Album: Under This Old Hat

Introduction
"Under This Old Hat" is a 1993 album by the late American country music artist Chris LeDoux. The album marks LeDoux's 23rd full-length studio release and his third for the significant label Liberty Records. Known for his genuine cowboy persona and high-energy live efficiencies, LeDoux produced a strong and devoted fanbase that resonated with his unique mix of country-rock and rodeo-themed music. "Under This Old Hat" is no exception, featuring a mix of sincere ballads, foot-stomping country-rock tunes, and rodeo anthems that properly represented the life of a cowboy.

Album Background and Recording
Following the success of his 1992 release "Whatcha Gon na Do with a Cowboy", which included a cooperation with Garth Brooks, Chris LeDoux returned to the studio in 1992 and 1993 to record "Under This Old Hat". The album features 11 tracks, including nine written or co-written by LeDoux, and was produced by popular c and w producer Jimmy Bowen.

LeDoux drew inspiration from his personal experiences as a former rodeo champion and cowboy for the tunes on "Under This Old Hat". His credibility and commitment to the cowboy lifestyle lent a distinct and real viewpoint to the subject. The album was recorded with the assistance of his exploring band, Western Underground, who provided a tight, well-rehearsed noise that complemented LeDoux's energetic and sincere vocal shipment.

The artwork for the album includes a picture of LeDoux using his signature well-worn cowboy hat, reinforcing the styles of the rural cowboy life that penetrate the songs on the record.

Music and Themes
"Under This Old Hat" is a balanced mix of up-tempo country rockers, reflective ballads, rodeo anthems, and even a novelty track. The title track, "Under This Old Hat", is a stirring mid-tempo ballad that highlights the album's storytelling, while "Get Back on That Pony" and "Every Time I Roll the Dice" showcase LeDoux's grittier side and the impact of country-rock, blues, and honky-tonk music on his noise.

Songs like "Strawberry Roan" and "Running Through the Rain" pay tribute to LeDoux's love for rodeo and the competitive spirit that drove him throughout his profession. These tracks are most likely to resonate with fans of both c and w and rodeo sporting events.

The trio of ballads on the album - "When I Say Forever", "Last Drive-In", and "The Cowboy and the Rose" - supply emotional depth and range, highlighting LeDoux's capability to communicate feeling and tell poignant stories through his music. The album closes with the amusing novelty track "Cadillac Cowboy", which satirizes subjects such as metropolitan cowboys and commercialism in country music.

Reception and Legacy
"Under This Old Hat" peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, and 2 of its singles, "Every Time I Roll the Dice" and "For Your Love", accomplished modest success on the country music charts. While the album might not have been a huge industrial success, it even more cemented LeDoux's reputation as a genuine voice in a category that often battled with concerns of commercialism and credibility.

Chris LeDoux continued to tape and carry out up until his death in 2005, leaving behind an excellent brochure of music that reflected the realities, struggles, and joys of living the cowboy lifestyle. "Under This Old Hat" stands as a necessary chapter in LeDoux's musical tradition and works as a testimony to his talent, credibility, and long-lasting appeal.