Toby Keith

Toby Keith News: Late Singer Honored at 2024 ACM Awards

The 2024 ACM Awards, held on May 16, will pay tribute to the late Toby Keith, a revered figure in country music who passed away in February at the age of 62 following a prolonged battle with stomach cancer. Jason Aldean is set to perform a heartfelt rendition of Keith’s iconic song, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” originally released on Keith’s self-titled debut album in 1993. This track not only marked his first No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart but also laid the foundation for a remarkable career.

Throughout his three-decade career, Toby Keith released five albums that topped the Billboard 200, sold over 25 million copies, garnered seven Grammy Award nominations, and won 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, including two for Entertainer of the Year. His legacy was further solidified with his posthumous induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class, announced just a day after his death, with an induction ceremony scheduled for this October.

Who Was Toby Keith?

Toby Keith, born Toby Keith Covel on July 8, 1961, in Clinton, Oklahoma, was celebrated for his songs that often centered on themes of patriotism and revelry. He began his musical journey in the early 1990s, achieving significant success with his platinum-certified self-titled debut album released in 1993. Following the September 11 attacks, Keith composed the controversial yet resonant song “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” which resonated with military personnel and stirred public discourse. Known for his energetic performances for U.S. troops, Keith’s extensive discography includes multiplatinum albums such as Unleashed and Shock’n Y’all. Some of his most popular tracks include “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “Red Solo Cup,” and the Grammy-nominated duet “Beer For My Horses” featuring Willie Nelson. In 2022, Keith revealed his diagnosis of stomach cancer, leading to his untimely passing in February 2024. He is set to receive a posthumous honor in the Country Music Hall of Fame this October.

Young Toby Keith

Raised in Oklahoma City, Keith developed an early passion for music, influenced by musicians who performed at his grandmother’s supper club. After brief stints in the oil industry and the USFL football league, he decided to pursue a career in music. By the early 1990s, he had signed with Mercury Records, and his debut album was certified platinum by 1994. His subsequent albums, Boomtown (1994) and Blue Moon (1996), further solidified his status in country music, with hits like “Who’s That Man” and “Me Too.”

In 1997, Keith collaborated with Sting on “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying,” which earned them a Grammy nomination—one of seven throughout his career. His 1999 album, How Do You Like Me Now?!, won Album of the Year at the ACM Awards, while Keith was named Top Male Vocalist. His 2001 album, Pull My Chain, achieved the top position on the country charts, marking a significant milestone in his career.

“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”

The year 2001 was marked by personal tragedy for Keith when his father was killed in a traffic accident. This loss, coupled with the events of September 11, inspired him to write the highly successful and controversial “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).” Released in May 2002, the song anchored his album Unleashed, which became his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 and included the hit duet “Beer for My Horses,” nominated for two Grammys.

Keith received the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year award in both 2002 and 2003. He gained additional media attention in 2003 due to a public feud with Natalie Maines of the Chicks, who criticized his song for making country music “sound ignorant.” This exchange drew national attention, with Keith responding by displaying images of Maines as Saddam Hussein during his performances of the patriotic anthem.

Country Stardom

In November 2003, Keith released Shock’n Y’All, which achieved commercial success, reaching the top of both the country and pop album charts. The album included “American Soldier,” a tribute to military personnel, and helped Keith further establish his good ol’ boy persona with tracks like “I Love This Bar” and the humorous “Weed With Willie.” Shock’n Y’All earned him another ACM Award for Album of the Year.

Keith’s subsequent album, Honkytonk University (2005), featured the duet “She Ain’t Hooked on Me No More” with country legend Merle Haggard, while the ballad “As Good As I Once Was” became a major hit, topping the country charts for seven weeks and earning a CMA Award for Music Video of the Year.

In 2006, he released White Trash with Money, which featured hits like “Get Drunk and Be Somebody” and “A Little Too Late.” The album not only received commercial success but also garnered critical acclaim, further solidifying Keith’s legacy in the country music industry.

U.S.O. Tour and Film Career

In 2007, Toby Keith released two successful albums, Big Dog Daddy and A Classic Christmas, both of which resonated well with fans. That same year, he received a significant honor by being inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. During this period, Keith and his family also resolved a challenging personal matter, reaching a settlement in their lawsuit related to the tragic accident that claimed his father’s life in 2001.

