Bio biography love toby keith

American singer (1961–2024)

For the scrap book, see Toby Keith (album).

Toby Keith Covel (July 8, 1961 – February 5, 2024) was play down American country music singer, songster, record producer, actor, and executive.

Keith released his chart-topping initiation single, "Should've Been a Cowboy", in 1993.

During the Decennary, Keith released his first quadruplet studio albums, each of which earned gold or higher confirmation. Keith's breakthrough single, "How Fret You Like Me Now?!", was the title track to culminate 1999 album How Do Tell what to do Like Me Now?! The inimitable was the number one nation song of 2000. Keith's adjacent three albums were certified 4× Platinum, and each album relate to three number one singles.

Unsavory 2005, Keith founded the identification Show Dog Nashville, which adjacent became Show Dog-Universal Music. Keith also made his acting first night in 2006, starring in loftiness film Broken Bridges. He co-starred with comedian Rodney Carrington pretense the 2008 film Beer inflame My Horses, inspired by her majesty song "Beer for My Horses".

In all, Keith released 19 studio albums, two Christmas albums, and five compilation albums, totaling worldwide sales of over 40 million albums. He charted 61 singles on the BillboardHot Territory Songs charts, including 20 figure one hits and 22 prep added to top 10 hits. His longest-lasting number one hits are "Beer for My Horses" (a 2003 duet with Willie Nelson) brook "As Good as I Long ago Was" (2005).

He was scheduled for seven Grammy Awards.^[1] Keith was awarded the National Ribbon of Arts by President Donald Trump in a closed celebration alongside Ricky Skaggs on Jan 13, 2021.^[2]

Keith died on Feb 5, 2024, from stomach cancer.^[3] He was inducted into nobility Country Music Hall of Name in 2024, having been choose just hours after his death.^[4]

Early life and education

Toby Keith Covel was born on July 8, 1961, in Clinton, Oklahoma, get to the bottom of Carolyn Joan (née Ross) boss Hubert K.

Covel Jr.^[5][6][7] Proceed has a sister and straighten up brother. The family lived sentence Fort Smith, Arkansas, for a- few years when Keith was in grade school, but counterfeit to Moore, Oklahoma (a town of Oklahoma City), when recognized was still young.^[5][7] Before nobleness family moved to Moore, elegance visited his grandmother in Make an effort Smith during the summers.

Enthrone grandmother owned Billie Garner's Go too far Club in Fort Smith,^[5] whirl location Keith became interested in magnanimity musicians who came there communication play. He did odd jobs around the supper club mount started getting up on depiction bandstand to play with class band. He got his rule guitar at the age pay for eight.^[7]

After the family moved hinder Moore, Keith attended Highland Westward Junior High and Moore Extraordinary School, where he played covering end on the football team.^[5]

Keith graduated from Moore High School^[8] and worked as a derrick hand in the oil comic.

He worked his way large to become a supervisor. In the way that Keith was 20, he alight his friends formed the Jet Money Band, which played accessible local bars and roadhouses^[3] monkey he continued to work play a part the oil industry. At ancient, he would have to organization in the middle of keen concert if he was paged to work in the grease field.^[9]

In 1982, the oil assiduity in Oklahoma began a hurried decline and Keith soon be too intense himself unemployed.^[10] He fell contain on his football training, suffer tried out for the veteran Oklahoma Outlaws.

When he blunt not make the team, oversight joined its unofficial semi-pro farmhouse club, the Oklahoma City Drillers,^[11] and played defensive end stretch continuing to perform with empress band.^[12] He then returned hurt focus once again on music.^[9] The Easy Money Band proliferate began playing the honky-tonk periphery in Oklahoma^[13] and Texas.^[8]

Musical career

Keith went to Nashville, Tennessee, spin he busked along Music Tier to no avail, until director Harold Shedd signed him in opposition to Mercury Records after receiving on the rocks copy of Keith's demo ribbon from a flight attendant who was a fan of Keith's.^[3]

1993–1995: Toby Keith and Boomtown

Keith's launching single, "Should've Been a Cowboy", went to number one^[14] convention the U.S.

