The Final Ride
Chris LeDoux - The man, Rodeo & The Music
Star of Rodeo and Music
Passes Away at 56 03/09/2005 

A Rikks Revues tribute to a Legend.

by : Rikk Matheson

A Rikks Revues tribute to a true star of Rodeo and Music - Chris LeDoux. Chris LeDoux took his final ride home on March 9th in Casper Wyoming as a result of complications from ongoing treatment for cancer.

The star of Rodeo and Western Living and Music was surrounded by family at the time of his passing. Chris LeDoux will always remembered for his contributions to Music,  Rodeo, and the complete celebration of the Western Lifestyle.

So, I tip my hat to a true American Cowboy, Chris LeDoux is on the Journey home where he can enjoy a perfect Eight Seconds anytime he wishes, throughout eternity. Thanks Chris LeDoux for the wonderful memories you left for the world.

The heart and soul of a true champion rode into the eternal sunset on March 8th. Chris LeDoux experienced his first rodeo as a teenager, roughly the same time his love for music became a high priority. The love of music and Western life would be evident in all the Singer, Rodeo Star, Cowboy and Sculptor was involved with.

Chris LeDoux lived western life, as much in soul as in his lyrics. Rodeo songs were beginning to fade out of mainstream country music, but Chris LeDoux was on a mission to make sure that wasn't going to happen. Telling the stories of the trials and triumphs of the rodeo life. This is not to say that was all LeDoux sang about, Chris LeDoux could also sing about the normal Country Music themes like drinkin' and heartache, and gave fans a reason to smile more than once with his music, like the tribute to chewin' tobacco "Copenhagen" with Toby Keith.

It's not possible to say which aspect of life Chris LeDoux enjoyed more, but it was obvious that both the rodeo circuit and music ignited a passion. Musically Chris LeDoux made 22 albums on his own, and in 1991 Capital Records figured out what Chris LeDoux fans already knew, and signed the singer to a recording contract. Along the way of his musical journey, Chris LeDoux would inspire others to travel the trail he had already blazed. One such fan was some guy by the name of Garth Brooks, Garth even added a line in his own Rodeo Life song "Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)". Who would have thought one line could make such a difference in one's life. 

That simple line, "A Worn Out Tape of Chris LeDoux, Lonely Women and Bad Booze" ignited a spark that would help rekindle the career of a true legend. Before this simple line there were many that hadn't heard of Chris LeDoux, but simply had to check him out, I mean Garth likes him, so who is he. The simple line boosted Chris LeDoux's career higher and faster than anyone could have imagined. 

If you are asking what made Chris LeDoux so special, well, I'll tell you a little about it....

Chris LeDoux was a rarity, molding a music career with almost NO radio airplay, some played him, but many others simply said the singer didn't fit their "sound". Chris LeDoux carried on in spite of all that. Another thing that made the man unique were his concerts. Going to a Chris LeDoux show as more a spectacle than a simple show. Chris LeDoux added the energy and atmosphere to a country music show that was formerly only experienced in rock shows. Garth Brooks followed in his footsteps stating at one point that he felt the audience deserved more, calling a Chris LeDoux show energetic and more enjoyable than most others, and that's what he wanted to achieve himself.

So cowboy, thank you for sharing your life through song for the world. Your soul will carry on as long their is a rodeo or a honky-tonk with a jukebox that plays REAL country music. Ride on.....

It is no doubt that Chris LeDoux will be missed, but the memories will carry on in his music. Below there are a few song clips to familiarize yourself with the legend and his music, and a list of some recommended listening.

Visit the Official Chris LeDoux website 

Links below to Purchase a number of different Chris LeDoux CD / Albums.

Listen to Chris LeDoux MP3 Music Samples

Buy Chris LeDoux CDs @ Amazon.com. Links below or simply click here to see the search results of Chris LeDoux @ Amazon.com