Blake Shelton Delivers “I Love This Bar” Tribute To Toby Keith At Country Music Hall Of Fame Induction
(Left) Terry Wyatt / Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum / (Right) M. Caulfield / WireImage / Getty Images
Toby Keith Now Has A Spot In The Country Music Hall Of Fame
Blake Shelton took to the stage at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday (October 20) to honor his good friend, Toby Keith. Keith was posthumously inducted into the CMHOF as this year’s “Modern Era” inductee.
Keith passed away on February 5, 2024, after a years-long battle against stomach cancer. He left behind his wife, Tricia, and their three children: Shelley, Krystal, and Stelen.
He also left behind an extensive catalog of memorable songs, from “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” to “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” The latter song is the one he performed during his final televised performance at the People’s Choice Country Awards in 2023.
Keith was honored as the PCCAs‘ “Country Icon” that year.
RELATED: TOBY KEITH CLAIMS 8 OF THE TOP 100 SONGS PLAYED IN THE LAST 50 YEARS
Eric Church performed “Don’t Let the Old Man In” in Keith’s honor at the CMHOF’s Medallion Ceremony. Shelton also stepped up to perform another one of Keith’s iconic songs during the event.
Blake Shelton Honors His Late Friend Toby Keith By Singing “I Love This Bar”
Shelton and Keith were longtime friends. The two Oklahoma natives performed together many times, including at the 2018 ACM Awards.
The duo united for a lively rendition of Keith’s “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.”
At the People’s Choice Country Awards in 2023, Shelton presented the Country Icon Award to Keith. He also spoke about the impact he had on country music, saying:
“Watching him, I felt the impact of Toby’s music from the anthems that spoke to the bigger things to the songs that are full of humor and energy and the soundtrack to good times.”
Shelton was understandably devastated when Keith passed away just a few months later. He honored him with a moving tribute on X, writing:
“You were the toughest man I ever met. Thank you brother for being a friend, a hero and an inspiration. There will never be another Toby Keith.“
Even though I knew about your battle these last few months I still never imagined this day. Anyone who knew you knows what I mean. You were the toughest man I ever met. Thank you brother for being a friend, a hero and an inspiration. There will never be another Toby Keith.
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) February 6, 2024
Considering their close friendship, it made perfect sense that Shelton was present to honor Keith at the CMHOF Medallion Ceremony. He sang “I Love This Bar,” Keith’s fun and rowdy #1 from 2003.
The song was just recently certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA.
Reports from the CMHOF Medallion Ceremony state Shelton also performed “Red Solo Cup” in Keith’s honor.
Blake Appeared To Be Playing Toby’s Patriotic Guitar
Shelton added an extra special touch to his performance by playing what appeared to be Keith’s famous American Flag guitar.
The patriotic guitar is currently displayed in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It is in the background of this photo shared by Keith’s daughter, Krystal Keith.
View this post on Instagram
If Shelton didn’t play Keith’s actual guitar, he had one that looked exactly like it. That made his performance all the more meaningful for the small crowd at the CMHOF’s Medallion Ceremony.
You can watch Shelton pay tribute to Keith with “I Love This Bar” in a short clip below. The video also includes a clip of Eric Church singing “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”
Both performances were fitting tributes to Keith and his extraordinary legacy.
Toby Keith was the founder of the Toby Keith Foundation. The foundation helps support the OK Kids Korral, which serves as a home-away-from-home for families with children undergoing cancer treatments. If you’d like to make a donation in Toby’s memory, you can visit the Toby Keith Foundation’s official website here.
