For Western, Country Music and Rodeo Fans There’s Only One Place to be in Arizona on April 25! Be with Ned LeDoux at the AZ Premiere of “Outriding the Devil”
Tempe, AZ —“The same dirt that got on my boots was probably the same dirt that got on Clint Eastwood’s boots as well,” reflects Ned LeDoux, as he recounts filming at the historic Mescal Movie Set during the production of the now critically acclaimed docudrama Outriding the Devil.
Premiered as an official event of the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December 2025, Outriding the Devil arrives in the Grand Canyon State for its Arizona Premiere on April 25 at the Pollack Cinemas in Tempe. The likelihood is that it will still be the No. 1-ranked Western documentary movie on IMDb (the Internet Movie Database), a position it’s held for months, not weeks, in a remarkable run during its Premiere Tour.
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Ned LeDoux is making a special appearance at the Arizona Premiere. He will participate in what is anticipated to be a wide-ranging conversation and Q&A directly after the screening, engaging on not only his experiences as an actor in the movie, but also being one of the main interviewees, during which he shares insights into his legendary father, Chris LeDoux, in both rodeo and country music.
“It was a pleasure to be a part of Outriding the Devil to honor Angela and the amazing life she has had. And she is still going strong!” he says.
An outstanding journey into faith, family, and rodeo, Outriding the Devil is created around the life and pioneer ranching heritage of Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame barrel racer, Angela Ganter, who overcame Stage 4 breast cancer and made what many consider to be the greatest comeback in rodeo history.
The movie embodies the energy of rodeo, carrying the audience with urgency from the Texas frontier of the 1850s where Ganter’s great-grandparents were among the first ranchers, to the emergence of the great cattle drives north, the evolution of rodeo, and then how Western heritage coursing through Ganter’s veins informed her fight with cancer, through to what, ultimately, leads the former of governor of Wyoming, Matt Mead, to conclude:
“The more you analyze rodeo, the more you understand that it’s more than just a sport. I think it reveals to spectators and those who see the rodeo, the human spirit at the highest level coming through, and I think so much of that is why it’s symbolic of the American West.”
It doesn’t get more “Western” than Outriding the Devil. “It’s just an outstanding film,” comments Jeremy Bartz, a San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo board member. “It captures the spirit of rodeo so well, and even got me a little choked up.” The film just made a Premiere Tour stop in San Angelo as an official part of the rodeo’s calendar.
In one of the film’s dramatizations, Ned LeDoux plays Angela Ganter’s uncle, Charlie Campbell, in a scene that depicts a barely teenaged Angela being taken into the vastness of the southern New Mexico landscape for round-up day. Lily Wright, a rising rodeo star and the younger sister of Stetson, Rusty, Ryder, and Statler Wright, plays Ganter.
“Working side-by-side with Lily Wright was great. It was her first movie and only my second. I think she did a great job and I can definitely see her taking on more acting roles in the future,” says LeDoux.
Wright’s sassy teen attitude as Ganter and LeDoux’s jovial chatterbox Campbell leave you wanting to see more of them, the scene culminating with touching moments of real emotional vulnerability.
“Lily’s a natural. The camera loves her,” states writer/director Raen LeVell. “I knew Ned would be great before we shot the first frame of his first role,” he continues.
LeVell cast LeDoux in the Amazon streaming hit, Buffalo Daze. As a rookie actor, he was thrown in at the deep end, playing opposite screen veteran Eddie Spears (Hell on Wheels) and Leenah Robinson (1923), both of whom bring a burning intensity to their roles.
Garth, Chris, and Ned
LeVell says he wanted to cast LeDoux after seeing his performance on the main stage at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2021, supporting Garth Brooks.
“I thought, man, this is a tough gig. Supporting the great Garth Brooks on the 25th anniversary of his performance with Chris LeDoux on the same stage. That carries weight and responsibility. There wasn’t one of those 25,000 people who didn’t love Chris LeDoux. But Ned came on, did that Ned thing he does, where he leans back with his guitar and smiles, and instantly he had the audience. That’s charisma. I knew that would translate to the big screen,” he recalls.
In Outriding the Devil, Ned talks about his father’s connection to Garth Brooks and also his rodeo career. This year is the 50th anniversary of Chris LeDoux winning the PRCA Bareback World Championship at the NFR in Oklahoma City.
“Dad’s the first one I can think of that incorporated the life of rodeo into country music, and it’s just because he lived that life for years and years. He released a lot of albums while he was rodeoing. A true rodeo cowboy – and cowboy to the core – who was writing songs about the life he lived.”
Ned LeDoux
Additional Country Music Stars
Ned LeDoux isn’t the only country artist in Outriding the Devil or who will be present at the Arizona Premiere. Hall of Fame songwriter and 2X Grammy nominee Radney Foster wrote the theme song and revisited some of his classics for the soundtrack, and Chancey Williams makes a perfectly timed appearance in the movie.
In Tempe, Riley Evyn will open the evening, performing before the movie screening. “Riley Evyn might be country music’s next star. Or at least she should be,” proclaims Saving Country Music, one of the most forthright country outlets. Evyn, who has already supported the likes of Aaron Watson and the Bellamy Brothers, has a personal connection to Angela Ganter.
“My mom has been friends with Angela’s family for years. I have gotten to spend time with her mom, Jo, which makes this such a special performance for me,” says Evyn. “I feel so honored to be asked to play for the Arizona Premiere of Outriding The Devil.”
Ledoux’s Closing Thoughts
For Ned LeDoux, 2026 has already gathered some serious momentum. His acting in both Buffalo Daze and Outriding the Devil is rightfully attracting attention. He duets with the late country legend, Dan Seals, on a new release of “God Must Be A Cowboy,” a hit his father also recorded for his 1984 album Melodies and Memories. In August, he will join fellow Wyoming country star, Ian Munsick, at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.
LeDoux closes on thoughts of Outriding the Devil.
“I really enjoyed shooting Outriding the Devil. Being at the Mescal Movie Set was awesome. I love that quintessential Western landscape. It was an amazing experience, knowing that so many legendary actresses and actors and big-time Western movies were filmed there.”
On April 25 at the Pollack Cinemas in Tempe, you have the opportunity to see what inspired Ned and to hear him share his thoughts and recollections in an intimate setting that should not be passed up. For Western, country music, and rodeo fans, there’s only one place to be in Arizona on April 25.
Outriding the Devil, Arizona Premiere with a special appearance by Ned LeDoux and featuring Riley Evyn:
Pollack Cinemas
1825 E Elliot Rd
Tempe, AZ
April 25th 2026.
Doors and Red Carpet 6.30 pm
Showtime 7 pm
Join Cowboy Lifestyle Network at the premiere. Those in attendance will be entered to win signed merchandise and may be witnesses to a live acoustic performance by Ned Ledoux. We can’t wait to see you all there and to see this family western movie!
Last Updated on 04/15/2026 by Jodi Erpelding
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