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Toby Keith

Long Live Toby Keith: 2024 Edition

The February passing of singer, songwriter and entertainer Toby Keith was a devastating blow to family, friends, fans and all who've been touched by his music, but it also touched off widespread celebrations of an icon whose influence is destined to span generations. As that salute continues – and looking back on the year – one can easily imagine the Big Dog Daddy raising a beverage, cracking a smile and saying, "Proceed to party."

Perhaps not surprisingly, the year is ending with a slew of new RIAA certifications including platinum and gold records for "American Ride" and "God Love Her," "Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song)," "Trailerhood" and "Who’s That Man." Clearly, Toby Keith's status as one of the most successful and acclaimed self-contained creators of all time continues to grow. Here's a review of 2024:

  • Upon his passing, Keith was the subject of an outpouring of tributes from Dr. Jill Biden and Stephen Colbert, to Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Jelly Roll, Luke Combs and countless more. As the year rolled on, Sammy Hagar, Brooks & Dunn and Lainey Wilson offered a medley tribute on the CMT Music Awards; Post Malone covered "Who's Your Daddy?" and Jelly Roll and T-Pain performed “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” at Stagecoach; and Jason Aldean also performed“Should’ve Been a Cowboy” at the ACM Awards.
  • Immediately after his passing, Keith's 35 Biggest Hits topped the all-genre Billboard Top 200 and Top Country Albums charts. He became the first artist with nine of the top 10 Billboard Country Digital Songs; he also had 12 of the top 15 – five of which he solely wrote. Keith was added to the very short list of artists who have topped the all-genre album chart while active and posthumously, joining Michael Jackson, John Lennon and Elvis Presley. By June, 35 Biggest Hits had spent 151 weeks in the Top 200.
  • RIAA certifications stacked up throughout 2024. Among them: Should’ve Been A Cowboy album (4x Platinum), "Beer For My Horses" (3x Platinum), "I Love This Bar" (3x Platinum), American Ride album (Platinum), "Who’s Your Daddy?" (Gold) and the Bullets in the Gun album (Gold).
  • Keith's beloved University of Oklahoma bestowed on him an honorary degree – which he was aware of before his passing. The honor was accepted by his daughter Krystal. OU football also celebrated him with sing-alongs to his songs during home games.
  • NBC's Toby Keith: American Icon concert event was the network's most-watched special of the year. Performers and guests included Trace Adkins, Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Scotty Emerick, Brett Favre, Brantley Gilbert, Riley Green, HARDY, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Ella Langley, Leanne Morgan, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker, and Lainey Wilson. Krystal Keith's performance of "Don't Let The Old Man In" hailed as the night's emotional capstone. 
  • In October, Keith was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Post Malone performed “I’m Not Talkin’ About Tonight,” Blake Shelton sang “I Love This Bar” and “Red Solo Cup,” Eric Church performed "Don't Let The Old Man In," Alabama's Randy Owen led the induction and Keith's wife Tricia accepted on his behalf.
  • The Toby Keith Foundation celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the opening of OK Kids Korral – a cost-free home for families of children with cancer receiving medical care in the area. Marking the milestone, the Foundation bestowed $10,000 in grants to 10 local children's charities. Among the year's highlights were:
    • The 20th Anniversary Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic benefit event brought in $3.1 million for a to-date total of $20 million raised. 
    • A TKF endowment was established and Keith's family pledged continued commitment to its good works.
    • Proceeds from the Jelly Roll/T-Pain Stagecoach performance (available on Amazon Music) benefited OKK.
    • Jelly Roll visited OKK in November, raising awareness and donations.
    • Lainey Wilson dedicated a day of her Heart Like A Truck Fund's Week of Giving to TKF and OKK, donating $10,000 and asking her fans to join her in support.
    •  In his final interview, Keith told a local reporter OK Kids Korral "is my best gift I’ve ever given to the world."

Other news:
 -13 Number Ones and the remastered Christmas to Christmas were released in October.

     -How Do You Like Me Now!? turned 25 in November.

     -Greatest Hits: The Show Dog Years turned five with a Dolby Atmos release.

     -Keith ranked one of the most played artists on digital jukeboxes for 2024, and without releasing new music unlike other artists on the lists. His song “I Love This Bar” named No. 4 on Billboard’s Most-Played Songs List and No. 2 on their Top 5 Catalog Songs played on digital jukeboxes, and Keith captures No. 3 on TouchTunes’ all-genre Top 10 Played Male Artists.

     -Toby Keith’s Premium food brand launched in September.

As for 2025 and beyond, expect more milestones and music as the Toby Keith legacy lives on.