The late country singer <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/toby-keith">Toby Keith</a>’s daughter, Krystal Keith, delivered remarks at the University of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/oklahoma">Oklahoma</a>’s commencement ceremony last week while accepting an honorary degree on his behalf.
Keith died in February following a battle with stomach cancer. 
&#8220;When he learned last fall that he was being inducted to Sooner Nation on this high of a level, he was so excited, and he was so proud,&#8221; Krystal said during her speech, per <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/toby-keiths-daughter-says-late-country-music-legend-told-her-never-apologize-for-being-patriotic">Fox News</a>.
Krystal went on to describe how her dad, an Oklahoma native, was devoted to the university, especially its sports teams, and was honored when he found out he&#8217;d be receiving the honorary degree.
&#8220;I actually made a joke about how many hours I spent here getting my bachelor’s degree, and he joked that he didn’t have to work that hard to get his,” she continued. “But we all know he earned it and spent many more hours dedicating his life to earning it this way. He loved his family (he loved all of us), God, our country, and Sooner Nation.&#8221;
&#8220;Throughout his life and career, he made sure to work hard to have the best, to be the best. He often said, ‘They may write better than me, they may sing better than me, and they may look better than me, but they will NEVER outwork me,’&#8221; Krystal said during her speech. &#8220;And that made all the difference. He was a larger-than-life legend, he was an icon, he did things his own way, his songs inspired nearly everyone in country music and beyond.&#8221;
The country music legend’s daughter also discussed how proud her father was to be an American, a value he passed to his children. &#8220;He always said, ‘Never apologize for being <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/patriotism">patriotic</a>,’ and practiced what he preached through his work with the USO [United Service Organizations],&#8221; Krystal said. 
She also described his dedication to performing for the military. &#8220;He was going into the most dangerous zones, where guys that never got those entertainers to come to them, were housed and were sitting, and he would go and boost their morale. And that’s who he wanted to go see. We called him Captain America. And that’s something he earned.&#8221;
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&#8220;My dad taught me everything: singing, writing songs and … most of what I know about life. And I hope the graduates that are here today can learn from him, too. He fought hard to live his dream,” Krystal said in conclusion.
&#8220;He had faith and believed in himself. He never gave up the fight, even when the odds were against him. He would want me to tell you to never give up on yourself. As you start your next journey in life, know that you have strong roots here at the University of Oklahoma. Work hard and be the captain of your own ship. Believe in yourself and live your dream.&#8221;
Keith was also posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame after being selected for the honor days before his death.

38th Annual Country Music Awards – Show

Toby Keith’s Daughter Said He Told Her, ‘Never Apologize For Being Patriotic’

Toby Keith's Daughter Said He Told Her, 'Never Apologize For Being Patriotic'

