Like Father, Like Daughter: Side-By-Side Comparison of Toby Keith and Krystal Keith Singing “Don’t Let the Old Man In”

For Toby Keith‘s tribute concert on July 29, his daughter Krystal took the stage to deliver a heartfelt performance of his 2019 song “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” She previously spoke about how difficult it was for her to get through the song, but how she sat with it and practiced, knowing her father would want her to do it.

Toby Keith previously performed the song at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards in 2023. This was his last performance before his death in February 2024. Krystal and her father previously collaborated on songs like “Mockingbird” and performed “Cabo San Lucas” together. However, having her sing “Don’t Let the Old Man In” to honor her late father might just be their greatest collaboration yet.

[RELATED: 3 Things To Know About Krystal Keith, Daughter of Late Country Icon Toby Keith]

Watch Toby Keith Perform “Don’t Let the Old Man In” at 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards

Last year, at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards, Toby Keith was presented with the Country Icon Award. He also took the stage to deliver an emotionally charged performance of a song with heavy meaning. With his gaunt appearance—the effect of his late-stage stomach cancer—the song took on a haunting life of its own. It was almost as if Toby Keith were saying goodbye in that moment.

Keith’s wife was in the audience during the performance, and she visibly wiped away tears as he sang the verse, Try to love on your wife / And stay close to your friends / Toast each sundown with wine / Don’t let the old man in. Overall it was a simple production, but one that did its job—it showcased Toby Keith and ensured all would remember him with dignity and grace.

A Year Later, Krystal Keith Honors Her Father with the Same Song

During the tribute concert, Krystal Keith performed “Don’t Let the Old Man In” to honor her late father. She gave a beautiful rendition of the emotional song, which you can watch above and tonight on NBC. She previously spoke about how hard it was to get through the performance. Krystal shared that she felt pulled to perform as part of the tribute, but she was hoping to “get through a fun party song.”

“So, it really took me about a week to wrap my head around whether or not I could perform [“Don’t Let the Old Man In”] and get through it and make him proud without breaking down. I listened to it several times, I played it on the piano and sang along with it, just to see if I could do it justice,” she said in a conversation with The Oklahoman.

“I just came to, he would want me to do it. He would make fun of me if I screwed it up and I said I couldn’t do it. I can do anything I put my mind to, so I’m gonna do it,” Krystal explained. “I just had to get in the headspace of ‘OK, I’m a professional, and I’ve got to get through this song.’ … I started losing it right at the end, but I cried after I sang it, which is about the right time to cry.”

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