Introduction
Chris LeDoux was a true American original, a rodeo cowboy who also happened to be a gifted singer and songwriter. Born in 1948, LeDoux’s life was steeped in the traditions of the West. He grew up riding horses on his grandparents’ Wyoming farm, and by his teenage years, he was a rising star in the rodeo circuit. But alongside his passion for rodeo, LeDoux nurtured a love for music. He began writing songs that captured the cowboy life he knew so well, and in the early 1970s, he started self-releasing albums, selling them out of the back of his truck at rodeo events.
LeDoux’s music was raw and authentic, a blend of country, rockabilly, and Western influences. His lyrics spoke of hard work, wide-open spaces, and the cowboy code. For years, he remained a regional favorite, beloved by rodeo fans and those who appreciated his genuine connection to the Western lifestyle. Then, in the late 1980s, Garth Brooks name-checked LeDoux in his hit song “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old),” bringing LeDoux to national attention. He signed with a major label and began releasing albums that reached a wider audience.
“Horsepower” was released in 2003, toward the end of LeDoux’s career. By this time, he was a respected figure in country music, known for his energetic live shows and his unwavering commitment to his craft. The album showcased LeDoux’s signature sound, a mix of driving rhythms, twangy guitars, and lyrics that celebrated the cowboy way of life. The title track, “Horsepower,” is a high-octane ode to the power and freedom of the open range, a fitting tribute to the man who lived his life in the saddle and on the stage.