In his debut LP release entitled “Sagebrush,” Ned LeDoux comes out of the gate strong. Originally a drummer, he joined his dad’s band (Chris LeDoux and Western Underground) in 1998. Having stayed in that spot until his father’s passing in 2005, he reinvented his path in the music industry and performing, releasing the EP “Forever a Cowboy” in 2016. This follow-up project puts Ned in the unique position of having an award-winning support team and a God-given talent for story-telling, writing, and singing. Taking the time away from his current tour dates for a phone interview with the Texas Media Group, LeDoux expounds the virtues of his present situation.
Lifestyle
Ned LeDoux: Reinventing His Path in the Music Industry With ‘Sagebrush’
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Photo: Facebook/Ned LeDoux
“I have to give a lot of credit to my producer, Mr. Mac McAnally. He produced the last three albums of my father and invited me to his place to work on some songs. ‘We Ain’t Got It All’ developed from our work together, and he’s been a great support through it all,” LeDoux explained regarding his CMA-award-winning producer. “My writing is about the kind of person I am, the folks I grew up with, the landscape, and keeping it in the family…I’m not trying to fill anybody’s boots. My folks taught me to be who I am. I’ve been playing in a band since I was 14, and the only way I can describe what’s happening now is to say it’s like walking into a new room. There’s the old room, with the drums in the corner, and then there’s this new room with a guitar…these are new opportunities, and I’m making new memories in that room now.”
When asked about his songwriting style, he noted that he simply starts with a melody and tries to fit the words in with it, adding, “There’s no secret to my method. It’s melody and feeling. I just try to tell a good story. My dad and my granddad were good storytellers. I like that, and I like to keep it simple.” With respect to what’s considered to be mainstream country music, Ned admitted to listening to what he wants to hear on his iPod and generally not listening to the radio all that much, explaining that he didn’t know that his music necessarily fits that mold. But then, with the history and support of a band called Western Underground, niche performing for fans that appreciate Ned’s songs and style makes perfect sense.
Photo: Facebook/Ned LeDoux
Regarding the fact that music and family play such a huge role in what he does, it comes as no surprise Ned’s faith is also just as strong. “He’s a pretty good traveling buddy. I talk to him every day,” he explained. Writing four of his first EP’s five songs and crediting his producer and his genes for his current success with “Sagebrush,” LeDoux has remained a strong family man, rooted in his upbringing which has helped him transform into a modern-day classic country cowboy. And, although the opportunity to play in the great Lone Star State has yet eluded him, he explained that he welcomes the chance to showcase his talents in a Texas venue in the near future.
Ned LeDoux has an evocative approach to his sound and writing ability, mirroring a spoken song of sorts, and reincarnating a style that has long been the foundation of the country movement. Steeped in talent, with a passion to pursue it, “Sagebrush” features his writing talents on a number of track listings, a tribute to his father, as well as a re-release of the song “This Cowboy’s Hat” in a duet with Chase Rice. No slouch in focus or ambition, keep your eyes and ears open for Ned’s LP; better yet, pick yourself up a copy at the link provided here. His tour schedule is presently focused on North Dakota, Nevada, and Colorado, to name a few, but the opportunity to catch a live show in Texas won’t be far down the line with success such as this in his back pocket.
