Additional Coverage:
Toby Keith Posthumously Inducted into Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame
Cheyenne, WY – Country music icon Toby Keith, who passed away in February 2024 at the age of 62 following a battle with stomach cancer, has been honored with a lasting tribute to his impactful legacy. He was posthumously inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame as part of its 2025 class.
The announcement was made on September 29 via the singer’s official website, confirming that the induction ceremony had taken place earlier in the month. Keith’s wife, Tricia Covel, accepted the honor on his behalf.
During her remarks, Tricia spoke of Toby’s profound affection for the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration. She highlighted his numerous appearances, noting that he headlined the event an impressive nine times.
Tricia emphasized her late husband’s deep admiration for the cowboy way of life, a theme that permeated his career from his breakthrough hit “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” to his memorable duet with Willie Nelson, “Beer for My Horses.” She also shared the anecdote behind the latter song, revealing it was inspired by a coworker’s overheard phrase, “whiskey for my men and beer for my horses.”
Keith’s connection to Cheyenne Frontier Days began in his teenage years, long before his rise to stardom. He worked testing bulls for a rodeo stock contractor and witnessed cowboy singer Chris LeDoux secure a championship at the event. This formative experience left a significant impression, shaping his artistry and inspiring the rodeo spirit evident in his music.
The Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who “represent the spirit, history, and culture of the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration,” acknowledging their vital role in preserving the western way of life.
This prestigious honor caps a remarkable year for Keith’s enduring legacy. Over the Independence Day holiday, Billboard recognized him as “the biggest winner,” as his album 35 Biggest Hits surged back into the Billboard 200 Top 10. His patriotic anthem “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” also returned to the No. 1 spot on the Country Digital Song Sales chart, 23 years after its initial release.
A photo shared on Keith’s official social media showed Tricia standing beside a portrait of her late husband, accompanied by the caption: “Cheyenne is every cowboy’s dream, and Toby lived that dream by playing the rodeo nine times over the course of his career.” Fans responded with an outpouring of love and remembrance, with comments such as, “Love Toby…miss him so much,” and “Always have a smile as soon as I hear any of his songs.”
Others expressed gratitude, stating, “Toby and his legacy will always be cherished and remembered in Cheyenne,” and “Love the painting and how his beautiful wife is looking at it so lovingly. 🥰.”