Lainey Wilson Leads Emotional 2024 CMT Awards Tribute to Toby Keith

There wasn’t a dry eye in Austin’s Moody Centre as Lainey Wilson and additional place superstars paid out tribute to the late Toby Keith two months immediately after his dying at the CMT Songs Awards.

Wilson, 31, was joined by Brooks & Dunn, Sammy Hagar and Lukas Nelson on Sunday, April 7. Former MLB participant Roger Clemens exclusively explained to Us Weekly that he was wanting ahead to keep in mind Keith. “Hopefully, I don’t get too psychological,” he advised Us on the red carpet. “We overlook him dearly and just an honor to be asked to arrive and existing 1 of his music, so I’m looking forward to it.”

He extra that he wished to recognize the spouse and children and “stay upbeat” through the evening. “Toby did depart us with some terrific tracks. I necessarily mean, you know what I’m indicating? A whole lot of excellent types, and they are exciting to sing too,” Clemens, 61, claimed. “Sometimes I can sing ’em really very good and there is other types I cannot sing really very well, but I give it my best.”

The retired athlete took the stage to introduce the tribute first. “It’s an honor to be listed here and rejoice Huge Canine Daddy Toby Keith, a legitimate pal, patriot and good American. Toby was in Houston, off and on for a few many years while he was battling that damn C-term. As a result of it all, he usually stored his humor and his wit,” Clemens shared throughout the present.

He added, “A great illustration of it, my two young boys, who played baseball ideal listed here at the University of Texas, they have been in Oklahoma actively playing the Sooners, Toby’s college. No, y’all cannot boo tonight. This is for Tony. Toby told my boys, if you hit a home space off our Oklahoma pitcher to working day I’ll sit on your dugout and I’ll sing “the eyes of Texas’ with you … correct to type, Toby sat on that dugout and with his humorous wit, he sang “I’ve been performing on the railroad.’”

Clemens introduced Brooks & Dunn, who played Keith’s hit “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” and they released Hagar.

“Toby and I, we expended a good deal of time in Cabo together around the many years,” the rocker, 76, explained. “We closed the Cabo Wabo down a ton much more situations than in all probability we even try to remember. Just place it like this, it’s really hard to get thrown out of your personal bar, and we managed to do that.”

Hagar continued, “We experienced this routine. I’d go down early and I’d I’d be on phase with the band and I’d see this significant commotion likely on at the front door and I would glance up and significant puppy daddy and his posse going for walks by way of the door and I would turn to the band and I would say.”

Then, Hagar launched into Keith’s track “I Love This Bar” and uncovered his shirt claimed “Forever a Faster.”

Next Hagar, songwriters Lukas Nelson and Riley Environmentally friendly came out to shell out their respects. “Toby was not a shy dude. He experienced a significant identity,” Nelson claimed. “I satisfied him when I was youthful, when he was operating on Beer for my horses” with dad. I bought fortunate I obtained the option to check out his artistry in particular person.”

Environmentally friendly included, “That person could appear up with a hook like no other and sang the hell out of each and every track that he wrote in some way though generating it look uncomplicated.”

They launched Lainey Wilson, who protected Keith’s “How Do Ya Like Me Now?” Last but not least, Clemens returned to the phase to conclusion with the tribute with a shout-out to the household and a toast.

“Thanks for sharing your dad with all of us,” Clemens said as he struggled to management his thoughts. “Thank you. Trish, we appreciate you. Thank you for sharing your spouse with the entire world Trish, thank you.”

He and lots of audience associates lifted red Solo cups in reference to Keith’s “Red Solo Cup” monitor. “Everybody at home, elevate your fist if you really do not have a Solo cup,” he said. “Repeat soon after me: whiskey for my men and beer for my horses.”

News broke in February that Keith experienced died at the age of 62.

“Toby Keith passed peacefully previous evening on February 5th, surrounded by his household. He fought his struggle with grace and courage,” a assertion shared through his social media accounts examine on February 6. “Please respect the privateness of his family members at this time.”

Keith, who is survived by spouse Tricia Lucus and their three children, had been diagnosed with tummy cancer less than just one year earlier.

“Last drop I was identified with tummy cancer,” the “Red Solo Cup” singer wrote by means of Instagram in June 2022. “I’ve used the past 6 months acquiring chemo, radiation and operation. So considerably, so superior. I want time to breathe, get better and relax.”

He continued at the time, “I am hunting ahead to investing this time with my family. But I will see the enthusiasts sooner than later. I just cannot wait.”

Practically a person yr later on, Keith was honored with the Nation Icon Award at the inaugural People’s Alternative Country Awards in September 2023. On the pink carpet, he supplied a well being update.

“I’ve been Alright, just been rocking and rolling,” Keith explained to Further. “I walked some darkish hallways, Almighty is riding shotgun. But I truly feel fairly great … You have very good days and terrible times … it is a small little bit of a roller coaster, but I’m performing a ton greater than I was this time last year.”

Keith experienced offered a lot more than 44 million documents throughout the world and was inducted into the Place New music Corridor of Fame just one working day soon after his loss of life. He also had a longstanding heritage with the CMT Awards, acquiring scored 30 nominations and seven wins about the training course of his vocation. Keith also cohosted the ceremony twice in 2003 and 2012, the initial of which was when he received a few trophies including Video of the 12 months for “Courtesy of The Purple, White and Blue (The Indignant American).”

The CMT New music Awards will even more rejoice Keith’s legacy in a a person-hour Television unique on Thursday, April 11, that airs on CMT at 10 p.m. ET.