Photo: Getty Images
Krystal Keith honored her father, late country legend Toby Keith, with a moving rendition of “Don’t Let The Old Man In” during the Toby Keith: American Icon tribute show. The event was filmed last year at Bridgestone Arena in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
Viewers can watch Krystal’s performance when Toby Keith: American Icon airs again this week. Others who paid tribute to the Oklahoma-born country star included Trace Adkins, Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Scotty Emerick, Brantley Gilbert, Riley Green, HARDY, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Ella Langley, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker and Lainey Wilson. Toby Keith: American Icon supported The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt with a portion of the proceeds, per a press release issued last year.
The “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” superstar “passed peacefully…surrounded by his family,” following a years-long battle with stomach cancer in February 2024. He was 62. He is survived by his wife and three children — Krystal, Shelley Covel Rowland and Stelen Keith Covel — in addition to his grandchildren.
“It feels like yesterday we said goodbye and yet it somehow has also been the longest year without him,” Krystal wrote in her caption on Instagram as she marked one year without her father. “I can’t help but find gratitude in all the time we had because we did all of life as a family unit. It’s hard to find a candid picture where he doesn’t have one of our babies in his arms. He was their favorite, and they were his. Our littles miss their buddy big time but we all know we will see him again someday. Until then, he will watch over us and walk beside us. Every sunset (and he LOOOOVED his sunsets) is a reminder that he wants us to live our best life and do good in the world. So that’s exactly is what we will do. ❤️”
“We can’t believe it’s been a year since the world lost Toby,” per a statement on the late Country Music Hall of Fame member’s Instagram account on February 5, 2025. “We have a hole in our heart and our lives. The love and support from the community that Toby created has left us all thankful and grateful. It has and continues to honor Toby. We know he would be proud of the legacy he left behind. Today we hope you will celebrate and listen to his music with us, where we know he is smiling down and raising his cup. A toast to a life well lived.”
Toby Keith: American Icon will air again on NBC on Wednesday (August 27) immediately after America’s Got Talent, per a post on Keith’s Instagram account. Watch a clip of Krystal’s performance again here: