July 18-27, 2025
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In 1971, as a young cowboy on the professional rodeo circuit, Chris LeDoux discovered another one of his passions and began writing and performing authentic, lived-in songs about his western lifestyle and the American West. With the help of his parents, he launched his own record label, American Cowboy Songs, to release his first album, the aptly titled Songs Of Rodeo Life. Eventually, the world champ’s successful rodeo career, which included a slew of regional awards and a coveted, and long sought-after, Gold Buckle for the World Bareback Title at the 1976 National Finals Rodeo, was overtaken by an even more successful music career as LeDoux traded the thrill of riding broncs for the thrill of life on the road and performing his songs to thousands of adoring fans.
By the end of the 1980s, despite multiple offers to sign to a label, LeDoux had self-released 22 albums with sales of more than a quarter of a million copies. That same year, following a name check by rising country star Garth Brooks, in which he sang, “A worn out tape of Chris LeDoux, lonely women and bad booze/Seem to be the only friends I’ve left at all,” in his first top 10 country hit, “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old),” LeDoux received recognition and a degree of fame well outside the rodeo world. He rode the newfound popularity like one of his prized ponies and signed with Capitol Records subsidiary Liberty and in 1991 released his major label debut, Western Underground. LeDoux would release another 18 albums for the labels, with sales of more than six million around the world, before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2005 at just 56 years old.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Chris LeDoux’s debut album, Capitol Nashville/UMe and the Chris LeDoux Estate will release a new 13-song collection on July 2 titled Wyoming Cowboy – A Collection, compiling some of his best-known songs with a handful of rarities and other studio and live gems. The compilation, assembled by LeDoux’s longtime friend and guitar player Mark Sissel, will be released digitally for streaming and download as well as on vinyl, marking the first time many of these songs, which were released in the CD era, will be available on vinyl. Two rare tracks – “Oklahoma Hospitality,” self-released in 1978 on a UK-only album and never released in the U.S., and “Album Intro,” from an equally long out-of-print 1975 record, will receive their digital debuts.
Pre-order Wyoming Cowboy – A Collection now: https://ChrisLeDoux.lnk.to/WyomingCowboy
Cheyenne Frontier Days™, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration, held in Cheyenne, Wyo., will celebrate LeDoux’s life and legacy at their 125th annual festival, which is dedicated to the legendary entertainer and rodeo world champ. The 10-day event will feature a sold-out, opening night performance by Garth Brooks and Ned LeDoux on July 23. The festivities will kick off earlier that day with the unveiling of a bronze statue of LeDoux, which will be added to the sculpture collection on Frontier Park to honor his ties to the rodeo and music worlds and his place in Cheyenne Frontier Days™ history where he rode bucking horses and graced the stage with his band, Western Underground. Designed by artist D. Michael Thomas, who also created a similar sculpture of LeDoux for the Chris LeDoux Memorial Park in his hometown Kaycee, Wyo., the life and a half size bronze statue depicts LeDoux riding his horse Stormy Weather to the 1976 World Bareback Riding Championship, along with a guitar that sits atop an arrow shaped base representing CFD’s logo.
Serving as both a gift to longtime fans and an introduction to those unfamiliar with LeDoux’s music, which he called a combination of “western soul, sagebrush blues, cowboy folk and rodeo rock ‘n’ roll,” Wyoming Cowboy brings together some of the country star’s most popular songs like “County Fair,” “Cadillac Cowboy” and the epic “This Cowboy’s Hat” from Western Underground, his first major label album released on Liberty Records in 1991 along with “Western Skies,” “Look At You Girl,” “Hooked On An 8-Second Ride” and his top 10 country hit with Garth Brooks, “Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy,” from his 1992 gold-selling album of the same name.
