Kenny Feidler and The Cowboy Killers will hit the stage at The Outlaw Saloon on Friday to headline the Cheyenne Frontier Days afterparty. (Courtesy/Kenny Faidler)

Ask almost any songwriter how they come up with song ideas and they’ll tell you that they write what they know.

Whether it’s heartache, loss of faith, family conflict, or other issues, many songwriters incorporate life experiences into their work.

For South Dakota country singer-songwriter Kenny Feidler, this is exactly the case.

“I’m not a catchy, trendy guy. I stick to writing what I know,” Feidler said. “It changes as you age and grows as you grow. You’re trying to make your songs grow with life.”

As a former rodeo player, Feidler drives endlessly across the United States for rodeo after rodeo, writing and singing about the trials and tribulations of chasing checks and championship belt buckles.

“I used to ride bareback five years ago, but I kind of gave up. I’m 30 and have a kid,” Feidler said. “I’m a professional rodeo and did college rodeos and stuff for quite some time.”

During his rodeo career, Feidler got to know fellow rodeo athlete-turned-musician Chris LeDoux.

Ledoux was also a bareback rider and a champion rodeo athlete as well as a musician.

The Wyoming native has recorded 36 albums over the course of his career, selling over 6 million copies in the United States.

Some of his most famous songs include ‘This Cowboy’s Hat’, ‘Copenhagen’ and ‘Western Skies’.

Ledoux, like many cowboys who pursue music on the side, most notably former bullfighter and up-and-coming country music sensation Cody Johnson, sold tapes of his songs from the back of trucks at rodeo events.

“I did the same thing, and I got into this gig,” Feidler said. “It’s kind of a natural fit. We have similar lifestyles. In both lives, we spend a lot of time on the go.”

As much as he loved being a rodeo player, Feidler didn’t really like jumping on a bronc to go around the ring.

“I know a lot of guys who rodeo when they stop, but they miss the social aspect. “It’s our demographic—cowboys and rodeo goers, so we don’t really feel left out of it.”

Music fans attending Feidler’s show can expect an energetic performance.

“As much as there are a lot of rodeo-related songs and cowboy songs, the live show itself is a lot heavier and a lot more rock and roll than people might expect,” he said. “We work really hard on a 90-minute set and put everything into it.”

Songs audiences can expect to hear at Feidler’s performance include “Cowboy Shit” and some of his older works.

“‘Cowboy Shit’ may sound like a joke, but it’s about a trip with an old friend,” Feidler said. “There are a lot of songs that I’ve been playing for the past two years that haven’t been recorded. I haven’t shelved anything. I’m playing them all.”

Feidler and The Cowboy Killers will headline the Cheyenne Frontier Days After Party at 8:30pm Friday at The Outlaw Saloon at 312 S. Greeley Highway in Cheyenne.

A historic rodeo player and “Everyone’s Dad”, it is a great honor to perform as a rodeo player or musician at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

“I’ve never actually been to Cheyenne during a rodeo. It was nothing like that for me. It’s really great,” Feidler said.

Feidler will be joined by artists Kellen Smith, Nate Champion Band, Ashley Wineland and Rendon James for an evening full of live music and dancing.

“Kellen Smith is a good friend of mine and this is the perfect package for that scene. The kind of music we play resonates with the audience,” Feidler said.

Tickets are $15 per person for general admission and $100 per person for VIP. The show can be viewed by adults over the age of 21.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the show, please visit: https://bit.ly/4504v2F.

Even if he can’t attend Feidler’s show in Cheyenne, he and his band will still be playing at the Yuma County Fairgrounds on Friday, August 4th, Rocky Ford’s Arkansas Valley Fairgrounds on Friday, August 18th, and Denver’s Grove Hall on Saturday, August 19th.

For more information on Kenny Feidler and the Cowboy Killers, including links to their music and merchandise, please visit: www.kennyfeidler.com.