Celebrities

College

Entertainment

Oklahoma

Patriotism

Toby Keith

Country superstar <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/toby-keith-breaks-record-on-music-chart-following-his-death">Toby Keith&#8217;s</a> final recording dropped on Friday more than a month after his death at age 62 following a battle with stomach cancer.
Keith ended up recording a cover of the classic Joe Diffie song, &#8220;Ships That Don&#8217;t Come In,&#8221; for country singer Hardy&#8217;s mixtape Hixtape, <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/toby-keith-final-recording-ships-that-dont-come-in-1234996520/">Rolling Stone</a> magazine reported.
For Keith&#8217;s cover, he was joined by singer Luke Combs as the two take turns with the poignant lines of the popular 1992 song. Given Keith&#8217;s recent passing, hearing his final studio performance hits different in the song that includes lyrics about life&#8217;s unexpected twists, the opportunities that are missed, and those that never come.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW8CVmVy5K0">Listen</a>:
<iframe loading="lazy" title="HIXTAPE &amp; Joe Diffie - Ships That Don’t Come In (feat. Toby Keith &amp; Luke Combs) (Lyric Video)" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vW8CVmVy5K0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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The chorus reads, &#8220;So here&#8217;s to all the soldiers/Who have ever died in vain/The insane locked up in themselves /The homeless down on Main/To those who stand on empty shores/And spit against the wind/And those who wait forever/For ships that don&#8217;t come in.&#8221;
It&#8217;s clear that no matter how much time has passed since Keith was performing in those big arenas, the late country singer still sounded incredible. The Hixtape is Hardy&#8217;s third one and is completely Diffie-themed. It includes a host of cameos from such country stars as Clint Black, Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Darius Rucker, and more. Keith&#8217;s recording is truly a beautiful tribute to the late singer’s legacy.
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The &#8220;Red Solo Cup&#8221; hitmaker was recently announced as one of the new inductees into the Country Hall of Fame, the outlet noted. He died the day before he would&#8217;ve learned about his inclusion in the hall.
Shortly after Keith&#8217;s death, the late singer broke a record and made history after beating out music giants like Kenny Rogers and Taylor Swift to dominate 90 percent of the top 10 songs on the Country Digital Song Sales chart at one time.
After his death, the &#8220;Should&#8217;ve Been A Cowboy&#8221; hitmaker’s catalog of music filled the country charts. He is now the first artist ever to claim nine spaces in the top 10 songs on the Billboard chart, <a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/toby-keith-makes-history-country-digital-song-sales-chart-1235606479/">Billboard</a> reported.
Following <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/cancers-a-rollercoaster-toby-keith-said-faith-got-him-through-health-battle-in-intv-before-his-death">Keith&#8217;</a>s diagnosis in 2021, he talked about his incredible country singing career.
&#8220;Just seeing how enormous the career I amassed over 30 years when they show the video,&#8221; he told <a href="https://people.com/toby-keith-reflected-on-30-year-career-in-final-people-interview-exclusive-8559418">People magazine</a> at the time. &#8220;You know where you were when you wrote all those songs, you hear those numbers and you&#8217;re just like, you looked up one day and all of a sudden 30 years went by.&#8221;

ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute To The Troops – Roaming Show

Toby Keith’s Final Recording Just Dropped: Listen

Country Music

Death

Music

U.S.

Fans are reacting to the news that country star <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/toby-keith">Toby Keith</a> will be inducted into the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/country-music">Country Music</a> Hall of Fame just weeks after his death from stomach cancer at the age of 62.
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/country-singer">singer</a> was elected along with John Anderson and James Burton Monday as this year’s Country Music Hall of Fame class.
“Each of these inductees have made an indelible impact on country music,” said Sarah Trahern, the Country Music Association&#8217;s CEO, in a <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/03/19/entertainment/toby-keith-voted-into-country-music-hall-of-fame-after-death/">statement</a>. Trahern went on to explain how election rules dictate that a performer cannot be elected the same year as their death, but Keith was still receiving the honor because he had been chosen prior to his death on February 5.
“Nominations were made in the fall of 2023 with the first ballot sent to voters before the holidays, with the final ballot closing on Friday, Feb. 2,” Trahern continued. “Our professional services partners at Deloitte released the results to us just a few days later.”
“This year, we anticipated receiving the names of our final inductees on Tuesday, Feb. 6. As we know now, we woke up that morning to the heartbreaking news that our friend Toby Keith had lost his long battle with stomach cancer,” she went on, saying the final votes were submitted shortly after news of his death.  
“Truly one of the greatest honors of my job is getting to inform these inductees that they are the newest members of the hallowed class,” Trahern concluded. “My heart sank that Tuesday afternoon, knowing that we had missed the chance to inform Toby while he was still with us. But I have no doubt that he is smiling down on us, knowing that he will always be ‘as good as he once was.’”
Fans on social media expressed similar thoughts about the news, which was shared from the official Toby Keith X account.
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Just announced: Toby will be inducted into the <a href="https://twitter.com/countrymusichof?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@countrymusichof</a> as part of the Class of 2024! <a href="https://t.co/lljkpuSLF6">pic.twitter.com/lljkpuSLF6</a>
&mdash; Toby Keith (@tobykeith) <a href="https://twitter.com/tobykeith/status/1769778359402184962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“Better late than never but I wish they would have inducted him sooner so he could have lived to see it,” one account <a href="https://twitter.com/canuck4liberty/status/1769779213970649123">replied</a>. 
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“Well it&#8217;s a shame that he didn&#8217;t get it before he passed away… they could have let him know…well he&#8217;s in heaven singing his heart out now…congratulations Toby,” another X user <a href="https://twitter.com/JoanStreet9/status/1769828690421035058?s=20">said</a>. 
&#8220;Happy to see this finally happen. It&#8217;s just a shame they didn&#8217;t do it a long time ago. He worked so hard and put everything he had into his love of music. I wish he could have been here for this. Love you so much TK, well deserved!” a third account <a href="https://twitter.com/lissakay1211/status/1769784962339700808">echoed</a>.
A formal induction ceremony for Burton, Anderson, and Keith will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum this October.

