“Make America cowboy again.”
Recently, I saw this car sticker on the back of a Toyota hatchback whilst ponying along Poinsettia Avenue in Vista, California.
Pulls the reins there, Kiwi-boy; tap those breaks!
The Toyota sped off before I could take a picture of the sticker, but its message had already opened the great plains of my imagination...Personally, I think a Mustang—metallic blue 1964½ Ford Mustang Coupe—would have been a more suitable vehicle to affix such messaging, but that’s just me.
A tip of the black Jacaru to the sentiment, but I say we raise the stakes: let’s give America a singing cowboy again!
I know what you’re thinking (with your imaginary Duke impression): “Whoa, take 'er easy there, pilgrim! What’s wrong with Ken Maynard, Gene Autry, Tex Ritter, Herb Jeffries, and Roy Rogers?
Nothing. High five to those legends; love and listen to them all. But we need to add a new stable to the Pantheon of singing cowboys and I have just the man to get “back in the saddle again.”
Who?
Collins Obinna Chibueze.
Say that three times. Chibueze, Shabueze, Shaboozey (a stage name that stemmed from his high school football coach mispronouncing his Nigerian last name) whilst enjoying libations with your posse.
Our trails crossed for the very first time on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The first Week 8 game of the NFL Season on Thursday Night Football on Prime Video had the Los Angeles Chargers pitted against the Minnesota Vikings (the Chargers savaged the Vikings 37-10; tip of the Jacaru to Coach Harbaugh, Herbert, McConkey, Allen, and the lads). The post-game performer for the Amazon Music Live series was Shaboozey!
If anyone is ready for Prime Time, it’s this singing cowboy!
Dressed in a brown leather vest, chaps, fringe, boots, cowboy hat, with a concho belt, Shaboozey looked and sang the part. But this was no act: Shaboozey is an authentic artist who combines e pluribus unum-style country, Americana, and hip-hop music into a sound that is his own. Ironically, the opening number of the Amazon Music Live concert was “Last of My Kind.” Nah, sir, one-of-a-kind!
Or as you gave voice/song to: “You won't never find another like me, I'm the last of my kind.”
As Shaboozey opens the concert his unique voice captures the country music affect that’s hard to epitomize in words. But to paraphrase Justice Potter Stewart’s famous opinion, “I know it when I hear it.” There’s a sincerely, a grit, an expression of the wistfulness’s of the heart.
But “Debbie Downer” is not in the setlist. Each song is its own musical ode that invites one’s inner Wayne's World characters Wayne or Garth, (your choice) to groove and sway along with the song (please no beat-up Pacer; 1964 ½ Ford Mustang Coupe).
The effect of Shaboozey’s music on me was immediate. Up from the couch, this human spud transformed into a curly fry springing up and down to the music. The studio audience at the live event was equally appreciative. Considering it took place after an NFL game, all that was missing was NFL Quarterback Russell Wilson, dressed to the threes as his Denver Bronco incarnation, shout out, “Let’s Ride.”
During the concert Shaboozey asks the audience, “Are y’all ready for the greatest show in America?”
Again and again and again.
Copyright © 2025
Tag someone who needs to hear Shaboozey!
