Chris Ledoux Rocks Rodeo

The one-time national bareback bronc champion calls his music “rock ‘n’ roll rodeo.”

Chris LeDoux, whose Inland Northwest concerts have been big hits, will perform tonight at Woodward Field on the Eastern Washington University campus as a preview to - what else? - a rodeo. The annual Cheney Rodeo runs Friday through Sunday (preview on page 7).

LeDoux’s latest album, “Live,” reflects the rowdy power of his concerts. “We wanted to do it for the fans,” the Wyoming native says.

“We wanted to give a taste of what we do live. We’ve been doing some of these songs for eight years now, and they have a little different twist than what you hear on the original record… . The songs tend to grow … and get louder.”

LeDoux won the national bareback bronc title in 1976 at the age of 28, but was forced to retire from the rodeo circuit because of nagging injuries. Music became his second career. He’d been writing songs while on the rodeo trail since he was a teen, and his lyrics reflected the lifestyle.

He recorded 22 albums on his own label, hawking the tapes out of his truck and by mail order - generating $4 million in sales.

LeDoux got his big break in 1989, when a fledgling star named Garth Brooks mentioned his name in one of his songs about rodeo life, “Much Too Young (To Feel This Old).” In short order, LeDoux had a passel of new fans. He signed with a major label, Capitol Nashville, in 1991.

His “Live” album includes his Top 10 duet with Brooks, the Grammy-nominated “Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CONCERT Chris LeDoux will perform at 8 tonight at Woodward Field in Cheney. Sammy Eubanks opens. Tickets are $15, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets, or call (800) 325-SEAT.