Earlier this month, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena shone a little brighter as some of country music’s biggest stars gathered to honor the late, great Toby Keith. Wednesday night, highlights from this unforgettable event aired on NBC, giving fans everywhere a chance to witness a tribute that was as heartfelt as it was star-studded.
Country music heavyweights like Trace Adkins, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Brantley Gilbert, Riley Green, Hardy, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker, and Lainey Wilson all took the stage. Joining them were rising stars Priscilla Block and Ella Langley, Toby’s daughter Krystal Keith, and his longtime collaborators Scotty Emerick and Mac McAnally.
@thetraveladdict.com Carrie Underwood pays tribute to Toby Keith singing “A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action” in Nashville at Toby Keith American Icon. #carrieunderwood #tobykeith #tobykeithtribute #countrymusic #countrymusictiktoks #tobykeithtributeconcert #nashville #nashvilletn @Carrie Underwood ♬ original sound – thetraveladdict
@allcountrynews Are you tuning in? ‘Toby Keith: American Icon’ airs tonight on NBC! Tune in to see your favorite stars honor the legend @Toby Keith The party starts at 8/9CT and available tomorrow on Peacock! @Lainey Wilson #countrymusic #fypage ♬ original sound – All Country News
@hanleyriggs @Luke Bryan “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” moment and special shout out to his late sister. #tobykeith #tobykeithamericanicon ♬ original sound – Hanley Riggs
But the night wasn’t just about the music—it was a celebration of Toby Keith’s life, legacy, and the indelible mark he left on the country music world. Artists shared personal stories and fond memories, painting a picture of a man who was not only a towering figure in the industry but also a tireless supporter of emerging talent.
The crowd was also treated to exclusive footage of Toby’s last studio session with Hardy for the Hixtape Volume 3 collection, a poignant reminder of his enduring passion for music.
@tobykeithofficial Tune into “Toby Keith: American Icon” for some never-before-seen footage of Toby’s final recording session, when he was singing “Ships That Don’t Come In”. Airs tonight at 9/8c on @NBC and streaming on @Peacock #TobyKeith ♬ original sound – Toby Keith
The performances were as powerful as the man they honored. Lainey Wilson made a grand entrance on horseback to sing “Beer for My Horses,” a fitting tribute to one of Toby’s most beloved songs. Toby’s daughter Krystal delivered a touching rendition of “Don’t Let the Old Man In,” while Trace Adkins brought the crowd to tears with his emotional performance of “American Soldier,” a song that epitomizes Toby’s deep patriotism. The night culminated with Parker McCollum leading a stirring version of “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” joined by all the artists, creating a moment that felt like Toby himself was right there in the arena.
@hanleyriggsPart One of American Icon Toby Keith benefit concert in Nashville, TN!
@hanleyriggs Amaxing night honoring THE American Iconic: Toby Keith! #tobykeith @Eric Church @parkermccollum @Luke Bryan @Jelly Roll @Carrie Underwood @Ashley McBryde @jordandavis @HARDY ♬ original sound – Hanley Riggs
