Toby Keith: American Icon aired on NBC on Wednesday from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. It was a tribute-filled night with incredible contributions from the likes of Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, and more. However, there was also one notable performer who stole the show with her emotional performance of Keith’s hit song “Don’t Let The Old Man In”: Toby Keith’s daughter, Krystal Keith.
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Ahead of the performance, Krystal walked the red carpet with her siblings Shelley and Stelen Covel. She chatted with a number of interviewers about her father’s musical legacy as well as his philanthropic and charity efforts.
Krystal is a musician like her father, and she took the opportunity to cover one of her father’s most well-known songs during the ceremony. “Don’t Let The Old Man In” also happens to be the final song Keith performed live on camera before he passed away from stomach cancer on February 5, 2024.
You can watch Toby Keith’s daughter Krystal perform the song in the fan-filmed TikTok below:
The fan reaction was as expected, with tons of comments on the video sharing crying reactions and praising Krystal for her efforts. “she has a beautiful voice I can relate to the song My dad died very young so lt hits hard for me,” one fan wrote. “I have watched this several times and can’t make it through once without bawling my eyes out,” another user added.
Who Else Performed at ‘Toby Keith: American Icon’?
The focus of the night was on country star Toby Keith’s legacy as a country musician, as well as his charity work. The Country Music Hall of Famer’s tribute concert in Nashville featured nearly two dozen different country contemporaries of Keith.
“We are all here for one reason,” Carrie Underwood opened the event. “This man, the big dog daddy. His music, his heart, his life. Everyone on this stage loves Toby. Tonight, we are going to have a party he’d be proud of.”
Lainey Wilson and Jamey Johnson performed a rendition of Keith’s 2003 hit with Willie Nelson, “Beer For My Horses”. Darius Rucker performed a spirited version of “God Love Her” and also spoke about getting support from Keith ahead of his country debut in 2008. Ashley McBryde performed the 1994 track “Wish I Didn’t Know Now”.
The tribute concert also featured a number of video tributes from Keith’s contemporaries, including Willie Nelson (who is currently on tour), Reba McEntire, and even Carrot Top.
“There will never be another Toby Keith,” Blake Shelton said in one of the tribute clips aired during the night.
Photo via TikTok
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