Trace Adkins Pays Emotional Tribute To Toby Keith With Moving: “American Soldier” Cover
Toby Keith’s unwavering support for the US military was well documented. However, he avoided putting men and women on the same pedestal. The Oklahoma native wrote his 2003 hit “American Soldier” with a mission to humanize the man under the helmet. Trace Adkins performed the song in memory of his late friend at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. And as the “You’re Gonna Miss This” singer took the stage, he dispensed some wisdom from Big Dog Daddy himself.
Trace Adkins: “I Was Proud To Have Known” Toby Keith
Toby Keith died in February aged 62 after battling stomach cancer for more than two years. Five months later, Trace Adkins was among a handful of Nashville A-listers who packed the Bridgestone Arena for the two-hour NBC special Toby Keith: An American Icon.
Adkins wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his suit before launching into “American Soldier.” Sepia-toned images of Keith interacting with American soldiers played on the screen behind the “Ladies Love Country Boys” hitmaker as he sang. I don’t do it for the money / There are bills I can’t pay / I don’t do it for the respect / I do it anyway.
Tonight! Travis will perform at Toby Keith: American Icon, a concert celebration honoring the life of music legend @TobyKeith. Tune in at 9/8c on @NBC and stream on @peacock.
— Trace Adkins (@TraceAdkins) August 28, 2024
Before beginning his performance of “American Soldier,” Trace Adkins reminded the crowd of his late friend’s undying national pride. Before walking offstage after a show, Keith always left his audience with the same message: “Never apologize for patriotism.” And it wasn’t just lip service, Adkins said.
“By God, he believed it,” said the 62-year-old Louisiana native. “The love and respect for the men and women who served this country was so deep. It was deep; it was real; it was real.”
Adkins continued, “I could talk about Toby all night, but I’m just going to say how proud I am to know him and call him a friend. Thanks dog. We miss you.”
Toby Keith Was Always “Throwing Junk and Talking Smack”
Trace Adkins has toured with Toby Keith numerous times, most recently on the 2009 US Hardest Tour. The ACM Award winner recalled his friend and tour mate’s “dry, kind of wry wit.”
“He was throwing junk and talking smack, and he was just a lot of fun to be around and I enjoyed it.” Adkins told Country Now
More News
‘Inside Out 2’ Becomes First Animated Film to Hit $1.2 Billion at International Box Office
Mariah Carey Confirms Mom Patricia and Sister Alison Both Died on Same Day