Ned LeDoux is following in his father’s footsteps and taking over as a country singer.

The son of the famous country singer Chris LeDoux, Ned LeDoux grew up with a passion for music. When he was 5, he got his first drum set. From there he joined a band in his teens and in the late ’90s, he joined his father onstage in his band, Western Underground. When Chris LeDoux died in 2005, his son continued on with the band on a tour. At first he continued to just play drums, but slowly he took his father’s place center stage as the bandmates heard him sing and recognized his talent. Now, 12 years after his father’s death, LeDoux is releasing his first album with songs inspired by notes left behind by his father.

“Sagebrush,” which came out Nov. 3, was produced by award-winner Mac McAnnally. LeDoux wrote and co-wrote eight of the songs on the album and some of the songs are even marked as cowritten with his father.

“The title of the album is ‘Sagebrush,’ which I think really just sums up the entire album. It’s a symbol of the West and a lot of the songs are about me growing up, the people I grew up with, all the traveling I’ve done. It’s a very ranchy album,” LeDoux said.

His music is all him, but he said that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and fans can still hear his father in his sound.

Growing up, LeDoux always loved watching his father and that was what led him to really get interested in music. For him, music became his only plan for life. He said touring and performing becomes addictive for him. He can be home barely a week before he starts to get antsy and ready to go again.

“Once I got the taste of the road, and being in front of a crowd and just the sound of it, it was…freedom,” he said.

When asked what he likes most about performing, his joking response was, “When people show up is always a plus. But really, performing, I’m living the dream.”

LeDoux will be at the 4 Bears Casino today and tomorrow. 4 Bears is one stop on his PBR Velocity Tour. He has performed in North Dakota quite a few times and always enjoys when he comes up.

In his performances, he plans to play mainly his songs, since he’s trying to show himself and his ways, but he does plan to play some of his father’s songs as well.

Tickets for his performances can be purchased the day of the event at 4 Bears, online at their site, or by calling 627-7575. They start at $20 and along with the concert, guests can play one of 700 gaming slots or have dinner at the Bison Room Steakhouse before the show.