Listen up, New York, Las Vegas and Nashville.

There's fine art, world championship rodeo and country music all in one spot this weekend -- and it's in Casper, at the fifth annual Tribute to Chris LeDoux.

Friends and family of the late Kaycee-based cowboy never tire of remembering and honoring him and have found a way to raise money for rodeo scholarships at his alma mater, Casper College, in the process.

The founder of the event remains in charge, and Dona Vold Larsen wouldn't have it any other way.

The daughter of famed rodeo producer Harry Vold and wife of LeDoux's college roommate and best friend, Bill Larsen, organized the first tribute in fall 2005, just months after LeDoux's death.

The three-pronged event begins with a free Western Art Show at 7 p.m. on Friday in the Grand Ballroom of the Parkway Plaza Hotel. Displayed will be 60 pieces of LeDoux's art from the Larsens' private collection, as well as LeDoux memorabilia that keeps "growing and growing," according to Vold Larsen.

"We have a handwritten memoir from Chris's mom, Bonnie LeDoux, written in pencil on green-lined paper. It's framed and it's heart-warming," Vold Larsen said. "And his brother, Mike, wrote tribute of them living in France as children and a specific memory of Chris taking care of a bully who had been bothering them."

While none of the LeDoux art or memorabilia is for sale, Vold Larsen has invited 10 Western artists to exhibit and sell at the show. They keep the money from whatever they sell.

"I never take a dime from these starving artists," she said.

Each year, the committee selects one fine art print to sell for $50, and those proceeds, as well as whatever the rodeo makes after the bills are paid, go into the Casper College scholarship fund. This year's print is "The Yellow Stud," by Rowdy Barry.

The open house evening, which is open to the public, has become a reunion spot for who's who in Wyoming rodeo circles, as well as the enormous number of friends and fans LeDoux made through the years.

At 7 p.m. on Saturday, the one-round, award-winning PRCA rodeo will be held at the Arena at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds. Tickets are still available at $20 for the upper level or $30 for the lower level. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce, 500 North Center Street or call the Chamber at 234-5311.

Vold Larsen anticipates that there will also be tickets at the door on Saturday night.

"We are just overloaded with contestants because there's only one performance and everybody wants to be here," Vold Larsen said. "We have 55 saddle bronc and 56 bareback riders. It's definitely a who's who in the rodeo world. We have an absolutely wonderful turnout of the top 15 in the world."

Immediately following the rodeo, Dustin Evans and the Good Times Band, featuring Ned LeDoux, the son of Chris LeDoux, on percussion, will perform.

Casper College rodeo contestants who have been awarded Chris LeDoux scholarships include Jeff Stull, Jory Zurcher, Devon Frye, Josh Barker and Treva Bitterman.

For more information, visit ledouxtributerodeo.com or call the Chamber at 234-5311.

Reach Community News editor Sally Ann Shurmur at (307) 266-0520 or sallyann.shurmur@trib.com. Read Sal's blog at tribtown.trib.com/Sal/blog and follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WYOSAS