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?

Latest Stories

Female Country Singers Who Smoke and How It Affects Their Careers

Female Country Singers Who Smoke and How It Affects Their Careers

Smoking has long had a rebellious connection in country music. Still, it’s not something you’d expect when it comes to female country singers. While some stars kept their smoking habits ...

What George Strait’s ‘Ocean Front Property’ Really Says About Heartbreak

What George Strait’s ‘Ocean Front Property’ Really Says About Heartbreak

Have you ever told yourself you didn’t care, only to realize you were fooling yourself later? That’s precisely the emotional punch behind George Strait’s “Ocean Front Property.” Beneath the song’s ...

Country Top 30 Week of September 14,2024

Country Top 30

Country Chart – Week of September 14, 2024 Country music fans, get ready—this week’s chart is packed with songs that hit every corner of the genre. Whether you’re into heart-wrenching ...

What You Never Knew About Annie D'Angelo and Her Life with Willie Nelson

What You Never Knew About Annie D’Angelo and Her Life with Willie Nelson

Every legend has a secret weapon, a steady hand that keeps them grounded in a constantly spinning world. For country music icon Willie Nelson, that guiding force is Annie D’Angelo. ...

A Rare Glimpse of Dolly Parton Without Her Wig

A Rare Glimpse of Dolly Parton Without Her Wig

Dolly Parton isn’t just a country music icon—she’s a cultural force. Her larger-than-life image, from glittering outfits to sky-high heels, is as legendary as her voice. But if one thing ...

How Megan Moroney Pulled Off the Perfect Prank on Kenny Chesney During Their Summer Tour

How Megan Moroney Pulled Off the Perfect Prank on Kenny Chesney During Their Summer Tour

Megan Moroney, a rising star in country music, showcased her talent and her playful side when she pulled off a memorable prank on Kenny Chesney. During the final leg of ...

Tricia Lucus Kept Toby Keith's World Together While Staying Unseen

Tricia Lucus Kept Toby Keith’s World Together While Staying Unseen

Toby Keith may have been the face of success, but behind every great artist is someone who keeps it all together. For Toby, that someone was Tricia Lucus—his wife, partner, ...

What Happened to Grace Pauline Kelley? Wynonna Judd's Daughter's Unbelievable Downfall

What Happened to Grace Pauline Kelley? Wynonna Judd’s Daughter’s Unbelievable Downfall

Grace Pauline Kelley, daughter of country music star Wynonna Judd, has lived a life filled with public scrutiny, legal struggles, and attempts at redemption. Born into a family synonymous with ...

Luke Combs Delivers a Storm of Emotion in Ain't No Love in Oklahoma

Luke Combs Delivers a Storm of Emotion in Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma

When Luke Combs delivers a song, you don’t just hear it—you feel it. “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” a standout track from the 2024 Twisters soundtrack, is no exception. This ...

Chevrolet by Dustin Lynch and Jelly Roll Will Make You Long for Simpler Times

Chevrolet by Dustin Lynch and Jelly Roll Will Make You Long for Simpler Times

Dustin Lynch’s “Chevrolet,” featuring Jelly Roll, is more than just another song about country life—it’s a tribute to the freedom found in the open road, love, and the small, meaningful ...