Toby Keith was a man of faith and a country icon. The country musician was the first recipient of the Country Icon Award at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards in 2023. Before the award show kickoff, Keith told Fox News Digital that he was doing “alright” and was leaning on his faith to help get himself through the challenging times, like his stomach cancer diagnosis he shared in June 2022.
Sadly, the 62-year-old country superstar lost his battle with cancer, passing away on February 5, 2024. His death was announced on his official website. Elaine Schock, Mr. Keith’s publicist, said in an email that he died in Oklahoma, where he had lived his entire life.
At the time, Keith said, “I lean on my faith, and I just pray and lean into it. You gotta’ do what you gotta’ do, and I don’t know how people do it without faith. That’s what I did; it was my rock.”
He said, “30 years of all the songs I wrote, and they’re flashing by ya pretty quick. Thirty went by pretty quickly. I’m glad they’re recognizing our accomplishment.” Keith was presented the award at Nashville, Tennessee’s Grand Ole Opry by his “old friend” Blake Shelton. Keith told Fox News Digital on who he wanted to present the award to him, “He’s who I would’ve chosen. He’s an old friend of mine. I was his first tour when he came out. We remain friends, we’re a lot alike, kindred spirits kind of thing.”
A tribute in honor of Keith was played before Shelton took the stage to present him with the Icon Award. Shelton presented the award to Keith, saying, “I love my Oklahoma brother.” Keith took the stage, hugged Shelton, and told the crowd, “I bet y’all never thought you would see me in skinny jeans.” The legendary musician thanked his fans, family, and God for letting him receive the award. Keith then went straight into a performance of his song, “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”
On the red carpet earlier in the evening, Little Big Town told Fox News Digital that fans would “really love” Keith’s performance during the award show. Dustin Lynch echoed Little Big Town’s sentiments about Keith, saying he is “one of his heroes.” Lynch added, “One of my musical heroes, one of the reasons I moved to Nashville to want to write songs, is Toby Keith. So, I’m looking forward to shaking his hand and telling him ‘Thank you’ again.’”
In June 2022, Keith revealed that he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in fall 2021. He wrote on his social media accounts at the time, “Last fall, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I’ve spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax.” He added, “I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.”
Keith was a longtime advocate for families facing cancer diagnoses and helped found Ally’s House in 2004, a nonprofit group that assists Oklahoma children with cancer and their families.
A statement released shortly after his passing said Keith was surrounded by his family when he died and that “he fought his fight with grace and courage.” Join us in prayer for Toby Keith and his family and friends as they grieve for the loved one they’ve lost.
Heavenly Father, we ask for your mercy and grace for Toby Keith as he begins his journey into eternal life. Please bring him into your loving arms and grant him peace and rest. We also pray for his family and friends who are left behind, that they would find comfort and hope in your presence and the promise of seeing their loved one again. Amen.