Alberta singer-songwriter Ashley Ghostkeeper is hitting the road, and the airwaves, again with a heartfelt new single that pays tribute to her family roots and the northern cowboy culture of the 1980s.
The track, Cowboy’s Dream, is set to be out on all streaming platforms May 9 and tells the story of Ghostkeeper’s father and his days on the rodeo circuit.
“The song is written about my dad and his story of what it was like being a cowboy, and not only him, but his friends and cousins,” Ghostkeeper explains. “I pay this tribute to the northern cowboys of the '80s, and I’m very honoured to be their vessel for that story.”
Ghostkeeper recorded Cowboy’s Dream at CBC Studios in downtown Toronto during a recent artist residency. She first started writing the song in a Zoom session with Calgary pop singer Hayden McHugh, inspired by stories her father and cousin shared during a call mid-session.
“I asked my cousin Derek what the toughest bull he ever rode was, and without hesitation he said, ‘Kodiak Copenhagen.’ We knew we had to put that in the song,” she laughs. “It was the coolest name ever, and you could just tell that bull was no joke.”
While Ghostkeeper didn’t grow up in the rodeo world herself, she and her brother were hockey players, the legacy of her father’s cowboy past left a strong impression.
“I always remember seeing his old trophies and gear,” she says. “I was always so intrigued. I’m really happy I get to write this song for them.”
Though rooted in nostalgia, the single isn’t just a throwback, Ghostkeeper says fans might pick up on a subtle 1980s vibe in the sound, especially knowing the song’s backstory.
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Beyond Cowboy’s Dream, Ghostkeeper is working toward the release of a full album later this year. Recorded in Hamilton, the album will continue her focus on storytelling through song. She’s also gearing up to film a few music videos in Texas and has a series of summer shows lined up.
After years of steady work and cross-country travel, Ghostkeeper is seeing the momentum build.
“I’m just enjoying it now,” she says. “I love the way music connects people and community, and that’s why I’m doing this.”
You can listen to Cowboy's Dream below.