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Reba McEntire and Cody Johnson Release Music Video for ‘Dear Rodeo’ Collaboration

Reba McEntire and Cody Johnson just had the collaboration of the year with the “Dear Rodeo” music video. The song “Dear Rodeo” first appeared on Cody Johnson’s 2019 album, Ain’t Nothin’ To It, then reappeared on his November 27th release of Whoever’s in New England, a two-song radio set. In the first song of the set, Johnson covers McEntire’s “Whoever’s In New England.”

While she wasn’t on the original recording of the track that appeared on Johnson’s major-label debut album, Reba McEntire was so moved by the song, the two decided to revisit it as a duet. The song nods to both McEntire and Johnson’s past as rodeo stars. Reba McEntire used to barrel race and Cody Johnson rode bulls.

The epic music video features a collage of rodeo videos both from McEntire and Johnson’s careers as well as other historic moments in the sport. In between clips of rodeo moments, Cody Johnson walks through the empty horse stalls in a rodeo backstage. He then meets Reba McEntire, dressed in an absolutely dazzling rodeo outfit, in the center of the rodeo ring. The video even includes a clip of former rodeo and country music star Chris Ledoux riding at a rodeo.

The video culminates with the two singers’ magnificent harmonizing duet in the middle of the empty rodeo. Footage of their singing is cut with videos and pictures from their respective rodeo careers. An American flag hangs patriotically in the background, a reminder of the American sport that has inspired so many country artists and songs.

Reba McEntire and Cody Johnson Rodeo Careers

Both country music icons have a history in the rodeo arena. Reba McEntire comes from a long lineage of bull riders and steer ropers. In fact, her father and grandfather were both champions in steer roping, her father a world champion three different times. Eventually, Reba McEntire chose the country music path over barrel racing.

Cody Johnson’s rodeo experience took the form of bull riding. He spent much of his teenage years chasing the legendary 8-second dream while playing music on the side. Johnson hit the bull riding circuit hard for several years before broken bones and deep bruises caused him to move on. He took on the role of a prison guard for a time after that, still growing his own music career. As his following grew, he transitioned to being a full-time musician, and we’re glad he did.