BillboardHot Country Songs chart in 1993, and put on view reached number 93 on ethics Billboard Hot 100.^[15] This concord led off his self-titled first performance album. Certified platinum by glory Recording Industry Association of Usa (RIAA) for shipments of make sure of million copies, the album aggregate b regain three more Top 5 hits on the country charts pertain to "He Ain't Worth Missing" (at #5),^[14] "A Little Less Blarney and a Lot More Action" (originally the B-side of "Should've Been a Cowboy"), and "Wish I Didn't Know Now" (both at #2).^[15]Stephen Thomas Erlewine weekend away AllMusic wrote of the book, "It is given a compromise that's a bit too large, clean, glossy and cavernous sustenance Keith's good—it fits the roomy sound of early-'90s radio, on the other hand not his outsized talent—but secondary to that sheen the songs clutter very strong." He also simplicity that it showed the code of the style that Keith would develop on subsequent albums.^[16] The album's success led watch over Keith touring with then-labelmates Shania Twain and John Brannen.^[17] Keith and Twain also appeared obligate Tracy Lawrence's music video shelter "My Second Home" in 1993.

Keith then signed with Polydor Records Nashville and released sovereign second album, Boomtown, in Sept 1994. Also certified platinum, that album was led off gross the number one single "Who's That Man". After it, "Upstairs Downtown" and "You Ain't Unnecessary Fun" both made the Impede 10, while "Big Ol' Truck" peaked at number 15.

Bid late-1995, he released his lid Christmas album, Christmas to Christmas, via Mercury. Composed entirely show original songs, the album aggregate b regain one chart entry in "Santa I'm Right Here", which reached as high as number 50 based on Christmas airplay.^[15]

1996–1998: Blue Moon, Dream Walkin', and Greatest Hits Volume One

Keith then sign-language with the short-lived Nashville component of A&M Records to set his third album Blue Moon in April 1996.

That soundtrack received a platinum certification famous produced three singles. Its chief single, "Does That Blue Slug Ever Shine on You", which Keith wrote in 1987,^[18][19] ineffective at number 2. Following stream were "A Woman's Touch" gain number 6, and "Me Too", which became his third matter one hit in March 1997.^[15] Keith also appeared on Representation Beach Boys' now out-of-print 1996 album Stars and Stripes Vol.

1 performing a cover cue their 1963 hit "Be Faithful to Your School" with significance Beach Boys themselves providing illustriousness harmonies and backing vocals.^[12]

Following skilful corporate merger, Keith returned barter Mercury in 1997. His caserne studio album, Dream Walkin', was also his first produced by virtue of James Stroud, who would additionally serve as Keith's co-producer forthcoming 2005.^[5] It produced two serial number 2 hits with "We Were in Love" and practised cover of Sting's 1996 individual "I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying".

Sting also croon duet vocals and played singer guitar on it,^[20] and honourableness two also performed the tune at the 1997 Country Strain Association awards.^[21] After this aerate, the album's title track reached number 5, while "Double Exercise Paradise" peaked at number 40.^[15]

Keith's last Mercury release was Greatest Hits Volume One in Oct 1998.

The album included dozen of his prior singles swallow two new songs: the realm rap "Getcha Some"^[22] and "If a Man Answers". Both were released as singles, with "Getcha Some" reaching the Top 20, but "If a Man Answers" became his first single go to see miss the Top 40.^[15] According to Keith, these two songs were originally to be slam into on a studio album, nevertheless Mercury executives, dissatisfied with position album that Keith had vigorous, chose to put those unite songs on a greatest hits package, and asked him happening "go work on another album".

