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Dierks Bentley covered Toby Keith’s classic country anthem “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” in a video on his Instagram story on Thursday night (February 8), writing: “We lost Big Dog Daddy too soon! One of the best.”
Keith released “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” on his 10-track, self-titled debut album in 1993. It remained one of the biggest hits throughout the country music legend’s decades-spanning career, along with “I Love This Bar,” “God Love Her,” “As Good As I Once Was,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Don’t Let the Old Man In” — one of his latest singles, with inspiration from legendary actor Clint Eastwood — “My List,” and many others. Bentley shared a few other snapshots on his Instagram story from his performance in Scottsdale, Arizona, including with Mitchell Tenpenny, HARDY and Cole Swindell.
Keith died on Monday night (February 5) after a battle with stomach cancer in the final years of his life. He was 62. A statement posted on Keith’s social media pages in the early morning hours Tuesday (February 6) confirmed that the country star “passed peacefully…surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.” Since then, fans and the country music community have shared an outpouring of tributes as they mourn Keith’s loss. Two to his children, son Stelen Keith Covel, and daughter Krystal Keith, have written heartfelt tributes of their own. Keith is also survived by daughter Shelley Covel Rowland and wife of nearly 40 years, Tricia Lucus.