Duncan Daniels - Cowboys Wear Stetsons
“Cowboys Wear Stetsons” is Duncan Daniels’ bold embrace of traditional country music—rooted in the genre’s golden-era sounds, yet layered with modern truth. At first listen, it plays like a timeless classic: pedal steel, honest lyrics, and a warm Southern drawl. But look deeper, and you’ll find a subversive anthem that quietly challenges the assumptions of what—and who—country music is for.
Duncan Daniels is a genre-defying singer, songwriter, and producer whose music blends the soulful grit of Americana with the lyrical depth of Country and the emotion-driven pull of Alternative Rock. With over two decades of making music, Daniels has built a reputation for authenticity—creating songs that are as timeless as they are vulnerable.
Born in Boston, raised in Nigeria, and now based in New York City, his global roots inform a sound that is both universal and deeply personal. Whether drawing on themes of love, loss, fatherhood, or identity, Duncan’s music is grounded in storytelling that resonates across borders and generations.
His upcoming album, Honesty & Nostalgia (Deluxe), is a sweeping 20-track opus featuring cinematic arrangements and powerful collaborations with top-tier Nashville musicians. The project spans the emotional spectrum—delivering introspection, resilience, and inspiration with each song.
A GRAMMY-voting member and recent attendee at GRAMMY House NYC, Daniels continues to grow his impact within the music industry. His long-time sonic partnership with award-winning engineer Alex Solano, along with a string of high-profile media features and critical acclaim, positions him as a rising creative force in today’s independent music landscape.
“Cowboys Wear Stetsons” Produced by Justine Blazer and recorded at Pentavarit Studios in Nashville, the track assembles a hall-of-fame lineup of Nashville’s finest. Smith Curry, whose pedal steel has graced legendary records from Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, Maren Morris, Dolly Parton, Pharrell Williams, Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, and Shaboozey’s viral hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” delivers the kind of soul-stirring textures that define the genre’s most unforgettable moments.
Backing Curry is a powerhouse band: Evan Hutchings (drums), Mike Rinne (bass), Devin Malone (acoustic guitar), Justin Ostrander (electric guitar), and Billy Justineau (keys)—each adding layers of depth and authenticity.
The song was co-written by Ron Pope, Darbi Shaun Lacagnina, and Zach Berkman, with Pope also contributing as co-producer and vocal coach. Known for his platinum-selling work and emotionally resonant songwriting, Pope’s influence is woven through the lyrical honesty and heartfelt delivery.
Mixing duties were shared between Justine Blazer and Duncan’s long-time collaborator Alex Solano, who together crafted a lush sonic experience in both Stereo and Dolby Atmos. The stereo version was mastered by Blazer, while the Dolby Atmos master was entrusted to none other than Brad Blackwood, the multiple GRAMMY Award-winning mastering engineer behind countless chart-topping records.
Originally inspired by the racially charged backlash to a Facebook ad featuring a Black cowboy in a Stetson, “Cowboys Wear Stetsons” offers a quietly revolutionary message: being country isn’t about the color of your skin or the coordinates on a map. It’s about what’s in your heart. It’s about dignity, grit, and spirit.
Duncan Daniels delivers the message with quiet strength and pride—his performance honoring both the legacy of country music and the expanding future it’s walking into.
This isn’t just a song. It’s a reclamation. A reminder. A redefinition. And it may just change the way you look at a cowboy hat—forever.
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Label: Dunkishrock Production
TRT: 3:29
ISRC: ATR981346684
Song IPI#
Songwriters: Ron Pope, Duncan Daniels, Darbi Shaun, Zach Berkman
Songwriters’ IPI#: BMI# 446465341, BMI# 601464974, BMI# 828899564, BMI# 467771510
Publisher: Sentric Music Publishing
Publisher IPI#: PRS# 691477506