Introduction
The LeDoux Legacy: Five Paths from the Ranch
Chris LeDoux, the world champion bareback bronc rider who became a platinum-selling country star, left behind a legacy rooted in the Wyoming ranch. Following his passing in 2005, his five children—Clay, Ned, Will, Cindy, and Beau—have collectively taken up the mantle, ensuring the LeDoux name remains synonymous with the genuine cowboy way of life. They prove a legacy is built not just on fame, but on enduring values.
The Stewards of the Land and Community
The eldest children chose paths away from the spotlight, becoming the pillars of the family foundation. Clay LeDoux, the oldest, became a humble rancher, running two ranches near Kaycee and serving as Vice President of the Chris LeDoux Memorial Foundation. Similarly, Will LeDoux was the quiet, tireless force behind the spectacular annual Chris LeDoux Days event. For 15 years, Will spearheaded the logistics, growing the Father’s Day weekend extravaganza into a beloved festival that drew thousands to the tiny town of Kaycee to celebrate music and bronc riding.
Their sister, Cindy LeDoux (now Butler), the only girl, inherited the rodeo spirit as a talented barrel racer. Though she chose a private family life, she was instrumental in the Foundation as secretary, keeping the operation organized and ensuring the community connection remained strong. Together, Clay, Will, and Cindy ensured the LeDoux spirit lives on through agriculture and community stewardship, not celebrity.
The Musical Heir
Ned LeDoux is the son who fully embraced the musical torch. Starting his career as the drummer in his father’s band, Western Underground, Ned toured with Chris until his death. Ned then stepped out from behind the drums, picked up a guitar, and was determined to keep the “Rodeo Country Music” sound alive.
He has firmly established himself as an artist in his own right, releasing multiple albums, earning a Rocky Mountain Country Music Award, and touring extensively. Ned embraces the inevitable comparison to his father, seeing it as an honor to sing songs about cowboy life that preserve the distinct LeDoux style. His dedication is a vital continuation of Chris’s sound for a new generation.
The Final Tribute
The youngest, Beau LeDoux, most closely followed Chris’s original path into the dangerous sport of bareback bronc riding. Beau’s most powerful and memorable tribute came in 2007 at the Cheyenne Frontier Days, a rodeo especially dear to his father. After scoring a solid ride, Bo reached into his shirt pocket and spread a small bag of Chris’s ashes onto the arena floor, tearfully returning his father’s spirit to the sport he loved.
Though Beau later stepped back from full-time competition, he now runs the family ranch alongside Clay. Each of the five LeDoux children, whether through music, ranching, or rodeo, exemplifies the toughness, self-reliance, and devotion to loved ones that defined their legendary father.