36 YEARS AGO TODAY — THE MOMENT CHEYENNE FELL SILENT
Cheyenne, Wyoming – July 30, 1989.
The crowd was electric. The grandstands roared with applause, the summer sun blazing down on the dirt-covered arena. Lane Frost — 25 years old, 1987 world champion bull rider — climbed onto the back of a bull named “Takin’ Care of Business,” smiling like always.
What followed was a flawless 8-second ride. He dismounted cleanly.
But in a tragic twist, the bull turned and gored Lane in the ribs. He stood briefly, then collapsed.
The cheers died instantly. In the place of triumph, silence took hold.
Lane Frost passed away from internal injuries. The world of rodeo lost a hero that day — not just because of how he rode, but because of how he lived: with courage, humility, and unshakable faith.
More than 20 years later, Texas country artist Aaron Watson released a tribute that would touch hearts across generations.
“July in Cheyenne” is more than a song. It’s a reverent, tear-stained letter to a fallen cowboy — and a spiritual reflection on life’s fragile beauty.
Watson doesn’t just sing about Lane’s death — he sings about his life, his joy, and the faith that anchored him. The closing line echoes like a prayer: “If you ain’t got Jesus… it’s all in vain.”
It’s a song that breaks your heart… and heals it at the same time.