Chris LeDoux (October 2, 1948 – March 9, 2005) was an American country music singer-songwriter, 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.^[1] Chris LeDoux, American Country music singer/songwriter. ... October 2 is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... Biloxi Lighthouse (of 1848) Biloxi () is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the U.S.. The 2000 census recorded the population as 50,644. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (69th in leap years). ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Downtown Casper Casper is a city located in Natrona County, Wyoming. ... Official language(s) English Capital Cheyenne Largest city Cheyenne Area  Ranked 10th  - Total 97,818 sq mi (253,348 km²)  - Width 280 miles (450 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 0. ... X-Ray of the bile duct during a laprascopic cholecystectomy A bile duct is any of a number of long tube-like structures that carry bile. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... The term singer-songwriter refers to performers who both write and sing their own material. ... It has been suggested that History of rodeo be merged into this article or section. ... Rare, water preserved Greek Athlete 310. ... October 2 is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (69th in leap years). ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... The term singer-songwriter refers to performers who both write and sing their own material. ... Rare, water preserved Greek Athlete 310. ... It has been suggested that History of rodeo be merged into this article or section. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... General Name, Symbol, Number platinum, Pt, 78 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10, 6, d Appearance grayish white Standard atomic weight 195. ... General Name, Symbol, Number gold, Au, 79 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 6, d Appearance metallic yellow Standard atomic weight 196. ... The RIAA Logo. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The Academy of Country Music (ACM) was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California. ...

Biography

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 Wyoming farm.^[2] At age 13, LeDoux participated in his first rodeo, riding in Denison, Texas, and before long was winning junior rodeo competitions.^[3] Biloxi Lighthouse (of 1848) Biloxi () is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the U.S.. The 2000 census recorded the population as 50,644. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... Seal of the Air Force. ... Official language(s) English Capital Cheyenne Largest city Cheyenne Area  Ranked 10th  - Total 97,818 sq mi (253,348 km²)  - Width 280 miles (450 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 0. ... Motto: A jewel at the crossing of a great river! Location of Denison, Texas Coordinates: Country United States of America State Texas County Grayson Founded 1872  - Mayor Robert Brady Area    - City  22. ...

LeDoux continued to compete in rodeo events through his high school years, when his family moved to 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. During his junior year of LeDoux won the Intercollegiate National Bareback Riding Championship.^[2] Location in Wyoming Coordinates: County Laramie County Founded 1867 Government  - Mayor Jack R. Spiker Area  - City 57. ... Casper College is a public community college located in Casper, Wyoming in the United States and was founded in 1945. ... Downtown Casper Casper is a city located in Natrona County, Wyoming. ...

Rodeo Success and Music Beginnings

In 1970, LeDoux became a professional rodeo cowboy, competing on the national rodeo circuit.^[3] To help pay his expenses while traveling the country, he began penning 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 albums out of the back of his truck at rodeo events.^[3]

His years of hard work bore fruit in 1976, when LeDoux won the world bareback riding championship at the National Rodeo Finals 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 and sang were authentic.^[4] LeDoux continued competing for the next four years. He retired in 1980 to nurse injuries and to spend more time with his growing family.^[3] Downtown Oklahoma City The State Capitol of Oklahoma From The South Motto: Nickname: Capital of the New Century Founded 1889 Incorporated County Oklahoma County Cleveland County Canadian County Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Mick Cornett Area  - Total  - Water 1,608. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

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.^[3] His concerts were very popular, and often featured a mechanical bull (which he rode between songs) and fireworks.^[4] 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.^[3] Kaycee is a town located in Johnson County, Wyoming in the USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 249. ...

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.^[3] Troyal Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is an American country music singer-songwriter. ... Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label, owned by EMI. // The Capitol Records company was founded by the songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1942, with the financial help of movie producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, (1910-1971) (owner of Music City, at the...