The album also includes LeDoux’s rollicking duet with Charlie Daniels, “Even Cowboys Like A Little Rock And Roll,” from 1993’s Under This Old Hat and originally released in a different incarnation on his 1984 album, Melodies and Memories. In addition to the aforementioned rarities, “Oklahoma Hospitality” and “Album Intro,” Wyoming Cowboy also boasts a special posthumous collaboration between LeDoux and his son Ned with the song “We Ain’t Got It All.” Sung and performed by Ned, the song was co-written by him and Nashville producer and songwriter Mac McAnally using some of LeDoux’s songwriting notes, resulting in a true father and son co-write. With a remarkably similar singing voice and delivery, the song traverses much of the same subject matter that endeared the elder LeDoux to so many and that Ned proudly carries the torch for. The album ends with a thrilling live version of fan favorite “Little Long Haired Outlaw” from 1997’s Live, perfectly capturing the pyrotechnic-filled, rodeo rock and roll shows he loved to play.
“My dad’s catalog of music is timeless and includes so many great records and I love each one of em,” says Ned LeDoux. “This new collection honors the 50th anniversary of when he first started making music and is a nice snapshot of who he was and the subject matter he loved writing about – cowboys, rodeo life, true love and staying positive.”
WYOMING COWBOY – A COLLECTION TRACK LISTING
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Kick off the 125th Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Celebration with the Opening Reception for the 41st Annual Cheyenne Frontier Days Western Art Show and Sale presented by Visit Cheyenne, Halladay Motors, and Flexx Productions on Thursday, July 22.
The CFD Western Art Show is one of the most prestigious and well recognized shows in the Rocky Mountain Region and in the western art community. This show features artists from across the nation who depicted images of the American West. This year’s show features prominent figures in western art such as Brandon Bailey, Teal Blake, Colt Idol, Jennifer Johnson, Joel Johnson, Gail Sundell Jones, Chris Navarro, Dustin Payne, Renee Piskorski, D. Michael Thomas, Carrie Wild, and more. The Western Art Show Committee also welcomes two new artists to the show, Jeremey Bradshaw, and Andy Mast.
Since 1981, the Western Art Show Committee has raised over $3 million in support of the Museum’s Art Education, Exhibits, Collections, and Operating funds whose mission is to cultivate a rich, educational space for the diverse, international community served by, and rooted in, the American western legacy of Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Tickets for this event are available online through cfdartshow.com or you can call the Museum Office at (307)778-7243. Tickets are $140 per Museum member, $160 per non-Museum member, or $200 per person at the door. Your ticket purchase includes dinner, open bar, a reception at the Governor’s residence, live music, and more.
Art will be on display and accessible with Museum admission from July 23-August 15, during Museum hours.
Quick Facts:
What: 41st Annual Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Western Art Show and Sale Opening Reception
When: July 22 (Opening Reception) 3:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. MDT; July 23-August 15 (Public Viewing) see Museum website for times.
Where: Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Old West Museum
Cost: $140 per Museum member; $160 for non-member; $200 at the door. Public Viewing available beginning July 23 with Museum admission.
How: cfdartshow.org or call the Museum Office at 307.778.7243
CHEYENNE, WY — As Cheyenne Frontier Days™ heads into the 2021 ticket on-sale on Thursday, we would like to remind our patrons that tickets should be purchased only from the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Ticket Office.
“The Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Ticket Office is the ONLY ticket source for our event,” Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO Tom Hirsig said. “Ticket prices range from $49 to $94 for concerts, $25 to $105 for PBR, and $18 – $35 for rodeo this year.”
Ticket buyers should only purchase through www.cfdrodeo.com or by calling the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Ticket Office at (307) 778 – 7222.
“Customers have already used secondary resale ticketing companies, paying hundreds of dollars for tickets that are sold through our Ticket Office for less,” Hirsig said. “We are unable to assist customers with questions or resolve problems with tickets not originally purchased through Cheyenne Frontier Days™.”
Purchases from any other vendor, business or location are transactions made through non-authorized, third-party ticket vendors, known as “scalpers.” These third-party purchases are not authorized by Cheyenne Frontier Days™ and are not eligible for customer support.
