Chris LeDoux Best Guitar Songs
Learn to Play His Top Hits

Welcome to my Chris LeDoux guitar songs page, where you can learn some of the best country hits from this legendary cowboy singer-songwriter. If you're a fan of authentic western storytelling and country guitar, you're in the right place!

chris ledoux guitar songs

Below, you’ll find a mix of free resources, including chord sheets, rhythm tips, and video demos, to help you learn classics like "This Cowboy’s Hat," "Riding for a Fall," "County Fair," and more. Need a deeper breakdown? Full video tutorials are available for a small fee. Let’s saddle up and start strummin.

Each Chris LeDoux song below includes a free chord sheet, rhythm tips, and a demo video. If you want a detailed, step-by-step breakdown, check out the full video tutorial for a small fee.


Chris LeDoux Guitar Lessons
Chords, Rhythm & Tutorials

Calico Moon
Call Of The Wild
County Fair
Five Dollar Fine
Melodies & Memories
Riding For A Fall
Six Bucks A Day
Slow Down
Soft Place To Fall
Something In The Wind
Ten Seconds In The Saddle
The Lawman Reverend Brown
This Cowboys Hat
Under This Old Hat
Workin Mans Dollar

Calico Moon - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Stampede' album featuring the song 'Calico Moon' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

Calico Moon appeared on Chris LeDoux’s 2000 album Cowboy, one of the final studio releases issued during his years with Capitol Nashville.

Written by Chris LeDoux, the song was not released as a single, and no chart listing or official music video is associated with it. Instead, it became a favorite among longtime fans who appreciated LeDoux’s gift for blending cowboy imagery with tender storytelling.

The song paints a warm picture of love beneath a Western sky, showing a softer side of the rodeo champion best known for rough-and-tumble anthems.

By the time Cowboy was released, LeDoux had already earned a loyal following that stretched far beyond country radio. Calico Moon stands as a gentle reminder that his music was as much about romance and reflection as it was about horses, highways, and rodeo life.

Chords And Strumming

No lead in this one but a few riffs as you play through it in standard tuning with the chords Em, Am7, D, A7, A/Db, G, G6 and a Gbm. For rhythm play a down down up down down, followed by a down up down up down up and repeat the pattern. A smooth, heartfelt ballad with gentle chord progressions and steady strumming.

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Call Of The Wild - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy' album featuring the song 'Call Of The Wild' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

Call Of The Wild was written by Chris LeDoux and first appeared on his 1988 album Chris LeDoux and the Saddle Boogie Band before being re-recorded for the 1992 Liberty release Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy.

The song was not issued as a single, so it did not chart, and no official music video was produced. Built around a restless cowboy spirit, the lyric captures the urge to roam and the pull of open country. The 1992 version introduced the song to a much wider audience after LeDoux signed with a major label and gained national attention through his friendship with Garth Brooks.

Many fans consider it one of his most autobiographical recordings because it mirrors the same love of freedom and adventure that shaped both his rodeo career and his music.

Chords And Strumming

I play this one in standard tuning with the chords Em, G, D, C, D/Gb, Am and G6 and some lead. Play a down down up - up down down up and repeat rhythm pattern using a chop rhythm, then use a steady shuffle rhythm. A mid-tempo country anthem featuring strong open chords and classic western vibes.

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County Fair - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Western Underground' album featuring the song 'County Fair' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

County Fair was included on Chris LeDoux’s 2003 album Horsepower, released during the final years of his recording career. Written by LeDoux, the song was not released as a single and did not appear on the country charts, nor was an official music video produced.

Its easygoing lyric captures the sights and sounds of small-town America, from carnival rides to summer romance, reflecting the simple pleasures that often inspired his songwriting. Horsepower arrived after LeDoux underwent a liver transplant, making the album especially meaningful to fans who admired his determination to keep recording and touring.

While County Fair was never a radio hit, it showcases his warm, down-to-earth storytelling style and his ability to turn everyday experiences into songs that feel honest, familiar, and deeply rooted in rural life.

