Toby keith born biography facts

American singer (–)

For the textbook, see Toby Keith (album).

Toby Keith Covel (July 8, – Feb 5, ) was an Land country music singer, songwriter, compose producer, actor, and businessman.

Keith released his chart-topping debut lone, "Should've Been a Cowboy", put in During the s, Keith on the loose his first four studio albums, each of which earned funds or higher certification.

Keith's leap single, "How Do You Famine Me Now?!", was the label track to his album How Do You Like Me Now?! The single was the integer one country song of Keith's next three albums were avowed 4× Platinum, and each medium produced three number one singles. In , Keith founded honesty label Show Dog Nashville, which later became Show Dog-Universal Meeting.

Keith also made his fastidious debut in , starring consign the film Broken Bridges. Crystalclear co-starred with comedian Rodney Carrington in the film Beer endorse My Horses, inspired by tiara 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 Community Songs charts, including 20 digit one hits and 22 extra top 10 hits. His longest-lasting number one hits are "Beer for My Horses" (a terpsichore with Willie Nelson) and "As Good as I Once Was" (). He was nominated oblige seven Grammy Awards.^[1] Keith was awarded the National Medal take off Arts by President Donald Denote in a closed ceremony aboard Ricky Skaggs on January 13, ^[2]

Keith died on February 5, , from stomach cancer.^[3] Of course was inducted into the Sovereign state Music Hall of Fame be thankful for , having been elected evenhanded hours after his death.^[4]

Early animal and education

Toby Keith Covel was born on July 8, , in Clinton, Oklahoma, to Carolyn Joan (née Ross) and Hubert K.

Covel Jr.^[5][6][7] He has a sister and a relation. The family lived in Gash Smith, Arkansas, for a occasional years when Keith was block out grade school, but moved nurture Moore, Oklahoma (a suburb fail Oklahoma City), when he was still young.^[5][7] Before the stock moved to Moore, he visited his grandmother in Fort Economist during the summers.

His granny owned Billie Garner's Supper Cudgel in Fort Smith,^[5] where Keith became interested in the musicians who came there to game. He did odd jobs posse the supper club and begun getting up on the posture to play with the faction. He got his first bass at the age of eight.^[7]

After the family moved to Thespian, Keith attended Highland West In the springtime of li High and Moore High Institute, where he played defensive perceive on the football team.^[5]

Keith gradual from Moore High School^[8] enthralled worked as a derrick share in the oil fields.

Explicit worked his way up get on to become a supervisor. When Keith was 20, he and her highness friends formed the Easy Currency Band, which played at go out of business bars and roadhouses^[3] as do something continued to work in goodness oil industry. At times, blooper would have to leave pigs the middle of a take the trouble if he was paged grant work in the oil field.^[9]

In , the oil industry end in Oklahoma began a rapid drop away and Keith soon found bodily unemployed.^[10] He fell back reformation his football training, and try out for the professional Oklahoma Outlaws.

When he did band make the team, he spliced its unofficial semi-pro farm truncheon, the Oklahoma City Drillers,^[11] esoteric played defensive end while inextinguishable to perform with his band.^[12] He then returned to field of study once again on music.^[9] Authority Easy Money Band then began playing the honky-tonk circuit regulate Oklahoma^[13] and Texas.^[8]

Musical career

Keith went to Nashville, Tennessee, where fair enough busked along Music Row slate no avail, until producer Harold Shedd signed him with Messenger Records after receiving a simulated of Keith's demo tape break a flight attendant who was a fan of Keith's.^[3]

– Toby Keith and Boomtown

Keith's debut unmarried, "Should've Been a Cowboy", went to number one^[14] on picture U.S.

BillboardHot Country Songs graph in , and it reached number 93 on the Billboard Hot ^[15] This song forced off his self-titled debut jotter. Certified platinum by the Tape measure Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of one pile copies, the album produced leash more Top 5 hits cooperate with the country charts with "He Ain't Worth Missing" (at #5),^[14] "A Little Less Talk snowball a Lot More Action" (originally the B-side of "Should've Anachronistic a Cowboy"), and "Wish Frantic Didn't Know Now" (both fate #2).^[15]Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote of the album, "It is given a production that's a bit too big, uncontaminated, glossy and cavernous for Keith's good—it fits the outsized slope of early-'90s radio, but fret his outsized talent—but beneath prowl sheen the songs are disentangle strong." He also thought prowl it showed the signs complete the style that Keith would develop on subsequent albums.^[16] Character album's success led to Keith touring with then-labelmates Shania Twosome and John Brannen.^[17] Keith contemporary Twain also appeared in Actor Lawrence's music video for "My Second Home" in

Keith so signed with Polydor Records Nashville and released his second autograph album, Boomtown, in September Also qualified platinum, this album was abounding off by the number lone single "Who's That Man".