Amidst a busy touring schedule, Keith made a notable commitment to the U.S. military by performing 18 shows in the Persian Gulf as part of a U.S.O. tour in April 2008. His dedication was tested when he had to pause during a performance due to nearby mortar fire, yet he bravely returned to the stage after the danger had passed.

Later that year, Keith transitioned to film, starring in the comedy Beer for My Horses, where he played a small-town deputy who confronts a Mexican drug lord, leading to a kidnapping incident involving his girlfriend. Keith not only acted in the film but also co-wrote and co-produced it, featuring appearances by notable musicians like Ted Nugent and Willie Nelson. Despite his efforts, the film received mixed reviews, with some critics describing it as lacking substance.

Continued Musical Success

Keith’s musical journey continued to flourish. In 2008, he released That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy, which topped country album charts and included hit singles such as “God Love Her” and “Lost You Anyway.” His popularity as a live performer was evident in his 2009 tour, Toby Keith’s America’s Toughest Tour, which included dates both in the United States and Europe. The following years saw the release of American Ride (2009) and Bullets in the Gun (2010), but it was his 2011 album Clancy’s Tavern that garnered significant acclaim, featuring hits like “Made in America” and “Red Solo Cup.” The latter, co-written by The Warren Brothers, became particularly popular after its viral success on YouTube.

Keith maintained his momentum with the 2012 album Hope on the Rocks, which did not achieve the same level of commercial success as its predecessor, peaking at No. 29 on the Billboard country charts. However, he followed up with Drinks After Work in 2013, which debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and included the hit single “Shut Up and Hold On.” In 2014, he released “Drunk Americans” from his album 35 MPH Town, which came out in 2015, the same year he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 2017, Keith performed at Donald Trump’s pre-inauguration concert at the Lincoln Memorial, clarifying that his appearance was a tribute to the country rather than a political endorsement. He emphasized his commitment to performing for the military, noting his past engagements for both President George W. Bush and President Obama.

Inspiration for his song “Don’t Let the Old Man In” came from a conversation with Clint Eastwood at a golf tournament in 2018. Eastwood’s advice to not succumb to age inspired Keith to pen the song, which later peaked at No. 1 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart in October 2023 after Keith performed it at the People’s Choice Country Awards.

In January 2021, Keith was honored with the National Medal of Arts by President Trump. Nine months later, he released his final original album, Peso in My Pocket, featuring popular singles such as “Happy Birthday America” and “Old School.” In December of that year, he received the BMI Icon Award for his contributions to music.

Keith’s last album, 100% Songwriter (2023), showcased a collection of his early career hits and was recognized by Pandora with a Billionaire award shortly after its release, celebrating over 3 billion streams of his music.

Personal Life

Toby Keith married Tricia Lucus in 1984, and together they have two children: a daughter, Krystal, born in 1985, and a son, Stelen, born in 1997. Additionally, Keith adopted Lucus’ daughter, Shelley, after their marriage.

The couple first met shortly after Keith graduated high school in 1979 at a bar. At the time, he was working in the oil fields while performing with his band, the Easy Money Band. Lucus recalled Keith as a confident, larger-than-life individual, and they dated for three years before marrying. In 2006, Lucus played a pivotal role in founding the Toby Keith Foundation, dedicated to supporting children and families affected by cancer.

Krystal has followed in her father’s footsteps as a musician but has since stepped back from the limelight to focus on raising her two daughters. Stelen has pursued a career as a real estate investor, demonstrating the diverse paths of Keith’s family.

Cancer Diagnosis and Death

In June 2022, Keith announced that he had been receiving treatment for stomach cancer since the fall of 2021. His treatment regimen included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy over a span of six months. Despite his health challenges, Keith expressed enthusiasm about returning to performance, stating, “I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.”

In a December 2022 interview with CMT Hot 20, Keith conveyed optimism regarding his prognosis. By June 2023, he reported positive developments in his treatment, sharing with The Oklahoman that his tumor had shrunk by one-third and that his overall health was improving.

Keith made a notable appearance at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards in September, where he received the Country Music Icon Award. Following his acceptance speech, he delivered his first live performance since his diagnosis, singing “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” He also performed for three nights at Park MGM in Las Vegas that December. Unfortunately, his health decline was unexpected.

Keith passed away peacefully on February 5, 2024, at the age of 62, surrounded by his family. Shortly thereafter, on March 18, the Country Music Association announced that Keith had been voted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, with plans for a posthumous induction as part of the 2024 class during an October ceremony.

Net Worth

As of early February 2024, Keith’s net worth was estimated at approximately $400 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.