Giving little concern about what others thought, Toby Keith blended his love for America and country music to produce an ongoing career in country music. Although the singer passed away back in February after battling stomach cancer, his songs continue to fill the airwaves. With fans honoring Keith by playing his songs, it appears the Oklahoma Sooners took a moment to remember the diehard fan. A fan of the NCAA football team, the Sooners celebrated Keith’s life with one of his favorite songs.
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On Friday, the Sooners ran onto the field to take on the Temple Owls. While the night featured more than a few hits, the school wanted to honor Keith and his love for the team. And there seemed no better way than by singing “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.” With the song filling the stadium, fans cheered and remembered how much Keith impacted country music while on the stage.
With thousands in attendance, fans loved the idea of the Sooners honoring Keith. Comments included, “Yeah, they need to go ahead and make this permanent.” Another person added, “yay Oklahoma… Still believes in Freedom!! Toby was a neighbor at one time … He and his family are the best! Boomer Sooner.”
Luke Combs One Of The Last People To Perform With Toby Keith
Much like the Sooners, Luke Combs is also a massive fan of Keith. And he was also one of the last people to record with the country star. Joining forces to cover “Ships That Don’t Come In”, Combs discussed his time with Keith and his love for country star Joe Diffie. With the pair performing one of his songs, Combs insisted, “To be on a song with Toby was a no-brainer when it got presented to me. That was something I had always hoped to do but never knew if it would happen or not,” Combs offers via a press statement. “It being one of Joe’s songs, especially this one, made it even better; he was there the night I got inducted into the Opry and actually gave me my Opry member award.”
As for his performance with Keith, Combs continued, “I grew up listening to both of those guys’ music, so to be a part of this version of the song and it now be Toby’s last recording is kind of hard to put into words. Country music misses them greatly, but I hope we’re doing justice to continue what they started.”
(Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
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