ST. GEORGE – The Dixie Sunbowl Arena will be remembering singer Chris LeDoux with Western Underground's "Rock 'N' Roll Rodeo Show," Sept. 11 to kick off the Lion's Dixie Round Up Rodeo. Western Underground has carried on the great music of Chris LeDoux while creating some of its own unique music. LeDoux got his start in a junior rodeo that eventually led him to continue a rodeo life and winning the bareback riding world title. LeDoux's love for music kept him going after he retired from competition in 1980, and he continued writing and singing about his rodeo life. LeDoux began searching for a group of talented musicians to become a full-time touring band that would create his new musical vision, and that is when Western Underground was born.
Over the next 16 years, Western Underground became the sound and drive behind LeDoux's rodeo Rock 'n' Roll. In 2000, LeDoux was diagnosed with a liver disease, and successfully underwent a liver transplant. It was closely followed by cancer of the bile duct in 2004. LeDoux lost his battle with cancer at 56-years-old in Casper, Wyo., on March 9, 2005. Since his death, Western Underground has continued to carry on the musical spirit of their mentor, and is comprised of Ned Ledoux and KW Turnbow on drums, Bobby Jensen on keyboards, Mark Sissel on guitar, and Lyle (Pops) Evans on bass.
The one new addition to the band is vocalist Dustin Evans. Sissel wrote on the band's official page: "After 16 years, the loyal fans have become like family, and we felt like we should be out there with our family. Chris always said the band should try and become independent so that when he retired we could go on. Now we want to carry the flag, and uphold the values that Chris so unassumingly represented while developing our own identity." The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Before the concert, a special flag skydiving ceremony will be held to honor the United States, military, and the heroes of 9/11.
Tickets are $15, and can be purchased online at www.southernutahtickets.com, by phone at 435-669-6126, or at IFA Country Stores in St. George and Cedar City.