Toby Keith was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in an emotionally charged ceremony Sunday. The late country music legend was elected to the hall earlier this year, adding another milestone to his storied career.
In the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville, Keith was honored as the newest member of the Hall of Fame’s modern era category alongside fellow inductees John Anderson (veteran era) and James Burton (recording and/or touring musician). “I so wish I could be looking into the front row to see Toby Keith sitting by his family,” Country Music Association’s CEO Sarah Trahern said from the stage.
In addition to the unveiling of Keith’s Hall of Fame plaque, the program featured several tribute performances. “I’ve said I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Toby,” said Eric Church, who performed “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” Post Malone was also on hand to perform “I’m Just Talkin’ ‘About Tonight,” while Keith’s fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton played “I Love This Bar” on Keith’s guitar emblazoned with the American flag. Shelton also lightened the mood with a run through “Red Solo Cup.”
After Alabama’s Randy Owen inducted Keith into the Hall of Fame, his widow Tricia took the stage. “He didn’t just sing those songs. He was those songs,” she said of her late husband. She later added, “Toby loved hard and he lived big. He enjoyed everything he did. He had no regrets through his life. He was a wonderful husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, friend, singer, producer, businessman. He was masterful at everything he did.”
The Hall of Fame induction follows a recent tribute concert honoring Keith at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, filmed for the TV special Toby Keith: American Icon. The concert featured performances from country superstars including Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Lainey Wilson, and many more, as well as Keither’s daughter, Krystal Keith. Toby Keith: American Icon was NBC’s highest-rated special of the year. It’s available to stream on Peacock.
