A local cowboy had a neat experience with a well-known country star. 

Cody MacLean, a livestock auctioneer from south of Strathmore, was on a family holiday in Huntsville, Texas towards the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. MacLean was visiting friends when he got a chance to go roping with Cody Johnson. 

"We went to a roping over there and lo and behold (Cody Johnson) was there. It's kind of a different vibe down in Texas, everybody knows everybody so it's not a big deal. It was a big deal to me though, he just kind of fits in," MacLean said.

The local cowboy said it was something he won't forget. 

"I said hello, I got to chase a couple of steers behind him. I got a couple of stops for him, so that was good. You have to act normal; you can't act like you are star struck. It was kind of neat."

MacLean explained that Johnson not only sings songs that people who live the cowboy lifestyle enjoy, but he also doesn't shy away from living the same lifestyle and getting his hands dirty.

"He drives his own truck, he takes care of his horses, he's got a big ranch down there, he breeds a bunch of Brahman Hereford cross cattle down in that country. He just fits in as the rancher next door," he added.

Not only did MacLean run into Johnson in Texas, but he has attended multiple concerts.

"There is no real sound mixing, it's him. He does a lot of moving around. He is kind of a cross between George Strait and Garth Brooks in that way," MacLean said.

"Texas music I feel is the real country music with the twin fiddles and steel guitars. He's just authentic and it's a good show."

You can see Cody Johnson perform Thursday night (May 2) at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, there are limited tickets left and the show starts at 7:30.