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.^[3] Towards the end of his career, LeDoux began recording material written by other artists, as he was tired of fighting for the right words.^[4] With his 2000 release, Cowboy, he returned to his roots, re-recording many of his earliest writing attempts.^[3] See also: 1997 in country music, 1998 in music, other events of 1998, 1999 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // January 10 – Retro Country USA, a weekly two-hour syndicated radio program spotlighting major country hits of the 1980s (along with some...

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.^[5] After his recovery he released two additional albums. LeDoux died on March 9, 2005 of complications from liver cancer.^[3] He was survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Peggy,^[6] and their children Clay, Ned, Will, Beau, and Cindy, as well as his mother, Bonnie.^[7] 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The liver is an organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. ... Troyal Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is an American country music singer-songwriter. ... The liver is an organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (69th in leap years). ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). ...

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.^[8] Colorado Springs is a middle-sized city, located just east of the geographic center of the state of Colorado in the United States. ...

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.^[9] The Academy of Country Music (ACM) was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California. ... Troyal Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is an American country music singer-songwriter. ...

In the fall of 2005, Brooks briefly emerged from retirement to record "Good Ride Cowboy" as a tribute to LeDoux. Brooks remarked: Good Ride Cowboy is a single, released in 2005, by American country music artist Garth Brooks. ...

"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."^[10]

Friends have also collaborated to produce an annual rodeo, art show, and concert in Casper to honor LeDoux's memory. The art show features sculpture and sketches that LeDoux completed for friends; none of his works was ever exhibited before his death.^[6] Downtown Casper Casper is a city located in Natrona County, Wyoming. ...

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.^[1] This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ...

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.^[11]

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: "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. . . . ".^[12] is the 205th day of the year (206th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The current version of the article or section reads like an advertisement. ...

Rodeo Career Milestones

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is a rodeo organization who members compete in rodeos around the United States. ...

Discography

1971 - Songs of Rodeo Life
1973 - Rodeo Songs "Old & New"
1974 - Songs of Rodeo and Country
1975 - Rodeo and Livin' Free
1975 - Life as a Rodeo Man
1976 - Songbook of the American West
1977 - Sing Me a Song Mr. Rodeo Man
1978 - Cowboys Aint Easy to Love
1978 - Paint Me Back Home in Wyoming
1979 - Western Tunesmith
1980 - Sounds of the Western Country (out of print)
1980 - Old Cowboy Heroes (out of print)
1981 - He Rides the Wild Horses
1982 - Used to Want to be a Cowboy
1983 - Old Cowboy Classics
1983 - Thirty Dollar Cowboy
1984 - Melodies and Memories
1986 - Wild and Wooly (out of print)
1987 - Gold Buckle Dreams
1988 - Chris LeDoux and the Saddle Boogie Band
1989 - Powder River (out of print)
1990 - Radio and Rodeo Hits
1991 - Western Underground
1992 - Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy
1993 - Under This Old Hat
1994 - The Best of Chris LeDoux
1994 - American Cowboy (3 CD Box Set)
1994 - Haywire
1996 - Stampede
1997 - Live
1998 - One Road Man
1999 - 20 Greatest Hits
2000 - Cowboy
2002 - The Capitol Years (6 CD box set, consisting of the previous 6 studio albums)
2002 - After The Storm
2003 - Horsepower
2004 - 20 Originals: The Early Years
2005 - Anthology, Volume 1
2006 - The Ultimate Collection

