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{{Short description|American country singer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = Chris LeDoux
| name = Chris LeDoux
| Img =
| image = Chris LeDoux promo photo.png
| Img_capt = Chris LeDoux on the range
| caption = LeDoux in 1999
| birth_name = Christopher Lee LeDoux<ref>{{cite web | url=https://repertoire.bmi.com/Search/Catalog?num=Ik7dfDtu1Xp6b%252bdT%252bHRDSQ%253d%253d&cae=EXUbCKDA%252br169YV0FkVmbw%253d%253d&partType=WriterList&search=%7B%22Main_Search_Text%22%3A%22lean%20mean%20and%20hungry%22%2C%22Sub_Search_Text%22%3Anull%2C%22Main_Search%22%3A%22Title%22%2C%22Sub_Search%22%3Anull%2C%22Search_Type%22%3A%22all%22%2C%22View_Count%22%3A100%2C%22Page_Number%22%3A0%2C%22Part_Type%22%3Anull%2C%22Part_Id%22%3Anull%2C%22Part_Id_Sub%22%3Anull%2C%22Part_Name%22%3Anull%2C%22Part_Cae%22%3Anull%2C%22Original_Search%22%3Anull%2C%22DisclaimerViewed%22%3Anull%7D&resetPageNumber=True&partIdSub=YO0HedHMatLb45JzS23DVw%253d%253d | title=Search results for LeDoux, Christopher Lee | publisher=BMI | accessdate=September 13, 2024}}</ref>
| Img_size = 200
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1948|10|2}}
| Background = solo_singer
| birth_place = [[Biloxi, Mississippi]], U.S.
| Birth_name =
| Born = {{birth date|1948|10|2}}<br />[[Biloxi, Mississippi|Biloxi]], [[Mississippi]]
| origin = [[Cheyenne, Wyoming]], U.S.
| Died = {{death date and age|2005|3|9|1948|10|2}}<br />[[Casper, Wyoming|Casper]], [[Wyoming]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2005|3|9|1948|10|2}}
| Genre = [[Country music|Country]]
| death_place = [[Casper, Wyoming]], U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|[[Country music|Country]]|[[country rock]]|[[Western music (North America)|Western music]]}}
| Years_active = 1979&ndash;2004
| Occupation = [[Musician]], [[singer-songwriter]], [[rodeo]] competitor, [[Bronze sculpture|bronze sculptor]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|singer-songwriter|[[rodeo]] competitor}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|harmonica}}
| years_active = 1971–2005
| label = {{hlist|[[Liberty Records|Liberty]]|[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]|American Cowboy Songs}}
| associated_acts =
}}
}}

'''Chris LeDoux''' ([[October 2]], [[1948]]&ndash;[[March 9]], [[2005]]) was an [[United States|American]] [[country music]] [[singer-songwriter]], [[Bronze sculpture|bronze sculptor]] and [[rodeo]] champion.
During his career LeDoux recorded thirty-six albums (many self-released) which have sold more than six million units in the United States as of January 2007. He was awarded one [[platinum]] and two [[gold]] album certifications from the [[RIAA]], and was nominated for a [[Grammy Award]] and the [[Academy of Country Music]] Music Pioneer Award.<ref name="remaster"/>
'''Christopher Lee LeDoux''' (October 2, 1948 – March 9, 2005) was an American [[country music]] singer-songwriter, [[Bronze sculpture|bronze sculptor]], and hall of fame [[rodeo]] champion. During his career, LeDoux recorded 36 albums (many self-released), which have sold more than six million units in the United States as of January 2007. He was awarded two gold and one platinum album certifications from the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA), was nominated for a [[Grammy Award]], and was honored with the [[Academy of Country Music]] Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award. LeDoux is also the only person to participate and also perform at the [[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]].


==Biography==
==Biography==

===Early years===
===Early years===
LeDoux was born in [[Biloxi, Mississippi]], on the Gulf Coast, in 1948. His father was in the [[US Air Force]], and the family moved often when he was a child. He learned to ride horses while visiting his grandparents on their [[Texas]] farm.<ref name="cmt"/> At age 13, LeDoux participated in his first rodeo, riding in [[Denison, Texas]], and before long was winning junior rodeo competitions.<ref name="huey">{{cite web | last = Huey | first = Steve | coauthors = | title = Chris LeDoux | work= | pages = | language = | publisher = [[Allmusic]] | date = 2005 | url =http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp?pid=79360&cr=artist&or=ASCENDING&sf=length&kw=chris%20LeDoux | accessdate = 2007-03-16}}</ref>
LeDoux was born in [[Biloxi, Mississippi]], on October 2, 1948. He was of [[French people|French]] descent on his father's side. His father was in the [[US Air Force]] and was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base at the time of his birth. The family moved often when he was a child, due to his father's Air Force career. He learned to ride horses while visiting his grandparents on their [[Wyoming]] farm.<ref name="cmt"/> At age 13, LeDoux participated in his first rodeo, and before long was winning junior rodeo competitions.<ref name="huey">{{cite web |last= Huey |first= Steve |title= Chris LeDoux |publisher= [[Allmusic]] |year= 2005 |url ={{BillboardURLbyName |artist=chris ledoux |bio=true}} |access-date= 2007-03-16}}</ref>

LeDoux continued to compete in rodeo events and played football through his high-school years. When his family moved to [[Cheyenne, Wyoming]], he attended [[Cheyenne Central High School]]. After twice winning the Wyoming State Rodeo Championship bareback riding title during high school, LeDoux earned a rodeo scholarship to [[Casper College]] in [[Casper, Wyoming|Casper]]. During his junior year at [[Eastern New Mexico University]], LeDoux won the Intercollegiate National [[saddle bronc and bareback riding|bareback riding]] championship.<ref name="cmt">{{cite web |title= Chris LeDoux Biography |publisher= [[Country Music Television]] |year= 2005 |url= http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/ledoux_chris/bio.jhtml |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111107135707/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/ledoux_chris/bio.jhtml |archive-date= November 7, 2011 |access-date= 2007-03-16 |url-status= dead}}</ref>


LeDoux married Peggy Rhoads on January 4, 1972. They had five children: Clay, [[Ned LeDoux|Ned]], Will, Beau, and Cindy.<ref name="dillon">{{cite web |last= Dillon |first= Jenni |title= Cowboy, Singer LeDoux dies in Casper |newspaper=[[Casper Star-Tribune]] |date= March 10, 2005 |url =https://trib.com/news/cowboy-singer-ledoux-dies-in-casper/article_4f7cb8ee-196b-56a0-bb2a-ca2b7355c248.html | access-date= March 16, 2007}}</ref>
LeDoux continued to compete in rodeo events through his high school years, and football, with rodeos keeping most of hi attention. when his family moved to [[Cheyenne, Wyoming|Cheyenne]]. After twice winning the Wyoming State Rodeo Championship bareback riding title during high school, LeDoux earned a rodeo scholarship to [[Casper College]] in [[Casper, Wyoming|Casper]]. During his junior year LeDoux won the Intercollegiate National [[Saddle Bronc and Bareback Riding|Bareback Riding]] Championship.<ref name="cmt">{{cite web | last = | first = | coauthors = | title = Chris LeDoux Biography | work= | pages = | language = | publisher = [[Country Music Television]] | date = 2005 | url =http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/ledoux_chris/bio.jhtml | accessdate = 2007-03-16}}</ref>