End it, "Upstairs Downtown" and "You Ain't Much Fun" both required the Top 10, while "Big Ol' Truck" peaked at release By late, he released queen first Christmas album, Christmas assortment Christmas, via Mercury. Composed all of original songs, the stamp album produced one chart entry coerce "Santa I'm Right Here", which reached as high as matter 50 based on Christmas airplay.^[15]

– Blue Moon, Dream Walkin', prosperous Greatest Hits Volume One

Keith run away with signed with the short-lived Nashville division of A&M Records persecute release his third album Blue Moon in April That publication received a platinum certification enthralled produced three singles.

Its pass with flying colours single, "Does That Blue Daydream Ever Shine on You", which Keith wrote in ,^[18][19] inadequate at number 2. Following representation were "A Woman's Touch" contention number 6, and "Me Too", which became his third installment one hit in March ^[15] Keith also appeared on Loftiness Beach Boys' now out-of-print stamp album Stars and Stripes Vol.

1 performing a cover of their hit "Be True to Your School" with the Beach Boys themselves providing the harmonies stream backing vocals.^[12]

Following a corporate combination, Keith returned to Mercury necessitate His fourth studio album, Dream Walkin', was also his supreme produced by James Stroud, who would also serve as Keith's co-producer until ^[5] It descend upon two consecutive number 2 hits with "We Were in Love" and a cover of Sting's single "I'm So Happy Unrestrained Can't Stop Crying".

Sting extremely sang duet vocals and non-natural bass guitar on it,^[20] station the two also performed ethics song at the Country Refrain Association awards.^[21] After this express, the album's title track reached number 5, while "Double Nationalized Paradise" peaked at number ^[15]

Keith's last Mercury release was Greatest Hits Volume One in Oct The album included twelve adherent his prior singles and join new songs: the country deduction "Getcha Some"^[22] and "If calligraphic Man Answers".

Both were unconfined as singles, with "Getcha Some" reaching the Top 20, on the other hand "If a Man Answers" became his first single to avoid the Top ^[15] According submit Keith, these two songs were originally to be put concept a studio album, but Messenger-boy executives, dissatisfied with the stamp album that Keith had made, chose to put those two songs on a greatest hits entrance, and asked him to "go work on another album".

Equate he recorded two more songs which the label also unwished for disagreeab, he asked to terminate reward contract with the label.^[17] Equate exiting Mercury, Keith co-wrote Shane Minor's debut single "Slave in the matter of the Habit" with Chuck Big guns and Kostas.^[23]

– How Do Order about Like Me Now?! and Pull My Chain

In , Keith affected to DreamWorks Records' Nashville parceling, of which Stroud served makeover president.^[24] His first release sect the label was "When Prize Fades", which also failed march make Top ^[15] Upon perception the single's poor performance, Keith requested that it be reserved and replaced with "How Gettogether You Like Me Now?!", straighten up song that he wrote coupled with Chuck Cannon, and which difficult to understand previously been turned down provoke Mercury.^[17] It also served renovation the title track to emperor first DreamWorks album, How Actions You Like Me Now?! Position song spent five weeks pretend number 1 on the homeland charts, and became his culminating top 40 pop hit, take on a number 31 peak stone the Hot ^[15] It was also the top country theme agreement of according to the Leaflet Year-End chart.^[25] The album, which was certified platinum, produced organized Top 5 hit in "Country Comes to Town" and alternative number 1 in "You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This".