Singles

Hot Country Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. ... See also: 1978 in country music, 1979 in music, other events of 1979, 1980 in country music, 1970s in music and the List of years in Country Music // Events Top Hits of the Year No. ... See also: 1978 in country music, 1979 in music, other events of 1979, 1980 in country music, 1970s in music and the List of years in Country Music // Events Top Hits of the Year No. ... See also: 1979 in country music, 1980 in music, other events of 1980, 1981 in country music, 1980s in music and the List of years in Country Music // January 25 – At age 84, octogenerian comedian George Burns becomes by far the oldest performer (to that time) to have a single... See also: 1990 in country music, 1991 in music, other events of 1991, 1992 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // One of country musics most successful albums ever was released in 1991. ... See also: 1991 in country music, 1992 in music, other events of 1992, 1993 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // January - After 23 years of its tried-and-true formula, the producers of Hee Haw unveil an extensively revamped show in time... See also: 1991 in country music, 1992 in music, other events of 1992, 1993 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // January - After 23 years of its tried-and-true formula, the producers of Hee Haw unveil an extensively revamped show in time... See also: 1991 in country music, 1992 in music, other events of 1992, 1993 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // January - After 23 years of its tried-and-true formula, the producers of Hee Haw unveil an extensively revamped show in time... Troyal Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is an American country music singer-songwriter. ... See also: 1992 in country music, 1993 in music, other events of 1993, 1994 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // (as certified by Billboard magazine) 1 - No. ... See also: 1992 in country music, 1993 in music, other events of 1993, 1994 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // (as certified by Billboard magazine) 1 - No. ... See also: 1992 in country music, 1993 in music, other events of 1993, 1994 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // (as certified by Billboard magazine) 1 - No. ... See also: 1992 in country music, 1993 in music, other events of 1993, 1994 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // (as certified by Billboard magazine) 1 - No. ... See also: 1993 in country music, 1994 in music, other events of 1994, 1995 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // January 8 – Star, Mississippi-native Faith Hill hits paydirt with her first single release, Wild One. ... See also: 1993 in country music, 1994 in music, other events of 1994, 1995 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // January 8 – Star, Mississippi-native Faith Hill hits paydirt with her first single release, Wild One. ... See also: 1993 in country music, 1994 in music, other events of 1994, 1995 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // January 8 – Star, Mississippi-native Faith Hill hits paydirt with her first single release, Wild One. ... See also: 1994 in country music, 1995 in music, other events of 1995, 1996 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // (as certified by Billboard magazine) 1 - No. ... See also: 1995 in country music, 1996 in music, other events of 1996, 1997 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // June 28 - First annual Country Stampede Music Festival begins October 6 – Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are married, and quickly become country... See also: 1996 in country music, 1997 in music, other events of 1997, 1998 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // Events July 12 – The song, Its Your Love by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill becomes the first song in 20 years... See also: 1996 in country music, 1997 in music, other events of 1997, 1998 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // Events July 12 – The song, Its Your Love by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill becomes the first song in 20 years... See also: 1997 in country music, 1998 in music, other events of 1998, 1999 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // January 10 – Retro Country USA, a weekly two-hour syndicated radio program spotlighting major country hits of the 1980s (along with some... See also: 1997 in country music, 1998 in music, other events of 1998, 1999 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // January 10 – Retro Country USA, a weekly two-hour syndicated radio program spotlighting major country hits of the 1980s (along with some... Jon Bon Jovi (born John Francis Bongiovi Jr on March 2, 1962) is an American singer, musician, businessman, actor and avid downhill skier. ... See also: 1998 in country music, 1999 in music, other events of 1999, 2000 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // March 6 – Legendary performer George Jones, in the midst of a comeback this year, is seriously injured when he crashed his Lexus... Life Is a Highway is a song written by Tom Cochrane, from his 1991 album Mad Mad World. ... See also: 1998 in country music, 1999 in music, other events of 1999, 2000 in country music, 1990s in music and the List of years in Country Music // March 6 – Legendary performer George Jones, in the midst of a comeback this year, is seriously injured when he crashed his Lexus... See also: 1999 in country music, 2000 in music, other events of 2000, 2001 in country music, 2000s in music and the List of years in Country Music // Events Top Hits of the Year No. ... See also: 2003 in country music, 2004 in music, other events of 2004, 2005 in country music, 2000s in music and the List of years in Country Music // Events Top hits of the year Number one hits (As certified by Billboard magazine) 1 – No. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Further Reading

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

External links

• The Official Chris LeDoux Website
• A popular Chris LeDoux Fansite
• Amazon.com: Gold Buckle Dreams: The Rodeo Life Story of Chris Ledoux