Toby Keith

Toby Keith Covel (July 8, 1961 – February 5, 2024) was one of modern country music’s biggest self-directed hit-makers, a singer, songwriter and musician whose career spanned three decades. Rising to prominence in the early 1990s, he became known for a blend of traditional country storytelling, rock-edged production and blunt, often patriotic or humorous lyrics that resonated widely with mainstream American audiences.

Keith’s catalogue includes anthems like «Should’ve Been a Cowboy», the post-9/11 hit «Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)», and good-times staples such as «Red Solo Cup», «I Love This Bar» and «Beer For My Horses». Later in his career he wrote reflective, mortality-tinged songs including «As Good As I Once Was» and «Don’t Let the Old Man In», the latter inspired by a conversation with Clint Eastwood and featured in Eastwood’s film The Mule.

A prolific songwriter as well as performer, Keith was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015 and remained an active touring and recording artist into his final years, celebrating milestones like the 25th anniversary of his debut album with events at the Grand Ole Opry. He passed away in February 2024 after a battle with stomach cancer, leaving behind one of country music’s most commercially successful and instantly recognizable catalogs.