Last month, stars gathered at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for a taping of Toby Keith: American Icon, a tribute show for the late, great Toby Keith.
The show will air as a special on NBC on Wednesday night (Aug. 28), but before it does, fans can get a sneak peek of Carrie Underwood‘s performance of “A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action.” That song was originally cut by Hank Williams Jr., but Keith had a Top 5 country radio hit with it after he recorded his version for his 1993 debut album.
In the 30-second teaser clip, Underwood leads a rollicking, faithful performance of Keith’s hit, taking time in her performance to point towards a giant photo of him on the screen behind her.
“Nashville, we are all here for one reason,” she says, “this incredible man.”
According to People, who first premiered the “A Little Less Talk” teaser, Underwood will be the first performer to take the stage during the American Icon tribute show. A string of other big names also filed in to pay their respects during the taping, including Ashley McBryde, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and more.
Taste of Country attended the July taping, and previously reported on a few more can’t-miss moments from the upcoming benefit special. One highlight is sure to be a performance from Krystal Keith, the late singer’s daughter, who delivered a haunting rendition of his “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”
- Keith died at age 62 in February, after a battle with stomach cancer.
- He was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Partial proceeds from Toby Keith: American Icon will benefit Keith’s OK Kids Korral Foundation, which supports children battling cancer in his home state of Oklahoma.
Toby Keith: American Icon will air Wednesday night on NBC at 9PM ET/ 8 PM CT.
Carena Liptak is an Associate Editor and staff writer at Taste of Country. She specializes in breaking country music news, interviews and lists. In particular, she’s got a soft spot for sad songs — check out her roundup of the 50 Saddest Country Songs of All Time!
Toby Keith: American Icon – Tribute Concert Photos
See photos from Toby Keith: American Icon, a tribute concert in Nashville. Taping took place on July 29 at Bridgestone Arena. It airs on NBC on Aug. 28 at 9PM ET.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes