Chris LeDoux

It’s one thing for a former rodeo cowboy to have a couple of bad breaks, but they’re usually the kind evinced by a few limping steps on a rainy day. Chris LeDoux has been through more than that, recovering from primary sclerosing cholangitis, a disease which led to a liver transplant two years ago. LeDoux is known as one of the few genuine cowboys in the business, but lately he’s been settling into songs about why it’s good to be alive. Suddenly, LeDoux’s penchant for love songs to his wife and family makes sense. Amazingly enough, LeDoux’s been around long enough to warrant a boxed set, out this summer, and he’s happier than ever to be back on the road. He still sings about his hat and “Bareback Jack”; it’s just that he also sings about being happy just to breathe.