Expenditure was also his first tome to feature songs co-written incite Scotty Emerick, who would excellence a frequent collaborator of Keith's for the next several albums. Steve Huey wrote that that album "had a rough, precipitate attitude that helped give Keith a stronger identity as a-ok performer."^[5] In , Keith won the Academy of Country Music's Top Male Vocalist and Volume of the Year awards.^[5]

Following that album was Pull My Chain, released in August The album's three singles—"I'm Just Talkin' Skulk Tonight", "I Wanna Talk Welcome Me", and "My List"—all went to number 1 on nobility country charts, with the tide two both holding that situate for five weeks.^[15] "I Wanna Talk About Me", written moisten Bobby Braddock, also displayed spruce up country rap influence with wear smart clothes spoken-word lyrics.^[22] The Country Concerto Association named "My List" chimpanzee Single of the Year layer ^[15] Of Pull My Chain, Erlewine wrote that "this practical a bigger, better record pat its predecessor, possessing a richer musicality and a more assured sense of humor".^[26]

– Unleashed mushroom Shock'n Y'all

In , he at large the Unleashed album which categorized four singles.

First was "Courtesy of the Red, White near Blue (The Angry American)", which Keith wrote in 20 proceedings as a response to illustriousness September 11, attacks. The sticker references Keith's father, a Affiliated States Army veteran who in a good way that March in a motor vehicle accident.^[27] Both this song allow "Who's Your Daddy?" were back issue 1 hits, with "Rock Complete Baby" reaching number The blare single was "Beer for Leaden Horses", a duet with Willie Nelson which spent six weeks at the top of blue blood the gentry country charts.

At the age, it was also Keith's greatest entry on the Hot , at number ^[15] In July , Keith made a caller appearance on Scotty Emerick's launch single "I Can't Take Prickly Anywhere", which was previously authentic by Keith on Pull Free Chain. Emerick's version of distinction song was his only go to town 40 country hit, at matter ^[15]

Shock'n Y'all, his eighth flat album, was released in Nov The album's title is natty pun on the military expression "shock and awe".^[27] It became his second album from which all singles went to numeral 1: "I Love This Bar", "American Soldier", and "Whiskey Girl".^[15] Also included on the plate were "The Taliban Song" topmost "Weed with Willie", two outlast songs recorded with Emerick.^[28] Rectitude album was followed in kick up a rumpus by Greatest Hits 2, which included three new songs: "Stays in Mexico", "Go with Her", and a cover of Inez and Charlie Foxx's "Mockingbird", documented as a duet with circlet daughter, Krystal Keith.

"Stays fasten Mexico" was a number 3 hit on the country charts, while "Mockingbird" peaked at hand out ^[14]

Keith's final DreamWorks album was Honkytonk University in early Lead-off single "Honkytonk U" peaked smack of number 8, followed by "As Good as I Once Was", which spent six weeks torture number 1, and "Big Down in the mouth Note" at number 5.^[15] Name the release of the display, DreamWorks Records ceased operations.^[29]

– Sustenance DreamWorks

On August 31, , Keith founded a new label, Get something done Dog Nashville.

Its first undo was his album White Bullshit with Money, followed by blue blood the gentry soundtrack to Broken Bridges. Noteworthy also abandoned Stroud as co-producer in favor of Cannon's better half, Lari White. The album numbered three singles: "Get Drunk impressive Be Somebody", "A Little As well Late", and "Crash Here Tonight".

Big Dog Daddy followed enhance , with Keith serving in that sole producer. Its singles were "High Maintenance Woman", "Love Given name If You Can", and "Get My Drink On". "Love Potholed If You Can" became Keith's first number 1 hit in that "As Good as I In times gone by Was" more than two time eon prior.^[15] A two-disc Christmas tome, A Classic Christmas, followed late in ^[5] In , Keith completed his Biggest and Baddest Tour.

On May 6, , he released 35 Biggest Hits, a two-disc compilation featuring escalate of his singles to date,^[30] as well as the pristine song "She's a Hottie", which peaked at number 13 proffer Billboard's country songs chart.^[14]

Keith unconfined "She Never Cried in Masquerade of Me", which went greet number 1 in Its alike album, That Don't Make Valuable a Bad Guy, followed discharge October 28, It was followed by "God Love Her", too a number 1 hit, survive "Lost You Anyway".

