Before he became one of country music’s most beloved voices, Chris LeDoux ruled rodeo arenas with high-speed run-ins that made crowds erupt. Behind his iconic use of “Lone Ranger (William Tell Overture)” lies a story of danger, showmanship, and pure cowboy spirit—one that turned a bareback rider into a legend long before he ever stepped on a concert stage.
THE RUN-IN THAT TURNED INTO LEGEND
In the late ’60s and early ’70s, Chris was often invited to perform run-ins before PRCA events. Instead of the traditional warm-up lap, he chose “William Tell Overture”—the music forever tied to The Lone Ranger. As the tempo accelerated, Chris and his horse blasted down the arena fence line like a lightning strike.
Fans described it with one word: “electric.”
Hooves thundered, dust exploded, and Chris nearly stood upright in his stirrups—a silhouette that looked less like a man and more like a myth.
THE DANGEROUS TRUTH BEHIND THE PERFORMANCE
In a rare interview, Chris revealed that the speed he pushed during the Lone Ranger run-in was genuinely dangerous.
He needed perfect timing:
-
the overture must hit the crescendo
-
the horse had to be fired up
- the fence was only a few feet away
One delay from the sound system, one slip from the horse, and the result could have been catastrophic. But Chris did it anyway—because he wanted fans to feel the raw beauty of cowboy freedom.
THE 12 SECONDS THAT MADE CHRIS “FAMOUS BY ACCIDENT”
Promoters recalled that ticket lines swelled whenever word spread:
“Chris is doing the Lone Ranger run-in tonight.”
He didn’t perform it at every event—but when he did, the crowd transformed instantly. No pyrotechnics. No special effects. Just a real cowboy, a real horse, and a moment of real danger.
And that was enough to shake an entire arena.
WHY “LONE RANGER” MEANT SOMETHING TO CHRIS
For Chris, The Lone Ranger wasn’t a costume or a gimmick—it was a code. A hero who did the right thing, asked for no applause, then disappeared into the horizon.
That was Chris LeDoux to the core:
-
no bragging
-
no spotlight chasing
-
loyal to rodeo and cowboy values
Even years later, when he became a recording artist, he kept the Lone Ranger music as a reminder of who he truly was.
A RUN-IN THAT STILL LIVES IN MEMORY
Today, only a few grainy tapes remain of the original run-ins. But for those who witnessed them, Chris LeDoux racing into the arena to “Lone Ranger” remains one of the most breathtaking sights in rodeo history.
It was more than a performance—it was Chris telling the world:
“I’m here to give my best. Then I’m gone.”