Fans React To Toby Keith’s Upcoming Induction Into Country Music Hall Of Fame: ‘He’s In Heaven Singing His Heart Out’

Fans React To Toby Keith's Upcoming Induction Into Country Music Hall Of Fame

Country singer

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/toby-keith">Toby Keith</a> broke a record and has made history after beating out music giants like Kenny Rogers and Taylor Swift to dominate 90 percent of the top 10 songs on the Country Digital Song Sales chart at one time.
Following his death after a battle with cancer on Feb. 5, the late country star&#8217;s catalog of music filled the country charts. He is now the first artist ever to claim nine spaces in the top 10 songs on the Billboard chart dated Feb. 17, <a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/toby-keith-makes-history-country-digital-song-sales-chart-1235606479/">Billboard</a> reported.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/tobykeith?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tobykeith</a> Makes History as First Artist With 9 of the Top 10 on Country Digital Song Sales Chart <a href="https://t.co/AgA1zeiUEP">https://t.co/AgA1zeiUEP</a>
— billboard (@billboard) <a href="https://twitter.com/billboard/status/1757478029276660185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
The list of the songs is as follows and contains everything from his most recent song in 2023 all the way back to his debut hit from 1993.
No. 1, &#8220;Don’t Let the Old Man In&#8221; (2023)
No. 3, &#8220;Should’ve Been a Cowboy&#8221; (1993)
No. 4, &#8220;Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue&#8221;(2002)
No. 5, &#8220;How Do You Like Me Now?!&#8221; (1999)
No. 6, &#8220;As Good as I Once Was&#8221; (2005)
No. 7, &#8220;Beer for My Horses,&#8221; with Willie Nelson (2002)
No. 8, &#8220;I Love This Bar&#8221; (2003)
No. 9, &#8220;American Soldier&#8221; (2003)
No. 10, &#8220;Red Solo Cup&#8221; (2011)
The only artist keeping the &#8220;American Soldier&#8221; hitmaker from owning every single spot on the chart is country artist <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-tracy-chapmans-unforgettable-grammys-performance-singing-fast-car-with-luke-combs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Luke Combs</a> — whose version of Tracy Chapman&#8217;s &#8220;Fast Car&#8221; continues to be a hit, occupying the No. 2 spot on the latest sales chart, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/02/14/toby-keith-breaks-one-of-taylor-swifts-all-time-billboard-records-following-his-death/?sh=766a2f17423e">Forbes</a> noted.
Outside of the top ten, Keith has even more bragging rights, occupying 13 of the top 15 spots, the outlet noted.
Keith has beat out the only two artists who have ever held simultaneous placements on the top 10 sales chart, Rogers and Swift. In Nov. 2010, the &#8220;Love Story&#8221; hitmaker became the first artist to ever fill seven of the top 10 spots on the Country Digital Song Sales chart at one time, the outlet noted. The &#8220;Gambler&#8221; became the second following the country legend&#8217;s death in April 2020.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/cancers-a-rollercoaster-toby-keith-said-faith-got-him-through-health-battle-in-intv-before-his-death" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keith</a> was diagnosed in the fall of 2021 with stomach cancer. In one of his last interviews, he talked about his incredible career.
&#8220;Just seeing how enormous the career I amassed over 30 years when they show the video,&#8221; he told <a href="https://people.com/toby-keith-reflected-on-30-year-career-in-final-people-interview-exclusive-8559418" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People magazine</a> at the time. &#8220;You know where you were when you wrote all those songs, you hear those numbers and you&#8217;re just like, you looked up one day and all of a sudden 30 years went by.&#8221;
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/i-am-shattered-toby-keiths-daughter-breaks-silence-following-fathers-death" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8216;I Am Shattered&#8217;: Toby Keith&#8217;s Daughter Breaks Silence Following Father&#8217;s Death</a>

