Download High-Resolution Song Art HERE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 13, 2026) – Today, the Dan Seals Estate and Melody Place Records release a profound new duet, “God Must Be A Cowboy,” featuring Ned LeDoux and the late Dan Seals. Listen here.
Originally written and recorded by Seals with producer Kyle Lehning, “God Must Be A Cowboy” shares Seals’ deep appreciation for living a simple life in the country. He believes God is a cowboy because of his picturesque creation of Earth, sculpting the most precious landscapes we get to experience every day. The 1983 solo hit from Rebel Heart became Seals’ first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Country Singles chart. With soothing melodies and its reflective tone, the track still resonates with today’s generation of music listeners. LeDoux’s father, legendary rodeo champion and musician Chris LeDoux, recorded the song for his 1984 album Melodies and Memories.
And I think God must be a cowboy at heart
He made wide open spaces from the start
He made grass, trees, and mountains
And a horse to be a friend
And trails to lead old cowboys home again
Ned LeDoux is a modern-day cowboy following in his father’s footsteps. The Kansas-based singer/songwriter has released four studio albums, including his latest, most vulnerable project, Safe Haven. He continues to cover his dad’s classic hits, including fan-favorites “This Cowboy’s Hat,” “Western Skies,” and “Copenhagen.”
“It was a surprise to me when I first got asked to do ‘God Must Be A Cowboy,’” said LeDoux, adding, “I was actually in the process of singing vocal tracks for my latest album, Safe Haven, when I was asked to do this. Perfect timing. It’s a great song — the subject matter is a perfect fit for the LeDoux’s, and my dad actually recorded the song for his Melodies and Memories album. Dan is a legend. I’m just very honored to have been a part of this.”
“God Must Be A Cowboy” will appear on the forthcoming album, Dan Seals & Friends: The Last Duet, releasing August 28. With collaborations from fellow country artists Blake Shelton, Jamey Johnson, Luke Bryan, and many more, the project will honor the late Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Famer and the undeniable impact he left on the music industry. Pre-Save the album HERE.
About Ned LeDoux
Ned LeDoux, the singer-songwriter and son of country legend Chris LeDoux, has built a career honoring his forebears while still forging his own path. LeDoux, who has been releasing solo music since 2017 but has been a touring musician since his teenage years, has infused all of his records with realistic stories of life as a cowboy, his relationship with music royalty, and the pain and joy that infuse his work. His first record, Sagebrush, features rock-tinged country jams, built around LeDoux’s approachable delivery and inimitable ability to turn a memorable phrase. Next inLine, released in 2019, proved its title prophetic, introducing LeDoux to a wider audience than ever before. With 2022’s sterling Buckskin, he introduced the renegade spirit of 70s outlaw country into his sound, cooking up simmering jams indebted to his experiences as a ranch hand. On his latest album, touchingly titled Safe Haven after the tragic loss of his daughter, he uses the memories of those he has lost to help him carry on with joy, celebration, and a faith that they are guiding his work. There’s a tribute to his late father in the form of “One Hand in the Riggin,” which magically features Ned singing along with a vocal performance his dad tracked 23 years ago. Safe Haven is far and away the artistic statement LeDoux has always wanted to make. “My songwriting maturity is more confident than it’s ever been before,” he explains before adding that his fans will still recognize some of his signature style. “There’s also some stuff on here that relates very well with what I’ve done already, because it’s familiar and comfortable.” Safe Haven is an intoxicating blend of risk-taking, bold songwriting, and songs that find LeDoux in his familiar, comfortable territory. Both sides of the coin are equally worthy pursuits, one a reminder of where he’s been, and one an assurance that the path forward is still worth exploring.
About Dan Seals
Dan Seals was never one to follow convention. Born and raised in Texas, he played a right-handed, 12-string guitar with his left hand and eight strings— “upside down and backwards,” as he liked to say. This unconventional approach carried through his entire career, as he seamlessly transitioned from pop stardom to country success. Seals first gained fame as “England Dan” in the pop-rock duo, England Dan & John Ford Coley. The pair’s 1976 hit “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” cemented their place in pop history, followed by other classics, “Nights Are Forever Without You” and “Love Is The Answer.” When the duo disbanded, Seals faced financial struggles as he worked for years to rebuild his career. Determined to find a new path, he embraced his country roots. In 1984, “God Must Be a Cowboy” gave him his first country top 10 hit. This paved the way for an astonishing run of eleven No. 1 Billboard country hits. Hits such as “Bop,” “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold),” and “Meet Me in Montana,” featuring Marie Osmond, showcased his ability to blend emotional depth with commercial appeal. His work earned him 2 CMA awards, multiple GRAMMY nominations, and a loyal fanbase. Seals was known for his artistic integrity, only recording songs that stirred him emotionally. His producer, Kyle Lehning, recalled how he pursued excellence with “light-hearted seriousness” in the studio. When the radio hits slowed, Seals remained a beloved touring act, later performing with his brother Jim (from Seals & Crofts) as Seals & Seals, bringing their respective catalogs to audiences worldwide. Diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in 2007, Seals faced his final days with the same grace he brought to his music. He passed away on March 25, 2009, at 8:30 p.m.—”Showtime,” as his manager put it. Seals was posthumously inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2025. His legacy remains one of versatility, authenticity, and an enduring impact on both pop and country music. A duets album, Dan Seals & Friends: The Last Duet, featuring Seals’ vocals with a cavalcade of respected musicians, will release Summer 2026.
# # #