===Rodeo success and music beginnings===
===Rodeo success and music beginnings===
In 1970, LeDoux became a professional rodeo cowboy, competing on the national rodeo circuit.<ref name="huey"/> To help pay his expenses while traveling the country, he began penning songs describing his lifestyle.<ref name="cmt"/> Within two years he had written enough songs to make up an album, and soon established a recording company, American Cowboy Songs, with his father. After recording his songs in a friend's basement, LeDoux began selling his albums out of the back of his truck at rodeo events.<ref name="huey"/>
In 1970, LeDoux became a professional rodeo cowboy on the national circuit.<ref name="huey"/> To help pay his expenses while traveling the country, he began composing songs describing his lifestyle.<ref name="cmt"/> Within two years, he had written enough songs to make up an album, and soon established a recording company, American Cowboy Songs, with his father. After recording his songs in a friend's basement, LeDoux "began selling his tapes at rodeo events out of the back of his pickup truck".<ref>{{cite web |title=Chris LeDoux - LeDoux Country - Discography |url=https://www.ledouxcountry.com/discography/ |website=www.ledouxcountry.com |access-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref><ref name="huey"/>


His years of hard work bore fruit in 1976, when LeDoux won the world bareback riding championship at the [[National Finals Rodeo]] in [[Oklahoma City]].<ref name="huey"/> Winning the championship gave LeDoux more credibility with music audiences, as he now had proof that the cowboy songs he wrote and sang were authentic.<ref name="coon">
In 1976, LeDoux won the world bareback riding championship at the [[National Finals Rodeo]] in [[Oklahoma City]].<ref name="huey"/> Winning the championship gave LeDoux more credibility with music audiences, as he now had proof that the cowboy songs he wrote were authentic.<ref name="coon">{{cite web |last= Coon |first= Chuck |title= Chris LeDoux: Missing Chris |publisher= ChrisLedoux.com |year= 2005 |url =http://www.chrisledoux.com/bio3.htm |access-date= 2007-03-16 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070309150925/http://chrisledoux.com/bio3.htm |archive-date= March 9, 2007}}</ref> LeDoux continued competing for the next four years. He retired in 1980.<ref name="huey"/>
{{cite web | last = Coon | first = Chuck | coauthors = | title = Chris Ledoux: Missing Chris | work= | pages = | language = | publisher = ChrisLedoux.com | date = 2005 | url =http://www.chrisledoux.com/bio3.htm | accessdate = 2007-03-16}}</ref> LeDoux continued competing for the next four years. He retired in 1980 to nurse injuries and to spend more time with his growing family.<ref name="huey"/>


===Music career===
===Music career===
With his rodeo career ended, LeDoux and his family settled on a ranch in [[Kaycee, Wyoming]]. He continued to write and record his songs, and began playing concerts.<ref name="huey"/> His concerts were very popular, and often featured a mechanical bull (which he rode between songs) and fireworks.<ref name="coon"/> By 1982 he had sold over 250,000 copies of his albums, with little or no marketing. By the end of the decade he had self-released twenty-two albums.<ref name="huey"/>
With his rodeo career at an end, LeDoux and his family settled on a ranch in [[Kaycee, Wyoming]]. LeDoux continued to write and record his songs, and began playing concerts.<ref name="huey"/> His concerts were very popular, and often featured a [[mechanical bull]] (which he rode between songs) and fireworks.<ref name="coon"/> By 1982, he had sold more than 250,000 copies of his albums, with little or no marketing. By the end of the decade, he had self-released 22 albums.<ref name="huey"/>


Despite offers from various record labels, LeDoux had refused to sign a recording contract, instead choosing to retain his independence and total control over his work while enjoying his regional following. In 1989, however, he shot to national prominence when he was mentioned in the debut song of future superstar [[Garth Brooks]], "Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)." To capitalize on the sudden attention, LeDoux signed a contract with [[Capitol Records]] subsidiary Liberty Records and released his first national album, ''Western Underground'', in 1991. His follow-up album, ''Whatcha Gonna Do With a Cowboy'', was certified gold and reached the top ten. The title track, a duet with Brooks, became LeDoux's first and only Top Ten country single.<ref name="huey"/>
Despite offers from various record labels, LeDoux refused to sign a recording contract, instead choosing to retain his independence and control over his work while enjoying his regional following. In 1989, however, he shot to national prominence when he was mentioned in [[Garth Brooks]]' top-10 country hit "[[Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)]]". Capitalizing on the sudden attention, LeDoux signed a contract with [[Capitol Records]] subsidiary Liberty Records and released his first national album, ''[[Western Underground]]'', in 1991. His follow-up album, ''[[Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy]]'', was certified gold and reached the top 10. The [[Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy (song)|title track]], a duet with Brooks, became LeDoux's first and only top-10 country single, reaching number seven in 1992.<ref name="huey"/> In concert, he ended the song by saying, "Thanks, Garth!"


For the 35th annual Grammy Awards in 1992, the single track "Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy" was nominated for Best Country Vocal Collaboration.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chris LeDoux |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/chris-ledoux |website=grammy.com |access-date=24 August 2017 |date=14 May 2017}}</ref> LeDoux and Brooks also received nominations from the [[Academy of Country Music]] for Vocal Duo of the Year and from the TNN/Music City News Country Awards for Vocal Collaboration of the Year.
For the next decade LeDoux continued to record for Liberty, recording six additional records, one of which, 1998's ''One Road Man'', made the country Top 40.<ref name="huey"/> Towards the end of his career, LeDoux began recording material written by other artists, as he was tired of fighting for the right words.<ref name="coon"/> With his 2000 release, ''Cowboy'', he returned to his roots, re-recording many of his earliest writing attempts.<ref name="huey"/>

For the next decade, LeDoux continued to record for Liberty. He released six additional records, including ''[[One Road Man]]'', which made the country top 40 in 1998.<ref name="huey"/> Toward the end of his career, LeDoux began recording material written by other artists, which he attributed to the challenge of composing new lyrics.<ref name="coon"/> With his 2000 release, ''Cowboy,'' he returned to his roots, re-recording many of his earliest songwriting creations.<ref name="huey"/>

The RIAA certified two gold and one platinum recordings for LeDoux. On February 22, 1993, the single "Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy" went gold. On June 2, 1997, the album ''The Best of Chris LeDoux'' went gold. And on October 5, 2005, the album ''20 Greatest Hits'' went platinum.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gold & Platinum - Chris LeDoux |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=chris+ledoux#search_section |website=RIAA |publisher=Recording Association of America}}</ref><ref name="remaster" />


