Many years too early champion bronc rider turned country artist Chris LeDoux, 56, died in Casper Wyoming. The news comes days after LeDoux checked in to the hospital for complications relating to the treatment of bile duct cancer.

You'll ride a black tornado 'cross the western sky
rope an ol blue norther and milk it till it's dry
bulldog the Mississippi, pin it's ears down flat
long before you take this cowboys hat...
This Cowboy's Hat - Chris LeDoux

LeDoux's hat was taken from us far too soon.