s Their Song?
Google the lyrics or look for the video, and you’ll see thousands of comments saying things like, "I actually prefer this to the original."
That’s a bold claim in the country music world. Saying anyone does it better than George is borderline sacrilege in some zip codes. But the Brooks & Dunn Cowboy Rides Away rendition has a different weight.
- The Tempo: They slowed it down just a hair, giving the lyrics room to breathe.
- The Ronnie Factor: As mentioned, Ronnie Dunn’s vocal runs add a bluesy texture that wasn't in the 1984 original.
- The Context: This happened right as Brooks & Dunn were nearing their own (temporary) retirement. They announced their split shortly after this era. Hearing them sing about a "final showdown scene" felt meta. It felt real.
The truth? George Strait released it in January 1985 as the second single from Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind. It was written by Sonny Throckmorton and Casey Kelly. It’s George’s song. Period. But Brooks & Dunn essentially "borrowed" it so well that they earned a permanent lease on the melody in the minds of millions.
The Confusion with the Final Tour
Things get even muddier when you look at George Strait’s actual farewell tour.
👉 See also: Cómo salvar a tu favorito: La verdad sobre la votación de La Casa de los Famosos Colombia
In 2014, George went on The Cowboy Rides Away Tour. It was a massive, record-breaking trek. For the final show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, he brought out everyone. Seriously, everyone. Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Martina McBride... and Ronnie Dunn.
Kix wasn't there for that specific finale performance, but Ronnie stood side-by-side with King George. If you’re searching for Brooks & Dunn Cowboy Rides Away, you might be thinking of that 2014 footage where Ronnie lends his powerhouse vocals to the actual man who made the song famous.
It’s one of those rare moments where the cover artist and the original artist collide.
What You Should Know About the 2009 Recording
If you’re looking for the "clean" version of their cover, it mostly exists as part of the live TV special broadcast. It wasn't a radio single. It didn't get a massive studio push. Yet, it remains one of the most-searched performances in the duo’s history.
Later, Ronnie Dunn actually recorded the song for his solo project Re-Dunn in 2020. If you want a high-fidelity version of that vocal magic without the crowd noise from the ACM special, that’s where you find it. He pairs it with other covers like "Amarillo by Morning," proving he’s basically the world’s biggest George Strait fan who also happens to be a superstar.
✨ Don't miss: Cliff Richard and The Young Ones: The Weirdest Bromance in TV History Explained
The Meaning Behind the Music
At its core, the song is a breakup story.
"My heart is sinking like the setting sun."
It’s simple. It’s poetic. It’s the definition of three chords and the truth. Whether it's George's cool-headed resignation or the Brooks & Dunn soulful mourning, the message stays the same: some things just can't be fixed, and the only thing left to do is leave with your dignity intact.
How to Experience This Properly Today
If you want to dive into the Brooks & Dunn Cowboy Rides Away rabbit hole, don't just stick to the 30-second clips on TikTok.
- Find the 2009 ACM Performance: Watch the look on George Strait's face while they sing. He looks like a proud older brother.
- Listen to Ronnie’s Solo Version: Check out the Re-Dunn album. It’s a masterclass in how to cover a legend without losing your own identity.
- Compare the 1985 Original: Go back to the source. Hear how George's version is more "dancehall" and less "concert hall."
The reality is that country music thrives on these overlaps. A song isn't just a recording; it's a living thing that changes depending on who’s holding the guitar. Brooks & Dunn didn't "steal" the song from George Strait—they just gave us a different way to feel the heartbreak.
Next time you’re building a playlist for a long drive, put both versions back-to-back. You’ll hear the evolution of a genre in just six minutes.