Band bringing edgy country to county fair

The country band Western Underground has been likened by the media to Roy Rogers meeting Led Zeppelin.

That may or may not be guitarist and road manager Mark Sissel's favorite analogy, but he concedes the essential truth in the description of the Nashville-based band that blends high-energy rock influences and stage pyrotechnics with the cowboy values and traditions personified by its late founder, Chris LeDoux, a former world champion bareback rider-turned-country star.

LeDoux died of cancer in 2005 at age 56. But the band he founded in 1989 survives him and, says Sissel, continues in his style, whether performing the songs he wrote or ones they produced in the years since his passing.

And that includes the onstage mechanical bull and pyrotechnics that LeDoux was noted for.

Yuma-area residents will have the chance to see Western Underground live when the band performs at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Yuma County Fairgrounds' Main Stage as part of the weeklong fair.

Rodeo was a first love for LeDoux as he came of age in Wyoming, but even as he was riding bareback, he was making a music on a separate track, said Sissel. And the two came together in the late 1980s when he put all of his efforts into a music career and hired the members of the band that would become Western Underground.

“We came with a little more rock in us and a little more edge,” he said, helping LeDoux create what became rodeo rock 'n' roll.

The songs written by LeDoux speak of the rodeo circuit and the cowboy lifestyle he loved, said Sissel, but also of the traditional western values the rodeo rider-turned-musician typified: loyalty, trustworthiness, integrity and family.

What the other band members have contributed over the years is some rock 'n' roll influences “with an edge.”

“I just really think it's about having fun,” Sissel said in a recent phone interview from Nashville. “It's family-oriented. There's no negative. It rocks pretty hard, but it's positive.”

By “no negative,” he means there are no “crying in your beer” or hard-luck songs.

LeDoux also had a tendency to get a bit rowdy on stage, Sissel said. “You had to keep an eye on him,” he said, recalling the time during a performance when LeDoux pulled Sissel's hat so far down over his eyes that the hat band ended up coming off.

But LeDoux being LeDoux, he sewed it back on the next morning, Sissel said.

For Yuma's fair, he said, Western Undergound will perform a mix of songs LeDoux wrote and songs the band produced after his death, with perhaps more emphasis on LeDoux's songs.

But either way, Sissel added, fairgoers can expect a concert in LeDoux's tradition.

“Everything we've done as Western Underground is to continue that legacy. We just wanted to carry on that style, because it was unique to him and it was positive. He had a great fan base, and we just wanted to give them what they loved about Chris.”

With the exception of vocalist Lane Turner, who joined the band a little more than a year ago, Western Underground's members have been the band since before LeDoux's death.

Joining Sissel and Turner are LeDoux's son, Ned, and K.W. Turnbow on drums, Bobby Jensen on keyboards and Lyle “Pops” Evans on bass.

“We're just happy to come down and see some Arizona sun and play some music.”

MORE ENTERTAINMENT

Other bands performing in the Yuma County Fair:

The Doo-Wah Riders

More than 30 years in existence, this country band returns to Yuma every year to perform at the fair. The band plays what it calls “high energy country with a cajun twist.”

The band is scheduled to perform on the fairgrounds' Main Stage on Tuesday at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., Wednesday at 6 and 9 p.m. and Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.doowahriders.com

Steal the Scenery

This San Diego-based alternative pop band is making its first appearance at the fair, although it has performed previously in Yuma at such places as the LZ Bar and Grill.

For the fair, it will perform on the Main Stage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

For more information, visit www.stealthescenery.com

Moonlight Howlers

This Williams, Ariz.-based rockabilly band also is making its first appeared at Yuma's fair.

It will perform on the Main Stage on Friday at 4:30 and 8 p.m.; on Saturday at 1, 5 and 8 p.m.; and on Sunday at 3 and 7:30 p.m.

Blaze of Glory

This Bon Jovi tribute band, also making its first appearance at the Yuma fair, will be on the Main Stage on Friday at 2, 6 and 9 p.m.; Saturday at 2:30, 6 and 9 p.m.; and on Sunday at 1:30 and 6 p.m.

For more information, visit http://blazeofglory.ca

ENTERTAINMENT AREAS

GRANDSTAND AREAS

Great American Petting Zoo and Pony Rides

Demolition Derby, sponsored by Zeller's, on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Tiny Tots Carnival Area with 8 to 10 kiddie rides

4-H & FFA Horse Show — Friday

MAIN STAGE ENTERTAINMENT

Tyzen, hypnotist — daily

Russ's Carving Creations, sand sculpture — daily

The Doo Wah Riders, country & western — Tuesday through Thursday

Steal The Scenery, alternative pop — Wednesday

Western Underground – country & western — Thursday

Blaze Of Glory, Bon Jovi tribute band — Friday through Sunday

Moonlight Howlers, rockabilly music — Friday through Sunday

GUIDO'S CHILDREN STAGE

Pickles The Clown — games daily

Adam The Great, comedy magic — daily

Quiz Whiz Game Show — daily

Power House Dancers — daily

Paper, Rock, Scissors — games daily

STROLLING ENTERTAINMENT

Leapin Louie, comedy juggler, daily

B.C. Character — daily

Power House Dancers — daily

Yummy's Balloons — daily

Adam The Great, comedy magic — daily

Pickles The Clown — daily

ADDITIONAL ENTERTAINMENT

Budweiser Clydesdales — daily

Kid's Town America — daily, between 4-H and FFA buildings

AG Venture – daily, between 4-H and FFA buildings

THEATRE BUILDING

Pacific Animal Productions, Safari Adventure Live — educational exhibit to include reptiles, birds, mammals, and invertebrates from around the world. Open daily from noon to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Show times listed daily.

LIVESTOCK AREA

Livestock shows and auction

ATM MACHINE LOCATION

Theatre and Commercial buildings and Information Booth

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Click here to see full schedule of entertainment for the 2011 Yuma County Fair