On July 29th, the biggest music superstars in Nashville gathered at Bridgestone Arena to honor a late, great Country legend. During this special event, Toby Keith’s final recording session was leaked to thousands of amazed people, and it was an emotional moment that no one will ever forget.
Variety reported that the “Toby Keith: American Icon” tribute show will air on NBC on August 28th. They wrote, “Of all the performances… the most surprising was an unexpected appearance” by Toby himself. Here’s what happened.
Emotional Moment
Toby’s last recording session was captured on video, and it’s tragic and beautiful for so many reasons. He’s shown, looking noticeably slimmer from his terminal cancer, walking into a booth in the recording studio.Then, Toby is seen behind the microphone, wearing a ball cap with sunglasses perched on top, like the blue-collar Oklahoma hero he was until the end.
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Everyone watching that video at Bridgestone began to choke up as soon as Toby’s powerful baritone vocals were heard on the video and his voice filled the entire arena. Toby was covering a classic, heartbreaking Joe Diffie song, “Ships That Don’t Come In.” Joe recorded his version in 1992. As Variety reported, Joe has also passed away.
Variety described how “the tribute special’s house band” provided musical backup to Toby’s video performance. The lyrics to the song were incredibly moving, and there weren’t many dry eyes in the house when Toby sang the touching lyrics.A fan in the audience captured it all in a YouTube video, and it’s unbelievable to see so many country stars with tears streaming down their faces as they stopped and watched Toby’s final performance with respect and awe.
All the Details
Taste of Country shared more details about the tribute show on July 30th. They wrote that the “all-star tribute concert featured Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, and more.” Even with all that star power in the room, Taste of Country wrote about a “highlight” of the concert, and this performer has a very personal connection to Toby.
Special Guest
Another Taste of Country report on July 30th was all about Toby’s daughter, Krystal Keith. She was “listed as a performer” at the tribute show, so that was no surprise, but as Taste of Country wrote, “the song she selected stunned the audience. ”Krystal is Toby’s youngest daughter, and she’s recorded music under Toby’s record label.
She chose to sing “Don’t Let the Old Man In” in honor of her dad, and Taste of Country described how “the crowd fell silent during her patient, personal performance.”When she wasn’t on stage, Krystal sat in a place of honor with her brother Stelen, sister Shelley, and mother, Tricia.
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Taste of Country described how they were caught on camera “singing, pumping their fists and wiping away tears throughout the night.” But when it was Krystal’s turn on stage, it was another unforgettable moment when “nobody could hold their emotions in.” Toby would be so proud. Krystal’s song choice was courageous because it was also the last song that Toby ever performed live.