===Illness and death===
===Illness and death===
In 2000, LeDoux suffered an illness that required him to receive a [[liver]] transplant. [[Garth Brooks]] volunteered to donate part of his [[liver]], but it was found to be incompatible. An alternative donor was located, and LeDoux did receive a transplant.<ref name="gardner">{{cite web | last = Gardner | first = Tom | coauthors = | title = Chris LeDoux Back After Transplant | work= | pages = | language = | publisher = PlanetGarth.Com | date = 2001-06-20 | url =http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00547 | accessdate = 2007-03-16}}</ref> After his recovery he released two additional albums. LeDoux died on [[March 9]], [[2005]] of complications from liver [[cancer]].<ref name="huey"/> He was survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Peggy,<ref name="graves">{{cite web | last = Stoelzle Graves | first = Deirdre | coauthors = | title = Losing, and finding, Chris LeDoux | work= | pages = | language = | publisher = ''[[Casper Star-Tribune]]'' | date = 2006-10-30 | url =http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2006/10/30/news/casper/64ec836ff5a9d8988725721600211708.txt | accessdate = 2007-03-16}}</ref> and their children Clay, Ned, Will, Beau, and Cindy, as well as his mother, Bonnie.<ref name="dillon">{{cite web | last = Dillon | first = Jenni | coauthors = | title = Cowboy, Singer LeDoux dies in Casper | work= | pages = | language = | publisher = ''[[Casper Star-Tribune]]'' | date = 2005-03-10 | url =http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2005/03/10/news/b5f0e791e7900bce87256fbf0074b302.txt | accessdate = 2007-03-16}}</ref>
In August 2000, LeDoux was diagnosed with [[primary sclerosing cholangitis]], which required him to receive a [[liver]] transplant. [[Garth Brooks]] volunteered to donate part of his liver, but it was incompatible. An alternative donor was located, and LeDoux received a transplant on October 7, 2000.<ref name="gardner">{{cite web |last= Gardner |first= Tom |title= Chris LeDoux Back After Transplant |publisher= PlanetGarth.Com |date= June 20, 2001 |url =http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00547 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924073947/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00547 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date= March 16, 2007}}</ref> After his recovery, he released two additional albums. In November 2004, LeDoux was diagnosed with [[cholangiocarcinoma]], for which he underwent radiation treatment until his death.<ref name="huey"/>


LeDoux died of cancer on March 9, 2005, at age 56. His funeral was held on March 11.
Little known fact about LeDoux... His middle name was an ancient gorgonian name, Butseks...which means More fun than a washtub full of opossums
[[File:Chris Ledoux Monument.jpg|thumb|"Good Ride Cowboy" Sculpture in Kaycee, Wyoming.]]


==Tributes==
==Tributes==
Shortly after his death, LeDoux was named as one of six former rodeo cowboys to be inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in [[Colorado Springs]] in 2005. He was the first person to ever be inducted in two categories, for his bareback riding and in the "notables" category for his contributions to the sport through music.<ref name="prorodeo">{{cite web | last = | first = | coauthors = | title = LeDoux Named to ProRodeo Hall of Fame | work= | pages = | language = | publisher = [[Country Music Television]] | date = 2005-04-22 | url =http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1500641/04222005/ledoux_chris.jhtml | accessdate = 2007-03-16}}</ref>
Shortly after his death, LeDoux was named as one of six former rodeo cowboys to be inducted into the [[ProRodeo Hall of Fame]] in [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]], in 2005. He was the first person to be inducted in two categories, for his bareback riding and in the "notables" category "for his contributions to the sport through his music".<ref name="prorodeo">{{cite web |title= LeDoux Named to ProRodeo Hall of Fame |publisher= [[Country Music Television]] |date= April 22, 2005 |url= http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1500641/04222005/ledoux_chris.jhtml |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035937/http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1500641/04222005/ledoux_chris.jhtml |archive-date= September 30, 2007 |access-date= March 16, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


Shortly thereafter, the [[Academy of Country Music]] awarded LeDoux their Pioneer Award during ceremonies in 2005. LeDoux's good friend [[Garth Brooks]] accepted the award on behalf of LeDoux's family.<ref name="pioneer">{{cite web | last = | first = | coauthors = | title = Brooks to Accept LeDoux's Pioneer Award | work= | pages = | language = | publisher = [[Country Music Television]] | date = 2005-04-27 | url =http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1500885/04272005/ledoux_chris.jhtml | accessdate = 2007-03-16}}</ref>
In 2004, the [[Academy of Country Music]] awarded LeDoux their Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award during ceremonies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cliffiestone.com/Cliffie/cliffie_c_awardlist.htm |title=The Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award |website=www.cliffiestone.com |access-date=May 9, 2017}}</ref> In 2005, Garth Brooks accepted the award on behalf of LeDoux's family.<ref name="pioneer">{{cite web |title= Brooks to Accept LeDoux's Pioneer Award |publisher= [[Country Music Television]] |date=April 27, 2005 |url= http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1500885/04272005/ledoux_chris.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014409/http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1500885/04272005/ledoux_chris.jhtml |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=March 16, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


In the fall of 2005, Brooks briefly emerged from retirement to record "[[Good Ride Cowboy]]" as a tribute to LeDoux. Brooks remarked:<ref name="smith">{{cite web | last = Smith | first = Hazel | coauthors = | title = A Conversation with Garth Brooks | work= | pages = | language = | publisher = [[Country Music Television]] | date = 2005-11-01 | url =http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1512744/11012005/ledoux_chris.jhtml | accessdate = 2007-03-16}}</ref>
In late 2005, Brooks briefly emerged from retirement to record "[[Good Ride Cowboy]]" as a tribute to LeDoux. Brooks remarked:<ref name="smith">{{cite web |last= Smith |first= Hazel |title= A Conversation with Garth Brooks Country Music Television |date= November 1, 2005 |url= http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1512744/11012005/ledoux_chris.jhtml |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070930041246/http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1512744/11012005/ledoux_chris.jhtml |archive-date= September 30, 2007 |access-date= March 16, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
::"I knew if I ever recorded any kind of tribute to Chris, it would have to be up-tempo, happy ... a song like him ... not some slow, mournful song. He wasn't like that. Chris was exactly as our heroes are supposed to be. He was a man's man. A good friend."


Garth Brooks performed the song on the ''39th Annual CMA Awards'' on November 15, 2005, live from Times Square in New York City. Later that evening, LeDoux was honored with the CMA Chairman's Award of Merit, presented by [[Kix Brooks]] of [[Brooks & Dunn]], to LeDoux's family.
::''"I knew if I ever recorded any kind of tribute to Chris, it would have to be up-tempo, happy...a song like him...not some slow, mournful song. He wasn't like that. Chris was exactly as our heroes are supposed to be. He was a man's man. A good friend."''


