Essie Country’s
Real Country Music
Song of the Week
July 5-11, 2026
Rodeo Man
By Brandi Behlen
Released March 13, 2020
(Source: Spotify)
Intro by Gene Johns
Traditional country music has always told great stories, and Rodeo Man is a perfect example. This heartfelt ballad captures the loneliness, love, and sacrifice that come with loving a rodeo cowboy.
At 4 minutes and 41 seconds, this country ballad is considerably longer than today’s average country song. Yet, listening to Brandi Behlen tell this story is like watching a good Hallmark movie—you don’t want it to end.
Rodeo Man doesn’t rely on a catchy hook or an infectious beat to grab your attention. What it has is a believable story, traditional country music sound, and a warm, wonderful vocal performance you’ll remember long after the song ends.
This song has something else that much of today’s mainstream country music doesn’t have—it undeniably and unapologetically sounds like country music. A teacher by trade, this Texas artist gives Nashville a remedial lesson in what country music is supposed to sound like.
If you want to hear country music done right, just listen to Brandi Behlen sing Rodeo Man. Nashville, are you listening?
Rodeo Man
by Brandi Behlen
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https://youtu.be/sOmDp4GBSRU?is=V-IDBf4NfNu3P7aT
Essie Country — promoting real country music, the way it’s supposed to sound.
Rodeo Man

Comments
3 responses to “Rodeo Man”
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“Rodeo Man” Thanks Gene, as I listened, I thought of the fact we all have stories. Most of those stories comes from our struggles, and those mostly of our own making. Those struggles many times strengthen us and make us a better person, sometimes they break us and send us into despair. I so enjoy your commentary, helps me hear the song correctly.
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Good song and great commentary. Well done, Gene!
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Definitely had me toe tapping at the first beats and agree > true country song story 😉
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