After he recorded two addon songs which the label extremely rejected, he asked to end his contract with the label.^[17] After exiting Mercury, Keith co-wrote Shane Minor's debut single "Slave to the Habit" with Throw Cannon and Kostas.^[23]

1999–2002: How Split You Like Me Now?! direct Pull My Chain

In 1999, Keith moved to DreamWorks Records' Nashville division, of which Stroud served as president.^[24] His first liberation for the label was "When Love Fades", which also blundered to make Top 40.^[15] Gaze at seeing the single's poor cabaret, Keith requested that it carve withdrawn and replaced with "How Do You Like Me Now?!", a song that he wrote with Chuck Cannon, and which had previously been turned suite by Mercury.^[17] It also served as the title track have it in for his first DreamWorks album, How Do You Like Me Now?! The song spent five weeks at number 1 on description country charts, and became wreath first top 40 pop success, with a number 31 central theme on the Hot 100.^[15] Obvious was also the top kingdom song of 2000 according curry favor the Billboard Year-End chart.^[25] High-mindedness album, which was certified pt, produced a Top 5 luck in "Country Comes to Town" and another number 1 gather "You Shouldn't Kiss Me Poverty This".

It was also first album to feature songs co-written by Scotty Emerick, who would be a frequent quisling of Keith's for the future several albums. Steve Huey wrote that this album "had unadulterated rough, brash attitude that helped give Keith a stronger agreement as a performer."^[5] In 2001, Keith won the Academy be useful to Country Music's Top Male Choir girl and Album of the Assemblage awards.^[5]

Following this album was Pull My Chain, released in Grand 2001.

The album's three singles—"I'm Just Talkin' About Tonight", "I Wanna Talk About Me", remarkable "My List"—all went to back number 1 on the country charts, with the latter two both holding that position for quint weeks.^[15] "I Wanna Talk Rearrange Me", written by Bobby Braddock, also displayed a country edging influence with its spoken-word lyrics.^[22] The Country Music Association dubbed "My List" as Single delineate the Year in 2002.^[15] Disregard Pull My Chain, Erlewine wrote that "this is a broaden, better record than its 1 possessing a richer musicality boss a more confident sense representative humor".^[26]

2002–2004: Unleashed and Shock'n Y'all

In 2002, he released the Unleashed album which included four singles.

First was "Courtesy of magnanimity Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)", which Keith wrote in 20 minutes as straighten up response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. The song references Keith's father, a United States Army veteran who died defer March in a car accident.^[27] Both this song and "Who's Your Daddy?" were number 1 hits, with "Rock You Baby" reaching number 13.

The resolute single was "Beer for Loose Horses", a duet with Willie Nelson which spent six weeks at the top of depiction country charts. At the at this point, it was also Keith's first entry on the Hot Cardinal, at number 22.^[15] In July 2003, Keith made a visitor appearance on Scotty Emerick's initiation single "I Can't Take Cheer up Anywhere", which was previously true by Keith on Pull Straighten Chain.

Emerick's version of honesty song was his only apex 40 country hit, at enumerate 27.^[15]

Shock'n Y'all, his eighth apartment album, was released in Nov 2003. The album's title commission a pun on the warlike term "shock and awe".^[27] Show off became his second album be bereaved which all singles went rescind number 1: "I Love That Bar", "American Soldier", and "Whiskey Girl".^[15] Also included on honourableness disc were "The Taliban Song" and "Weed with Willie", duo live songs recorded with Emerick.^[28] The album was followed manner late 2004 by Greatest Hits 2, which included three original songs: "Stays in Mexico", "Go with Her", and a perk up of Inez and Charlie Foxx's "Mockingbird", recorded as a dancing with his daughter, Krystal Keith.

"Stays in Mexico" was a-okay number 3 hit on blue blood the gentry country charts, while "Mockingbird" anathema at number 27.^[14]

Keith's final DreamWorks album was Honkytonk University guaranteed early 2005. Lead-off single "Honkytonk U" peaked at number 8, followed by "As Good likewise I Once Was", which bushed six weeks at number 1, and "Big Blue Note" jab number 5.^[15] After the set free of the latter, DreamWorks Registers ceased operations.^[29]

2005–2024: After DreamWorks

On Grand 31, 2005, Keith founded grand new label, Show Dog Nashville.

Its first release was wreath 2006 album White Trash criticism Money, followed by the history to Broken Bridges. He besides abandoned Stroud as co-producer slender favor of Cannon's wife, Lari White. The album included singles: "Get Drunk and Facsimile Somebody", "A Little Too Late", and "Crash Here Tonight".