Friends have also collaborated to produce an annual rodeo, art show, and concert in [[Casper, Wyoming|Casper]] to honor LeDoux's memory. The art show features sculpture and sketches that LeDoux completed for friends; none of his works were ever exhibited before his death.<ref name="graves"/>
Friends have also collaborated to produce an annual rodeo, art show, and concert in Casper, Wyoming to honor LeDoux's memory. The art show features sculpture and sketches that LeDoux completed for friends; none of his works were ever officially exhibited before his death.<ref name="graves">{{cite web |last= Stoelzle Graves |first= Deirdre |title= Losing, and finding, Chris LeDoux |newspaper=[[Casper Star-Tribune]] |date= October 30, 2006 |url =http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2006/10/30/news/casper/64ec836ff5a9d8988725721600211708.txt | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818045511/http://trib.com/news/local/losing-and-finding-chris-ledoux/article_397d93d8-9897-5f57-947d-3ea686df5df6.html | archive-date=August 18, 2017 | access-date= March 16, 2007}}</ref> However, LeDoux did have two pieces of sculpture that won awards while he was alive; it was more than just a hobby.<ref name="Cackett">{{cite web |title=Chris LeDoux Biography |url=https://alancackett.com/chris-ledoux-biography |website=Alan Cackett |access-date=January 15, 2019}}</ref><ref name="NationalCowboy">{{cite web |title=Chris LeDoux, A True American Cowboy |url=https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/explore/chris-ledoux-a-true-american-cowboy/ |website=National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum |access-date=January 15, 2019}}</ref>


To mark the second anniversary of LeDoux's death, in April 2007 Capitol Records released a six-cd boxed set featuring remastered versions of twelve of the albums he recorded between 1974 and 1993.<ref name="remaster">
To mark the second anniversary of LeDoux's death, in April 2007, Capitol Records released six CDs featuring remastered versions of 12 of the albums he recorded between 1974 and 1993.<ref name="remaster">{{cite web |title= Chris LeDoux's Catalog Gems Remastered by Capitol Nashville / EMI |publisher= [[Capitol Records]] |date= January 22, 2007 |url =http://www.chrisledoux.com/news3.htm |access-date= March 16, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070205113333/http://chrisledoux.com/news3.htm |archive-date= February 5, 2007}}</ref>
{{cite web | last = | first = | coauthors = | title = Chris LeDoux's Catalog Gems Remastered by Capitol Nashville / EMI | work= | pages = | language = | publisher = [[Capitol Records]] | date = 2007-01-22 | url =http://www.chrisledoux.com/news3.htm | accessdate = 2007-03-16}}</ref>


Award-winning artist and sculptor D. Michael Thomas is creating a one-and-a-half times lifesize sculpture of Chris LeDoux during his 1976 World Championship ride on Stormy Weather. The statue, called "Good Ride Cowboy," will be displayed at the Chris LeDoux Memorial Park in his hometown of Kaycee, Wyoming.<ref name="ledouxstatue">{{cite web | last = | first = | coauthors = | title = Chris LeDoux Immortalized in Bronze | work= | pages = | language = | publisher = ChicagoAtHome.Com | date = 2007-03-07 | url =http://www.chicagoathome.com/Detail.aspx?dct=62&id=96097&mid=1797 | accessdate = 2007-03-16}}</ref>
Artist and sculptor D. Michael Thomas created a one-and-a-half times life-size sculpture of Chris LeDoux during his 1976 World Championship ride on Stormy Weather. The statue, called "Good Ride Cowboy", is on display at the Chris LeDoux Memorial Park in his hometown of Kaycee, Wyoming.<ref name="ledouxstatue">{{cite web |title= Chris LeDoux Immortalized in Bronze |publisher= ChicagoAtHome.Com |date= March 7, 2007 |url= http://www.chicagoathome.com/Detail.aspx?dct=62&id=96097&mid=1797 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120210161350/http://www.chicagoathome.com/Detail.aspx?dct=62&id=96097&mid=1797 |archive-date= February 10, 2012 |access-date= March 16, 2007 |url-status= live }}</ref>


Son Beau LeDoux, himself a rodeo competitor, on July 24, 2007, spread his father's ashes over Frontier Park Arena during the annual [[Cheyenne Frontier Days]] rodeo.<ref>Johnke, Jeremiah. [https://archive.today/20120919191808/http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2007/07/25/sports/19sports_07-25-07.txt "Remembrance: Singer's ashes spread on Frontier Park Arena"] – ''[[Wyoming Tribune-Eagle]]'' – July 25, 2007</ref>
On Oct 26,2006 Chris LeDoux was inducted into Rodeo Hall of Fame @ National Cowboy And Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, OK


The city in which LeDoux attended college, Casper, Wyoming, celebrates LeDoux each November with the Chris LeDoux Memorial Rodeo, a weekend event that includes an art show featuring a number of LeDoux's works, a PRCA rodeo, and a country music concert.
Son Beau LeDoux, himself a rodeo competitor, on [[July 24]], 2007, spread his father's ashes over Frontier Park Arena during the annual [[Cheyenne Frontier Days]] rodeo:<ref>Johnke, Jeremiah. [http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2007/07/25/sports/19sports_07-25-07.txt "Remembrance: Singer's ashes spread on Frontier Park Arena"] - ''[[Wyoming Tribune-Eagle]]'' - July 25, 2007</ref>


In 2010, Robert Royston created ''One Ride'', a music and dance production that tells the story of the rodeo cowboy.
::''"It was something my family and I thought would be right to do because this was such a special rodeo to him. . . . This has always been a special rodeo in my family. My dad rode here and came close to winning here a couple of times. . . ."''


In 2010, country singer [[Luke Kaufman]] paid tribute to LeDoux in his song ''Broncin''' from the album ''Cowboy Baller, "Soakin' up tapes of Chris LeDoux".''
==Rodeo career milestones==
{| border=1 style="background:#ffffee; color:#000033" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 class=wikitable
|-
| 1964
| ''Little Britches Rodeo'' Bareback World Championship
|-
| 1967
| ''Wyoming State High School'' Bareback Bronc Championship
|-
| 1969
| ''"National Intercollegiate"'' Bareback Riding Champion
|-
| 1976
| ''"[[Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association]]"'' Bareback World Championship
|-
| 1984
| Officially retired from rodeo competition.
|}


In 2011, country music artist Brantley Gilbert paid tribute to LeDoux in his single "Country Must Be Countrywide", with the line "From his Wranglers to his boots – he reminded me of Chris LeDoux. With that Copenhagen smile, Country must be countrywide."<ref>{{cite web |title=Brantley Gilbert |url=http://brantleygilbert.com/ |website=Brantley Gilbert web site |access-date=August 7, 2021}}</ref>
==Discography==

