NORMAN, Okla. — Country music star Toby Keith was back on stage over the Fourth of July weekend together with his first shows since revealing last summer that he had been fighting stomach cancer.
A whole bunch attended the native Oklahoman’s pop-up live shows Friday and Saturday night in Norman, where he lives, The Oklahoman reports.
He performed at Hollywood Corners, a Twenties roadhouse and repair station that he bought and converted right into a deli, bar and music venue.
Norman resident Joanna Hall, who attended Friday’s show, told the newspaper that Keith placed on an excellent performance and was “very thankful for everyone who showed up.”
“He seemed a little bit greatly surprised that that many individuals were there,” Hall said. “He was like, ‘This was presupposed to be a secret. … This was an even bigger secret than what I intended.’ ”
Keith’s publicist confirmed that Keith and his Easy Money Band played for about two and a half hours each nights.
Last June, Keith said that he had been battling stomach cancer since fall 2021 and had already spent the past six months undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
Keith, who turns 62 this weekend, told The Oklahoman last month that he was continuing with chemotherapy, that his tumor had shrunk by a 3rd and that his blood tests have looked good.