Toby Keith Breaks Record On Music Chart Following His Death

Billboard

Music Industry

Taylor Swift

Country star <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/cancers-a-rollercoaster-toby-keith-said-faith-got-him-through-health-battle-in-intv-before-his-death">Toby Keith&#8217;s</a> daughter, Krystal Keith, broke her silence for the first time following her father&#8217;s death on Monday.
In her post on Friday on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3IdKG_rCWy/?igsh=ZDBjMWI0ZjMxOQ%3D%3D">Instagram,</a> the 38-year-old Krystal said she&#8217;s &#8220;shattered&#8221; and wrote about what an incredible father he was to her, her brother Stelen Covel, and her half-sister Shelley.
&#8220;As great as he was in his career, he was so much greater as a dad and a husband and a Pop Pop,&#8221; Krystal wrote. &#8220;He was my hero.&#8221;
&#8220;I am so lucky to have had him and so grateful he got to walk me down the aisle and meet my babies,&#8221; she added. &#8220;That I have years of memories traveling the world as a family. I am blessed that I got to spend years traveling on the road and singing on stage with him. That I have mountains of video footage and endless tracks of music to watch him on and hear his voice with. I’m lucky I got to say goodbye and tell him what he meant to me.&#8221;
&#8220;I will forever honor him,&#8221; Krystal continued. &#8220;The pain is so unbelievably deep and it feels like I have a literal broken heart but I know that it wouldn&#8217;t hurt so bad if we didn&#8217;t love him and get to be loved so deeply by him. He never made me wonder if he would be there for me. He made sure to live with Jesus so he could go with Jesus. Jesus taking him home is the cherry on top of the life we got to live with him. Love YOU more dad. XO.&#8221;
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<a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3IdKG_rCWy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Krystal Keith (@krystalkeith)</a>
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Krystal also talked about the &#8220;immense outpouring of love and segments remembering him&#8221; and the &#8220;amount of people and networks honoring him.&#8221;
She wrote about how it’s been a reminder &#8220;that he wasn’t just ours. He was the world&#8217;s. He is the gift that we were, as a family, able to offer the world and he did not squander our sacrifice of time with him.&#8221;
Kyrstal also talked about her father&#8217;s &#8220;accomplishments&#8221; and the impact he had on people&#8217;s lives.
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&#8220;There is so much he did for people that no one knew about, even us,&#8221; the late-country singer&#8217;s daughter said. &#8220;He didn&#8217;t want recognition for doing good deeds, he just did them because his heart led him to or someone needed him to.&#8221;
Krystal&#8217;s brother, Stelen Covel, also shared a sweet tribute on his <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3F8bjYrFSb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=a0348c8f-d863-42f7-9418-2c9e28f036f7">social media</a> to his dad.
&#8220;Your impact is forever stamped on the world and on millions of people, yet not one person knew you the way I did,&#8221; Keith&#8217;s son wrote. &#8220;You were my biggest champion and the guiding light in my darkest times. The best mentor a man could ask for.&#8221;
&#8220;You truly did it your way, from the starting gates to the finish line, and never apologized for it,&#8221; he added. &#8220;The only thing I truly ever wanted in life was to make you proud. I promise I will continue to make you proud. It&#8217;s not goodbye forever; it&#8217;s just goodbye for now. I love you cowboy.&#8221;
Keith is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Tricia Lucus, his three children and four grandchildren.