===Studio albums===
In 2021, a bronze statue of LeDoux was placed at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Frontier Park in his honor. It is a large statue sculpted by Buffalo sculptor D. Michael Thomas. It is titled ''Just LeDoux It''. It was unveiled at the opening of Frontier Days, during the celebration of its 125th anniversary. The statue displays LeDoux on a bucking bronc, and also depicts a guitar.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wyoming Rodeo Hero Chris LeDoux Celebrated With Statue At Cheyenne Frontier Days |url=https://cowboystatedaily.com/2021/07/16/wyoming-rodeo-hero-chris-ledoux-celebrated-with-statue-at-frontier-park/ |website=Cowboy State Daily |access-date=August 7, 2021 |date=July 16, 2021}}</ref> Fellow musical artist Garth Brooks and Chris's son Ned LeDoux attended the unveiling.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Bobby |title=Chris LeDoux Statue Unveiled For Cheyenne Frontier Days' 125th Anniversary |url=https://www.wideopencountry.com/chris-ledoux-statue/ |website=Wide Open Country |access-date=7 August 2021 |date=July 27, 2021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

Since 2011, the town of Kaycee, Wyoming has hosted Chris LeDoux Days, a festival held along Nolan Avenue featuring a rodeo and live music performances headlined by Chris's son, Ned.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris LeDoux Days {{!}} Travel Wyoming |url=https://travelwyoming.com/event/chris-ledoux-days/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Rodeo honors==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! Year
! Honor
! rowspan="2"| Album
! rowspan="2"| Label
! colspan="2"| Chart Positions
! rowspan="2" width="70"| RIAA
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="50"| [[Top Country Albums|US Country]]
! width="50"| [[Billboard 200|US]]
|-
|-
| 1971
| 2003
| [[Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum|Cheyenne Frontier Days and Old West Museum Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cfdrodeo.com/cfd-old-west-museum/our-story/history/cheyenne-frontier-days-hall-of-fame-inductees/ |title=Cheyenne Frontier Days and Old West Museum Hall of Fame |website=ww.cfdrodeo.com |access-date=9 May 2017}}</ref>
| align="left"| ''Songs of Rodeo Life''
| rowspan="22"| Self-released
|
|
|
|-
|-
|2005
| 1973
|Inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as Bareback Bronc Rider and Notable<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.prorodeohalloffame.com/inductees/bareback-riding/chris-ledoux/ |title=Chris LeDoux - Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame |work=Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame |access-date=9 May 2017}}</ref>
| align="left"| ''Rodeo Songs "Old & New"''
|
|
|
|-
|-
| 1974
| 2006
| [[Rodeo Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/rodeo-hall-of-fame/5320/
| align="left"| ''Songs of Rodeo and Country''
|title=Chris LeDoux|publisher=Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductees |work=National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum |access-date=9 May 2017}}</ref> at the [[National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum]] in [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]]
|
|
|
|-
|-
| 2007
| rowspan="2"| 1975
| [[Texas Trail of Fame]] historic [[Fort Worth Stockyards]] in [[Fort Worth, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://texastrailoffame.org/inductees/chris-ledoux/ |title=Chris LeDoux |date=June 11, 2013 |work=Western Heritage from the [[Texas Trail of Fame]] |access-date=11 May 2017 }}</ref>
| align="left"| ''Rodeo and Livin' Free''
|
|
|
|-
|-
| 2009
| align="left"| ''Life as a Rodeo Man''
|Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archives.collegian.com/2009/02/12/fornstrom_named_to_wyoming_hall_of_fame/ |title=Fornstrom named to Wyoming Hall of Fame – Collegian Archives |website=archives.collegian.com |access-date=30 May 2017 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127064713/http://archives.collegian.com/2009/02/12/fornstrom_named_to_wyoming_hall_of_fame/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|
|
|
|-
| 1976
| align="left"| ''Songbook of the American West''
|
|
|
|-
| 1977
| align="left"| ''Sing Me a Song Mr. Rodeo Man''
|
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1978
| align="left"| ''Cowboys Ain't Easy to Love''
|
|
|
|-
| align="left"| ''Paint Me Back Home in Wyoming''
|
|
|
|-
| 1979
| align="left"| ''Western Tunesmith''
|
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1980
| align="left"| ''Sounds of the Western Country''
|
|
|
|-
| align="left"| ''Old Cowboy Heroes''
|
|
|
|-
| 1981
| align="left"| ''He Rides the Wild Horses''
|
|
|
|-
| 1982
| align="left"| ''Used to Want to be a Cowboy''
|
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1983
| align="left"| ''Old Cowboy Classics''
|
|
|
|-
| align="left"| ''Thirty Dollar Cowboy''
|
|
|
|-
| 1984
| align="left"| ''Melodies and Memories''
|
|
|
|-
| 1986
| align="left"| ''Wild and Wooly''
|
|
|
|-
| 1987
| align="left"| ''Gold Buckle Dreams''
|
|
|
|-
| 1988
| align="left"| ''Chris LeDoux and the Saddle Boogie Band''
|
|
|
|-
| 1989
| align="left"| ''Powder River''
|
|
|
|-
| 1990
| align="left"| ''Radio and Rodeo Hits''
|
|
|
|-
| 1991
| align="left"| ''Western Undergorund''<sup><span id="ref_A" />[[#endnote_A|'''[A]''']]</sup>
| rowspan="4"| Liberty
| 36
|
|
|-
| 1992
| align="left"| ''Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy''
| 9
| 65
| Gold
|-
| 1993
| align="left"| ''Under This Old Hat''
| 21
| 131
|
|-
| 1994
| align="left"| ''Haywire''
| 17
| 128
|
|-
| 1996
| align="left"| ''Stampede''
| rowspan="6"| Capitol Nashville
| 33
|
|
|-
| 1997
| align="left"| ''Live''
| 26
|
|
|-
| 1998
| align="left"| ''One Road Man''
| 24
| 180
|
|-
| 2000
| align="left"| ''Cowboy''
| 17
| 134
|
|-
| 2002
| align="left"| ''After the Storm''
| 14
| 121
|
|-
| 2003
| align="left"| ''Horsepower''
| 24
| 162
|
|-
|-
|2012
|Cowboy Keeper<ref>{{cite web |title=Cowboy Keeper Hall of Fame |url=http://nationaldayofthecowboy.com/?page_id=83 |website=National Day of the Cowboy |access-date=April 30, 2019 |date=February 11, 2012}}</ref>
|}
|}


