Jason Aldean Transforms Toby Keith’s “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” Into A Touching Ballad

Jason Aldean put his own twist on Toby Keith’s breakout hit, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” during the 2024 ACM Awards.

Thursday night’s (May 16) ACM Awards brought plenty of surprises, from Dua Lipa showing up to sing with Chris Stapleton to Lainey Wilson’s historical Entertainer of the Year win. But one moment that won’t soon be forgotten was Jason Aldean’s beautiful tribute to the late Toby Keith.

Ahead of his performance, Jason revealed that when the ACM reached out to him to deliver a Toby Keith Tribute, he decided to arrange a “little different version” of “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.”

“Obviously, that was one of his biggest hits—the song that kind of put him on the map. I think [it’s] a song that everybody kind of identifies with him. I felt like the right thing to do was just change it up a little bit and make a little different version of it that I hope people like,” Aldean said.

Jason Aldean’s Toby Keith tribute was one of the night’s most anticipated moments, and he delivered. Backed by a stringed instrument section and two guitarists, Aldean sat on a stool and played the familiar tune. He brilliantly maintained the integrity of Toby’s original, keeping the tune and lyrics the same, but sang it at a slower tempo.

Photos of Toby and his family were displayed in the background as Jason delivered what may be considered one of the best performances of his career. Numerous Toby Keith tributes have been performed since his death in February, but Jason Aldean is perhaps the only one who managed to keep the focus off of himself and on Toby Keith.

The morning after his iconic ACM Awards show performance, Jason Aldean announced that his rendition of “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” was being released as a single. He shared the news on social media, saying:

“A song that I’ve played ever since I started playing clubs as a teenager. Thank you @tobykeith for the mark you left on country music, and thank you to his family for letting me be a part of this. “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” Live from the @ACMawards is available to stream everywhere now.”

A song that I’ve played ever since I started playing clubs as a teenager. Thank you @tobykeith for the mark you left on country music, and thank you to his family for letting me be a part of this. “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” Live from the @ACMawards is available to stream… pic.twitter.com/4WCQNun31M

— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) May 17, 2024

STREAM JASON ALDEAN’S VERSION OF “SHOULD’VE BEEN A COWBOY” HERE

For the first time since Toby’s untimely passing, his entire family was in attendance, marking their first public appearance together.

In March, Toby’s son, Stelen, represented the family at the Country Music Hall of Fame where Toby was revealed as a 2024 inductee. One month ago, all three of Toby’s children attended the CMT Music Awards where Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, and Sammy Hagar, paid tribute to him by performing a medley of his hits.

Most recently, Toby’s daughter Krystal accepted an honorary degree from the University of Oklahoma on her father’s behalf. But, Thursday night’s ACM Awards marked the first time Toby’s wife of 40 years, Tricia Covel, has appeared publicly since his passing.

RELATED: MEET TOBY KEITH’S WIFE, TRICIA

Toby Keith’s Death

Toby Keith died in early February at the age of 62. Keith had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021 and underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries. In the months prior to his death, the singer appeared to be doing better. He made a surprise appearance at a Jason Aldean concert in November, followed by a three-night solo run in Las Vegas.

Toby would eventually succumb to cancer, leaving behind an incredible legacy as a singer, songwriter, businessman, father and husband.

Watch Jason Aldean’s emotional “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” performance from the 2024 ACM Awards below.