(352today.com) – Country fans in the 352 woke up to unfortunate news Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. One of country music’s most beloved artists, Toby Keith, had succumbed to cancer.
Toby was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021.
Toby Keith’s final televised performance was at the People’s Choice Country Awards at the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 28, 2023, where he performed a song inspired by a conversation with legendary actor Clint Eastwood, “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”
Kathie Thompson, a listener of our sister radio station 93.7 K-Country, posted on the station’s Facebook page, “Sad day, he was a great supporter of our military. Saw him in concert at our Vietnam Vets Reunion May 2022, one month before his diagnosis. What a wonderful song this is (‘Don’t Let the Old Man in’). RIP Toby, you will be missed.” These words echo the sentiment felt by the many veterans and country music fans in the 352 who have been touched by Toby’s unwavering support for our troops.
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Fans like Joanne Lowe vividly remember his energetic performances commenting on Facebook, “My husband and I saw Toby perform in Iowa in 2014, 2019, & 2021. A great man. Loved the USA. This is sad to hear.” The heartfelt memories continued to pour in, spanning across concert venues and years, all sharing a common thread of Toby’s staunch patriotism and love for country and his fans.
Ciara Taylor reminds us of how Toby’s music could be the background to our life’s milestones posting on Facebook, “I saw Toby Keith in concert when I was 11 up in Gainesville. It was my first concert and I got to go with my mom because she won tickets on 93.7 K Country and then won Meet and Greet passes. I had so much fun and loved every second of being there. He has always been one of my favorite singers.” An experience to which others related, winning those prized tickets and feeling the rush of seeing an idol live.
His dedication to the servicemen and women was unmatched, as Sgt. Ken Hahn, USMC 2001-2005, from Lake Panasoffkee recounts in a text to K-Country, “Toby was a heck of a man! I met him and spent time with him in Iraq back in 2004. He loved being there for all of us troops!” Toby’s contribution to boosting the morale of our soldiers overseas will forever be a huge part of his story.
“We were backstage at what then was the Ford Amphitheatre (now MidFlorida Amp) running around with MCA regional rep Louie Newman who was there for Lee Ann (Womack),” shared K-Country program director and morning show host Mr. Bob. “Hulk Hogan and actress Drea de Matteo (Shooter Jennings’ girlfriend at the time) were there, too. It was a madhouse backstage. Hulk Hogan and Toby Keith were comparing each other’s biceps and flexing. Drea de Matteo was flirting with everyone. Too funny!!”
Longtime K-Country midday personality and production director Lewis Stokes shared a personal story of meeting Toby backstage at the O’Connell Center in Gainesville, where moments before Toby would take the stage, he shared shots of whiskey with Lewis and K-Country music director Big Red while he worked on new music with fellow artist Mel Tillis.
For Big Red, the memory goes even further back to Silver Springs on the Triple Play Tour with Shania Twain and John Brannen in 1993. “He called me Big Ginger,” recounted Big Red, who also broadcasts on K-Country weekday afternoons and hosts the station’s Saturday Night Gold Rush feature.
But perhaps one of the most poignant moments shared comes from a night that showcased Toby’s reverence for his musical forefathers.
“One of my favorites was the night in 2016 when Merle Haggard was very ill and couldn’t finish his concert at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas,” recalled Big Red. “Toby finished the show, singing Merle’s songs! It was one of Merle’s last concerts.” That night, Toby demonstrated the solidarity and honor among country musicians, and his impromptu tribute to Mighty Merle was nothing short of legendary.