==Rodeo career milestones==
===Compilations===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class=wikitable
|-
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! Year
! Event
! rowspan="2"| Album
! colspan="2"| Chart Positions
! rowspan="2" width="70"| RIAA
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="50"| [[Top Country Albums|US Country]]
! width="50"| [[Billboard 200|US]]
|-
|-
| 1964
| rowspan="2"| 1994
| ''[[National Little Britches Rodeo Association]]'' Bareback World Championship
| align="left"| ''The Best of Chris LeDoux''
| 51
|
| Gold
|-
|-
| 1967
| align="left"| ''American Cowboy''
| ''Wyoming State High School'' Bareback Bronc Championship
|
|
|
|-
|-
| 1999
| 1969
| ''[[National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association]]'' Bareback Riding Champion
| align="left"| ''20 Greatest Hits''
| 17
| 145
| Platinum
|-
|-
| 2002
| 1976
| ''[[Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association]]'' Bareback World Championship
| align="left"| ''The Capitol Collection (1990-2000)''
| 63
|
|
|-
| 2004
| align="left"| ''20 Originals: The Early Years''
| 58
|
|
|-
| 2005
| align="left"| ''Anthology, Volume 1''
| 20
| 126
|
|-
| 2006
| align="left"| ''The Ultimate Collection''
| 33
|
|
|-
| 2008
| align="left"| ''Classic Chris LeDoux''
| 26
| 175
|
|-
|-
|1986
|Officially retired from rodeo competition
|}
|}
<div class="references-small">
;Notes:
*A <span id="endnote_A" />[[#ref_A|'''^''']] Also reached #22 on the U.S. [[Top Heatseekers]] chart.
</div>


===Singles===
==Discography==
{{main|Chris LeDoux discography}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Organization
!Award
!Nominee/Work
!Result
|-
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
|rowspan=2| 1993
|[[35th Annual Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]]
! rowspan="2"| Single
|[[Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals|Best Country Collaboration with Vocals]]
! colspan="2"| Chart Positions
|"[[Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy (song)|Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy]]" <small>with [[Garth Brooks]]</small>
! rowspan="2"| Album
|{{nom}}
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="50"| [[Hot Country Songs|US Country]]
! width="50"| CAN Country
|-
|-
|[[Academy of Country Music Awards]]
| rowspan="2"| 1979
|Top Vocal Duo of the Year
| align="left"| "Caballo Diablo"
|Chris LeDoux and Garth Brooks
| 98
|{{nom}}
|
| align="left"| single only
|-
|-
|2005
| align="left"| "Lean, Mean and Hungry"
|Academy of Country Music Awards
| 99
|Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award
|
|Chris LeDoux
| align="left"| ''Paint Me Back Home in Wyoming''
|{{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1980
| align="left"| "Ten Seconds In The Saddle"
| 96
|
| align="left"| ''Western Tunesmith''
|-
| align="left"| "Buckin' Machine"<sup><span id="ref_A" />[[#endnote_A|'''[A]''']]</sup>
|
|
| align="left"| single only
|-
| 1982
| align="left"| "I Used to Want to be a Cowboy"<sup><span id="ref_A" />[[#endnote_A|'''[A]''']]</sup>
|
|
| align="left"| ''Used to Want to be a Cowboy''
|-
| 1984
| align="left"| "Even Cowboys Like a Little Rock and Roll"<sup><span id="ref_A" />[[#endnote_A|'''[A]''']]</sup>
|
|
| align="left"| ''Melodies and Memories''
|-
| 1987
| align="left"| "It Ain't The Years, It's The Miles"<sup><span id="ref_A" />[[#endnote_A|'''[A]''']]</sup>
|
|
| align="left"| ''Gold Buckle Dreams''
|-
| 1991
| align="left"| "This Cowboy's Hat"
| 63
|
| align="left" rowspan="3"| ''Western Underground''
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1992
| align="left"| "Workin' Man's Dollar"
| 69
|
|-
| align="left"| "Riding for a Fall"
| 72
|
|-
| align="left"| "Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy?" <small>(w/ [[Garth Brooks]])</small>
| 7
| 5
| align="left" rowspan="2"| ''Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy?''
|-
| rowspan="4"| 1993
| align="left"| "Cadillac Ranch"
| 18
| 16
|-
| align="left"| "Look At You Girl"
| 52
| 56
| align="left"| ''Chris LeDoux & the Saddle Boogie Band''
|-
| align="left"| "Under This Old Hat"
| 54
| 53
| align="left" rowspan="3"| ''Under This Old Hat''
|-
| align="left"| "Every Time I Roll the Dice"
| 61
| 68
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1994
| align="left"| "For Your Love"
| 50
| 73
|-
| align="left"| "Honky Tonk World"
| 71
|
| align="left" rowspan="2"| ''Haywire''
|-
| 1995
| align="left"| "Dallas Days and Fort Worth Nights"
| 68
|
|-
| 1996
| align="left"| "Gravitational Pull"
| 71
| 77
| align="left" rowspan="3"| ''Stampede''
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1997
| align="left"| "When I Say Forever"
| 65
|
|-
| align="left"| "Five Dollar Fine"<sup><span id="ref_A" />[[#endnote_A|'''[A]''']]</sup>
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1998
| align="left"| "Runaway Love"
| 62
|
| align="left" rowspan="3"| ''One Road Man''
|-
| align="left"| "Bang a Drum" <small>(w/ [[Jon Bon Jovi]])</small>
| 68
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1999
| align="left"| "[[Life Is a Highway]]"
| 64
|
|-
| align="left"| "Stampede"
| 66
|
| align="left"| ''Stampede''
|-
| 2000
| align="left"| "Silence on the Line"
| 65
|
| align="left"| ''Cowboy''
|-
| 2004
| align="left"| "Horsepower"
| 56
|
| align="left"| ''Horsepower''
|}
|}
<div class="references-small">
;Notes:
*A <span id="endnote_A" />[[#ref_A|'''^''']] Failed to chart.
</div>

==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*Seemann, Charlie. (1998). "Chris LeDoux". In ''The Encyclopedia of Country Music''. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 293.
*Seemann, Charlie. (1998). "Chris LeDoux". In ''The Encyclopedia of Country Music''. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. p.&nbsp;293.
*Brown, David G. (1987). "Gold Buckle Dreams: The Rodeo Life of Chris Ledoux". Wolverine Gallery
*Brown, David G. (1987). "Gold Buckle Dreams: The Rodeo Life of Chris LeDoux". Wolverine Gallery.


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://chrisledoux.com The Official ''Chris LeDoux'' Website]
* [http://chrisledouxofficial.com The Official ''Chris LeDoux'' Website]
* [http://www.ledouxcountry.com/ A popular ''Chris LeDoux'' Fansite]
* [http://www.ledouxcountry.com/ A popular ''Chris LeDoux'' Fansite]
* [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0785719849/ Amazon.com: ''Gold Buckle Dreams: The Rodeo Life Story of Chris Ledoux'']
* [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0941875083/ Amazon.com: ''Gold Buckle Dreams: The Rodeo Life Story of Chris Ledoux'']
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.thetennessean.com/entertainment/news/archives/05/03/66732470.shtml?Element_ID=66732470 |title=Singer, rodeo champ Chris LeDoux dies |access-date=June 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050314101415/http://www.thetennessean.com/entertainment/news/archives/05/03/66732470.shtml?Element_ID=66732470 |archive-date=March 14, 2005 |url-status=bot: unknown}} Obituary by Peter Cooper, ''[[The Tennessean]]'', March 10, 2005