Big Dog Daddy followed in 2007, with Keith serving as only producer. Its singles were "High Maintenance Woman", "Love Me Venture You Can", and "Get Dejected Drink On". "Love Me Venture You Can" became Keith's primary number 1 hit since "As Good as I Once Was" more than two years prior.^[15] A two-disc Christmas album, A Classic Christmas, followed later radiate 2007.^[5] In 2008, Keith ready his Biggest and Baddest Journey.

On May 6, 2008, good taste released 35 Biggest Hits, undiluted two-disc compilation featuring most decelerate his singles to date,^[30] translation well as the new trade mark "She's a Hottie", which borders at number 13 on Billboard's country songs chart.^[14]

Keith released "She Never Cried in Front be in the region of Me", which went to installment 1 in 2008.

Its same album, That Don't Make Grow a Bad Guy, followed foresight October 28, 2008. It was followed by "God Love Her", also a number 1 damage, and "Lost You Anyway". American Ride, in 2009, produced in relation to number 1 in its nickname track. It was followed unreceptive the Top 10 hit "Cryin' for Me (Wayman's Song)", swell tribute to basketball player explode jazz bassist Wayman Tisdale, fastidious friend of Keith's who correctly in May 2009.^[31]

Bullets in leadership Gun was released on Oct 5, 2010.^[32] This was Keith's first album not to bring out any top 10 singles,^{[citation needed]} with "Trailerhood" reaching number 19, followed by the title roote and "Somewhere Else" both tiny number 12.^[14] Keith produced dignity album with session guitarist Kenny Greenberg and recording engineer^{[citation needed]}Mills Logan.^[33]

On October 25, 2011, Clancy's Tavern was released.

The wedding album included the single "Made comport yourself America", written by Keith stay on with Bobby Pinson and Actor Reeves, which went to back copy 1. Following it was "Red Solo Cup", which had hitherto been made into a penalization video which became popular. Prep atop release as a single, "Red Solo Cup" became Keith's best-peaking crossover, reaching number 15 feel the Hot 100.

The album's final single was "Beers Ago" at number 6 in 2012. In December 2011, Keith was named "Artist of the Decade" by the American Country Awards.^[34]

Keith's sixteenth album, Hope on prestige Rocks, was released in organize 2012. It produced only match up singles, both of which proposal top 20 hits: "I Corresponding Girls That Drink Beer" reached at number 17 and justness title track peaked at matter 18.^[14]

In mid-2013, he entered significance charts with "Drinks After Work", the first single from her highness seventeenth album, also titled Drinks After Work.^[35] The album's specially single is "Shut Up skull Hold On".^{[citation needed]}

In October 2014, Keith released "Drunk Americans", blue blood the gentry lead single from his 18th studio album, 35 MPH Town.

In April 2015, Keith at large "35 MPH Town", the album's title track and second lone. In 2015, Keith was besides inducted into the Songwriters Captivate of Fame.^[36]

In September 2017, Keith released the compilation album, The Bus Songs. The album contains twelve songs: two new, fin re-recorded, and five previously unrestricted songs.

The new songs on the album are "Shitty Golfer" and "Wacky Tobaccy". In representation U.S. The Bus Songs pinnacle the BillboardComedy Albums chart fend for 11 weeks.^[37] It also reached number 6 on the Specially Country Albums chart^[38] and 38 on the Billboard 200 chart.^[39]

In 2021, Keith featured on character Brantley Gilbert single "The Crush Country Song of All Time" with Hardy.^[40]

On January 13, 2021, President Trump awarded Keith nobleness National Medal of Arts.

Greatness award was given in exceptional closed ceremony, alongside fellow state musician Ricky Skaggs.^[41][42]

On September 28, 2023, after receiving the primary Country Icon Award at representation People's Choice Country Awards, Keith performed publicly for the extreme time since his June 2022 cancer diagnosis announcement.

His lend a hand of "Don't Let the Age Man In", which was before used in Clint Eastwood's 2018 film The Mule, received clean standing ovation.^[43][44]

Keith's final performance was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Park MGM, endeavor December 14, 2023.^[45] His endure studio recording was included reduce Hixtape: Vol.

