Chris Housman, Cowman → Song Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Openly gay country singer, songwriter, and fiddler Chris Housman delivers one of the best country songs of 2026 with his dramatic and infectious single, “Cowman.”

“Need a guy, knows how to ride / [Isn’t] his first rodeo,” country singer, songwriter, and fiddler Chris Housman sings. Yessir! Yee-haw! Sounds good to me! The openly gay country standout continues singing in the first verse of “Cowman”, “He’ll notch his belt and stay the night / Knows how to do-si-do.” Ooh-la-la! A bold, talented artist who deserves more recognition, Housman is unafraid to capture queerness in a genre that has little of it. He first captured my ears with “Guilty As Sin”. Once more, he compels, making ears perk up on “Cowman,” a single from his sophomore album, Dodge City. “Cowman” was written by Housman and James Droll. Jerry Fuentes produced it.

“Cowman” begins with distinct minor-key guitar riffs. This sets the tone of this cinematic, theatrical country record. A relentless stomping groove enters, hard launching the record. Beyond its exceptional backdrop, the biggest triumph is none other than Chris Housman.  He delivers a strong vocal performance that is commanding, expressive, and filled with personality. His tone is amazing. Even with his command, he sings effortlessly.  Adding to the greatness is a superb vocal arrangement, with tasteful harmonized moments.  But back to Chris.  The melodies he sings are rhythmic and memorable.  Speaking of memorable, what about those lyrics? They pique the ears consistently from start to finish.  “Need a guy knows how to cry / Without having a cow,” he sings in the second verse, and continues, “And if he’s tall, oh-me, oh-my / I might just tie him down.” Damn straight! Of course, the chorus takes the cake:

“No, I don’t want a cowboy

I wanna cowman

Nobody give a yeehaw

Like he can

More Southern than a Georgia pecan

Don’t want a cowboy

I want a cowman.”

Ooh-wee! I know I said the chorus takes the cake, but the stomp-clapping bridge section is also chock-full of that cowman energy (“Ain’t gotta be rough and tough / But a cowboy just ain’t man enough”).  It contrasts with the rest of this high-flying country record.  And while the vocals are what stand out most from Housman, his fiddling is on point, too! All told, Chris Housman brings the house down with “Cowman”.  This is country music I can easily get behind!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½