LeDoux's band refuses to be bucked; returns to Albany

ALBANY - In the late 1980s, former world champion bareback rider-turned country singer Chris LeDoux was preparing to throw everything into a music career, which had long played a distant second to his love of rodeo, but he needed a full-time touring band.

Guitar player Mark Sissel was part of the original house band that LeDoux plucked out of a Salt Lake City bar in 1989 and ended up carrying with him to stardom. He called the group Western Underground.

"He had already developed such a following," Sissel said.

LeDoux created one of the first real boutique record labels, according to Sissel. He managed to skip the bar scene, instead recording and selling studio albums out of his pickup truck at rodeos.

LeDoux released 22 records and sold $4 million worth of his music before he ever got signed to a label.

"He just stayed true to his fan base," Sissel said. "We weren't trying to be mainstream."

Western Underground backed up LeDoux for 16 years until his untimely death from cancer in March 2005. LeDoux was 56.

In addition to Sissel, at the time of LeDoux's death, Western Underground also included original member Bob Jensen (keyboards), KW Turnbow (drummer, since 1990), Lyle "Pops" Evans (bass, since 1997) and LeDoux's son Ned, who had recently joined the band straight out of high school after Turnbow injured his shoulder in a serious car accident.

Instead of breaking up following the devastating loss, the band brought in Nashville-based vocalist Dustin Evans and hit the road to pay tribute to their longtime boss, mentor, friend and father.

"After 16 years, the loyal fans have become like family," Sissel said. "And we felt like we should be out there with our family."

"We were going to tip our hats and kind of say goodbye in the end of 2005," Sissel said.

It didn't work out that way.

The group was received with open arms at show after show, including the Linn County Fair in 2006.

Sharing LeDoux's music proved cathartic for the band and fans alike.

"It was obviously tough at first," Sissel said.

Sissel remembered the first time the group played in the Kemper Arena in Kansas City after LeDoux's death. During the show, he became acutely aware that the venue was the last place he ever performed with his friend.

"He was really a special person," Sissel said. "The guy never let you down."

"It was like getting up every morning and walking down the road with John Wayne. The only difference was there was no on-screen/off-screen. Chris was the same every day n an extraordinary person with such an upstanding character," Sissel added.

Western Underground has stayed true to the underlying tenets of LeDoux's body of work. Pretty much every song has a positive message.

"We don't do hurting/drinking/cheating songs," Sissel said.

In 2007, Western Underground came out with their first CD "Unbridled."

The CD includes a few Chris LeDoux classics, but mainly Western Underground originals. Several songs were written or co-written by Sissel, including "King of Wyoming."

"The song wasn't meant to directly speak of Chris but rather more about the extraordinary feelings we had as a result of hanging with a true American Icon," Sissel wrote in the CD liner notes.

In the final song, Ned LeDoux delivers his own tribute in a raw and touching rendition of his father's song "I've Got to Be a Rodeo Man."

Western Underground will perform at 8:15 p.m. Friday, July 17, on the main stage at the Linn County Fair.

More on the main stage

Joe Nichols is first up in the fair's main stage schedule with a performance co-sponsored by Albany Parks and Recreation's River Rhythms concert series at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16. Nichols has been on the charts since 2002 with hits such as "Brokenheartsville," "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" and most recently "The Impossible."

Following Western Underground at 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 17, is country singer Bucky Covington of "American Idol" fame. Covington will sing some of his most popular songs including "A Different World," "It's Good to Be Us" and "I'll Walk."

Classic rock band Night Ranger will play at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, and Christian pop rock group Hawk Nelson will finish out the fair with a concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 19.

Check it out

LINN COUNTY FAIR

MAIN STAGE: Joe Nichols 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16; Western Underground 8:15 p.m. and Bucky Covington 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 17; Night Ranger 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18; and Hawk Nelson 6 p.m. Sunday, July 19.

FAIR HOURS: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

ADMISSION: Daily passes are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for kids under age 5. Daily parking: $3 per car. Season passes $19 for adults, $13 for seniors, $13 for children ages 6-12 and $8 for all-fair parking pass.

INFO: www.linncountyfair.com or 926-4314.