CHRIS LEDOUX, Dee Events Center, Weber State University, Ogden, May 10, 7:30 p.m.
A near-capacity crowd, dressed mostly in blue jeans and boots, waved, clapped, hooted and whistled during the entire Chris Ledoux presentation Saturday night. It never seemed to cross their minds that they could sit down during this concert.A KSOP Radio promoter urged the group to be "wild and rowdy tonight" because footage would be filmed for LeDoux's video set for release with his album "Live" on June 17.
The request was unnecessary. This was a stand-on-your-feet, screamin', yellin', singin' crowd who clapped country/western's rock 'n' roll cowboy onto the stage after an excellent warm-up by Rhett Atkins and his band.
LeDoux burst onto the stage through a shroud of green smoke, asking the crowd through song to give him a "ride to the rodeo." He sang about honky-tonk crowds, country fairs, buckin' broncs and true love. His rendition of "Look at You Girl" had both cowboys and their girls swooning in the aisles.
Just as the crowd would begin to mellow, LeDoux would whip them to a frenzy again. This guy, with two decades of performing under his Rodeo Gold Buckle belt, leaped, moonwalked, danced, kicked his heels and galloped across the stage with an ever-changing backdrop of fireworks, confetti and Wizard-of-Oz-type flash pots shooting flames into the air.
This guy could be another rock 'n' roll icon, but through all the flash, a solid honesty as an entertainer shines bright. In a softer moment, LeDoux told this Utah audience why they were chosen to "star" in his concert video. He told them that their interest brought his career along. "If it wasn't for the Utah area and their support, I would probably be trailing fences on someone else's ranch in Wyoming."
"Utah, I owe you more than you will ever know," he sang. His versatile band, Western Underground, all members with Utah roots, seemed to be competent in every subtle style change as LeDoux wowed the crowds to increasing heights of adoration with clowning, silliness and heart-stopping blue-eyed winks.
One spectacular moment had the entire crowd swaying in unison, singing the lyrics of "There's a Five-Dollar Fine for Whining." Chris sang "Copenhagen" and hundreds of tobacco cans sailed through the air to land on the stage as Chris and his band dodged the metal shower, laughing the whole time.
LeDoux demonstrated his champion rodeo skills with a wild ride on a mechanical bull. A former rodeo champion bull rider, prize-winning bronze sculptor, writer, musician, father of five, husband of 25 years and ranch owner, LeDoux is an entertainer who is also a real person.
His advice is real, too. "Dig some ditches, hammer some nails, chop some wood, walk through the corn. . . . Live some life. Get it under your belt, then start writing. Sing what you feel. And never do it for the money. Do it because you love it . . . but don't do it for the money."