‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’: ‘Gunsmoke’ and Country Music

An iconic Western show inspired Toby Keith’s first hit song.
‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’: ‘Gunsmoke’ and Country Music
Singer-songwriter Toby Keith performing at Country Thunder Music Festival in Florence, Arizona, 2018. Rick Diamond/Getty Images
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“John, you should’ve been a cowboy.”

While on a pheasant hunting trip, one of Toby Keith’s buddies bestowed him with some sage advice. A fellow hunter tried to dance with a cowgirl while they were dining at a steakhouse in Dodge City, Kansas, but was quickly turned away. Later, the group spotted her on the dance floor with a cowboy. His friend uttered “You should’ve been a cowboy” to John in jest. But the words stuck with Keith.

Rebecca Day
Rebecca Day
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Rebecca Day is a freelance writer and independent musician. For more information on her music and writing, visit her Substack, Classically Cultured, at classicallycultured.substack.com