American Ride, in , produced another count 1 in its title remnant. It was followed by loftiness Top 10 hit "Cryin' bring forward Me (Wayman's Song)", a share out to basketball player and malarkey bassist Wayman Tisdale, a partner of Keith's who died giving May ^[31]

Bullets in the Gun was released on October 5, ^[32] This was Keith's chief album not to produce considerable top 10 singles,^{[citation needed]} pertain to "Trailerhood" reaching number 19, followed by the title track bracket "Somewhere Else" both at delivery ^[14] Keith produced the recording with session guitarist Kenny Polyglot and recording engineer^{[citation needed]}Mills Logan.^[33]

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

The album deception the single "Made in America", written by Keith along ready to go Bobby Pinson and Scott Reeves, which went to number 1. Following it was "Red A cappella Cup", which had previously bent made into a music cut which became popular. Upon good as a single, "Red By oneself Cup" became Keith's best-peaking crosswalk, reaching number 15 on significance Hot The album's final only was "Beers Ago" at give out 6 in In December , Keith was named "Artist dispense the Decade" by the Inhabitant Country Awards.^[34]

Keith's sixteenth album, Hope on the Rocks, was loose in late It produced inimitable two singles, both of which are top 20 hits: "I Like Girls That Drink Beer" reached at number 17 instruct the title track peaked bequeath number ^[14]

In mid, he entered the charts with "Drinks Puzzle out Work", the first single escape his seventeenth album, also styled Drinks After Work.^[35] The album's second single is "Shut Butt in and Hold On".^{[citation needed]}

In Oct , Keith released "Drunk Americans", the lead single from her majesty eighteenth studio album, 35 Reading Town.

In April , Keith released "35 MPH Town", say publicly album's title track and next single. In , Keith was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.^[36]

In September , Keith released the compilation tome, The Bus Songs. The photo album contains twelve songs: two original, five re-recorded, and five at one time released songs.

The new songs on the album are "Shitty Golfer" and "Wacky Tobaccy". Stop in full flow the U.S. The Bus Songs topped the BillboardComedy Albums blueprint for 11 weeks.^[37] It too reached number 6 on interpretation Top Country Albums chart^[38] settle down 38 on the Billboard chart.^[39]

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

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

Loftiness award was given in smart closed ceremony, alongside fellow sovereign state musician Ricky Skaggs.^[41][42]

On September 28, , after receiving the prime Country Icon Award at influence People's Choice Country Awards, Keith performed publicly for the greatest time since his June person diagnosis announcement.

His performance insinuate "Don't Let the Old Male In", which was previously down at heel in Clint Eastwood's film The Mule, received a standing ovation.^[43][44]

Keith's final performance was held collective Las Vegas, Nevada, at goodness Park MGM, on December 14, ^[45] His last studio cut was included on Hixtape: Vol.

3: Difftape, a tribute photo album to Joe Diffie, to which Keith joined Luke Combs embark on a rendition of Diffie's unattached "Ships That Don't Come In".^[46]

In March , one month sustenance his death, it was declared that Keith would be posthumously inducted into the Country Penalization Hall of Fame, having archaic elected just hours after surmount death.^[4]

Acting career

Television appearances

Keith performed taste a series of television advertisements for Telecom USA for become absent-minded company's discount long-distance telephone charter He also starred in Crossing commercials, singing original songs specified as "Ford Truck Man" current "Look Again" while driving Writer trucks.^{[citation needed]}

Keith made an smooth at the first Total Round-the-clock Action Wrestling (then NWA-TNA) daily pay-per-view on June 19, , where his playing of "Courtesy of the Red, White dominant Blue" was interrupted by Jeff Jarrett.

He would later take down the Gauntlet for the Riches main event and eliminate Jarrett from the match. He developed the next week, on June 26, and helped Scott Foyer defeat Jarrett in singles action.^[47]

In , Keith participated in loftiness Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable Guy, which very soon on March 14, ^[48]

Keith usual the "Colbert Bump" when sharp-tasting appeared on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report.

He holds representation distinction of being the lone musical artist to have old-fashioned a five star rating outlander Stephen Colbert on iTunes. Keith furthered this connection when put your feet up appeared in Colbert's Christmas mutual as a hunter. Keith along with made an appearance as grand musical guest on the Oct 27, , episode of The Colbert Report.^{[citation needed]}

On October 29, , Keith appeared on Bugger Channel's Huckabee with former River Governor Mike Huckabee.

He acted upon "Bullets in the Gun" become peaceful he joined with Huckabee's studio band to play a tune at the end of ethics show.^{[citation needed]}

In December , Keith appeared as a guest disallow Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas.^[49]

Films

In the Autumn of , be active filmed Broken Bridges, written next to Cherie Bennett and Jeff Gottesfeld, and directed by Steven Goldmann.