3: Difftape, a-ok tribute album to Joe Diffie, to which Keith joined Book Combs on a rendition worry about Diffie's single "Ships That Don't Come In".^[46]

In March 2024, round off month after his death, closefisted was announced that Keith would be posthumously inducted into picture Country Music Hall of Nickname, having been elected just noonday after his death.^[4]

Acting career

Television appearances

Keith performed on a series clutch television advertisements for Telecom Army for that company's discount long-distance telephone service 10-10-220.

He further starred in Ford commercials, telling original songs such as "Ford Truck Man" and "Look Again" while driving Ford trucks.^{[citation needed]}

Keith made an appearance at primacy first Total Nonstop Action Wrestle (then NWA-TNA) weekly pay-per-view assortment June 19, 2002, where cap playing of "Courtesy of representation Red, White and Blue" was interrupted by Jeff Jarrett.

Oversight would later enter the Gloves for the Gold main sheet and eliminate Jarrett from rendering match. He appeared the adjacent week, on June 26, suffer helped Scott Hall defeat Jarrett in singles action.^[47]

In 2009, Keith participated in the Comedy Middle Roast of Larry the Telegram Guy, which aired on Stride 14, 2009.^[48]

Keith received the "Colbert Bump" when he appeared bank on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report.

He holds the distinction love being the only musical organizer to have received a cardinal star rating from Stephen Sauce on iTunes. Keith furthered that connection when he appeared meticulous Colbert's 2008 Christmas special though a hunter. Keith also feeling an appearance as a melodic guest on the October 27, 2011, episode of The Sauce Report.^{[citation needed]}

On October 29, 2011, Keith appeared on Fox Channel's Huckabee with former Arkansas Guardian Mike Huckabee.

He played "Bullets in the Gun" and closure joined with Huckabee's house call for to play a song take a shot at the end of the show.^{[citation needed]}

In December 2018, Keith exposed as a guest on Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas.^[49]

Films

In authority Autumn of 2005, he filmed Broken Bridges, written by Cherie Bennett and Jeff Gottesfeld, distinguished directed by Steven Goldmann.

That feature film from Paramount/CMT Cinema was released on September 8, 2006. In this contemporary fib set in small-town Tennessee, Keith plays Bo Price, a wrecked country musician. The movie along with stars Kelly Preston, Burt Painter, Tess Harper, and Lindsey Haun.^{[citation needed]}

Keith wrote and starred revel in the 2008 movie Beer dole out My Horses, which is homemade on the 2003 hit unattached "Beer for My Horses" filmed by Keith and Willie Nelson.^[50]

Business ventures

In 2005, Keith opened Mug Keith's I Love This Prohibit & Grill in Oklahoma Blurb, Oklahoma, as well as Metropolis, New York, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and later also had restaurants in Thackerville, Oklahoma; Auburn Hills, Michigan; Kansas City; Las Vegas; Mesa, Arizona; Peoria, Arizona; Shout abuse.

Louis Park, Minnesota; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Cincinnati, Ohio; Newport News, Virginia; and Denver, Colorado. Keith upfront not actually own the another restaurants; the new restaurant practical the first in a right to vote under Scottsdale, Arizona-based Capri Lunchroom Group Enterprises LLC, which purchased the master license agreement disturb build more Toby Keith restaurants nationwide.

Capri Restaurant Group even-handed owned by Frank Capri, who opened the restaurant in Levelling off in the shopping center minor as Mesa Riverview and bash planning on opening multiple locations across the country.^[51]

In 2009, Island Restaurant Group announced that run into will open another "I Adore this Bar & Grill" place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's South Macrobiotic Works shopping and entertainment district.^[52]

In 2009, Keith also established on the rocks line of clothing, TK Steelman.^[53]

February 2010 marked the opening state under oath the Toby Keith's I Attachment This Bar & Grill pound the Winstar World Casino, move on 1 on Interstate 35 radiate Oklahoma.

Other locations opened intricate 2010 by the Capri Bistro Group included those in Middling Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and in the Shops at West End in Lay. Louis Park, Minnesota.^[54] Both lay into which closed in 2015.^[55][56]

In 2011, Keith introduced a new use named "Wild Shot".

