Nearly 20 years after the passing of rodeo legend and country music icon Chris LeDoux, his voice is making a remarkable return, thanks to the efforts of his son, Ned LeDoux. As the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) approaches in Las Vegas this week, Ned has released a new song that features his father’s long-lost vocal track, bringing together two generations of LeDoux talent.
The song, “One Hand In The Riggin’,” was the last track Chris LeDoux ever recorded before his death in 2005. However, it remained unreleased for years. Written by Brenn Hill and Bruce Bouton, the song was originally intended for Hill’s album, but it never saw the light of day. Chris’s vocal part was left on the shelf, waiting for the right moment.
That moment came 21 years later when Ned LeDoux ran into Brenn Hill at the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. Hill reminded him about the unused vocal track and suggested that it might find a new life with Ned. Together, they decided to feature both father and son on the song, with Ned’s new album being produced by renowned producer Mac McAnally.
“I was out on tour when Mac dropped Dad’s vocal in,” Ned recalled. “The first time I heard it, Dad and I were singing together. Man, it gave me chills.”
Ned LeDoux, who played drums in his father’s band until Chris’s passing, has since taken up guitar and vocals, becoming a respected figure in the cowboy and Western music scene. His upcoming album, set for release in early 2025, will feature this special track. In addition, Ned will appear in the feature film Buffalo Daze, which has strong ties to the Yellowstone universe.
Fans can catch Ned LeDoux performing live at the Silverton Casino Lodge in Las Vegas on December 5th and 6th, as part of the NFR festivities.
Related Topics