‘I Am Shattered’: Toby Keith’s Daughter Breaks Silence Following Father’s Death

‘I Am Shattered’: Toby Keith’s Daughter Breaks Silence Following Father's Death

The world <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/country-music-star-toby-keith-dead-at-62">lost a legend</a> on February 5 when country star Toby Keith’s family announced that he had died following a battle with stomach cancer.
The death of a celebrity always inspires a lot of reflection and public mourning, but for some reason losing the “Beer For My Horses” singer-songwriter at the age of 62 hit everyone in the community a little harder. 
Maybe it was because he was one of the last unapologetically patriotic country artists in a genre that’s been slowly phasing out those sentiments for years. Maybe it has something to do with how much he respected the armed forces. Or perhaps it’s because his three decades worth of songs are so catchy. 
It’s likely a combination of all these factors, and more.
<div id="attachment_692907" style="width: 889px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-692907" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-692907" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-483328753-879x576.jpg" alt="LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 07: Musician Toby Keith performs onstage during ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute To The Troops at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/ACMA2014/Getty Images for ACM)" width="879" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-483328753-879x576.jpg 879w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-483328753-300x197.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-483328753-768x503.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-483328753.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 879px) 100vw, 879px" />Kevin Winter/ACMA2014/Getty Images for ACM</div>
The singer was known for hit songs such as, “How Do You Like Me Now?&#8221; and &#8220;As Good as I Once Was,&#8221; but more than that, he’ll be remembered for celebrating and performing for our nation’s armed forces. One X <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/a-true-legend-tributes-to-toby-keith-pour-in-following-his-death-at-62">tribute</a> from U.S. Marine Corps veteran and podcast host Leigh Wolf described one of his encounters with Keith.
“‘Toby Keith is here.’ Words that spread through Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan like wildfire. Everyone knew the USO sent acts to bases to perform, but Toby Keith was something special,” he wrote on X. “In the midst of war, a slice of home. Forever grateful to a man who had everything but still took time to come see us and give us a reprieve from the grind of combat operations. Rest in peace sir.”
Then there’s the story about Keith performing for U.S. troops in Afghanistan in 2008 when the military base he was singing at came under fire. Mortar fire exploded on the base right in the middle of the song “Weed With Willie,” per <a href="https://www.today.com/popculture/toby-keith-comes-under-fire-during-uso-show-wbna24356099">Today</a>. After taking cover for about an hour with the troops, Keith apparently went back out and finished the show.
<div id="attachment_692901" style="width: 802px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-692901" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-692901" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-50922345-792x576.jpg" alt="KABUL, AFGHANISTAN - JUNE 3: In this handout image provided by the United Service Organizations (USO), country music star Toby Keith (R) holds an artillery shell he is asked to autograph by U.S. troops at Camp Phoenix after a USO performance for coalition forces June 3, 2004 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Keith, who swept top honors at last week's Academy of Country Music Awards, is touring U.S. military installations for the USO in Kosovo, Germany, Italy and the Persian Gulf. (Photo by Mike Theiler/USO via Getty Images)" width="792" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-50922345-792x576.jpg 792w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-50922345-300x218.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-50922345-768x559.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-50922345.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px" />Mike Theiler/USO via Getty Images</div>
Incidents like this help explain why just after Keith’s death was announced on Tuesday morning, the tributes to the country singer started pouring in. They came from both fans and from other big names in the country sphere.
“Our self titled debuts came out on the same day, April 20, 1993… Toby and I spent quite a bit of time together early in our careers,” fellow country star Tim McGraw <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3BTBLByiqd/?igsh=MzY1NDJmNzMyNQ%3D%3D&amp;img_index=1">shared</a> on Instagram. “We had a lot of good times and conversations about what we wanted out of our careers and our lives. He was a maverick. He did things his way, on his terms, a true artist. I always have and always will have tremendous respect for his artistry, dedication and fearlessness to do his thing.”
“We all will miss you, brother,” he added.
The musical duo Brooks &amp; Dunn each <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3A4SEQuJWE/?igsh=MzY1NDJmNzMyNQ==">shared</a> their separate thoughts on Keith with a lengthy Instagram post.
<div id="attachment_692911" style="width: 861px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-692911" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-692911" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-108154227-851x576.jpg" alt="Toby Keith (center) and Brooks and Dunn during Clive Davis Hosts A Celebration of The American Music Awards at The Esquire House - Inside at Esquire House in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by L. Cohen/WireImage for J Records)" width="851" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-108154227-851x576.jpg 851w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-108154227-300x203.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-108154227-768x520.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-108154227.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px" />L. Cohen/WireImage for J Records</div>
