Rolling Stone Country Names Levi Hummon and Runaway June’s Reimagined “Cowboy Take Me Away” A “Must-
Levi Hummon’s brand new release of “Cowboy Take Me Away” featuring Runaway June continues to soar. Released on November 8 – the exact release date 20 years after the chart-topping hit was released, the revitalized tune has already caught praise from top country critics including Rolling Stone Country which dubbed it one of the Top 10 Country Songs to Hear Now, stating, “A Dixie Chicks staple is reborn.”
The revisited version of the song “unfolds like a conversation between two lovers, with Levi Hummon’s first verse adding a male perspective,” says Rolling Stone. Hummon has expressed the tune feels like a unique family heirloom, as his father, recent Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Marcus Hummon, penned the original with the Dixie Chicks’ Martie Maguire. “I grew up hearing my dad sing his version at writer’s rounds, then later singing it with him at rounds” Levi shared with Sounds Like Nashville, “It just feels full circle to put my own spin on this song on the 20th anniversary of its initial release.”
“‘Cowboy’ has a special place in my heart,” Hummon said to American Songwriter. “I remember the first time hearing it as a demo, the first time on the radio and going to the number one party here in Nashville as a kid. It’s a masterpiece of a song, and it’s just so much fun to sing. I’m so excited to honor my dad and the Dixie Chicks 20 years after the song was released.” As part of the track’s exclusive premiere, American Songwriter boasts, “The quartet of voices bend in unison to create something magical and wholly their own.” Adding, “Levi Hummon is the trusty foundation, grounded and smooth, and pins the composition together.”
Wrapping up his first-ever headlining tour on Saturday, Nov. 30th, Levi concludes a long year of shows and festivals, sharing the stage with heavyweights like Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum. In addition to touring, Levi found a second home at the Opry this summer, playing his 18th show and creating memorable Opry Moments simultaneously. Recently, he honored his father Marcus for his induction to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. “I embrace the fact that my dad had a huge impact on me as a songwriter and an artist. For me, it’s a family affair and I’m blessed and want to cherish every single moment” Levi told Music Row. The two shared the stage; a picture of classic and new Nashville.
With over 50 million total streams on Spotify alone, Hummon has proved himself to be the independent juggernaut of the streaming era. Levi was named the face of Amazon Music’s official Introducing: Country playlist along with the cover of Spotify’s Hot Country playlist. His songs have been heard on Spotify’s New Music Friday Playlist, New Boots, Hot Country, Wild Country, Next from Nashville, and many more, along with support from Pandora and Apple Music. Not only is Levi forging his path by new means, but he continues to pay homage to the genre establishments that paved the way for him.