CHEYENNE, WY – Today Cheyenne Frontier Days™ (CFD) announced the 2021 Frontier Nights® entertainment series. The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) will return with its exclusive Last Cowboy Standing series and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo will return to the arena in 2021.
Tickets will go on sale Thursday, April 15 at 9 a.m. MDT at www.cfdrodeo.com, and by calling (307) 778-7222. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Ticket Office will not be open for in-person sales at this time.
The entertainers announced and added to the 2021 lineup are Garth Brooks with Ned LeDoux; Cody Johnson with Aaron Watson; Maren Morris with TBA; and Kane Brown with Restless Road. Blake Shelton with John King; Eric Church with Ashley McBryde; and Thomas Rhett with Rhett Akins were rescheduled from 2020.
“We are so glad to be sharing this lineup for 2021 tonight,” Contract Acts Chairman Randy Krafft said. “It has been a long year for all of us and we can’t wait to welcome our fans back to Frontier Park.”
The 125th Cheyenne Frontier Days™ celebration is dedicated to the legendary Chris LeDoux. We are proud to honor Chris LeDoux and his ties to the rodeo and music worlds and his place in Cheyenne Frontier Days™ history. A bronze statue will be added to the sculpture collection on Frontier Park and a dedication will take place on July 23.
Additionally, the 125th annual “Daddy of ‘em All®” will feature nine days of PRCA professional rodeo that will culminate in Championship Sunday where champions are crowned and legends are made.
For two nights, the Top-40 stars of the PBR will return to attempt to conquer the sport’s rankest bulls on the historic Wyoming Dirt at Cheyenne Frontier Days, strapping in for their shot to make the buzzer. A rider must stay on his bull for 8 seconds to advance. If he gets bucked off, he is out of the competition. The grueling match between Man and Beast continues until one prevails and is crowned the Last Cowboy Standing.
There will be hundreds of vendors, a full carnival, artists, food and music that celebrate the history and culture of the American West.
Concert ticket prices range from $49 – $94, rooftop starts at $150. Daily rodeo tickets range from $18 – $35. A $3 discount is offered on rodeo tickets and $5 discount on concert tickets purchased before July 1. PBR tickets range from $25 – $105 with special Elite Seating and V.I.P. tickets also available at various prices.
Fans can upgrade to a Frontier Nights® Fast Pass for early admission to the Party Zone, a voucher for best-available same-day rodeo tickets and a souvenir rodeo program. For a full events schedule and profiles of musical acts, go to www.cfdrodeo.com.
All tickets for all performances will go on-sale Thursday, April 15 at 9 a.m. MDT
2021 Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Entertainment Schedule
July 23: Garth Brooks with Ned LeDoux
July 24: Thomas Rhett with Rhett Akins
July 25: Cody Johnson with Aaron Watson
July 26-27: Professional Bull Riders – Last Cowboy Standing
July 28: Maren Morris with TBA
July 29: Eric Church with Ashley McBryde
July 30: Kane Brown with Restless Road
July 31: Blake Shelton with John King
July 24–Aug. 1: PRCA Rodeo Action
Cheyenne Frontier Days announced plans today for its 125th anniversary celebration, along with Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins, at a news conference at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Event Center. The festival will return to Frontier Park from July 23 to August 1.
Organizers are working closely with and taking guidance from the Governor’s Office and public health officials, including the Global Center for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. While they are prepared to implement COVID procedures for cleanliness and sanitation, and will make adjustments as health and safety circumstances dictate, they do not expect any attendance limitations for concerts, rodeo or other CFD outdoor events.
“We are excited to get back to fulfilling our mission of economic impact to the community, and we look forward to safely welcoming our fans back to Frontier Park this summer,” said Tom Hirsig, CEO of Cheyenne Frontier Days. “It’s been a difficult year for our volunteers, staff, and the entire community. We hope this news will bring some optimism that we can finally see the light at the end of tunnel.”