Chords And Strumming

This one is played with a down up stop up down up stop up up up down up stop up and repeat rhythm pattern in standard tuning with a capo 2nd fret. The chord you'll need are a G, C, D and a C/G. A fun, upbeat song with rolling chord changes and a driving rhythm.

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Five Dollar Fine - Learn To Play On Guitar

five dollar fine chris ledoux

Five Dollar Fine was written by Skip Ewing and debuted on Chris LeDoux’s 1996 album Stampede. Although it was released as a single and supported by a music video featuring a cameo from Garth Brooks, the song did not reach Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

Built around a humorous story about a driver who gladly pays a small penalty to keep seeing the woman he loves, the recording highlighted LeDoux’s playful side. Stampede marked his first studio album for Capitol Nashville and showed that he could balance rodeo songs with lighter, radio-friendly material.

While other artists recorded songs by Skip Ewing, LeDoux’s version of Five Dollar Fine remains the best known. It continues to be a fan favorite for its catchy chorus and good-natured Western charm.

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Melodies & Memories - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Melodies And Memories' album featuring the song 'Melodies And Memories' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

Melodies & Memories is the title track from Chris LeDoux’s 1984 independent album of the same name, released years before he became a national country star.

Written by LeDoux, the song was never issued as a single, so it did not chart, and there was no music video. The reflective lyric looks back on the songs and experiences that shape a person’s life, revealing his talent for thoughtful storytelling as well as high-energy rodeo songs. The album was sold largely through mail order to his devoted fan base, helping him build a career outside the Nashville system.

Longtime listeners often point to Melodies and Memories as an early example of the heartfelt writing that made LeDoux more than just a cowboy singer. It captures the nostalgic spirit that ran through much of his best work.

Chords And Strumming

I play this with a capo 3rd fret with the chords G, D, Em, C, Bm, Em, C/G and Am in standard tuning. A bit of lead here as you play a 1-2-3 up down up rhythm pattern, where 1-2-3 are arpeggio notes in the chord. A laid-back, melodic tune with simple picking patterns.

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Riding For A Fall  - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Western Underground' album featuring the song 'Riding For A Fall' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

Riding For A Fall was first released as a standalone single in 1990 and later re-recorded for Chris LeDoux’s 1991 album Western Underground. Written by Chris LeDoux, the song became one of his best-known ballads and reached No. 72 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1992.

An official music video was produced, helping introduce LeDoux to a wider audience just as his major-label career was taking off. The lyric compares a failing romance to a cowboy being thrown from a bronc, blending rodeo imagery with heartbreak in a way only LeDoux could deliver.

The song’s emotional honesty made it a fan favorite, and it remains one of the clearest examples of how he turned his life in the arena into songs that connected with listeners far beyond the rodeo circuit.

Chords And Strumming

I play this one in standard tuning with a bit of picking with the chords D, A, Bm, G, A7, A7sus, A, A/Db, Gbm and Em. For rhythm play a down down up down down up and repeat pattern. A story-driven country ballad featuring emotional chord progressions.

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Six Bucks A Day - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Haywire' album featuring the song 'Six Bucks A Day' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

Six Bucks A Day appears on Chris LeDoux’s 1994 album Haywire, although the song itself was written by the legendary cowboy singer Dave Stamey? Actually, correction: it was written by Ian Tyson and had been recorded earlier by several western artists.

LeDoux did not release it as a single, so it never charted, and no music video was made. The song recalls the hard work and low wages of ranch hands who toiled long days for little pay, capturing a disappearing way of life that LeDoux deeply respected.

His rugged voice and authentic delivery gave the song added credibility, especially among listeners who understood the realities of cowboy work. Though not a radio hit, Six Bucks a Day stands as one of his most faithful tributes to the men who built the West through grit and determination.

Chords And Strumming

Played with drop D tuning, use a down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. Some lead here with the chords Em, A7, D, A/Db, Bm, G and Bm/A. A classic cowboy tune with a steady rhythm and western feel.