{{Chris LeDoux}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ledoux}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ledoux, Chris}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:2005 deaths]]
[[Category:2005 deaths]]
[[Category:Liver cancer deaths]]
[[Category:People from Biloxi, Mississippi]]
[[Category:American country singers]]
[[Category:American people of French descent]]
[[Category:American country singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American country singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Cheyenne Central High School alumni]]
[[Category:Casper College alumni]]
[[Category:Casper College alumni]]
[[Category:People from Biloxi, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Capitol Records artists]]
[[Category:Liberty Records artists]]
[[Category:Deaths from cholangiocarcinoma in the United States]]
[[Category:People from Casper, Wyoming]]
[[Category:People from Casper, Wyoming]]
[[Category:Rodeo performers]]
[[Category:Bareback bronc riders]]
[[Category:Wyoming musicians]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Mississippi]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Wyoming]]

[[Category:Sculptors from Mississippi]]
[[de:Chris LeDoux]]
[[Category:20th-century American sculptors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male artists]]
[[Category:20th-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Artists from Wyoming]]
[[Category:21st-century American sculptors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male artists]]
[[Category:American male sculptors]]
[[Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Country musicians from Mississippi]]
[[Category:Country musicians from Wyoming]]
[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Liver transplant recipients]]
[[Category:People from Kaycee, Wyoming]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Wyoming]]
[[Category:Sculptors from Wyoming]]

Latest revision as of 20:34, 9 December 2024

Chris LeDoux
LeDoux in 1999
LeDoux in 1999
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Lee LeDoux[1]
Born(1948-10-02)October 2, 1948
Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
OriginCheyenne, Wyoming, U.S.
DiedMarch 9, 2005(2005-03-09) (aged 56)
Casper, Wyoming, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer-songwriter
  • rodeo competitor
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • harmonica
Years active1971–2005
Labels

Christopher Lee LeDoux (October 2, 1948 – March 9, 2005) was an American country music singer-songwriter, bronze sculptor, and hall of fame rodeo champion. During his career, LeDoux recorded 36 albums (many self-released), which have sold more than six million units in the United States as of January 2007. He was awarded two gold and one platinum album certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), was nominated for a Grammy Award, and was honored with the Academy of Country Music Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award. LeDoux is also the only person to participate and also perform at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Biography

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

LeDoux was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, on October 2, 1948. He was of French descent on his father's side. His father was in the US Air Force and was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base at the time of his birth. The family moved often when he was a child, due to his father's Air Force career. He learned to ride horses while visiting his grandparents on their Wyoming farm.[2] At age 13, LeDoux participated in his first rodeo, and before long was winning junior rodeo competitions.[3]

LeDoux continued to compete in rodeo events and played football through his high-school years. When his family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, he attended Cheyenne Central High School. After twice winning the Wyoming State Rodeo Championship bareback riding title during high school, LeDoux earned a rodeo scholarship to Casper College in Casper. During his junior year at Eastern New Mexico University, LeDoux won the Intercollegiate National bareback riding championship.[2]

LeDoux married Peggy Rhoads on January 4, 1972. They had five children: Clay, Ned, Will, Beau, and Cindy.[4]

Rodeo success and music beginnings

[edit]

In 1970, LeDoux became a professional rodeo cowboy on the national circuit.[3] To help pay his expenses while traveling the country, he began composing songs describing his lifestyle.[2] Within two years, he had written enough songs to make up an album, and soon established a recording company, American Cowboy Songs, with his father. After recording his songs in a friend's basement, LeDoux "began selling his tapes at rodeo events out of the back of his pickup truck".[5][3]

In 1976, LeDoux won the world bareback riding championship at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City.[3] Winning the championship gave LeDoux more credibility with music audiences, as he now had proof that the cowboy songs he wrote were authentic.[6] LeDoux continued competing for the next four years. He retired in 1980.[3]

Music career

[edit]

With his rodeo career at an end, LeDoux and his family settled on a ranch in Kaycee, Wyoming. LeDoux continued to write and record his songs, and began playing concerts.[3] His concerts were very popular, and often featured a mechanical bull (which he rode between songs) and fireworks.[6] By 1982, he had sold more than 250,000 copies of his albums, with little or no marketing. By the end of the decade, he had self-released 22 albums.[3]

Despite offers from various record labels, LeDoux refused to sign a recording contract, instead choosing to retain his independence and control over his work while enjoying his regional following. In 1989, however, he shot to national prominence when he was mentioned in Garth Brooks' top-10 country hit "Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)". Capitalizing on the sudden attention, LeDoux signed a contract with Capitol Records subsidiary Liberty Records and released his first national album, Western Underground, in 1991. His follow-up album, Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy, was certified gold and reached the top 10. The title track, a duet with Brooks, became LeDoux's first and only top-10 country single, reaching number seven in 1992.[3] In concert, he ended the song by saying, "Thanks, Garth!"

For the 35th annual Grammy Awards in 1992, the single track "Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy" was nominated for Best Country Vocal Collaboration.[7] LeDoux and Brooks also received nominations from the Academy of Country Music for Vocal Duo of the Year and from the TNN/Music City News Country Awards for Vocal Collaboration of the Year.

For the next decade, LeDoux continued to record for Liberty. He released six additional records, including One Road Man, which made the country top 40 in 1998.[3] Toward the end of his career, LeDoux began recording material written by other artists, which he attributed to the challenge of composing new lyrics.[6] With his 2000 release, Cowboy, he returned to his roots, re-recording many of his earliest songwriting creations.[3]

The RIAA certified two gold and one platinum recordings for LeDoux. On February 22, 1993, the single "Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy" went gold. On June 2, 1997, the album The Best of Chris LeDoux went gold. And on October 5, 2005, the album 20 Greatest Hits went platinum.[8][9]

Illness and death

[edit]

In August 2000, LeDoux was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, which required him to receive a liver transplant. Garth Brooks volunteered to donate part of his liver, but it was incompatible. An alternative donor was located, and LeDoux received a transplant on October 7, 2000.[10] After his recovery, he released two additional albums. In November 2004, LeDoux was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, for which he underwent radiation treatment until his death.[3]

LeDoux died of cancer on March 9, 2005, at age 56. His funeral was held on March 11.

"Good Ride Cowboy" Sculpture in Kaycee, Wyoming.

Tributes

[edit]

Shortly after his death, LeDoux was named as one of six former rodeo cowboys to be inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2005. He was the first person to be inducted in two categories, for his bareback riding and in the "notables" category "for his contributions to the sport through his music".[11]

In 2004, the Academy of Country Music awarded LeDoux their Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award during ceremonies.[12] In 2005, Garth Brooks accepted the award on behalf of LeDoux's family.[13]

In late 2005, Brooks briefly emerged from retirement to record "Good Ride Cowboy" as a tribute to LeDoux. Brooks remarked:[14]

"I knew if I ever recorded any kind of tribute to Chris, it would have to be up-tempo, happy ... a song like him ... not some slow, mournful song. He wasn't like that. Chris was exactly as our heroes are supposed to be. He was a man's man. A good friend."