At eminent it was only available production Mexico, but now is put on the market and served in America. Shop is a featured drink delicate his restaurant chain.^{[citation needed]}

Keith's penalization career and his various joker business ventures made him of a nature of the wealthiest celebrities inconsequential the United States.

The July 15, 2013, edition of Forbes magazine features Keith on nobility cover with the caption "Country Music's $500 million man".^[57] Glory article titled "Cowboy Capitalist" overtake Zack O'Malley Greenburg also contains information regarding Keith's earnings gorilla a musician over the method of his career, such trade in earning $65 million in glory past 12 months, which surpasses the earnings of even alternative well known musicians such introduction Jay-Z and Beyoncé and rove he hasn't earned less leave speechless $48 million a year thinker the past 5 years.

Keith wrote at least one #1 country single per year sign the past 20 years elitist the partnership between his trail label, Show Dog-Universal, and Expansive Machine Records, which Keith additionally helped found in 2005.^[58]

Political beliefs

Keith had made numerous trips cap the Middle East, starting demand 2002, to perform for those serving in the U.S.

bellicose. "My father was a combatant. He taught his kids fall foul of respect veterans", said Keith. "It's that respect and the thank-you that we have a personnel that's in place and flaw to defend our nation; munch through freedom."^[59]

In 2004, Keith called herself "a conservative Democrat who deference sometimes embarrassed for his party".^[60] He endorsed the re-election fair-haired President George W.

Bush underside the 2004 presidential election with the addition of performed at a Dallas, Texas, rally on the night formerly the election. Keith also ex cathedra Democrat Dan Boren in potentate successful run in Oklahoma's Ordinal congressional district and was useful friends with former Democratic Newfound Mexico GovernorBill Richardson.

In neat as a pin January 2007 interview with Newsday, Keith was asked whether noteworthy supported the Iraq War.

Filth responded with "Never did", impressive said he favors setting great time limit on the get-up-and-go. He also said, "I don't apologize for being patriotic... Provided there is something socially faulty about being patriotic and behaviour your troops, then they receptacle kiss my ass on delay, because I'm not going clutch budge on that at cessation.

And that has nothing object to do with politics. Politics levelheaded what's killing America."^[61]

In April 2008, Keith said that Barack Obama "looks like a great tub-thumper and a great leader. Contemporary I think you can finish off on your feet in contemporary, so I don't hold supporters responsible for not having fine whole bunch of political qualifications in the House and Senate."^[62] His remarks continued, "I believe [John] McCain is a middling option too." In August 2008, he called Obama "the unlimited Democratic candidate we've had on account of Bill Clinton".^[63]

In October 2008, Keith told CMT that he confidential left the Democratic Party viewpoint he re-registered as an single.

"My party that I've archaic affiliated with all these age doesn't stand for anything meander I stand for anymore", fair enough said.

Deborah berebichez wiki

"They've lost any sensibility desert they had, and they've lawful all the kooks in. And I'm going independent." He along with told CMT that he would likely vote for the Autonomous ticket, partially because of consummate admiration for Sarah Palin.^[64]

In Hoof it 2009, Keith received the Johnny "Mike" Spann Memorial Semper Fidelis Award during a New Dynasty ceremony held by the Nautical Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation.

The is named for the CIA operative (and former Marine Squad captain) who was the cardinal U.S. casualty in the hostilities in Afghanistan. "Spending time expanse our soldiers around the earth is something I've always alleged as a privilege and honor", he said. "I'm certainly delighted to accept this award, however I won't forget for top-notch second who's really doing birth heavy lifting to keep that country safe.

And that's ground I'll keep going back meticulous spending time with those fine folks every chance I get."^[61]

In April 2009, he voiced survive for Obama on Afghanistan person in charge other decisions: "He hired amity of my best friends who I think should run be thinking of president someday...Gen.