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Slow Down - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Haywire' album featuring the song 'Slow Down' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

Slow Down is a reflective track from Chris LeDoux’s 1994 album Haywire, his final release for Liberty Records. Written by Chris LeDoux, the song was never issued as a single, so it did not appear on the country charts and was not accompanied by a music video.

Instead of focusing on rodeo action, the lyric offers a gentle reminder to take life at a calmer pace and appreciate the people and moments that matter most. Haywire also included his well-known cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Tougher Than the Rest,” but Slow Down reveals LeDoux’s own thoughtful side.

Fans often point to this song as evidence that beneath the cowboy image was a songwriter capable of delivering heartfelt messages about family, priorities, and the importance of living in the moment.

Chords And Strumming

I play this one with a capo 2nd fret in standard tuning with a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. The chords you'll need are D, G, D7, Em, A7 and D/Gb with some lead. A softer, reflective song using gentle strumming and melodic transitions.

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Soft Place To Fall - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Under This Old Hat' album featuring the song 'Soft Place To Fall' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

Soft Place To Fall appears on Chris LeDoux’s 1993 album Under This Old Hat. Written by Chris LeDoux, the song was not released as a single, so it did not chart and no official music video was produced. The tender lyric tells of finding comfort and security in the arms of someone who offers steady love after life’s rough patches.

While the album generated three charting singles, including the title track, this quieter recording became a favorite among listeners who appreciated LeDoux’s softer side. His warm, understated performance shows that his music was about more than bronc riding and open ranges.

Soft Place to Fall highlights his ability to write sincere love songs that felt just as authentic as his cowboy anthems, proving that strength and vulnerability could exist side by side.

Chords And Strumming

Played in standard tuning with a capo 1st fret, you'll want to play a 1-2-3- up down up pattern,  where 1-2-3 are arpeggio notes in the chord,  and then use a root down up root up down up pattern. Some picking here with the chords G, A, Bm, Gbm, D, Em, A7sus, A7 and B. A romantic country song with slow, easy chord changes.

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Something In The Wind - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Melodies And Memories' album featuring the song 'Something In The Wind' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

Something In The Wind was featured on Chris LeDoux’s 1984 independent album Melodies & Memories. Written by Chris LeDoux, the song was never released as a single and did not chart, nor was a music video created.

The lyric captures a restless feeling that change is on the horizon, using the natural world as a symbol for intuition and hope. During this period, LeDoux was still selling records directly to fans through mail order and at rodeos, building a loyal following long before Nashville embraced him.

That independent spirit is woven into the song’s reflective mood. Something in the Wind may not be widely known outside his core audience, but it showcases the thoughtful songwriting and western imagery that helped establish LeDoux as one of country music’s most authentic voices.

Chords And Strumming

You can use Drop D Tuning here with a capo 2nd fret while playing a root down root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. Just a few riffs here with the chords G, Bm, C, D and Em. A folksy western tune featuring rolling chords and a natural flow.

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Ten Seconds In The Saddle - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Western Tunessmith' album featuring the song 'Ten Seconds In The Saddle' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

Ten Seconds In The Saddle was released on Chris LeDoux’s 1980 album Western Tunesmith and became one of his earliest charting singles.

Written by LeDoux, the song reached No. 96 on the Billboard country chart, giving him his first national recognition as a recording artist. No official music video was produced, which was common for country releases of that era. The title refers to the eight-second requirement for a qualified bull ride, with a little extra time added for dramatic effect.

Drawing directly from his own rodeo experience, LeDoux captures the adrenaline, danger, and pride of staying aboard a bucking bull. The song helped cement his reputation as a true cowboy who sang from firsthand knowledge rather than imagination.

Chords And Strumming

Use a root down up down up down up rhythm pattern with a few riffs in standard tuning while playing the chords C, F, Am, C7, D7 and G. A fast-paced cowboy anthem with quick strumming and energetic chords.

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The Lawman Reverend Brown - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Sing Me A Song Mr Rodeo Man' album featuring the song 'The Lawman Revernd Brown' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

The Lawman Reverend Brown comes from Chris LeDoux’s 1977 album Sing Me a Song Mr. Rodeo Man, one of the many records he released independently before signing with a major label. Written by Chris LeDoux, the song was never issued as a single, so it did not chart and was not promoted with a music video.