“A troubadour gone too soon,” Dunn wrote. “We played together, we sang together. He was a friend, ornery, rough, tough, kind and loyal… if he liked you. A rascal, an outlaw with a big heart. He was opinionated, usually his way or the highway. A patriot that acted, didn’t just talk it. He was a loyal husband and proud loving father. He was a big man, a fighter… in the end life wins. Give ‘em hell up there my friend !!! Our love, prayers and condolences go out to his lovely wife Tricia, daughters Krystal, and Shelley and son Stelen.”
Brooks wrote, “Waking up to losing Toby wakes up a lot of memories and realities – I remember the first time we actually met and talked – he was wearing a blue leather suit – we all wore horrible clothes back then – we got along from the beginning – he called “a spade a spade” plain and simple — always – we asked him to come on tour with us somewhere in the late ‘90s, along with Keith Urban, and I’ll never forget after our first show together, he said “We’ve got to find a place to play” …after that we would go find a house band after every show and burn ‘til the flame was gone”
He continued, saying the singer was “a relentless participant in every aspect of his life – performing, writing, golf, hanging with his friends, along with his dedication to the military and the Red White and Blue. But he always put his loyalty and love of God and family first – He was one of those guys I just assumed would always be there &#8211; HOF Cowboy Heart – RIP Big Man.” 
Country legend Tanya Tucker weighed in, <a href="https://www.threads.net/@thetanyatucker/post/C3A6tD8usFK/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D">writing</a>, “My heart is bleeding for @tobykeith and his family. He was so kind and his music meant so much. He was so patriotic, loved his country and Loved his fans! He was a great warrior right up until last night. Now he’s in Gods army&#8230; My thoughts and everything I can muster goes to his wife and family in hopes that he gives them the strength they’re gonna need to move forward and get through this tragedy!
She added, “Sleep well my friend! It sure won’t be the same without you!”
Luke Bryan <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3BBB9suZjX/?igsh=MzY1NDJmNzMyNQ%3D%3D">wrote</a>, “An iconic artist and a great man. Your songs turn every room into a good time.”
<div id="attachment_692919" style="width: 778px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-692919" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-692919" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-526958620-768x576.jpg" alt="INGLEWOOD, CA - MAY 01: Singers Luke Bryan (L) and Toby Keith attend the 2016 American Country Countdown Awards at The Forum on May 1, 2016 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for dcp)" width="768" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-526958620-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-526958620-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-526958620.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />Lester Cohen/Getty Images for dcp</div>
Dolly Parton also <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3BDWc_uaWh/?igsh=MzY1NDJmNzMyNQ%3D%3D">shared</a> a message of mourning, writing, “It’s always hard when we lose our brothers and sisters in country music. Toby Keith was one of the greats in every way. He will be missed but his music and legacy will live on.”
“Waking up to the terrible news that our friend, and legend @tobykeith has passed away from cancer. He was a true Patriot, a first class singer/songwriter, and a bigger than life kind of guy. He will be greatly missed,” singer John Rich shared.
“Toby Keith was a true trail blazer. Authentic and heartfelt but always with a wink ‘til the end. He was larger than life in so many ways and his music will live on forever! Raising our red solos tonight—you will be missed by so many. Peace,” Old Dominion wrote in an X post.
“Just waking up to the news of Toby Keith’s passing,” country star Jason Aldean wrote. “Today is a sad day for Country music and its fans. Toby was a huge presence in our business and someone we all looked up to and respected. You and your music will be forever remembered big man.”
Even first lady Jill Biden posted about the singer’s death, writing, “Cancer truly touches us all. Rest in peace, Toby Keith.”
<div id="attachment_692935" style="width: 837px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-692935" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-692935" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-173092777-827x576.jpg" alt="NORMAN, OK - JULY 06: Musician Toby Keith performs during the Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert to benefit United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on July 6, 2013 in Norman, Oklahoma. To donate go to www.unitedwayokc.org or text REBUILD to 52000. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Shock Ink)" width="827" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-173092777-827x576.jpg 827w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-173092777-300x209.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-173092777-768x535.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-173092777.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 827px) 100vw, 827px" />Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Shock Ink</div>
The country singer had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021, publicly revealing his battle later on social media.
“Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” Keith tweeted in June 2022. “I’ve spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax.”
The singer described his cancer battle as a “roller coaster” in September 2023. Keith also said that his faith played a major role in helping him cope. “I lean on my faith and I just pray and lean into it. You gotta’ do what you gotta’ do, and I don’t know how people do it without faith … that’s what I did, it was my rock.”
Keith is survived by his wife Tricia, three children, and four grandchildren.
* * *
Katie Jerkovich contributed to this report.

Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert To Benefit United Way Of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund – Show

‘So Patriotic’: Country Music Mourns Toby Keith, One Of The Greats

'So Patriotic': Country Music Mourns Toby Keith, One Of The Greats

9/11

Readers Pass

Country star <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/toby-keith-says-hes-turning-a-corner-on-cancer-battle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Toby Keith</a> talked about leaning on his faith and how it got him through the &#8220;rollercoaster&#8221; of cancer in an interview that aired less than two weeks before his death on Monday.
The 62-year-old singer reflected on his two-year battle with stomach cancer after being diagnosed in the fall of 2021 and what he had accepted about his future, Oklahoma News 9 reported. Keith&#8217;s remarks aired on January 24, ten days before his family released a statement announcing he had &#8220;passed peacefully&#8221; and &#8220;fought his fight with grace and courage.&#8221;
&#8220;It&#8217;s a lot of dark hallways,&#8221; Keith said in the January interview. &#8220;Cancer is a roller coaster, so it&#8217;s like, you just sit here and wait on it to go away, and it may not ever go away.&#8221; 
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Toby Keith Opens Up About His Battle With Cancer And Decades Long Career" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uiey8FX6oFM?start=1&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
&#8220;If it goes into remission, it will still be in the back of your mind,&#8221; he added, noting that he had gotten through the tough days with &#8220;faith.&#8221; 
&#8220;You have to have your faith. Thank God that I got it too. You take it for granted on days that things are good and you lean on it when days are bad.&#8221;
&#8220;It&#8217;s taught me to lean on it a little more every day,&#8221; Keith continued. &#8220;I finally got a point…I was going through all the chemo, radiation, surgery, and I got to the point where I was comfortable with whatever happened. I had my brain wrapped around it, and I was in a good spot either way. People without faith don&#8217;t have that.&#8221;
Later in the interview,  the country superstar praised his wife of almost 40 years, Tricia Lucus, for being by his side through it all.
&#8220;She&#8217;s been a trouper,&#8221; Keith told the outlet. &#8220;She&#8217;s the best nurse. The first time we went to Houston, to the hospital, she stepped right in and she just took control and said, &#8216;We got this. Let&#8217;s go.'&#8221;
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&#8220;So she&#8217;s like, &#8216;We&#8217;re going to get this and don&#8217;t worry about it,'&#8221; he added.
In one of his last interviews, Keith talked about his incredible career.
&#8220;Just seeing how enormous the career I amassed over 30 years when they show the video,&#8221; he told <a href="https://people.com/toby-keith-reflected-on-30-year-career-in-final-people-interview-exclusive-8559418">People magazine.</a>&#8220;You know where you were when you wrote all those songs, you hear those numbers and you&#8217;re just like, you looked up one day and all of a sudden 30 years went by.&#8221;
He is survived by his wife, three children, and four grandchildren.
&nbsp;

‘Cancer’s A Rollercoaster’: Toby Keith Said Faith Got Him Through Health Battle In Interview Before His Death

Toby Keith Said Faith Got Him Through Health Battle In Interview Before His Death

Cancer

Marriage

Shortly after the news of his <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/death">passing</a> was announced, tributes to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/country-music">country music</a> legend <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/celebrities">Toby Keith</a> started pouring in.
“Waking up to the terrible news that our friend, and legend @tobykeith has passed away from cancer. He was a true Patriot, a first class singer/songwriter, and a bigger than life kind of guy. He will be greatly missed,” fellow country music singer John Rich <a href="https://twitter.com/johnrich/status/1754844223587692808">shared</a>.
“Toby Keith was a true trail blazer. Authentic and heartfelt but always with a wink ‘til the end. He was larger than life in so many ways and his music will live on forever! Raising our red solos tonight—you will be missed by so many. Peace,” Old Dominion wrote in an X <a href="https://twitter.com/OldDominion/status/1754865032469320069">post</a>.
“Ugh. We lost a legend this week. R.I.P Toby Keith,” Donald Trump, Jr. <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1754848550821724387">said</a>. 
“Just waking up to the news of Toby Keith’s passing,” country star Jason Aldean <a href="https://twitter.com/Jason_Aldean/status/1754873234531447254">wrote</a>. “Today is a sad day for Country music and its fans. Toby was a huge presence in our business and someone we all looked up to and respected. You and your music will be forever remembered big man.”
Others took the opportunity to remember Keith’s patriotism, which he showed in part by performing live for troops stationed overseas.
“‘Toby Keith is here.’ Words that spread through Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan like wildfire. Everyone knew the USO sent acts to bases to perform, but Toby Keith was something special,” Leigh Wolf, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and podcast host, <a href="https://twitter.com/LeighWolf/status/1754845518516167047">wrote</a> on X.
“In the midst of war, a slice of home. Forever grateful to a man who had everything but still took time to come see us and give us a reprieve from the grind of combat operations. Rest in peace sir.”
“RIP to Toby Keith,” Outkick reporter David Hookstead shared. “He was unapologetically pro-America, made songs that could make you want to crack a beer or cry and gave people something to rally around after 9/11.” 
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“A true legend who will never be replaced,” he added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
RIP Toby Keith. 
American legend. <a href="https://t.co/zmC3X5SpKv">pic.twitter.com/zmC3X5SpKv</a>
&mdash; Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1754859967478153355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Keith died Monday at the age of 62 after a short battle with stomach cancer. 
“Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time,” a statement posted by his family on his X account said.
The country singer had a career spanning more than three decades. He was known for songs including “Beer For My Horses,” “As Good As I Once Was,” “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue,” and “Red Solo Cup.”
RELATED: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/country-music-star-toby-keith-dead-at-62">Country Music Star Toby Keith Dead At 62</a>

