Album Review – Josh Ward’s “Same Ol’ Cowboy, Different Rodeo”

#510 (Traditional Country) on the Country DDS.
You want country? Try getting thrown off a horse named Tiny who goes about 1,200 pounds and 16 hands, who then proceeds to stomp on your guts like a barn mouse. Then you’re such a tough SOB, you refuse medical treatment until you darn near bleed out internally, doc has to cut you open, drain two Jim Beam bottle’s worth of blood from your abdomen, cut a foot off your intestine like you’re fitting irrigation pipe, then stuff it all back in, sewing it all up, and sending you on your way.
That’s the reason Josh Ward hasn’t released a new album since 2018, so quit your bellyaching. What’s your measly excuse for not getting stuff done?
The ordeal was one hell of a weight loss program for Josh Ward too, though probably not the one Jenny Craig would recommend. It also gave Ward an opportunity to reflect, re-evaluate, and be grateful for life. But don’t worry, the incident didn’t cause Ward to waiver from his position as one of the staunchest country traditionalists in Texas or anywhere else. As his new album Same Ol’ Cowboy, Different Rodeo proves, he ain’t doing nothing but doubling down on that hard country sound.
It’s fiddle. It’s steel guitar. It’s songs about raising hell. It’s sentimental songs about the most important things in life. Everybody’s all behind Zach Top these days like he’s a blast from the past and doing something novel in the present tense. No offense to Top who’s excellent, but Josh Ward is one of these guys who’s been doing the 90s traditional country thing almost since the ’90s. He’s just been scandalously under the radar except on Texas country radio.

To be perfectly honest, though the sound has always been there for Josh, sometimes the songs leave a little bit to be desired. That’s not the story with Same Ol’ Cowboy. Sure, he doesn’t stray too far from familiar country music themes. But the seven years away gave Ward ample time to find or co-write a dozen really strong songs that illustrate the greatness that is true country music.
In the writing credits you see Carson Chamberlain, who was Keith Whitley’s old bandleader and the guy behind Zach Top’s recent success. You also see Randall King and Jake Worthington—two of major label country’s best traditionalists. Songs like “There’s A Drink For That” and “Beer Joint Down” get you revved up. But the heartbreaking “Talkin’ To Your Picture,” and the ruminative “Walkin’ In My Boots” about watching your boy become the man you are happen to be excellent specimens of country songwriting.
Josh Ward doesn’t co-write everything, but he has enough credits to make this album feel like his own. And most importantly, he puts his whole soul and guts into singing and delivering these songs, while co-producing the album with Drew Hall and Kerry West. Hell, you can’t even tell a foot of those guts is gone now. Ward’s better off for it though. To sing it, you gotta live it. And Josh Ward has lived it.
Same Ol’ Cowboy, Different Rodeo is just a great listening record, meaning one you turn on, don’t skip a track, and don’t mind if it repeats again. True traditional country might be in vogue once again. But even if it wasn’t, Josh Ward would be singing and playing it, and living his songs out down in Texas, getting bucked off, but getting right back up on that horse once again.
1 3/4 Guns Up (8.1/10)
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Purchase/stream Same Ol’ Cowboy, Different Rodeo
January 20, 2025 @ 9:20 am
High praise from the high priest – now on to check it out.
January 20, 2025 @ 9:33 am
I’ve been playing Same Ole Cowboy, had no idea about the horse incident. Makes you love the song even more.
January 20, 2025 @ 10:27 am
But what about us who wants some 60/70’s traditional Bakersfield/Texas country, the kind who knew it’s roots?
Sure, a few of the old guys are still around (Tony Booth among them), but they’re way past their prime as they’re all pushing 80 or 90, and mostly left without a recording label.
It seems to be a dry season still.
January 20, 2025 @ 10:42 am
Solid country and country-rock.
January 20, 2025 @ 11:02 am
“You want country? Try getting thrown off a horse named Tiny who goes about 1,200 pounds and 16 hands, who then proceeds to stomp on your guts like a barn mouse. Then you’re such a tough SOB, you refuse medical treatment until you darn near bleed out internally, doc has to cut you open, drain two Jim Beam bottle’s worth of blood from your abdomen, cut a foot off your intestine like you’re fitting irrigation pipe, then stuff it all back in, sewing it all up, and sending you on your way.
That’s the reason Josh Ward hasn’t released a new album since 2018, so quit your bellyaching. What’s your measly excuse for not getting stuff done?”
Glad for Mr. Ward, that he is doing well.
Very, very, glad for him.
He has a nice voice.
Try having your entire left breast cut off, and your right breast partially cut off.
Then, being back to work, 2 weeks and 4 days later, as department head of nuclear medicine.
“What’s your measly excuse for not getting stuff done?”
But, that’s neither hear nor there.
January 20, 2025 @ 12:47 pm
Ummm…… You win?
January 20, 2025 @ 1:26 pm
Not at all.
Happy for Mr. Ward.
Was responding to the “What’s your measly excuse for not getting stuff done?”, comment.
Thought it was a little short-sighted.
January 20, 2025 @ 1:07 pm
Trigger raises a good point. Many of the traditional sounding singers have the throwback sound but not the writing. Usually, their songs get stuck in the rut of saying how country they are instead of telling excellent stories.
January 20, 2025 @ 2:45 pm
I have a few of his albums in my musical library and see he is going to be in Wichita in May. May have get a ticket and grab the album then.
January 20, 2025 @ 6:56 pm
Sounds like a winner! Just purchased along with his Live From Billy Bob’s album.
Thanks Trigger for the head’s up on Josh!
January 20, 2025 @ 7:39 pm
Yeah, I’m putting this one in heavy rotation. Great song writing, production, and authentic. Great way to start off 2025! Thanks for the review!
January 23, 2025 @ 8:41 am
Josh Ward is one of the reasons I primarily listen to Texas Country. RRB got me into the genre, guys like Josh keep it going. I’ve seen him live multiple times, he just seems like a really good person and I am happy for his continued success and recovery.
January 23, 2025 @ 7:47 pm
Big fan of Josh Ward for awhile, he is the real deal. He really puts on a good show as well. Thank you for reviewing this and thank you for this website. I really appreciate it!
January 27, 2025 @ 8:16 am
Can’t say I remember him,but welcome back,Josh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At least he resembles the old cowboys in appearance,so “Same Ol’ Cowboy,Different Rodeo” should have a realistic sound.
January 27, 2025 @ 12:07 pm
That’s the reason Josh Ward hasn’t released a new album since 2018, so quit your bellyaching.
I was wondering about that. I liked this album quite a bit.
Actually discovered JW back in 2023 via his 2019 Live At Billy Bob’s, which is itself a pretty spectacular slice of live Texas country.