CMT’s Emotional Tribute To Toby Keith: Lainey, Sammy, B&D
The CMT’s emotional tribute to Toby Keith was a highlight of the 2024 CMT Music Awards tonight (4/7). Baseball great and Toby Keith’s friend Roger Clemens introduced the tribute.
Brooks & Dunn
He introduced Brooks and Dun, who sang “Should Have Been A Cowboy.” The country duo spoke about Keith at the announcement in March that Toby would be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Sammy Hagar
Another Toby friend, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar, talked about how he and Keith spent a lot of time together making music and drinking in Cabo, Mexico. He wore a Toby Keith t-shirt and sang Toby’s hit and the name of the restaurant chain, “I Love This Bar.”
Lainey Wilson
Introduced by Lukas Nelson and Riley Green, Lainey Wison paid tribute to Keith, nailing her performance of one of his biggest songs, “How Do You Like Now?” At the end of the song, she said, “We love you, Toby.”
An emotional, Clemens and the rest of the tribute performers came back on stage holding red solo cups. Clemens then thanked Toby’s family in the audience, who were wiping tears as the camera panned to them. He thanked them for sharing Toby with all of us.
CMT’s Emotional Tribute To Toby Keith
Toby died on February 5 of stomach cancer at the age of 62.
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The Biggest Honor In Country Music
It was announced on March 18 that Toby would be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He will join fellow 2024 inductees James Burton and John Anderson.
Keith’s family said in a statement, “Toby’s passing left our hearts broken. We miss him so much, but we take comfort that his music and legacy will live forever. Thank you, Country Music Hall of Fame, for helping keep it alive.”
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn announced that Toby was an inductee; they discussed his many accomplishments in country music. After that, Keith’s son, Stelen, who was visibly nervous, spoke to the gathered crowd. He said, “On behalf of my whole family, we want to thank the Hall of Fame. It’s an honor to stand here and represent my father, an amazing man, husband, father, and artist. I just want to thank everybody for being here; thank you.”
Ronnie Dunn added of Toby, “The man who once sang that he dreamed about living in your radio has got a permanent home in the Hall of Fame rotunda.”
Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Chief Executive Officer said in a statement, “Toby Keith from Oklahoma brought a sly swagger and a patriotic passion to songs that made him one of the best-selling Country artists of the past 30 years. They have all profoundly shaped our music, and we are honored and delighted that their achievements will now forever be enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
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