‘A True Legend’: Tributes To Toby Keith Pour In Following His Death At 62

'A True Legend': Tributes To Toby Keith Pour In Following His Death At 62

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/toby-keith-returns-to-stage-amid-stomach-cancer-battle">Toby Keith</a> shared an update with fans about his health and said he really feels like he&#8217;s &#8220;turning a corner&#8221; when it comes to his cancer battle.
During the 62-year-old country singer&#8217;s recent appearance on the &#8220;Superstar Power Hour&#8221; <a href="https://www.audacy.com/national/music/toby-keith-says-hes-turning-a-corner-with-his-health">podcast</a>, Keith said after battling stomach cancer for the last two years, he is starting to get stronger.
&#8220;I&#8217;m doing really good,&#8221; he told the host. &#8220;It&#8217;s been a tough two years, but I think I&#8217;m turning a corner. I don&#8217;t know if you&#8217;re ever done with it [cancer], but I&#8217;m trying to be.&#8221;
In December, the &#8220;Should&#8217;ve Been A Cowboy&#8221; hitmaker finally got back to touring and performed three sold-out shows at Park MGM&#8217;s Dolby Live in Las Vegas.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
3 sold out shows in Vegas was a damn good way to end the year. <a href="https://t.co/P0F8REkdCy">pic.twitter.com/P0F8REkdCy</a>
— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) <a href="https://twitter.com/tobykeith/status/1740512559575236721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/country-music-star-toby-keith-reveals-cancer-diagnosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keith</a> told the host that he felt &#8220;weird in 2023,&#8221; noting that he&#8217;d never had a year off from performing in his life.
&#8220;And this is my 30th year in the [country music] business, so it was really weird just sitting here with your handcuffs on,&#8221; the singer explained.
The country singer recently made headlines when he blew everyone away with his performance at the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/toby-keith-gives-update-on-stomach-cancer-battle-a-bit-of-a-roller-coaster">People&#8217;s Choice Country Awards</a> in September of his latest single, &#8220;Don&#8217;t Let The Old Man In.&#8221;
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He spoke to the host about how the inspiration from the song came after he appeared at a celebrity golf tournament with 93-year-old Clint Eastwood.
&#8220;I&#8217;m Clint Eastwood&#8217;s partner at his gold tournament — he&#8217;s 93 this year, by the way,&#8221; Keith said.
&#8220;Several years ago the first event I played with him… I [asked], &#8216;What keeps you going at your age?'&#8221; he added. &#8220;He said, &#8216;I try to get up every day and be productive — not let that old man in.'&#8221;
&#8220;So I came home and said, &#8216;I’m going to write him a song,'&#8221; Keith continued. &#8220;I didn&#8217;t know I was going to have to live those words in a few years.&#8221;
In an interview ahead of the awards show in September, Keith shared an update with fans following months of treatment and surgery after being diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021.
&#8220;I feel pretty good,&#8221; Keith told <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1386704/peoples-choice-country-awards-icon-recipient-toby-keith-shares-update-on-stomach-cancer-battle">E! News</a>. &#8220;It&#8217;s a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you&#8217;re up and down, up and down. It&#8217;s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero, but I feel good today.&#8221;
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/toby-keith-returns-to-stage-amid-stomach-cancer-battle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Toby Keith Returns To Stage Amid Stomach Cancer Battle</a>

Toby Keith Says He’s ‘Turning A Corner’ On Cancer Battle

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