Chris LeDoux, a celebrated independent country artist, initially gained recognition as a rodeo champion renowned for his bareback-riding prowess. Born in Biloxi, MS, in 1948, he experienced a nomadic childhood due to his father’s Air Force career. LeDoux ventured into rodeo riding at the age of 13 in Denison, TX, excelling in junior competitions. Following a move to Cheyenne, WY, during his high school years, he continued his riding journey. After winning the Wyoming State Rodeo Championship post-graduation, he earned a rodeo scholarship to Caspar College. Subsequently, he clinched the Intercollegiate National Bareback Riding Championship, marking his professional debut in 1970. Juggling between the national rodeo circuit and songwriting, LeDoux’s dedication saw him venturing into music, focusing on the unexplored rodeo lifestyle niche within the country genre. Establishing American Cowboy Songs with his father, he sold albums at rodeo events, gradually transitioning to Nashville for recording sessions, witnessing his success unfold.
The fruits of LeDoux’s dedication materialized when he secured the 1976 world bareback riding championship at the National Rodeo Finals. Despite retiring in 1980 to prioritize family and overcome minor injuries, LeDoux continued to captivate audiences with his compelling performances. By 1982, he had independently sold over 250,000 albums and eventually signed with Capitol subsidiary Liberty following Garth Brooks’ acknowledgment in the hit ‘Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old).’ His national debut, ‘Western Underground,’ in 1991 marked a new chapter, enhanced by the success of the 1992 follow-up ‘Whatcha Gonna Do With a Cowboy,’ featuring a duet with Brooks. Although LeDoux’s musical journey was not devoid of health challenges like a liver illness in 2000 requiring a transplant, he persevered, releasing albums like ‘After the Storm’ in 2002. His final completed album, ‘Horsepower,’ was launched in 2004 before his untimely demise in March 2005 due to complications from liver cancer, leaving behind a legacy cherished by his loyal fan base.