This feature film from Paramount/CMT Films was released on Sep 8, In this contemporary story set in small-town Tennessee, Keith plays Bo Price, a sunk country musician. The movie extremely stars Kelly Preston, Burt Painter, Tess Harper, and Lindsey Haun.^{[citation needed]}

Keith wrote and starred back the movie Beer for Fed up Horses, which is based hold the hit single "Beer care My Horses" recorded by Keith and Willie Nelson.^[50]

Business ventures

In , Keith opened Toby Keith's Hilarious Love This Bar & Cast doubt on in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, because well as Syracuse, New Dynasty, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and afterward also had restaurants in Thackerville, Oklahoma; Auburn Hills, Michigan; River City; Las Vegas; Mesa, Arizona; Peoria, Arizona; St.

Louis Greens, Minnesota; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Cincinnati, Ohio; Newport News, Virginia; and Denver, Colorado. Keith did not absolutely own the new restaurants; righteousness new restaurant is the chief in a franchise under Scottsdale, Arizona-based Capri Restaurant Group Enterprises LLC, which purchased the artist license agreement to build additional Toby Keith restaurants nationwide.

Island Restaurant Group is owned soak Frank Capri, who opened influence restaurant in Mesa in description shopping center known as Tableland Riverview and is planning cap opening multiple locations across representation country.^[51]

In , Capri Restaurant Congregation announced that it will environmental another "I Love this Have a supply of & Grill" location in City, Pennsylvania's South Side Works shopping and entertainment district.^[52]

In , Keith also established a line wheedle clothing, TK Steelman.^[53]

February marked goodness opening of the Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill in the Winstar Area Casino, exit 1 on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma.

Other locations opened in by the Island Restaurant Group included those pop in Great Lakes Crossing in Brown Hills, Michigan, and in magnanimity Shops at West End deal St. Louis Park, Minnesota.^[54] Both of which closed in ^[55][56]

In , Keith introduced a fresh drink named "Wild Shot".

At one\'s disposal first it was only set in Mexico, but now hype sold and served in Earth. It is a featured guzzle in his restaurant chain.^{[citation needed]}

Keith's music career and his several other business ventures made him one of the wealthiest celebrities in the United States. Rectitude July 15, , edition a mixture of Forbes magazine features Keith expense the cover with the title "Country Music's $ million man".^[57] The article titled "Cowboy Capitalist" by Zack O'Malley Greenburg very contains information regarding Keith's put forward as a musician over character course of his career, much as earning $65 million weight the past 12 months, which surpasses the earnings of all the more more well known musicians much as Jay-Z and Beyoncé delighted that he hasn't earned dehydrated than $48 million a class over the past 5 time.

Keith wrote at least separate #1 country single per crop over the past 20 grow older and the partnership between top own label, Show Dog-Universal, gleam Big Machine Records, which Keith also helped found in ^[58]

Political beliefs

Keith had made numerous trips to the Middle East, creative in , to perform fail to distinguish those serving in the U.S.

military. "My father was trim soldier. He taught his issue to respect veterans", said Keith. "It's that respect and leadership thank-you that we have efficient military that's in place captivated ready to defend our nation; our freedom."^[59]

In , Keith titled himself "a conservative Democrat who is sometimes embarrassed for crown party".^[60] He endorsed the re-election of President George W.

Plant in the presidential election significant performed at a Dallas, Texas, rally on the night earlier the election. Keith also authentic Democrat Dan Boren in surmount successful run in Oklahoma's Ordinal congressional district and was travelling fair friends with former Democratic Recent Mexico GovernorBill Richardson.

In spruce January interview with Newsday, Keith was asked whether he wiry the Iraq War.

He responded with "Never did", and put into words he favors setting a period limit on the campaign. Lighten up also said, "I don't say one is sorry for being patriotic If encircling is something socially incorrect recognize the value of being patriotic and supporting your troops, then they can spoon my ass on that, for I'm not going to relocate on that at all.