Last year the pandemic forced the first cancelation in the iconic Western celebration’s long history, resulting in a significant emotional and economic toll on Cheyenne and the State of Wyoming. Hundreds of thousands of people attend CFD concerts and rodeo performances each year, contributing $28 million to the local economy. In 2019, Cheyenne Frontier Days created over 300 jobs resulting in $5 million in wages and salaries and generated over $1 million in local and state taxes.
“This is welcome news for Wyoming, and people from around the country and the world, who have a trip to Cheyenne Frontier Days on their bucket list,” said Governor Mark Gordon. “Our big message that we want people to hear loud and clear today is that Wyoming is back and we are open for business.”
“We are proud to welcome rodeo fans and visitors back to Cheyenne this July,” said Mayor Patrick Collins. “Our businesses look forward to hosting guests and locals alike as we work together to support our summer season.”
Cheyenne Frontier Days takes place each summer during the last full week in July, including the world’s largest outdoor rodeo that draws top professionals competing for more than $1 million in cash and prizes. In addition to the daily rodeo action, fans can also enjoy Frontier Nights concerts featuring the biggest names in country music, the Native American Village, the old frontier town, free pancake breakfasts, an art show, a carnival midway, professional bull riding shows and downtown parades featuring antique carriages and automobiles.
“We are working continuously to safely and responsibly entertain our fans and put on a 125th “Daddy of ‘em All” that they will never forget,” said Hirsig.
CFD will reveal details about ticket sales and concert performers tomorrow evening, April 8.
For more information on the 2021 Cheyenne Frontier Days event, visit www.cfdrodeo.com.
See the Cheyenne Frontier Days Attendee Health & Safety Protocols
After the pandemic forced its cancellation, CFD worked on lending a hand
As Cheyenne Frontier Days looks ahead to celebrating its 125th anniversary in July, the organization released its 2020 Report to the Community, which looks back at how CFD’s volunteers and staff turned their focus toward supporting the community after the coronavirus pandemic forced the historic cancellation of the iconic western festival in 2020.
“We were all pretty deflated after the cancellation, but we decided to look at it as an opportunity to use the downtime to do what we could to help our community,” said Tom Hirsig, Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO.
The report recaps how CFD donated its facilities and volunteer manpower to help a variety of community organizations in Wyoming.
“We are grateful for the chance to give something back to the community,” continued Hirsig. “It was important for our staff, volunteers and sponsors that we made good use of our time and facilities during the summer instead of letting them sit idle.”
Cheyenne Frontier Days announced that the renovated Barn 15 will be re-named in honor of longtime volunteer Marietta Dinneen.
The Cheyenne Frontier Days Foundation launched a campaign in July that includes the renovation of Barn 15 on Frontier Park to better house and protect the antique carriage collection. This renovation is part of the 365 to 125 campaign which supports the 125th anniversary celebration.
Marietta Dinneen moved to Cheyenne in 1951 with her husband, the late William J. Dinneen, Jr. after earning a degree in home economics from the University of Wyoming.
She was teaching home economics classes at Carey Junior High when she was invited to join the W-Heels organization in 1966. This group of women volunteers stages the historic vehicle portion of the downtown parades.
During her time in the W-Heels she noticed that many of the carriages in the collection were worn an in need of restoration. As part of the Carriage Coordinating Committee, Dinneen and her fellow volunteers knew where some of the carriages had come from and through interviews and research, they began documenting the history of the carriages.
This led to the creation of a group of volunteers called the Wagon Doctors who were dedicated to restoring and maintaining the collection. As their knowledge and expertise grew, the volunteers were able to restore selected vehicles to their former glory and they began to build the collection into what is displayed at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum today.
In the spring of 1978, Dinneen became one of the founding members of the board of directors for the Old West Museum, which then became the permanent home of the growing collection of carriages assembled by those who were working on their restoration.
