![]() Nestled in the mountains of central Idaho, the picturesque town of Challis bustles every August when it plays host to the Braun Brothers Reunion Festival. Regarded as one of the state’s premier musical gatherings by both attendees and artists alike, the BBR is a family-friendly event that draws thousands of visitors from across the globe, bringing artists and fans together in an unparalleled setting for three unforgettable days. This year, the BBR will be held from August 9th-11th and will feature fifteen plus Americana, Texas, and Red Dirt artists including Ned LeDoux who marks his second appearance in Challis after a warm reception in 2017. Ned notes, "We play Idaho every once in a while, but last year was our first time in Challis and it was terrific. I love the location, how you’re wrapped up in the mountains; the crowd, who were incredibly attentive and singing along to every song we played; and the atmosphere backstage – it’s a gathering of good and future friends and talented musicians who support one another and cannot wait to see the next person get up and play. We really enjoyed it and are honored to have been invited back." At last year’s BBR, the crowd was incredibly responsive to you. They not only loved your originals, but were so grateful to hear you playing your dad’s songs as well. When I started playing and singing songs, I never bothered to learn anyone else’s except for my dad’s. The first one was “Rodeo Man” and from there it was “Hippies in Calgary,” “The Yellow Stud” and others. I got a good setlist together and thought maybe I could do a show someday. At the time, I was busy playing drums in two different bands, but when winter came around, things slowed down and that freed me up to try this singing thing (laughing). Starting out, I only performed dad’s songs, but even if I get to the point where I have five albums and could fill a 90-minute slot with only my stuff, I will always have my dad’s songs in there as well. ![]() Your first album, Sagebrush, was released last November. The word sagebrush is mentioned throughout the album in a few songs, was there any particular reason you chose that as the title? In the West, particularly Wyoming, sagebrush grows everywhere you look. It’s one of my favorite smells, especially after the spring rain when the sun comes out, and I thought that summed the album as a whole up nicely. While many of the songs speak to cowboy life, they have sentiments that connect with everyone. For example, the small-town life of “Ain’t We Got It All” or the appreciation present in “Forever A Cowboy.” I grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and that reflects in the songs I write. When you sing about building fence, stacking hay or working cows, there’s a lot of people, not only in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Utah, but all over the country who can relate to that as well. “Forever A Cowboy” is about everything that I appreciate in life, from the landscape I grew up in, to the people who inspire me. Initially, the song was probably seven or eight minutes long because I have so much I am grateful for, so I had to whittle it down and simplify it a bit. I think with "We Ain't Got It All," even if you’re not a cowboy or rancher, you can relate to that simple way of living in the song, which has always been my lifestyle. With Sagebrush not even a year old, LeDoux says he is working on some new material, but doesn’t have any plans to get into the studio anytime soon. “I’m pretty tickled with this project. If you asked me five years ago what I thought I would be doing now, I’d have said playing the drums. I never dreamed I would be writing songs, playing guitar, and singing...or that it would be so much fun. If I knew that, I would have started this a long time ago, but I think God has a plan for everyone and this is how it should be for me. Better late than never." To keep up with Ned LeDoux Website/Facebook/Twitter/Insta 2018 Braun Brothers Reunion Challis, Idaho August 9-11th Purchase: 3 Day Pass $124.30 Purchase: 2 Day Pass Friday and Saturday ONLY The BBR is held rain or shine. Tickets purchased online will be picked up at will call at the venue. Tickets are Non-refundable. Kids age 5 and under are free. Kids age 6-12 are $15 a day and can ONLY be purchased at the front gate even if its sold out. Kids age 13 and up pay full adult price. Website/Facebook/Twitter
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