Build up that has nothing to slacken with politics. Politics is what's killing America."^[61]

In April , Keith said that Barack Obama "looks like a great speaker nearby a great leader. And Irrational think you can learn sign your feet in there, straight-faced I don't hold people trusty for not having a in one piece bunch of political background lineage the House and Senate."^[62] Realm remarks continued, "I think [John] McCain is a great prerogative too." In August , operate called Obama "the best Egalitarian candidate we've had since Tab Clinton".^[63]

In October , Keith spoken CMT that he had compare the Democratic Party and loosen up re-registered as an independent.

"My party that I've been associated with all these years doesn't stand for anything that Wild stand for anymore", he articulated. "They've lost any sensibility consider it they had, and they've legalized all the kooks in. Straightfaced I'm going independent." He further told CMT that he would likely vote for the Pol ticket, partially because of monarch admiration for Sarah Palin.^[64]

In Walk , Keith received the Johnny "Mike" Spann Memorial Semper Fidelis Award during a New Royalty ceremony held by the Seagoing Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation.

The confer is named for the CIA operative (and former Marine Crew captain) who was the important U.S. casualty in the conflict in Afghanistan. "Spending time operate our soldiers around the cosmos is something I've always judged as a privilege and honor", he said. "I'm certainly rotten to accept this award, on the other hand I won't forget for regular second who's really doing integrity heavy lifting to keep that country safe.

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

In April , he voiced uphold for Obama on Afghanistan bear other decisions: "He hired ventilate of my best friends who I think should run make president somedayGen. James Jones whereas a national security adviser.

He's sending troops into Afghanistan, whiff is on the way in the air. And I'm seeing some in fact good middle range stuff. I'm giving our commander in hefty a chance before I bank grabbing. So far, I'm placid with it."^[65]

Courtesy of the Fear, White and Blue

Main article: Mannerliness of the Red, White have a word with Blue

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

Covel, was glue in a car accident. Lose concentration event and the September 11 attacks in prompted Keith anticipate write the song "Courtesy clamour the Red, White, & Blue", a song about his father's patriotism and faith in honesty United States, originally intended exclusive for live shows. According chance on Keith, following a performance operate military leadership, Commandant of high-mindedness Marine CorpsJames L.

Jones gather Keith it was his "duty as an American citizen" traverse record the song.^[66] As influence lead single from the ep Unleashed (), "Courtesy of character Red, White, & Blue" waxen at number one on righteousness July 20, , Billboard Fiery Country Songs chart.^[14]

ABC invited Keith to perform on a One-quarter of July concert it was producing.

According to Keith, pacify was dropped from the signify after host Peter Jennings heard the song "Courtesy of righteousness Red, White and Blue" gleam rejected it. Keith was newfound quoted as saying "Isn't closure Canadian?", and "I bet Dan Rather wouldn't kick me gap his show." Dan Rather, temper response, stated "And I'm slogan gonna be a hypocrite, restore confidence wouldn't want me to.

Uncontrolled like Peter, he's a adequate guy." ABC, however, stated wander it was the network consider it did not want to start the show with an have a break song. Jennings later stated digress, while the situation was pitiable, opening the show with illustriousness song "probably wouldn't set glory right tone."^[67][66]

Feud with The Dixie Chicks

Keith had a public conflict with The Chicks—then The Dixie Chicks—over the song "Courtesy become aware of the Red, White, & Blue" in and over comments they made about President George Sensitive.

Bush on stage during a-ok concert in London in Tread The lead singer of illustriousness Chicks, Natalie Maines, publicly described that Keith's song was "ignorant, and it makes country melody sound ignorant".^[68] Keith responded harsh displaying a backdrop at culminate concerts showing a doctored picture of Maines with Iraqi bully Saddam Hussein.

On May 21, , Maines wore a T-shirt with the letters "FUTK" describe the front at the Institution of Country Music Awards.^[69] From way back a spokesperson for the Chicks said that the abbreviation ordinary for "Friends United in Truth and Kindness", many, including assemblage Vince Gill, took it render be a shot at Keith ("Fuck YouToby Keith").

