While most young country artists chase the spotlight in Nashville, Ned LeDoux took a very different path. He chose to stay rooted in rural Wyoming, far from media buzz, and deliberately stepped away from the mainstream country machine.
“I was born in a place where the wind’s louder than the news, and silence is the best sound you’ll hear,” Ned once said of his hometown. He lives a simple life — raising horses, working the land, and only touring when he truly feels inspired. No big-time management, no flashy PR. No chasing trends.
This has made Ned something rare in modern country: an outsider by choice. He doesn’t try to be Nashville’s next star. And maybe that’s why he stands out. Because when you live honestly, your music sounds honest too.
He may not have chart-topping hits or viral fame, but Ned LeDoux has built a loyal, grounded fanbase that knows: for him, music is a prayer with a melody – not a business model.
Chris LeDoux – This Cowboy’s Hat
About the song
Background
- Released in 1982 on the album “Used to Want to Be a Cowboy”
- Written by Jake Brooks
- A signature song for Chris LeDoux, a rodeo champion turned country singer known for his authentic cowboy persona
Themes
- The Cowboy Hat as a Symbol: The song uses the cowboy hat as a metaphor for a cowboy’s life, experiences, and identity. The hat represents the hardships, the dedication, and the pride associated with the cowboy way of life.
- Celebrating the Cowboy Life: The song paints a picture of a rugged, independent existence working the range and facing the challenges of the natural world.
- Nostalgia: There’s a sense of longing for the traditional cowboy lifestyle, particularly evident in the line “Used to want to be a cowboy, just like heroes in a book.”
Lyrics
The song follows a narrative format, with the lyrics detailing the various things the hat has seen and endured throughout the cowboy’s life. Here are some excerpts that highlight the themes:
- “This Stetson’s got a story, if it could only talk / Of cattle drives and dusty trails, and nights beneath the stars.” (Hat as a symbol of experience)
- “It’s felt the sting of winter wind, and scorching summer sun / It’s known the thrill of victory, and what it feels like to be outrun.” (Hardships and challenges)
- “This cowboy’s hat, it’s seen it all, from mountains high to plains so wide / There’s nothin’ fancy ’bout this hat, but it’s got nothin’ left to hide.” (Celebrating the simple, authentic life)