When I was fourteen years old, my mom called me downstairs to where she was listening to KUPI radio to have me hear a song she thought I might enjoy. I guess my mom knew me pretty well.
The song was “Caballo Diablo”, a Charlie Daniels song as performed by Chris LeDoux, a singer I had been completely unaware of until that moment. Chris would become one of the role models who got me out of my shell and convinced me to pick up the guitar and get serious. Meeting him in 1987 at his home will always remain one of the highlights of my life.
I started this so-far unfinished painting of Chris with the intention of presenting it to him at a show we were supposed to do together. When the show fell through, to my huge disappointment, I ended up keeping the painting and never finished it. Chris died a year or two later.
Here is my tribute in rhyme to my cowboy hero …
CHRIS LEDOUX’S GHOST
Sing me your songs of Wyoming,
Powder River, the sand and the sage;
Riding free as the wind on your old buckskin steed,
Sing me your songs of the range.
Tell me your tales of a cowboy
Driving hard just to make the next show;
Your stories made me taste the dust in my teeth
Riding broncs at the big rodeo.
And you’re still out there riding the prairie,
I can see you as you crest the hill,
And Chris LeDoux’s ghost lives in this guitar,
And there’s no doubt that he always will.
I remember that boy and his gui-tar,
A shy kid just fourteen years old
Your “Caballo Diablo” sent chills up my spine,
And I knew then that I had struck gold.
You taught me to get back up on ’em,
If ever I got thrown from my star,
And Chris LeDoux will ride on in my heart,
For his ghost lives here in my guitar.
And you’re still out there riding the prairie,
I can see you as you crest the hill,
And Chris LeDoux’s ghost lives in this guitar,
And there’s no doubt that he always will.
Tag: And I promise that you always will.
—Kirby Jonas, January 22, 2006
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Reading the lyrics gave me the same goosebumps that I had when I heard you sing it! Please tell me that you will release a CD in the future that includes this song! I’m be one of the first purchasers. You are very talented.
Thank you, Nancy! It will definitely be on a CD if I ever get to the point that I can afford doing one.
That’s a awesome song. I too will be a purchaser of said cd if it’s made. You are a very talented man. Glad that you and my mom are very good friends.
Thanks, Mike! Yep, we have had a good time getting to know your mom.
Loved it, totally! Your awesome talent rides again! Will watch for your CD soon, and this painting is magnificent, also.
Valynda, I can’t tell you how nice it is to see you in here. Thank you for the kind comments.
Mercy Kirby, you never stop to amaze me with your talent and everyone that truly knows you is that God’s talent is not being wasted through you!
It’s always a privilege calling you “My true and greatest friend” and will always continue to be this way.
Yesterday, as I sit in Sacrament meeting, I was thinking about you and praying for you and Debbie (your sweet wife) that all of the horrible stuff that you’ve had to deal with a evil person the past few days, shall come to an end and you know of whom I’m talking about and while praying so hard, I song came to my mind and it’s an great gospel song too, so I want to share this song with you.
HE’S ALL I NEED WHEN I JUST NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO
HE’S ALWAYS THERE TO HEAR MY PRAYER EACH TIME I CALL HIM
ALL MY NEED HE SUPPLIES MY THIRSTY SOUL HE SATISFIES
HE’S LORD OF ALL AND HE’S ALL I NEED
HE COMFORTS ME WHEN I’M WEARY EASES EVERY PAIN
FILLS MY DEEPEST LONGING TIME AND TIME AGAIN
HE’S MY SOULS INSPIRATION, MY HEART’S CONSOLATION
HE’S MY EVERYTHING; HE’S ALL I NEED
HE’S ALL I NEED I WILL NOT TURN TO ANY OTHER
FOR HE’S A FRIEND WHO’S CLOSER THAN ANY BROTHER
ON THIS FRIEND I CAN RELY TO BE MY STRENGTH AS LIFE GOES BY THE LORD OF ALL IS ALL I NEED
HE COMFORTS ME WHEN I’M WEARY EASES EVERY PAIN
FILLS MY DEEPEST LONGING TIME AND TIME AGAIN
HE’S MY SOULS INSPIRATION MY HEART’S CONSOLATION
HE’S MY EVERYTHING HE’S ALL I NEED
Thanks for all the kind words and the song, amigo. Good to have you in my court!
This is awesome! Being a Wyoming native. Chris ledoux was a great legend we lost to soon. So honoring his memory and our great state of Wyoming always means so much to all of us. Thank you so much beautiful song.
Hi, Lynelle,
Thank you so much for the kind words. Yes, Chris was really something, and such a personable man as well. One of a kind. And so is your state! I love Wyoming!
You continue to amaze Kirby, my friend. A Writer, Signer and even a painter. God has definitely showered you with gifts in order for you to share them with the masses.
Thank you so much. I don’t know how to do anything really useful, but I’m good at the arts! haha
What a tribute. I hope the CD is coming soon. I loved his music.
Sandy, thank you so much. Please stay in touch through my website, as of course whenever I have any music come out it will be announced here. Take care!