Toby Keith, an American country singer and songwriter, passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 62, after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. Toby Keith was a country music singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. Keith debuted with a chart-topping single, ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy.’
Is Toby Keith Dead?
Yes, Toby Keith unfortunately passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024, following a stomach cancer diagnosis. He made a name for himself in the American country music industry. The renowned country music singer debuted in the 1990s with a chart-topping single, ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy.’
Toby Keith Covel, professionally known as Toby Keith, was born on July 8, 1961. He released his first four albums: Toby Keith (1993), Boomtown (1994), Blue Moon (1996), Dream Walkin (1997), and Greatest Hits Volume One with Mercury Records. These albums earned Gold or Higher certification and included several top ten singles.
What happened to Toby Keith?
Toby Keith passed away after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. He revealed to his fans in June 2022 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer at the end of 2021. He shared that he had undergone chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery for the past six months. Keith described his battle with cancer as “pretty debilitating” in a December 2022 media briefing.
Throughout his cancer treatments, Toby continued to perform for his fans. Music was his passion, and even a terminal illness such as cancer could not stop him from living his life to the fullest and singing his heart out for his loyal fans. He most recently played in Las Vegas in December. He also performed at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards and performed his song “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”
Unfortunately, he lost his battle with cancer and passed away in his sleep, surrounded by loved ones, on Monday, February 5, 2024, in Oklahoma. He was 62 years old at the time of his death.
His family released a statement announcing his tragic demise to his loyal fans.
“(He) passed peacefully last night… surrounded by family,” the statement on his official social media page read, “he fought his fight with grace and dignity.”
His tragic, untimely death has left his family and friends aggrieved and the entire music community reeling with sadness, prompting tributes and condolences from fellow country music artists and bands, including Dolly Parton, Old Dominion, Zach Bryan, Lady A, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, and other notable personalities such as First Lady Jill Biden, actor Stephen Balwin, and radio presenter and TV personality Bobby Bones.
Keith is survived by his wife, Tricia Lucus, whom he married on March 24, 1984, and their three children.
Who was Toby Keith?
Toby Keith was a renowned American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. He became famous during the 1990s after his debut song “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” topped all country music charts and became the most-played country song of the 90s, being played 3 million times on radio stations. He released four albums during the 90s, all of which earned Gold or Higher certification and had several chart-topping singles.
In 1998, he signed with DreamWorks Records Nashville and released “How Do You Like Me Now?” in late 1999. The song was the title track to his album of the same name and became the number-one country song of 2000, earning him global recognition and putting him along with one of the most successful singers of the time.
His subsequent three albums, Shock’n Y’all, Unleashed, and Pull My Chain, contained three more number-one singles each. All three albums were certified 4× Platinum. He released a second Greatest Hits compilation in 2004 and then went on to release Honkytonk University.
In 2005 DreamWorks closed, leading Keith to found his label Show Dog Nashville, which later merged with Universal Records and became Show Dog-Universal Music in December 2009, through which he released ten albums: White Trash with Money (2006), Big Dog Daddy (2007), That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy (2008), American Ride (2009), Bullets in the Gun (2010), Clancy Tavern (2011), Hope on the Rocks (2012), Drinks after Works (2013), 35 MPH Town (2015), The Bus Songs (2017), Peso in My Pocket (2021), and a compilation 35 Biggest Hits in 2008.
Keith made his debut in the acting world in 2006, appearing in the film Broken Bridges, and worked alongside comedian Rodney Carrington in the 2008 film Beer for My Horses, inspired by his song by the same name.
Keith has the honor of releasing 19 studio albums, two Christmas albums, and five compilation albums, amassing global sales of over 40 million albums. He has crafted 61 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including twenty number-one hits and surplus top ten hits. His songs “Beer for My Horses” and “As Good as I Once Was” ruled the charts for six weeks each, becoming his longest-running number-one hits.
On January 13, 2021, he was presented with the National Medal of Arts by President Donald Trump.
Early Life and Education
Toby Keith was born in Clinton, Oklahoma, on July 8, 1961, to parents Carolyn Joan (nee Ross) and Hubert K. Covel Jr. He had a brother and sister. They lived in Fort Smith, Arkansas, when Keith was in grade school but later moved to Moore, Oklahoma when he was still young.
He studied at West Junior High and Moore High School and played defensive end on the school’s football team.
Keith earned his graduation from Moore High School and worked as a Derrick’s hand in the oil fields, where he ascended to the post of supervisor with his hard work and dedication. When he was twenty years old, he formed a band named Easy Money Band with his friend and began playing at local bars and roadhouses while continuing to work in the oil industry. He sometimes had to leave his concerts after receiving a page to work in the oil field.
In 1982, the oil industry in Oklahoma collapsed, and Keith became unemployed. He attempted to play on the national football team but was not selected for the team. He then focused on music, and the rest was history.
Keith has since played in a series of TV advertisements for many prestigious campaigns, such as Telecom USA. He has also appeared in Ford commercials, singing original songs such as “Ford Truck Man” and “Look Again” and driving Ford trucks.
He has also appeared in films like 2005 Broken Bridges, where Keith plays Bo Prince, a washed-up country musician. The film starred many notable artists like Burt Reynolds, Tess Harper, Kelly Preston, and Lindsey Haun.
In 2008, Keith wrote and starred in a movie, Beer for My Horses, which was based on his 2003 hit song of the same name, recorded by Keith and Willie Nelson.
Keith’s Business ventures
Keith’s luck was not confined to his musical talents; he has also ventured successfully into the business world. In 2005, Keith launched Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill in Oklahoma City, Syracuse, New York, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. He also opened franchise branches in several other locations, such as Thackerville, Oklahoma; Peoria, Arizona; Las Vegas; Kansas City; Auburn Hills; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Cincinnati, Ohio; Mesa, Arizona; and many more.
In 2009, Keith launched his clothing line, TK Steelman. In 2011, he introduced a new drink, “Wild Shot,” which was only available in Mexico but later began to sell and serve in America. The drink is also available in his restaurant chain.
Net Worth
Keith’s successful music career and other business ventures have made him one of the wealthiest celebrities in the US. In July 2013, Keith was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine with the caption “Country Music’s $500 Million Man.” The article was written by Zack O’Malley Greenburg titled “Cowboy Capitalist.” It contained information surrounding Keith’s wealth as a renowned musician and claimed he had earned $65 million in the past twelve months.
His earnings were more than those of some of the most notable musicians, such as Jay-Z and Beyonce. Keith had written at least one chart-topping country single per year over the past twenty years through his label, Show Dog-Universal, and its partner Big Machine Records, which Keith co-founded in 2005. His music, restaurant franchise, and other business ventures had earned him a great value of wealth. He was one of the wealthiest country music singers. His net worth is estimated at $400 million.
Honours and Philanthropic Work
On January 19, 2017, Toby Keith cherished the honor of performing at the pre-inaugural “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration” held at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, to celebrate the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency. Keith expressed his gratitude towards outgoing president Barak Obama for his service and thanked newly elected president Trump at the onset of the celebration. He played many patriotic songs, including Made in America, American Soldier, Beer for My Horses, and Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.
On January 13, 2021, President Trump awarded him the National Medal of Arts in a closed ceremony alongside Ricky Skaggs, a well-known country musician.
Keith is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He supports Ally’s House, a non-profit organization based in Oklahoma aimed to help children struggling with cancer. Keith also filmed a PSA for Little Kids Rock, a national non-profit to restore and revitalize music education in underprivileged US public schools.
