Adkins said, quoting Keith, “Never apologize for being patriotic,” from the platform.
On July 29, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, Trace Adkins takes the stage at Bridgestone Arena. Image courtesy of Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
In the two-hour NBC program Toby Keith: American Icon, Trace Adkins paid a moving homage to Toby Keith, recalling their many years of traveling together and the significant influence Keith had via his patriotism.
Adkins was one of the few artists that really know Toby Keith and the man behind the scenes, having been friends with Keith for many years and going on tours with. Adkins paused to remember the poignant message that Keith conveyed at the conclusion of each of his live performances before giving an incredibly emotional and beautiful rendition of “American Solider” in honor of Keith and his dedication to the military.
“I’ve known Toby for a very long time, and we did a lot of gigs together while on multiple tours together. I seem to recall that at the end of each performance he gave, he would always say, “Never apologize for being patriotic.” Every night, he said that, Adkins noted. And since, my God, he really did believe that, I realized while he was saying it that it was both a challenge to the rest of us and a window into Toby Keith’s personality.
Keith lived what he preached, and Adkins praised him for it. Keith had undertaken 11 USO Tours, performing in front of 256,000 soldiers and military families in 18 nations at over 285 engagements.
“He had a deep-rooted love and respect for the men and women who have served this country.” It was real, authentic, and meaningful. With a rich, baritone voice, he remarked, “I always respected him so much for that.” “Toby is someone I could talk about all night, but for now I’ll just say that I’m glad I got to know him and call him a friend. We miss you, Toby. Thank you.
Trace Adkins performed “American Solider” in a terrifying manner a short while later. On the screen behind him, pictures of Toby Keith and his numerous USO Tours displayed during his performance. Toby Keith: American Icon gave a truly remarkable performance, and it was undoubtedly an emotional time.
Written by Keith and Chuck Cannon, “American Solider” was published in November 2003. It can be found on the album Hi Shock’n Y’all and has an RIAA Platinum certification.
Among the many famous country musicians that gave their all to pay tribute to the late Toby Keith was Trace Adkins. Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Scotty Emerick, Brett Favre, Brantley Gilbert, Riley Green, HARDY, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Krystal Keith, Ella Langley, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Leanne Morgan, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker, and Lainey Wilson were among the performers and special guests on the two-hour special.
The special featured a variety of musical performances that showcased Keith’s amazing songwriting and music, but it also emphasized his kindness and generosity by supporting The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Families from both groups seemed to tell the stories of how they were helped and supported when things were really hard.
NBC broadcast Toby Keith: American Icon on Wednesday, August 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The next day, Peacock will offer the episode for streaming.
On February 5, 2024, the legendary country music performer Toby Keith departed from this life due to stomach cancer. He had an astounding 32 No. 1 hits over his career and sold an astounding 40 million albums.
Given that he has achieved a chart-topping hit for 20 years running, including “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American),” “I Love This Bar,” “Beer For My Horses,” and “As Good As I Once Was,” it should come as no surprise that he is considered one of country music’s biggest hitmakers.
In addition to being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (after being admitted into the all-genre Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015), he has been awarded the National Medal of Arts and the prestigious Merle Haggard Spirit Award by the Academy of Country Music.
The Oklahoma native won three BMI Country Songwriter of the Year awards over his career in addition to the BMI Icon Award. In 2006, his popular song “As Good As I Once Was” won BMI’s Country Song of the Year.
To date, Toby Keith’s music has received 100 million terrestrial radio spins and over 10 billion streaming.
20 Pics That Perfectly Explain What Having a Pet Is All About
When you have a kitty or a doggo, you’re almost sure there’s something special waiting for you at home. A pup that’s terrified when he sees you in a bath for the first time, a cat that won’t stop walking on its hind legs, and a dog that’s just crazy about… fresh carrots. They all have their own quirks, and we love them even more when we discover yet another one.
Here at Bright Side, we laughed until we cried while looking at these funny photos, and now we want you to get your daily dose of laughter too.
1. “This woman was walking around NYC with this label on her shoe.”
2. “Karen, I’m concerned, are you aware water CAN KILL YOU!?”
3. “Trained my cat to stand up. Now she won’t stop.”
4. “My name’s Mookie. I hide in mom’s purse when I’m nervous.”
5. “My dog has loose lips that get stuck on his gums after he yawns.”
6. The best way to spend time in a traffic jam
7. “So… I recently discovered my dog likes carrots.”
8. “I cannot take her seriously when she looks like this.”
9. “Me with our dog and my wife with our cat”
10. “Somebody said black cats are hard to photograph for social media. Well, meet Thor.”
11. “She thinks it’s her job to pull rocks out of the lake. The big one weighs 14 lb.”
12. When you let your white dog out after you mow the lawn:
13. “The way my cat decided to sit down”
14. “The face he makes when he knows he’s in trouble… every time!”
15. “When my cat gets spooked by a sound in the next room:”
16. “I put my inside cat outside and walked out to this 5 minutes later.”
17. Oh well… Looks like he’s comfortable…
18. “Delighted to have some uninterrupted downtime with a good book…”
19. “My cat escaped. Found her the next day outside my son’s bedroom window.”
20. “Finally got a picture of my cat looking at the camera.”
When was the last time your pet made you laugh out loud with their quirks? Do you have a funny picture of them acting out? Share your stories and pics in the comments below!
Preview photo credit KatraHigher / Twitter
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