Delaney Hibbits
Arts and Entertainment Editor
Toby Keith, known for his eternal patriotism and courageous songwriting, died on Feb. 5, 2024 at the age of 62.
According to a statement uploaded to Keith’s social media accounts, he passed with his family by his side and “fought his fight with grace and courage.” The singer announced his cancer diagnosis in 2022 and has since been trying to overcome this disease.
Keith started his career in country music with his 1993 debut single, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” Fans fell in love with his masculine, pro-American identity and followed his career from start to end. Despite often being the center of controversy, Keith never changed his beliefs or hid what he thought from the public.
Most people know Keith from his early 2000s music that acted as support following the devastation of 9/11. Songs like “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” and “American Soldier” continue to be played on multiple days throughout the year.
These songs were met with love and anger as fans cheered Keith for being unapologetically American while critics deemed him too angry to be performing these songs. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), both songs are now certified platinum at least once and are among his most well-known songs.
In his discography, Keith currently has 20 number-one Billboard songs including “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Beer for My Horses,” and “As Good As I Once Was.” He has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. His honkytonk country style proves to be everlasting, powerful, and favorable among listeners.
Keith was not afraid of the media and openly talked about personal opinions, politics and religion. In 2003, Keith walked out of the American Country Music Awards (ACM) after being snubbed early in the night. Even though he assumed he had been brushed aside, Keith ended up winning Entertainer of the Year which Vince Gill had to accept on his behalf.
Other awards and prestige given to Keith include a second Entertainer of the Year, the Inaugural Country Icon Award, and the National Medal of Arts. In total, he won three Country Music Association (CMA) awards, three American Music Association (AMA) awards and twelve ACM awards during his career.
Since his diagnosis in 2022, Keith had been relaxing and recovering from his different treatments. However, he never let go of his life as a performer and continued to put on shows when he could until the very end.
In December 2023, Keith had a 3-day run in Nevada where he performed many of his hit songs that the crowd had not heard live in years. Keith told People magazine “I was going to sit around here and do nothing like I have been. Or get up and go outside, and don’t let the old man in.”
Keith constantly told reporters that he expected to go back on tour in 2024. Now, fans are staring at the video recap and commenting prayers due to the surrealism of the situation. No one knew or expected those shows to be his last.
Toby Keith was a legend in the music industry and as a person. He was open, talented and braver than most. Rest in peace.
