July 30, 1989. Cheyenne, Wyoming.
It was a warm summer day at the Cheyenne Frontier Days, the grandest rodeo stage in America. Lane Frost, only 25, was already a legend in the making — 1987 PRCA World Champion bull rider, known not just for his skill but for his heart, faith, and contagious smile.
He climbed onto a bull named “Takin’ Care of Business” and rode with flawless form for 8 full seconds. The crowd roared. He dismounted — smooth, controlled. But in an instant, the bull turned back and struck him hard in the ribs. Lane stood for a second… then collapsed.
The cheers turned into silence. The arena — where victory was moments away — became a place of heartbreak.
Lane died from internal injuries. He had protective gear, but chest vests weren’t common yet. His death would later spark changes in rodeo safety standards. But more than that, it marked the loss of a true American cowboy — one who had lived with courage, humility, and deep faith.
Over 20 years later, Aaron Watson — a Texas country artist who admired Lane — wrote a tribute that would forever capture the soul of that moment. “July in Cheyenne” wasn’t written to mourn, but to honor. It tells the story of Lane’s passion, his belief in God, and the way he inspired others to live boldly.
The song ends with a single, haunting reminder: “If you ain’t got Jesus… it’s all in vain.”
Watson reminds us that Lane wasn’t just a rodeo star — he was a young man who lived for something greater.