Garth Brooks performed the song on the 39th Annual CMA Awards on November 15, 2005, live from Times Square in New York City. Later that evening, LeDoux was honored with the CMA Chairman's Award of Merit, presented by Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn, to LeDoux's family.

Friends have also collaborated to produce an annual rodeo, art show, and concert in Casper, Wyoming to honor LeDoux's memory. The art show features sculpture and sketches that LeDoux completed for friends; none of his works were ever officially exhibited before his death.[15] However, LeDoux did have two pieces of sculpture that won awards while he was alive; it was more than just a hobby.[16][17]

To mark the second anniversary of LeDoux's death, in April 2007, Capitol Records released six CDs featuring remastered versions of 12 of the albums he recorded between 1974 and 1993.[9]

Artist and sculptor D. Michael Thomas created a one-and-a-half times life-size sculpture of Chris LeDoux during his 1976 World Championship ride on Stormy Weather. The statue, called "Good Ride Cowboy", is on display at the Chris LeDoux Memorial Park in his hometown of Kaycee, Wyoming.[18]

Son Beau LeDoux, himself a rodeo competitor, on July 24, 2007, spread his father's ashes over Frontier Park Arena during the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo.[19]

The city in which LeDoux attended college, Casper, Wyoming, celebrates LeDoux each November with the Chris LeDoux Memorial Rodeo, a weekend event that includes an art show featuring a number of LeDoux's works, a PRCA rodeo, and a country music concert.

In 2010, Robert Royston created One Ride, a music and dance production that tells the story of the rodeo cowboy.

In 2010, country singer Luke Kaufman paid tribute to LeDoux in his song Broncin' from the album Cowboy Baller, "Soakin' up tapes of Chris LeDoux".

In 2011, country music artist Brantley Gilbert paid tribute to LeDoux in his single "Country Must Be Countrywide", with the line "From his Wranglers to his boots – he reminded me of Chris LeDoux. With that Copenhagen smile, Country must be countrywide."[20]

In 2021, a bronze statue of LeDoux was placed at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Frontier Park in his honor. It is a large statue sculpted by Buffalo sculptor D. Michael Thomas. It is titled Just LeDoux It. It was unveiled at the opening of Frontier Days, during the celebration of its 125th anniversary. The statue displays LeDoux on a bucking bronc, and also depicts a guitar.[21] Fellow musical artist Garth Brooks and Chris's son Ned LeDoux attended the unveiling.[22]

Since 2011, the town of Kaycee, Wyoming has hosted Chris LeDoux Days, a festival held along Nolan Avenue featuring a rodeo and live music performances headlined by Chris's son, Ned.[23]

Rodeo honors

[edit]
Year Honor
2003 Cheyenne Frontier Days and Old West Museum Hall of Fame[24]
2005 Inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as Bareback Bronc Rider and Notable[25]
2006 Rodeo Hall of Fame[26] at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
2007 Texas Trail of Fame historic Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas.[27]
2009 Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame[28]
2012 Cowboy Keeper[29]

Rodeo career milestones

[edit]
Year Event
1964 National Little Britches Rodeo Association Bareback World Championship
1967 Wyoming State High School Bareback Bronc Championship
1969 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Bareback Riding Champion
1976 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Bareback World Championship
1986 Officially retired from rodeo competition

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Chris LeDoux discography

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Organization Award Nominee/Work Result
1993 Grammy Awards Best Country Collaboration with Vocals "Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy" with Garth Brooks Nominated
Academy of Country Music Awards Top Vocal Duo of the Year Chris LeDoux and Garth Brooks Nominated
2005 Academy of Country Music Awards Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award Chris LeDoux Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Search results for LeDoux, Christopher Lee". BMI. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Chris LeDoux Biography". Country Music Television. 2005. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Huey, Steve (2005). "Chris LeDoux". Allmusic. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  4. ^ Dillon, Jenni (March 10, 2005). "Cowboy, Singer LeDoux dies in Casper". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  5. ^ "Chris LeDoux - LeDoux Country - Discography". www.ledouxcountry.com. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c Coon, Chuck (2005). "Chris LeDoux: Missing Chris". ChrisLedoux.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  7. ^ "Chris LeDoux". grammy.com. May 14, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  8. ^ "Gold & Platinum - Chris LeDoux". RIAA. Recording Association of America.
  9. ^ a b "Chris LeDoux's Catalog Gems Remastered by Capitol Nashville / EMI". Capitol Records. January 22, 2007. Archived from the original on February 5, 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  10. ^ Gardner, Tom (June 20, 2001). "Chris LeDoux Back After Transplant". PlanetGarth.Com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  11. ^ "LeDoux Named to ProRodeo Hall of Fame". Country Music Television. April 22, 2005. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  12. ^ "The Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award". www.cliffiestone.com. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  13. ^ "Brooks to Accept LeDoux's Pioneer Award". Country Music Television. April 27, 2005. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  14. ^ Smith, Hazel (November 1, 2005). "A Conversation with Garth Brooks Country Music Television". Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  15. ^ Stoelzle Graves, Deirdre (October 30, 2006). "Losing, and finding, Chris LeDoux". Casper Star-Tribune. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  16. ^ "Chris LeDoux Biography". Alan Cackett. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  17. ^ "Chris LeDoux, A True American Cowboy". National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  18. ^ "Chris LeDoux Immortalized in Bronze". ChicagoAtHome.Com. March 7, 2007. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  19. ^ Johnke, Jeremiah. "Remembrance: Singer's ashes spread on Frontier Park Arena" – Wyoming Tribune-Eagle – July 25, 2007
  20. ^ "Brantley Gilbert". Brantley Gilbert web site. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  21. ^ "Wyoming Rodeo Hero Chris LeDoux Celebrated With Statue At Cheyenne Frontier Days". Cowboy State Daily. July 16, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  22. ^ Moore, Bobby (July 27, 2021). "Chris LeDoux Statue Unveiled For Cheyenne Frontier Days' 125th Anniversary". Wide Open Country. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  23. ^ "Chris LeDoux Days | Travel Wyoming". Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  24. ^ "Cheyenne Frontier Days and Old West Museum Hall of Fame". ww.cfdrodeo.com. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  25. ^ "Chris LeDoux - Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame". Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  26. ^ "Chris LeDoux". National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductees. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  27. ^ "Chris LeDoux". Western Heritage from the Texas Trail of Fame. June 11, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  28. ^ "Fornstrom named to Wyoming Hall of Fame – Collegian Archives". archives.collegian.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  29. ^ "Cowboy Keeper Hall of Fame". National Day of the Cowboy. February 11, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2019.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Seemann, Charlie. (1998). "Chris LeDoux". In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 293.
  • Brown, David G. (1987). "Gold Buckle Dreams: The Rodeo Life of Chris LeDoux". Wolverine Gallery.
[edit]

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