Dinneen was also involved in the Carriage Association of America and the National Stagecoach and Freight Wagon Association.
The museum and CFD now have 160 vehicles in their jointly managed collection, 65 of which are regularly used in the annual parades.
“We are grateful to be able to honor Marietta and her years of service and dedication to our carriage collection today,” said Parades Chair Ruthanne Hubbard. “Marietta served as my mentor and taught me how to volunteer – she is the epitome of the perfect volunteer. If the world were full of people like Marietta, it would be a much better place.”
The public is invited to join Cheyenne Frontier Days™ volunteers, friends and staff at a blood drive on December 21 and 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Event Center.
According to Vitalant, the nonprofit community blood service provider coordinating the drive, the community is facing a critical need for blood donations this winter. Healthcare systems are stretched thin and many blood drives have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vitalant protects donors by following CDC safety guidelines, and all donors will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Even someone who has already had COVID-19 and recovered can make a difference, since their plasma can help someone who is currently fighting the virus.
“We are eager to do our part to help our community,” said Tom Hirsig, Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO. “It’s not often that we get a chance to give someone the gift of life. The more of us who donate, the more lives we can potentially save.”
Everyone who donates during the CFD Blood Drive will be entered into a drawing to win Two VIP Passes to the PRCA Rodeo Performance of their choice during the 125th Cheyenne Frontier Days™ in July. The package includes a special pre-rodeo lunch.
To register for the CFD blood drive, call (307) 638-3326 or go to www.vitalant.org.
WHAT: Frontier Fun Food Festival
WHEN: Sept. 3-4 & 6-7 from noon-10 p.m., and Sept. 5 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
WHERE: Carnival Midway Area of Frontier Park
VIEW MENU HERE
Cheyenne Frontier Days™ (CFD) has a brand-new food concessionaire with an emphasis on customer service, product quality, cleanliness, speed of service and most of all, a focus on fun! Fun Biz Concessions was selected to provide food for the Daddy of ‘em All® starting in 2020.
Concessionaires Nate and Stephanie Janousek of Fun Biz Concessions, Inc. were set to provide an all-new food experience on Frontier Park until the 2020 edition of the Daddy of ‘em All® was cancelled. Now there will be sampling of menu items to preview the food experience for 2021 on Frontier Park over the upcoming holiday weekend.
“For a preview of what’s to come next July,” Nate said, “join us on Labor Day Weekend to engage in the adventure of trying some of the most cutting edge and delicious food products in the entire amusement industry.”
Select food items will be offered in the Carnival Midway Area (west side) of Frontier Park on Sept. 3-4 & 6-7 from noon-10 p.m., and Sept. 5 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Cash and credit cards as well as Apple, Google and Samsung Pay will be accepted.
Janousek continued, “We are excited to meet community members, leaders and future CFD patrons as we seek to build relationships that we intend to cultivate for a lifetime by being transparent, forward thinking, community oriented and authentic. We look forward to meeting folks from the Cheyenne community and beyond as we welcome them to our food experience and celebrate a love of food and Cheyenne Frontier Days™. We are so looking forward to beginning this journey with you all and cannot wait to give a small preview over the days leading to Labor Day.”
CHEYENNE – The Cheyenne Frontier Days™ (CFD) General Committee has named its new Grounds Committee Chair.
The new Grounds Chairman is Wally Reiman. He is a long time CFD volunteer, and he has served 36 years on the Grounds Committee, and was inducted into the HEELS organization 28 years ago.
Reiman brings a wealth of knowledge to the Grounds Committee and Frontier Park. He is a local general contractor and Executive VP at Reiman Corp. He was President of Associated General Contractors of Wyoming (formerly known as the Wyoming Contractors Association) and he is a past winner of the Contractor of the Year.
The Cheyenne Frontier Days General Committee has already begun planning for the 125th Daddy of ‘em All.