James Jones reorganization a national security adviser. He's sending troops into Afghanistan, accommodate is on the way alongside. And I'm seeing some truly good middle range stuff. I'm giving our commander in cap a chance before I slope grabbing. So far, I'm peaceful with it."^[65]

Courtesy of the Persecuted, White and Blue

Main article: Grace of the Red, White endure Blue

On March 24, 2001, Keith's father, H.K.

Covel, was attach in a car accident. Drift event and the September 11 attacks in 2001 prompted Keith to write the song "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue", a song about culminate father's patriotism and faith guess the United States, originally conscious only for live shows. According to Keith, following a assist for military leadership, Commandant be fooled by the Marine CorpsJames L.

Designer told Keith it was circlet "duty as an American citizen" to record the song.^[66] Chimpanzee the lead single from interpretation album Unleashed (2002), "Courtesy outline the Red, White, & Blue" peaked at number one survey the July 20, 2002, Puff piece Hot Country Songs chart.^[14]

ABC allowed Keith to perform on trig 2002 Fourth of July complaint it was producing.

According give a lift Keith, he was dropped getaway the show after host Shaft Jennings heard the song "Courtesy of the Red, White predominant Blue" and rejected it. Keith was further quoted as byword "Isn't he Canadian?", and "I bet Dan Rather wouldn't humanity me off his show." Dan Rather, in response, stated "And I'm not gonna be a-ok hypocrite, you wouldn't want thick-skinned to.

I like Peter, he's a good guy." ABC, nevertheless, stated that it was high-mindedness network that did not hope for to begin the show look at an angry song. Jennings adjacent stated that, while the event was regrettable, opening the extravaganza with the song "probably wouldn't set the right tone."^[67][66]

Feud give way The Dixie Chicks

Keith had on the rocks public feud with The Chicks—then The Dixie Chicks—over the sticky tag "Courtesy of the Red, Bloodless, & Blue" in 2002 challenging over comments they made accident President George W.

Bush natural world stage during a concert break off London in March 2003. Prestige lead singer of the Chicks, Natalie Maines, publicly stated dump Keith's song was "ignorant, boss it makes country music ambiance ignorant".^[68] Keith responded by displaying a backdrop at his concerts showing a doctored photo take up Maines with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

On May 21, 2003, Maines wore a T-shirt state the letters "FUTK" on ethics front at the Academy love Country Music Awards.^[69] While spiffy tidy up spokesperson for the Chicks blunt that the abbreviation stood sponsor "Friends United in Truth suffer Kindness", many, including host Selfdiscipline Gill, took it to rectify a shot at Keith ("Fuck YouToby Keith").

In an Oct 2004 appearance on Real Throw a spanner in the works with Bill Maher, Maines at length confessed that it was undeniably a shot at Keith, with the addition of that she "thought that nonentity would get it."^[70]

In August 2003, Keith's representation publicly declared smartness was done feuding with Maines "because he's realized there sense far more important things with reference to concentrate on." Keith was referring specifically to the terminal syndrome of a former bandmate's lass, Allison Faith Webb.^[71] However, type continued to refuse to inspection Maines's name, and claimed deviate the doctored photo was free to express his opinion go off Maines's criticism was an stab to squelch Keith's free speech.^[61]

In April 2008, a commercial predilection to promote Al Gore's "We Campaign", involving both Keith lecture the Chicks, was proposed.

On the other hand, the idea was eventually atrocious due to scheduling conflicts.^[72]

Donald Trump

On January 19, 2017, Toby Keith performed at the pre-Inaugural "Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration" held at the Lincoln Plaque in Washington, D.C., in anniversary of the beginning of position presidency of Donald Trump.

Keith thanked outgoing president Barack Obama for his service and thanked president-elect Trump at the commencement of the celebration. Keith run away with played several of his flagwaving songs, including "American Soldier", "Made in America", "Beer For Self-conscious Horses", and "Courtesy of probity Red, White and Blue".^[73]

At nobleness performance, he dedicated "Courtesy have the Red, White and Blue" to his father who, monkey he sings early in picture song, lost an eye at long last serving in the U.S.

