Just today (3/9/05) I heard the sad news that rodeo legend and country music star Chris LeDoux had passed away due to cancer. He was only 56 years old and in a life that had seen its share of ups and downs, Chris always seemed to come out on top. An amazing thing to me is that, in a time of great attrition in Nashville, LeDoux managed to stay on Capitol Records through three regime changes; all the while never having a platinum selling album or even a gold one. Still, his artistry kept him on one of the greatest record labels ever.
While never a "superstar" as a singer, LeDoux nonetheless wowed crowds everywhere (predominantly rodeo crowds) with his awesome stage show that inspired none other than the most successful solo artist of all time: Garth Brooks. In fact if it weren't for Garth Brooks, LeDoux may never have made it to the Top of the country charts. First mentioned on Brooks' "Much Too Young (To Feel This D—n Old)" in 1989, LeDoux was already a star on the rodeo circuit. He'd self-produced and released many cassettes and, along the way, written many good songs. As a tribute to a man who gave his all in life: I give you my thoughts on the album that has ultimately become Chris LeDoux's last release while alive: 2003's "Horsepower."

The title track was also the single. Despite an immediate beat and catchy tune this song never became a hit (something that pretty much was standard throughout LeDoux's career). Still, the song is a lively track that harkens back to Chris' days as a rodeo star. "One Less Tornado" never has had a more touching moment to me than it has now for after hearing the chorus, written by John Rich (of Big& Rich) and Aaron Barker, its almost as if LeDoux was prophesizing about his impending death:

"Now there's one less tornado in Texas,
And the saddle is empty tonight,
There's one hell of a cowboy in heaven,
At that big rodeo in the sky,
At that big rodeo in the sky"

. Country-rocker's Sawyer Brown previously recorded producer Mac McAnally's "All Wound Up" and it's one fun little rockin' tune that became the epitome of Chris LeDoux, while firmly a country boy, LeDoux loved to rock out (keeping fiddles near the guitars though). He gets to do that here ("rock out"). "A Cowboy Was Born," and "The Buffalo Grass"are western theme songs that showcase what has been the basic bread and butter of the country music genre for years: the songs tell a story. It's what drew me to the genre and these are absolutely lovely songs. The former deals with the way people welcomed and reared their children on the American plains while the latter tells a story about the plains themselves. The Ride is another story song and it tells of Chris' life-long affection with horses:

"sit tall in the saddle, hold your head up high
keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky
and live like you ain't afraid to die
and don't be scared, just enjoy the ride"

"Rodeo Moon" is notable for it was written with Country superstar Toby Keith and also was on his Unleashed album. It's a nice song that fits the theme of this record well. "Between the Rainbows and the Rain" is one of the more contemporary country sounding tunes on the CD and I am left to wonder why this lovely somber track never became a hit. It certainly has all the elements of one. Perhaps someday, an artist will record it as a tribute to Chris LeDoux and have a hit with the song.

In an era when most artists strive to carve an identity and find who they are as artists, Chris LeDoux knew who he was and what worked for him. He had his niche and he filled it well. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be anyone on the horizon to take his place. Then again, there's only one Chris LeDoux and he really can't be replaced. He had a life experience that he drew from while singing his songs about rodeo, life on the ranch and country parties. Chris LeDoux was one of a kind and he'll be sorely missed.

Because You Want To Know
Tracks
Horsepower
One Less Tornado
All Wound Up
A Cowboy Was Born
Smack Dab In The Middle
The Buffalo Grass
Feels Like I'm Getting' Into Somethin' Good
The Ride
Rodeo Moon
Between The Rainbows And The Rain
Pass My Hat
Blue Bonnet Blues

Produced by Mac McAnally & Alan Shulman
Released in 2003 by Capitol Records Nashville.


Recommended: Yes