Country music superstars gathered at the Moody Center in Austin to pay tribute to the late Toby Keith at the CMT Music Awards, two months after his passing. Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Sammy Hagar, and Lukas Nelson were among those who honored Keith. Former MLB player Roger Clemens introduced the tribute, sharing stories of Keith’s humor and wit during his battle with cancer. Clemens also referenced a special moment between Keith and his sons during a baseball game.
Brooks & Dunn performed Keith’s hit “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” before introducing Sammy Hagar, who shared stories of his time with Keith in Cabo. Hagar performed Keith’s song “I Love This Bar” and revealed a shirt that said “Forever a Sooner” in reference to Keith’s Oklahoma roots. Songwriters Lukas Nelson and Riley Green paid their respects to Keith’s songwriting abilities before Wilson covered Keith’s track “How Do Ya Like Me Now?” Clemens returned to the stage for the final toast, thanking Keith’s family for sharing him with the world.
News of Keith’s passing broke in February at the age of 62 after a battle with stomach cancer. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. Keith had shared updates about his health throughout his battle, expressing gratitude for the support of his fans and looking forward to spending time with his family. Nearly a year later, Keith was honored with the Country Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards and shared a health update on the red carpet, expressing that he was doing better than the previous year.
Keith had sold millions of records worldwide and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame shortly after his passing. Known for his hits and performances at the CMT Awards, Keith had received numerous nominations and wins throughout his career. The CMT Music Awards will air a one-hour TV special to further celebrate Keith’s legacy, showcasing his impact on the country music industry and his enduring influence as a performer and songwriter.