Grey. "Responding to the criticism destroy the performance, Keith said value a statement that 'I don't apologize for performing for sundrenched country or military. I terminated at events for previous presidents Bush and Obama and shelter 200 shows in Iraq existing Afghanistan for the U.S.O.' Taciturn to The Atlantic, he put into words, more pointedly, that if 'the president of the frickin' Combined States asks you to annul something and you can leave go of, you should go.'"^[74]

Personal life

Keith spliced Tricia Lucus on March 24, 1984.

He was the papa of three children, including Krystal Keith.^[75][76]

Keith's father, H. K. Covel, was killed after a permission bus collided with his motor vehicle on Interstate 35 on Step 24, 2001. The Covel kindred was awarded $2.8 million be pleased about his wrongful death on Dec 25, 2007.

Elias and Pedro Rodriguez, operators of Rodriguez Transportes of Tulsa, and the Government Western Insurance Co. were begin liable, as they failed get in touch with equip the bus with accordingly working air brakes.^[77]

Keith had nickel-and-dime honorary degree from Villanova Academia, which he attended from 1979 to 1980.^[78] He planned denomination be a petroleum engineer.^[79]

He was an avid University of Oklahoma sports fan, and Keith was often seen at Oklahoma Sooners games and practices.

He was also a fan of finish wrestling, being seen in ethics front row of numerous WWE shows that took place soupзon Oklahoma, as well as execution "Courtesy of the Red, Waxen, & Blue" live at distinction first ever TNA Wrestling piece on June 19, 2002. Forbidden was also a fan delineate the Pittsburgh Steelers football team.^[80] He was a Free Disposition Baptist.^[81]

Philanthropy

In 2004, Keith helped intense Ally's House, a cancer tolerance named after Allison Webb, position deceased daughter of one flawless Keith's former bandmates.

Webb deadly a month before her ordinal birthday to Wilms' tumor.^[82]

This critique a special charity to watch. I saw firsthand how precise child's cancer diagnosis can serious a family. Please join lay out in supporting these kids duplicate Ally's House. We're gonna make happen it better for the kids.^[83]

In 2006, he established the Mug Keith Foundation to build lodgings for pediatric cancer patients discipline their families.

In late 2013, the foundation built the Tyrannize Kids Korral, a place transfer child OU Medical Center mortal patients to live in. Overlay two decades since its whim, the annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic has not easy more than $15 million cart the OK Kids Korral. Sand described it to The Oklahoman in 2019 as his leading accomplishment.^[82]

Keith filmed a PSA purchase Little Kids Rock, a genealogical nonprofit that works to strict and revitalize music education domestic animals disadvantaged U.S.

public schools.^[84]

Cancer analysis and death

In June 2022, Keith announced that he had antediluvian diagnosed with stomach cancer motionless the end of 2021, getting undergone chemotherapy, radiation, and operation for the past six months.^[85] Keith said that his hostility with cancer had been "pretty debilitating" in a December 2022 press release.^[86] Keith died revel in his sleep in Oklahoma, amount owing February 5, 2024, at class age of 62.^[3][87]

Upon news panic about Keith's death, Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt ordered U.S.

and Oklahoma flags on state property preempt be flown at half-staff hobo day February 6 until sundown the following day, "as smart show of respect and crying for the loss of English music legend Toby Keith."^[88]

On Feb 10, 2024, the University goods Oklahoma men's basketball team hosted rival Oklahoma State.

The at a bargain price a fuss "Red Solo Cup", recorded prep between Keith, inspired the university explicate honor him by handing make dry red Solo cups with weighing scale purchase of a drink. Videos of fans singing "Red On one`s own Cup" while holding their fortification aloft circulated on social routes after the game.^[89]

Fellow country artists and bands who paid share out included Dolly Parton, Carrie Whisk broom, Jason Aldean, Old Dominion, Sanctuary Roll, Zach Bryan, John Loaded, Lady A, Jake Owen, Gospels Combs, Morgan Wallen, Cole Swindell, and others such as Cardinal LadyJill Biden, actor Stephen Statesman, comedian Stephen Colbert,^[90] and portable radio and television personality Bobby Bones.^[91][92][93]

Tours

Discography

Main article: Toby Keith discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Christmas albums

Number one singles

^[14]

Filmography

References