By continuing to use this website you agree to our terms and conditions. If you don't agree with our terms and conditions, you are not permitted to continue using this website.
Table of Contents
On the night of July 29, Luke Bryan took the stage at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to honor country music legendToby Keith.
The event, “Toby Keith: American Icon,” will air onAugust28 on NBC. It was a night filled with heartfelt tributes and memorable performances.
As Bryan celebrated Keith, he also took a moment to remember his late sister, Kelly, adding a deeper sense of emotion to the night.
A Star-Studded Tribute to Toby Keith
On July 29, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena was electric with excitement as artists, celebrities, songwriters, and friends gathered to celebrate Toby Keith.
The sold-outconcertfeatured incredible performances and heartfelt stories, showcasing Toby’s remarkable career.
The event, titled “Toby Keith: American Icon,” was recorded live for a two-hour TV special set to air on August 28 on NBC, with streaming on Peacock the following day.
Carrie Underwoodkicked off the night with a powerful performance, and the energy remained high with acts by Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Hardy, Riley Green, and Ashley McBryde.
Luke Bryan added a fun twist by wearing a black cowboy hat for “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” while Lainey Wilson rode her horse onstage to join Jamey Johnson for “Beer For My Horses.”
Other memorable moments included Darius Rucker’s stirring rendition of “God Love Her” and a moving tribute from Toby’s daughterKrystal.
A Special Hat with a Heartfelt Story
Bryan started his performance wearing his usual baseball cap but soon ran offstage to grab something special.
When he returned, he held a black cowboy hat in his hands. “This hat has been hanging in my closet for probably 15 years,” he told the audience.
Bryan shared a touching story about the hat, explaining its significance.
“My sister down in Georgia bought me this hat when I was playing bars and doing about 10 Toby Keith songs a night,” he said.
Kelly tragically passed away in 2007 from unknown causes, leaving behind her husband, Ben Lee Cheshire, and their three children.
Seven years later, in late 2014, Ben Lee also passed away, leaving theirkids—Jordan, Kris, and Til—without any living parents.
“I used to wear this hat every night,” Bryan continued. “Ever since I lost my sister, I haven’t worn this hat on stage … in a lot of years.”
Source: Instagram / lukebryan
Honoring a Music Legend
The night was filled with performances from other country stars, including Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins, andDarius Rucker.
Each artist took the stage to celebrate Toby Keith, who passed away from cancer in February at the age of 62.
Bryan, feeling nostalgic and emotional, remarked, “I was walking out of the house and thought, I’m just an ol’ country boy from Georgia, but Toby Keith certainly made me want to be a cowboy.“
With that, he placed the black cowboy hat on his head and performed Keith’s iconic hit, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.”
A Daughter’s Tribute
Krystal Keith, Toby Keith’s daughter, also performed during the tribute.
It was a moving moment that resonated with everyone in the audience, highlighting the deep bond between a father and hisdaughter.
A Moving Tribute
Luke Bryan’stributeto his sister Kelly and to Toby Keith was a powerful reminder of the connections and memories that music can evoke.
The special night was filled with love, loss, and celebration, showing how music can help us honor and remember those who have touched our lives.
Bryan’s heartfelt performance and the story of his special hat left the audience with chills, creating a moment that will be remembered for years to come.
Luke Bryan’s Family Grows After Tragic Loss
Luke Bryan, the country star we alllove, faced a huge heartbreak over a decade ago.
In 2007, he lost his sister Kelly suddenly, and no one could figure out why.
This was a massive blow for thefamily, especially since Luke had already lost his brother Chris in a car accident back in 1996.
His mom had a tough time coping, losing both her children, and Luke had to be her rock.
When Kelly’s husband Ben passed away in 2014, their three kids—Til, Kris, and Jordan—were left without parents.
Without a second thought, Luke and his wife Caroline took the kids in, doubling their family overnight.
Source: Instagram
A New Chapter for the Bryan Family
Luke and Caroline, already parents to two boys, Bo and Tatum, embraced their new roles with open arms and hearts.
Caroline, especially, was amazing in helping everyone adjust to the new family dynamic. Despite the sudden change, the kids all bonded quickly.
Luke was a bit worried about how Bo would handle suddenly having an older brother, Til, but it turned out great.
Luke often praises Caroline for her incredible effort and constantsupport.
The way Luke and Caroline expanded their family with so much love and care is trulyinspiring, proving that family is about more than just blood.
Performers at the Tribute Event
Artist
Performance
Carrie Underwood
“A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action”
Eric Church
“As Good As I Once Was”
Brantley Gilbert
“How Do You Like Me Now?!” (with Hardy)
Hardy
“How Do You Like Me Now?!” (with Brantley Gilbert)
Riley Green
“Who’s Your Daddy?”
Ella Langley
“Who’s Your Daddy?”
Ashley McBryde
“Wish I Didn’t Know Now”
Luke Bryan
“Should’ve Been A Cowboy”
Lainey Wilson
“Beer For My Horses” (with Jamey Johnson)
Jamey Johnson
“Beer For My Horses” (with Lainey Wilson)
Darius Rucker
“God Love Her”
Priscilla Block
Introduced Jordan Davis and Clay Walker’s performance
Jordan Davis
“I Love This Bar” (with Clay Walker)
Clay Walker
“I Love This Bar” (with Jordan Davis)
Tyler Hubbard
“Red Solo Cup”
Jelly Roll
“Red Solo Cup” (with Tyler Hubbard)
Jim Beavers
“Red Solo Cup” (with Tyler Hubbard and others)
Brett Beavers
“Red Solo Cup” (with Tyler Hubbard and others)
The Warren Brothers
“Red Solo Cup” (with Tyler Hubbard and others)
List of artists who performed at the tribute event for Toby Keith
‘How Do You Like Me Now’ by Toby Keith
Conclusion
Luke Bryan’s tribute to his late sister Kelly during the “Toby Keith: American Icon” event was a deeply moving moment for everyone present.
By sharing the story of his black cowboy hat and performing “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” Bryan honored his sister’s memory in a personal and emotional way.
This special onstage moment showed how much he still cherishes her memory.
Luke’s story about the hat, a gift from Kelly when he was just starting out, showed how much she believed in him.
By wearing it again on stage, he brought a piece of her spirit back to life.
His performance was not just a tribute to Toby Keith but also a beautiful way to keep Kelly’s memory alive.
Even though the night was about celebrating Toby Keith, Luke’s tribute to his sister added a personal and emotional touch.
It reminded everyone that our loved ones stay with us through our memories and the special moments we share.
Last Updated: August 2, 2024
Lucky you! This thread is empty,
which means you've got dibs on the first comment.
Go for it!