LeDoux Receives Transplant Today In Country Music History

2000 LeDoux Receives Liver Transplant

Chris LeDoux underwent a successful liver transplant, after discovering he has primary sclerosing cholangitis. The transplant would enable him to live another four and a half years.

During his career, LeDoux released 33 singles and 36 albums, many of them self-releases. LeDoux has sold over 10 million albums world wide, including 20 Greatest Hits which was certified platinum and Best of Chris LeDoux and Watcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy, which were both certified Gold. His Only Top 10 single was his collaboration with Garth Brooks, "Watcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy, " which peaked at #7 on the country charts.

In August 2000, LeDoux was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Garth Brooks volunteered to donate part of his liver, but it was found to be incompatible. An alternative, compatible donor was located, and LeDoux received the transplant. After his recovery he released two additional albums.

In November 2004, LeDoux was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and underwent radiation treatment for it until his death on March 9, 2005 of complications from the ongoing treatment as well as the disease at a Casper, Wyoming hospital. He was survived by his wife of 33 years, Peggy, and their children Clay, Ned, Will, Beau, and Cindy, as well as his mother, Bonnie.

Shortly after his death, LeDoux was named as one of six former rodeo cowboys to be inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2005. He was the first person to ever be inducted in two categories, for his bareback riding and in the "notables" category for his contributions to the sport through music. He was also awarded the Country Music Hall of Fame's "Pioneer Award" in 2005. Brooks accepted the award on behalf of LeDoux's family.

Time To 'Cowboy Up' With Chris LeDoux

photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images Entertainment
photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images Entertainment
2012
Mary Chapin Carpenter is inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame along with Tony Arata ("The Dance"), Kim Williams ("Three Wooden Crosses") and Larry Henley ("The Wind Beneath My Wings") at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel
2010
Kenny Chesney’s album Hemingway’s Whiskey debuted at the top of both the Country Albums chart and the Top 200 chart. It marked his tenth number one country album and sixth consecutive number one debut.
2006
Big & Rich and Lynyrd Skynyrd perform a benefit concert at the HiFi Buys Amphitheatre in Atlanta to raise funds for a memorial to the 173rd Airborne, the division commemorated in "8th Of November." Also appearing were John Anderson, The Lost Trailers and Cowboy Troy.
2004
Shania Twain’s Up! was certified multi-platinum for shipments of 11 million copies. The album gave twain the distinction of being the first female artist to have three consecutive album reach Diamond status (10 million copies sold).
Singles from the album included "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!", "For Ever And For Always" and "When you Kiss Me."
Rascal Flatts’ album Feels Like Today debuted at the top of both the Billboard Country Albums chart and the Billboard Top 200 chart with sales of 200,000 copies. It was the trio’s first number one debut on the Top 200 albums chart.
1999
For the first time since 1995 a Garth Brooks album failed to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 all formats albums chart when In The Life Of Chris Gaines, an album by a fictional Australian pop star, came in second to Creed’s Human Clay.
1991
Nearly a decade after its release, Willie Nelson's single "Always On My Mind" is certified gold and platinum
1977
Waylon Jennings’ album Ol’ Waylon was certified platinum. The album feature the single "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" with Willie Nelson as well as a cover of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline."
#1 On This Date
SINGLES
2006 – George Strait – “Give It Away”
2000 – JoDee Messina – “That’s The Way”
1995 – Tim McGraw – “I Like It, I Love It”
1989 – Steve Wariner – “I Got Dreams”
1978 – Dolly Parton – “Heartbreaker”
1972 – Mel Tillis – “I Ain’t Never”
1967 – Eddy Arnold – “Turn The World Around”
1957 – Bobby Helms – “Fraulein”
1950 – Hank Snow – “I’m Movin’ On”

ALBUMS
2006 – Kenny Chesney – Live: Live Those Songs Again
2000 – George Strait – George Strait
1995 – Tim McGraw – All I Want
1989 – Clint Black – Killin’ Time
1978 – Dolly Parton – Heartbreaker
1972 – Charley Pride – A Sunshiny Day
1967 – Bobbie Gentry – Ode To Billie Joe
Birthdays
Kieran Kane of The O’Kanes is 65.

Chris LeDoux Receives Liver Transplant – Today In Country Music History [VIDEO]