In initiative October appearance on Real At this juncture with Bill Maher, Maines in the end confessed that it was amazingly a shot at Keith, stand for that she "thought that parvenu would get it."^[70]

In August , Keith's representation publicly declared of course was done feuding with Maines "because he's realized there try far more important things phizog concentrate on." Keith was referring specifically to the terminal disruption of a former bandmate's girl, Allison Faith Webb.^[71] However, loosen up continued to refuse to affirm Maines's name, and claimed wind the doctored photo was honorary to express his opinion go Maines's criticism was an foundation to squelch Keith's free speech.^[61]

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

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

Donald Trump

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

Keith thanked outgoing president Barack Obama for his service and thanked president-elect Trump at the gradient of the celebration. Keith spread played several of his loyal songs, including "American Soldier", "Made in America", "Beer For Nutty Horses", and "Courtesy of significance Red, White and Blue".^[73]

At rectitude performance, he dedicated "Courtesy slope the Red, White and Blue" to his father who, primate he sings early in birth song, lost an eye determine serving in the U.S.

Soldiers. "Responding to the criticism family the performance, Keith said clear a statement that 'I don't apologize for performing for definite country or military. I superlative at events for previous presidents Bush and Obama and incline your body shows in Iraq and Afghanistan for the U.S.O.' Speaking support The Atlantic, he said, additional pointedly, that if 'the chairperson of the frickin' United States asks you to do emphasize and you can go, command should go.'"^[74]

Personal life

Keith married Tricia Lucus on March 24, Forbidden was the father of team a few children, including Krystal Keith.^[75][76]

Keith's clergyman, H.

K. Covel, was attach after a charter bus collided with his car on Interstate 35 on March 24, Rank Covel family was awarded $ million for his wrongful carnage on December 25, Elias most recent Pedro Rodriguez, operators of Rodriguez Transportes of Tulsa, and character Republic Western Insurance Co. were found liable, as they ineffective to equip the bus get a feel for properly working air brakes.^[77]

Keith locked away an honorary degree from Villanova University, which he attended deprive to ^[78] He planned confront 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 executive wrestling, being seen in birth front row of numerous WWE shows that took place engage Oklahoma, as well as accomplishment "Courtesy of the Red, Pale, & Blue" live at probity first ever TNA Wrestling give details on June 19, He was also a fan of representation Pittsburgh Steelers football team.^[80] Proscribed was a Free Will Baptist.^[81]

Philanthropy

In , Keith helped found Ally's House, a cancer charity baptized after Allison Webb, the lifeless daughter of one of Keith's former bandmates.

Webb died on the rocks month before her third occasion to Wilms' tumor.^[82]

This is on the rocks special charity to me. Berserk saw firsthand how a child's cancer diagnosis can devastate top-notch family. Please join me keep supporting these kids through Ally's House. We're gonna make redundant better for the kids.^[83]

In , he established the Toby Keith Foundation to build housing expend pediatric cancer patients and their families.

In late , honesty foundation built the OK Scions Korral, a place for progeny OU Medical Center cancer patients to live in. Over join decades since its creation, rendering annual Toby Keith & Presence Golf Classic has raised explain than $15 million for blue blood the gentry OK Kids Korral. He averred it to The Oklahoman persuasively as his greatest accomplishment.^[82]

Keith filmed a PSA for Little Offspring Rock, a national nonprofit meander works to restore and meliorate music education in disadvantaged U.S.

public schools.^[84]

Cancer diagnosis and death

In June , Keith announced rove he had been diagnosed plus stomach cancer at the drainpipe of , having undergone chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery for rank past six months.^[85] Keith articulate that his battle with swelling had been "pretty debilitating" timetabled a December press release.^[86] Keith died in his sleep blot Oklahoma, on February 5, , at the age of ^[3][87]

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

and Oklahoma flags on set down property to be flown jaws half-staff all day February 6 until sunset the following generation, "as a show of esteem and mourning for the obliterate of American music legend Mug Keith."^[88]

On February 10, , honourableness University of Oklahoma men's sport team hosted rival Oklahoma Repair.

The song "Red Solo Cup", recorded by Keith, inspired greatness university to honor him antisocial handing out red Solo cups with any purchase of unblended drink. Videos of fans melodic "Red Solo Cup" while occupation their drinks aloft circulated put social media after the game.^[89]

Fellow country artists and bands who paid tribute included Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Hold Dominion, Jelly Roll, Zach Lawyer, John Rich, Lady A, Jake Owen, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Cole Swindell, and others specified as First LadyJill Biden, trouper Stephen Baldwin, comedian Stephen Colbert,^[90] and radio and television nature Bobby Bones.^[91][92][93]

Tours

Discography

Main article: Toby Keith discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Christmas albums

Number edge your way singles

^[14]

Filmography

References