The lyric unfolds like an old Western tale, introducing a larger-than-life character who brings both justice and spiritual conviction to a troubled town. Story songs like this were central to LeDoux’s early catalog and reflected his love for cowboy poetry and frontier legends. Although it remains a deeper album cut,

The Lawman Reverend Brown shows his talent for painting vivid scenes and creating memorable characters with simple but effective storytelling.

Chords And Strumming

Played in standard tuning with an E, A and B7 and no lead required. Play a simple root down up root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern for this one. A storytelling classic featuring detailed picking and chord variations.

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This Cowboy's Hat - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Western Underground' album featuring the song 'This Cowboy's Hat' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

This Cowboy's Hat first appeared on Chris LeDoux’s 1982 album Used to Want to Be a Cowboy and was re-recorded for his 1991 major-label debut Western Underground.

Written by LeDoux, the song was released as a single and reached No. 63 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. A music video was later produced in 1997, renewing interest in one of his signature recordings. The spoken-style story about a cowboy defending the meaning behind his hat struck a powerful chord with fans and became his most requested concert number.

Years later, his son Ned LeDoux recorded the song with Chase Rice, introducing it to a new generation of country listeners.

Chords And Strumming

I use a capo 2nd fret on this one in standard tuning with the chords Am, G6, G, C, Dm, Em, E7 and E. For rhythm play a 1-2- up down and repeat where 1-2 are arpeggio notes on the chord. One of LeDoux’s most iconic songs, featuring simple yet powerful chord progressions.

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Under This Old Hat - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Under This Old Hat' album featuring the song 'Under This Old Hat' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

Under This Old Hat is the title track from Chris LeDoux’s 1993 album Under This Old Hat. Written by Chris LeDoux, the song was released as a single and climbed to No. 54 on the U.S. country chart and No. 53 in Canada.

An official music video also received airplay on country television. In the lyric, LeDoux reflects on the memories, lessons, and scars hidden beneath a weathered cowboy hat, using it as a symbol of a life fully lived.

The album reached No. 21 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and further established him as a mainstream country artist. Under This Old Hat remains one of his most personal recordings, offering a thoughtful look at aging, wisdom, and the experiences that shape a man over time.

Chords And Strumming

Another one with a capo 2nd fret in standard tuning but with a down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern with walking bass. Some lead here with the chords Am, D, G, D7, Bm, E7, C, A, F and F#. A classic western song with a steady tempo and traditional country sound.

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Workin' Mans Dollar - Learn To Play On Guitar

Album cover for 'Western Underground' album featuring the song 'Workin Mans Blues' by Chris Ledoux – Learn to play on guitar.

Workin' Mans Dollar was released as a single from Chris LeDoux’s 1991 album Western Underground. Written by LeDoux, the song reached No. 69 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1992, and an official music video helped promote it to a broader audience.

With its strong blue-collar message, the lyric celebrates the value of honest labor and the pride that comes from earning a living through hard work. The song struck a chord with working people who related to its straightforward message and traditional country sound.

Although it was not one of his biggest hits, Workin’ Man’s Dollar reinforced LeDoux’s connection to everyday Americans and showed that his music spoke just as powerfully about factory floors and ranches as it did about rodeo arenas.

Chords And Strumming

For rhythm here use a down down up down up down down and repeat pattern with no lead and in standard tuning. The chords in this one are A, D, G and a C.

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A blue-collar anthem with strong chord changes and a rhythmic groove.

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Chris LeDoux’s music captures the spirit of cowboy life and traditional country storytelling, making his songs both fun and rewarding to play on guitar. Whether you're learning "This Cowboy’s Hat" for its heartfelt lyrics or "County Fair" for its upbeat rhythm, you’ll find the chords, demos, and lessons you need to master these great tunes.

If you’re ready to take your playing further, check out the full video tutorials for a step-by-step breakdown. Happy strumming, and keep the cowboy spirit alive!


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