Toby Keith Covel was born on July 8, 1961, in Clinton, Oklahoma, to Carolyn Joan Ross and Hubert K. Covel Jr. Raised in Moore, Oklahoma, with a sister, Tonnie, and a brother, Tracy, Keith’s early exposure to music came through his grandmother’s supper club in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he developed a love for performing. At age eight, he received his first guitar and occasionally played with the house band. After graduating from Moore High School in 1979, Keith worked in the oil fields, following in his father’s footsteps, and briefly played semi-professional football for the Oklahoma City Drillers. He also formed the Easy Money Band, performing at local bars and roadhouses. When the oil industry declined in the early 1980s, Keith turned his focus to music full-time. Music CareerKeith’s music career took off in 1993 with his self-titled debut album under Mercury Records, featuring the breakout single “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” which became the most-played country song of the 1990s. The album went platinum, establishing him as a rising star. His early albums, including Boomtown (1994) and Blue Moon (1996), also achieved platinum status, producing hits like “Who’s That Man” and “Me Too.” In 1999, after creative differences with Mercury, Keith signed with DreamWorks Records, releasing How Do You Like Me Now?!, with its title track topping the country charts for five weeks. His 2002 album Unleashed, featuring “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” a patriotic anthem written post-9/11, sparked both acclaim and controversy, cementing his bold persona. Keith released 19 studio albums, two Christmas albums, and five compilation albums, selling over 40 million records worldwide. He charted 61 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, with 20 number-one hits, including “Beer for My Horses” (a duet with Willie Nelson) and “As Good as I Once Was.” Controversies and Public PersonaKeith’s patriotic songs, particularly “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” stirred debate. Critics, including Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, called it aggressive and nationalistic, leading to a public feud. Some X posts reflect this divide, with detractors labeling his music as pandering to nationalism, while supporters praised his unapologetic stance. Despite controversy, Keith’s connection with the U.S. military was profound, performing over 280 shows across 11 USO tours for nearly 256,000 service members, earning the USO’s Spirit Award in 2014. Business Ventures and PhilanthropyBeyond music, Keith was a savvy entrepreneur, founding Show Dog Nashville (later Show Dog-Universal Music) in 2005 and investing in Big Machine Records. He also launched Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, a restaurant chain, and owned ventures like a golf course and Luck E Strike tackle company. Forbes dubbed him “Country’s $500 Million Man” in 2013, with his net worth estimated at $400 million by 2024. His philanthropy included the Toby Keith Foundation, supporting pediatric cancer patients through the OK Kids Korral, raising nearly $18 million. Personal LifeKeith married Tricia Lucus in 1984 after meeting her at a nightclub in 1981. They had three children: Shelley (adopted from Tricia’s previous relationship), Krystal (born 1985), and Stelen (born 1997). Krystal pursued a music career, while Stelen ventured into real estate. The family lived in Norman, Oklahoma, and remained close-knit, co-founding the Toby Keith Foundation. Later Years and LegacyDiagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021, Keith continued performing when possible, delivering a poignant performance of “Don’t Let the Old Man In” at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards. He passed away on February 5, 2024, at age 62. Just days before, he was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, inducted posthumously in 2024. Keith earned numerous accolades, including seven Grammy nominations, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, and the National Medal of Arts in 2021. His legacy as a si