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Toby Keith was rumored to be gearing up for a tour when he tragically died following his cancer battle. Blake Shelton has taken Toby’s death hard since he owes much of his popularity and success to Keith. Now, it turns out that Shelton and Keith were supposed to share the stage together before Keith’s death.
Here is what Shelton had to say and what fans missed out on.
Blake Shelton Announces Missed Concert with Toby Keith
Blake Shelton said that, before Toby Keith died, the two had spoken about performing together at a special concert. This was Shelton’s All for the Hall concert in Tulsa on March 30. According to Blake, Toby Keith was supposed to perform at that concert with him to honor a special fundraising cause.
The Shelton’s All for the Hall concert in Tulsa raised money for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and its education programs. Blake Shelton welcomed some big-name friends to perform at his fundraising concert, including fellow Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth and Vince Gill.
Also performing at Shelton’s All for the Hall concert in Tulsa were Ronnie Dunn (of Brooks & Dunn), Wade Hayes, and The Swon Brothers. Blake Shelton also surprised his fans when he brought out his “new personal favorite Oklahoman, Gwen Stefani.” Bixby’s Justin Adams also performed as the opening act.
Gill performed a new song called “Heroes” and dedicated the song to Toby Keith.
Shelton said Toby was going to be there as well. “I got to tell you this, Toby wanted to do it,” Blake told Storme Warren of The Big 615 channel (see video below). Warren also grew up in Oklahoma and said he knew Toby would be there in spirit.
Blake Shelton Remembers Toby Keith
Blake Shelton has been open about how much Toby Keith meant to his career. Blake got his early start opening for Toby during the Shock’N Y’all Tour. Blake said there were 20,000 fans there every concert to hear Toby’s number-one hits. The two country singers remained close to each other up to Toby’s death in February.
Famous Okies, remembering @TobyKeith and @countrymusichof… there’s nothing like catching ip wirh @blakeshelton. ❤️🕊️ pic.twitter.com/Syln9JkIl3
— The BIG 615 (@big615radio) March 28, 2024
Blake and Toby were both huge stars in the early 2000s and even when Toby was falling off the charts when country music radio changed its focus, Blake remained loyal to his friend. They even shared the stage at the 2018 Academy of Country Music Awards. The two performed Keith’s “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” as a special duet.
Five months before Toby Keith died following his cancer battle, Blake Shelton presented him with the Country Icon Award at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards. After Toby died, Blake paid tribute to his friend, writing, “Thank you brother for being a friend, a hero, and an inspiration. There will never be another Toby Keith” (via Twitter).
Let us know your memories of Toby Keith in the comments below.