Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Remembering The Death of Chris LeDoux and His Flourishing Career in Music and Rodeo

Chris LeDoux Death
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

On March 9, 2005, tears fell through the country music community as singer-songwriter Chris LeDoux died in Casper, Wyoming – where he and his family lived nearby. The country star suffered from a rare form of cancer and was admitted to Wyoming Medical Center after experiencing complications. He was 56.

It was in 2000 when LeDoux was diagnosed with rare liver disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis. LeDoux eventually revealed that he had been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a slow-growing cancer of the bile duct.

After a lengthy illness, he then needed to undergo a liver transplant. LeDoux’s longtime friend and fellow country star Garth Brooks were first to respond to the news of the artist’s need for a transplant, discreetly offering to donate a part of his liver. 

However, Brooks’ liver was found incompatible. Such a generous offer only shows LeDoux and Brooks’ long-standing friendship.

Chris Ledoux‘s Flourishing Musical Career And Rodeo Life

Chris LeDoux songs about his rodeo life made a mark in country music and helped him achieve a successful career in the genre.

He recorded over thirty albums and sold more than six million units in the United States. He was even honored several times, including nominations from the Grammy Awards and the Academy of Country Music Pioneer Award.

LeDoux was a professional cowboy on the national circuit during the 1970s, at the same time writing and recording songs on the side. At the end of his rodeo career, he began playing concerts that were very popular. A decade later, LeDoux self-released twenty-two albums – which were mostly cassettes produced by his parents that he often sold out of the back of his pickup truck.

But things changed when Garth Brooks, who was a then-rising country star, gave LeDoux a shout out on his debut single “Much Too Young (to Feel This Damn Old),” which turned out to be a hit.

Aren’t we all glad Chris LeDoux walked through our lives?

Trending

Latest Stories

Parker McCollum Claps Back After Oliver Anthony Hints at Autotune Allegations

Parker McCollum Claps Back After Oliver Anthony Hints at Autotune Allegations

After viral sensation Oliver Anthony shared some candid—and controversial—thoughts about the music industry, country music fans were abuzz recently. The conversation escalated when Anthony hinted that a mainstream country artist ...

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis' Grammy-Winning "Forever and Ever, Amen"

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis’ Grammy-Winning “Forever and Ever, Amen”

When it comes to country music that stands the test of time, Randy Travis is the name that echoes through the halls of history. His deep, resonant voice and unparalleled ...

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Amid Blood Disease Complications

The Robertson family, known for their Duck Dynasty fame, has revealed concerning news about their beloved patriarch, Phil Robertson. On a recent episode of their podcast, Unashamed with the Robertson ...

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

Country music has always been a storytelling tradition, weaving the trials and triumphs of everyday life into melodies that stand the test of time. While most fans trace the roots ...

The All-American Rejects Reveal "Dirty Little Secret" Started as a Country Song

The All-American Rejects Reveal “Dirty Little Secret” Started as a Country Song

Who would’ve thought? The All-American Rejects, those emo-rock icons of the 2000s, recently revealed a surprising twist about one of their biggest hits. During an interview on the Zach Sang ...

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery's "Sold" With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold” With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top is quickly solidifying his place as one of country music’s most exciting rising stars. Hailing from Sunnyside, Washington, Zach brings a neotraditional flair to his music that feels ...

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds' Show

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds’ Show

Burt Reynolds may be best remembered as a Hollywood icon. Still, in the early ’90s, he brought country music royalty together for an unforgettable moment in television history. On his ...

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Chris Stapleton’s dominance at the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards was not without controversy. As he walked away with Single of the Year and Song of the Year for ...

Oliver Anthony Criticizes Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" Album as "Complete Trash"

Oliver Anthony Criticizes Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” Album as “Complete Trash”

Oliver Anthony is no stranger to controversy. Known for his unapologetic stance against the mainstream music industry, the artist behind “Rich Men North of Richmond” recently turned his attention to ...

Oliver Anthony Slams Nashville's Music Industry for Prioritizing Profits Over Authenticity

Oliver Anthony Slams Nashville’s Music Industry for Prioritizing Profits Over Authenticity

Oliver Anthony, the breakout star whose hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” skyrocketed him to fame, has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with the music business’s ...