The country music community has begun mourning Toby Keith, who died at 62 following a battle with cancer. His fans and peers remembered the singer and songwriter as the soundtrack to their own lives and a trailblazer in his own right in various tributes shared across social media.
“Saddle up the horses, Jesus, ‘cause a true blue COWBOY just made his ride up to heaven!!! Introduce him to all the Okies and sign that boy up for the choir,” Carrie Underwood wrote on Instagram, sharing a carousel of photos with Keith over the years. “We’re gonna miss you, Toby, but my heart has no doubt that you are standing in the presence of our King right now!!! See you again someday, friend.”
Zach Bryan, a fellow Oklahoma native, shared a tribute on X (formerly Twitter). “Too many rides in my old man’s car listening to Toby Keith. Really hard thing to hear rest in peace friend we love you, he wrote, adding: “America lost a fuckin hero man.”
More tributes have been shared from country artists like Luke Combs, Lance Carpenter, Old Dominion, and more.
Carpenter shared an Instagram post that featured Keith’s 2009 ballad “Cryin’ for Me (Wayman’s Song),” where he sings: “I’m going to miss that smile, I’m going to miss you my friend.” In his caption, Carpenter wrote: “I never imagined the last time we talked would be the last time we’d talk. I’m gonna miss you my friend.”
The Nashville band Old Dominion described Keith as a “true trailblazer” in their statement, shared via Twitter. “Authentic and heartfelt but always with a wink ‘til the end,” they wrote. “He was larger than life in so many ways and his music will live on forever! Raising our red solos tonight—you will be missed by so many. Peace.”
Keith’s influence expanded beyond the sphere of country music, as well. The musician was known to be an avid golfer, prompting tributes from those he encountered in the sport.
“I woke up with tears down my face for our friend @tobykeith. Gone way too soon. What a blessing he was to so many,” wrote Kendall Dye, a PING Golf representative, on Instagram. “One of my first concerts, memories of replaying his albums on my drives to high school, eventually having a friendship with him & his sweet family. We can all be certain he’s got a tee time in heaven today … TK was a huge supporter of golf, especially womens professional, collegiate, and amateur golf. He made the world a better place. Please keep his sweet family in your prayers.”
In a separate post, director Michael Monaco recalled the pivotal career moment he shared with Keith. “Not many people know this but Toby bought me my first ever professional video camera while I was in college,” he explained on Instagram. “I had one of the greatest honors of my life getting to go to Afghanistan with Toby to film one of his USO tours. It was extremely surreal for me because Toby was one of my heroes as kid.”
He added: “Toby was always so good to me. He used to call me Bambi and to be honest I loved it because I knew for him to give me a nickname meant he liked me, even though I was a young and green kid who knew nothing. I’ve been reflecting on my time with Toby for a while now knowing he has been sick. Today I know he’s resting with Jesus and no longer in pain. I am so thankful that I was kid with big dreams and one of my heroes gave me my first big shot. I love you Toby.”