Country music legend Toby Keith delighted fans on the People’s Alternative Country Awards with a tear-jerking performance amid his years-long battle with stomach cancer that kept him away from the highlight.
Before Keith hit the stage on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville Thursday night, the country legend gave an update on his health and the battle he in comparison with a “roller coaster.”
“I feel pretty good,” Keith, 62, told E! News. “It’s somewhat little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you already know, you’re up and down, up and down. It’s all the time zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today.”
Keith played his song “Don’t Let the Old Man In” from Clint Eastwood’s 2018 movie “The Mule” — donning an easy black jacket with white cowboy and button-up.
The “Beer for My Horse” singer selected the song since it was “fitting” for the fans he helped to encourage during his cancer battle.
“I’ve been going through my cancer fight for the last couple of years and it’s really inspiring for a number of people,” Keith told NBC throughout the award ceremonies pre-show event.
“Coming back on TV for the primary time and performing live in front of a live audience, I assumed it was fitting.”
Keith shared in June 2022 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the autumn of 2021.
Keith reached latest heights in his immensely successful profession on Thursday when he received the first-ever Country Icon Award.
“ the videos and seeing 30 years, all of the stuff we’ve amassed over those years (it’s) pretty crazy since it really went by fast because I’m working on a regular basis,” Keith told the outlet.
Being honored for his contributions to country music, fellow country star Blake Shelton kicked off the tribute to his senior musician and performed Keith’s song, “Who’s Your Daddy?”
Shelton then pointed to Keith — causing the audience to erupt in a thunderstorm of cheers and applause — before directing the gang to view a video montage celebrating his legacy.
Following the montage with some kind words and the way much he admires Keith, the “Red Solo Cup” musician took the stage to just accept the inaugural award.
“I would like to thank the almighty for allowing me to be here tonight,” the musician said, adding that his Lord and Savior has been “riding shotgun for somewhat while” with him over his profession.
Sending due to his “beautiful” family and team, Keith shared how he couldn’t have gotten to where he’s on his own.
“Everybody that’s all behind this thing. All the good musicians which have played on all these albums, within the studios, they’ve poured their heart and soul into what I do.”
But, the musician had a special thanks to those that made him the icon he’s today, saying, “Most of all, I would like to thank the fans for still allowing us to do what we do.”
In June, Keith shared he was “feeling pretty good,” revealing that the tumor in his stomach had shrunk by a 3rd, and his blood tests looked promising.
“Principally, every part is in an actual positive trend… [but] you never know with cancer, so you have got to organize,” he told The Oklahoman on the time.
“I’ve got more wind. And I’m interested by bringing the band in and establishing, playing two or three days somewhere, simply to see if I can get through two hours.”
Country music legend Toby Keith delighted fans on the People’s Alternative Country Awards with a tear-jerking performance amid his years-long battle with stomach cancer that kept him away from the highlight.
Before Keith hit the stage on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville Thursday night, the country legend gave an update on his health and the battle he in comparison with a “roller coaster.”
“I feel pretty good,” Keith, 62, told E! News. “It’s somewhat little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you already know, you’re up and down, up and down. It’s all the time zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today.”
Keith played his song “Don’t Let the Old Man In” from Clint Eastwood’s 2018 movie “The Mule” — donning an easy black jacket with white cowboy and button-up.
The “Beer for My Horse” singer selected the song since it was “fitting” for the fans he helped to encourage during his cancer battle.
“I’ve been going through my cancer fight for the last couple of years and it’s really inspiring for a number of people,” Keith told NBC throughout the award ceremonies pre-show event.
“Coming back on TV for the primary time and performing live in front of a live audience, I assumed it was fitting.”
Keith shared in June 2022 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the autumn of 2021.
Keith reached latest heights in his immensely successful profession on Thursday when he received the first-ever Country Icon Award.
“ the videos and seeing 30 years, all of the stuff we’ve amassed over those years (it’s) pretty crazy since it really went by fast because I’m working on a regular basis,” Keith told the outlet.
Being honored for his contributions to country music, fellow country star Blake Shelton kicked off the tribute to his senior musician and performed Keith’s song, “Who’s Your Daddy?”
Shelton then pointed to Keith — causing the audience to erupt in a thunderstorm of cheers and applause — before directing the gang to view a video montage celebrating his legacy.
Following the montage with some kind words and the way much he admires Keith, the “Red Solo Cup” musician took the stage to just accept the inaugural award.
“I would like to thank the almighty for allowing me to be here tonight,” the musician said, adding that his Lord and Savior has been “riding shotgun for somewhat while” with him over his profession.
Sending due to his “beautiful” family and team, Keith shared how he couldn’t have gotten to where he’s on his own.
“Everybody that’s all behind this thing. All the good musicians which have played on all these albums, within the studios, they’ve poured their heart and soul into what I do.”
But, the musician had a special thanks to those that made him the icon he’s today, saying, “Most of all, I would like to thank the fans for still allowing us to do what we do.”
In June, Keith shared he was “feeling pretty good,” revealing that the tumor in his stomach had shrunk by a 3rd, and his blood tests looked promising.
“Principally, every part is in an actual positive trend… [but] you never know with cancer, so you have got to organize,” he told The Oklahoman on the time.
“I’ve got more wind. And I’m interested by bringing the band in and establishing, playing two or three days somewhere, simply to see if I can get through two hours.”
