'Made in America' country music legend Toby Keith dead at 62



Country music legend Toby Keith died Monday night after a lengthy battle with stomach cancer. A message posted to the "Should've Been a Cowboy" singer's social media page noted that he died surround by his family.

"He fought his fight with grace and courage," continued the message. "Please respect the privacy of his family at this time."

The Oklahoma native, born in Clinton on July 8, 1961, announced in June 2022 that he had cancer and that he had been undergoing chemotherapy for several months.

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Prior to his receipt of the Country Icon Award at the inaugural People's Choice Country Awards in September 2023, the derrickhand's son told Fox News Digital, "I lean on my faith, and I just pray."

"You gotta do what you gotta do, and I don't know how people do it without faith. ... That's that what I did," added Keith.

The singer underscored that throughout his battle with cancer, faith "was [his] rock."

Upon receiving the Country Icon Award, Keith singled out his Creator, saying, "I want to thank the Almighty for allowing me to be here tonight. He's been riding shotgun with me for a little while."

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Keith sold over 40 million records worldwide and had over 60 singles reach the country charts; 42 top-10 hits; and at least 20 singles at number one in the charts — including "Who's Your Daddy?," "My List," "How Do You Like me Now?!," "As Good as I Once Was," "Beer for My Horses," and "Made in America."

According to his website, his music also netted over 10 billion streams.

The New York Times indicated Keith was already in his 30s when he signed his first record deal in 1993. He previously worked as a semi-pro football player with the Oklahoma City Drillers, a rodeo hand, and a roughneck in the Oklahoma oil fields.

He told Dan Rather on "The Big Interview" in 2018 that when "Should've Been a Cowboy" became his first No. 1 country single in 1993, he was performing "28, 29 shows a month because I didn't know I was going to get a second hit."

"At the time I was just trying to outwork everybody," he added.

Keith was an unapologetic patriot even when his love of country prickled others in the music industry.

The Times noted that Keith's No. 1 country single "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" — a heartfelt response to the death of his father, a disabled veteran, and the 9/11 Islamic terror attacks on the U.S. — upset others with its nationalist flare.

Keith later noted, "I don't apologize for being patriotic."

In addition to going on 11 USO tours visiting American troops overseas, the Associated Press indicated Keith raised millions of dollars for various charities over the course of his career and built the OK Kids Korral in Oklahoma City — a cost-free home for children fighting cancer.

Keith is survived by Tricia Keith, his wife of 39 years; his three children; his brother, mother, and sister; and four grandchildren.

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Toby Keith shares update on his battle with stomach cancer, revealing what's kept him going: 'He's been riding shotgun with me'



Country music legend Toby Keith announced in June 2022 that he was battling stomach cancer and had been undergoing chemotherapy for several months.

"So far, so good," he reassured fans, noting that he needed time "to breathe."

Ahead of receiving the Country Icon Award at the inaugural People's Choice Country Awards on Thursday, the 62-year-old Oklahoma native indicated how he purposed some of those precious breaths.

"I lean on my faith, and I just pray," he told Fox News Digital. "You gotta do what you gotta do, and I don't know how people do it without faith. ... That's that what I did."

Keith emphasized that throughout his battle, faith "was [his] rock."

Upon being presented the award Thursday night by fellow country star and Christian Blake Shelton, Keith joked, "I bet y'all never thought you would see me in skinny jeans."

While he made sure to thank his family, fans, and collaborators, he singled out his creator, saying, "I want to thank the Almighty for allowing me to be here tonight. He's been riding shotgun with me for a little while."

the man, the myth, the LEGEND. @tobykeith is your 2023 @peopleschoice country icon! \ud83e\udd29 watch the #PCCAs now on NBC and @peacock.
— NBC Entertainment (@NBC Entertainment) 1695949842

He appears to have an edge in his battle with cancer, telling E! News, "I feel pretty good. ... It's a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you're up and down, up and gown [sic]. It's always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today."

In June, the musician revealed to the Oklahoman that his tumor had shrunk by a third and that everything was "in a real positive trend."

At the award show, Keith played "Don't Let the Old Man In" from Clint Eastwood's 2018 film "The Mule" before an audience of misty eyes.

Concerning his choice of song, Keith told NBC, "Coming back on TV for the first time and performing live in front of a live audience, I thought it was fitting."

Keith sings in the song, "When he rides up on his horse,/ And you feel that cold, bitter wind, / Look out your window and smile. / Don't let the old man in."

Keith noted he looks forward to return to performing in the fall if "everything goes good."

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Country music star Toby Keith reveals he is battling cancer: 'I need time to breathe'



Country music star Toby Keith revealed that he is battling cancer.

On Sunday afternoon, the "Red Solo Cup" singer made the announcement that he was diagnosed with stomach cancer last fall on his official Instagram account.

"Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer," Keith wrote on Instagram. "I've spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation, and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover, and relax."

"I am looking forward to spending this time with my family," he added. "But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can't wait."

The "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)" singer is currently on tour, and his next scheduled live performance is in Illinois and Michigan on June 17 and 18. Keith, 60, was forced to cancel his concert at the Ohio State Fair next month.

The Oklahoma native released his first album in five years last October titled "Peso In My Pocket."

The National Institutes of Health's National Cancer Institute estimates there will be 26,380 cases of stomach cancer in the U.S. in 2022 – which makes up 1.4% of all new cancer cases. The 5-year relative survival rate for stomach cancer victims is 33.3%.

The average age of people who are diagnosed with stomach cancer is 68, and approximately 60% of people diagnosed with stomach cancer are 65 years old or older, according to the American Cancer Society.

In 2006, the country musician founded the Toby Keith Foundation to provide support for children with cancer. The foundation provides no-cost housing for pediatric cancer patients.

In 2014, the Toby Keith Foundation launched the OK Kids Korral – "a cost-free, convenient and comfortable home for pediatric cancer patients receiving treatment at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, and other nearby facilities."

"There is no greater gift than keeping families strong and together during a difficult time," the foundation states on its website. "If we can alleviate stress on a family, encourage a brother or sister and comfort a sick child, then we will make a difference in the fight against cancer."