‘I’m Just An Old Country Boy’: Luke Bryan Pays Tribute To American Icon Toby Keith For NBC Special

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As a devoted fan of country music hailing from the heart of Georgia, I can’t help but be moved by Luke Bryan’s heartfelt tribute to the late Toby Keith during the NBC special, “Toby Keith: American Icon“. The way he honored his memory by performing Should’ve Been a Cowboy, a song that was undeniably a staple in the bars of Georgia during Bryan’s early days, was a poignant reminder of Keith’s indelible impact on country music.

During the Toby Keith: American Icon two-hour NBC special, six months following Toby Keith’s passing, Luke Bryan paid tribute to the late country music icon by performing his chart-topping debut song “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” This was dedicated to Keith’s memory.

Before taking the stage, Luke Bryan, originally from Georgia, crafted some heartfelt words to honor Toby Keith and his significant impact on country music. For this event, the 48-year-old country artist donned a unique cowboy hat that his late sister had given him as a keepsake, and he also shared the moving tale connected to it.

One Margarita’s musician reminisced about his Georgia days when he frequently performed around ten Toby Keith songs each night at bars before achieving stardom, as shared by Billboard. He mentioned that he wore his favorite hat every night until a tragic event in 2007 claimed Bryan’s sister. Fifteen years later, the songwriter disclosed that this hat had been hanging in his closet ever since.

For several years, Bryan had gone without donning the hat he wore during the Toby Keith tribute. However, he chose to wear it today as a tribute to his admiration for the Red Solo Cup musician, who is set to be posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024.

In a casual and engaging manner, let me rephrase that: “Stepping out of the house, I remarked, ‘You know what? Toby Keith’s music made me dream of being a cowboy, even though I’m just a simple country boy from Georgia.’ Tonight, I’ll embrace that role… This one’s for you, Toby,” Bryan said before taking the stage, according to Billboard.

Bryan, together with numerous fellow country artists such as Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Darius Rucker, Lainey Wilson, among others, organized tribute concerts playing some of the legend’s most popular songs, honoring him for his impressive and lengthy career in the realm of country music.

Toby Keith made a significant impact in the music world, with 19 studio albums under his belt and an impressive collection of 20 top-charting singles, all of which reached the number one spot.

In 1993, his first single, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” dominated the country music charts and went on to be the most-played country song for the entire decade, with over 3 million airplays according to the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s official website.

Regrettably, our cherished country music legend passed away in February of this year after a two-year struggle against gastric cancer. He was 62 years old. The news of his passing was confirmed by his official website. Part of the statement reads, “He fought with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family during this difficult time.”

Back in June of 2022, I learned about Keith’s devastating cancer diagnosis through a Today report. Despite this heartbreaking news, he continued to captivate audiences with three sold-out shows in the vibrant city of Las Vegas and at the People’s Choice Country Awards. In the ensuing months, he bravely battled his illness, enduring multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. I was utterly mesmerized by his unwavering spirit and resilience as a fan who adores him deeply.

The Toby Keith: American Icon concert took place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville during late July, and it was recorded for a two-hour NBC television special. This special aired on Wednesday, August 28th, starting at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

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2024-08-30 09:13