Toby Keith Death, Biography, Age, Wife, Music, and Net Worth

Toby Keith Biography Information

Toby Keith Covel (July 8, 1961 – February 5, 2024), professionally known as Toby Keith, was an American country music singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. During the 1990s, he released his initial four studio albums—Toby Keith (1993), Boomtown (1994), Blue Moon (1996), and Dream Walkin’ (1997)—as well as Greatest Hits Volume One under Mercury Records. These albums all achieved gold or higher certification and featured several top ten singles, including his debut chart-topper “Should’ve Been a Cowboy”.

In 1998, Keith signed with DreamWorks Records Nashville and released his breakthrough single “How Do You Like Me Now?!” in late 1999. This song, the title track to his 1999 album, was the top country song of 2000 and one of numerous chart-toppers during his tenure with DreamWorks Nashville.

His subsequent three albums, Pull My Chain, Unleashed, and Shock’n Y’all, each produced three more number-one hits, and all were certified 4× Platinum. A second Greatest Hits collection followed in 2004, and thereafter, he released Honkytonk University.

Following the closure of DreamWorks in 2005, Keith established the label Show Dog Nashville, which later merged with Universal South Records to form Show Dog-Universal Music in December 2009. He released ten studio albums through Show Dog/Show Dog-Universal, including White Trash with Money (2006), Big Dog Daddy (2007), That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy (2008), American Ride (2009), Bullets in the Gun (2010), Clancy’s Tavern (2011), Hope on the Rocks (2012), Drinks After Work (2013), 35 MPH Town (2015), The Bus Songs (2017), and Peso in My Pocket (2021), as well as the compilation 35 Biggest Hits in 2008. Additionally, Keith made his acting debut in 2006 with the film Broken Bridges, and he co-starred with comedian Rodney Carrington in the 2008 film Beer for My Horses, inspired by his song of the same name.

Keith released 19 studio albums, 2 Christmas albums, and 5 compilation albums, amassing worldwide sales exceeding 40 million albums. He charted 61 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including 20 number-one hits and 22 additional top 10 hits. His longest-running number-one hits are “Beer for My Horses” (a 2003 duet with Willie Nelson) and “As Good as I Once Was” (2005), each at six weeks. Keith was honored with the National Medal of Arts by President Donald Trump in a private ceremony alongside Ricky Skaggs on January 13, 2021.

Toby Keith Early Life and Education

Keith Covel was born on July 8, 1961, in Clinton, Oklahoma, to Carolyn Joan (formerly Ross) and Hubert K. Covel Jr. He grew up with a sister and a brother. During his grade school years, the family lived in Fort Smith, Arkansas, for a brief period before relocating to Moore, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City, where Keith spent his formative years.

Before settling in Moore, he spent summers visiting his grandmother in Fort Smith, who owned Billie Garner’s Supper Club. It was here that Keith developed an interest in music, observing and occasionally joining the musicians who performed at the club. He acquired his first guitar at the age of eight.

While in Moore, Keith attended Highland West Junior High and later Moore High School, where he played defensive end on the football team. After graduating from Moore High School, Keith worked in the oil fields as a derrick hand, eventually rising to a supervisory position.

At the age of 20, he co-founded the Easy Money Band with his friends, playing gigs at local bars and roadhouses while continuing his work in the oil industry. Despite his dedication to music, Keith often had to leave performances abruptly if summoned for oil field work.

In 1982, the oil industry in Oklahoma experienced a downturn, leading to Keith’s unemployment. He briefly pursued football, playing as a defensive end for the semi-professional Oklahoma City Drillers while still performing with his band.

However, when the opportunity arose, Keith returned to his musical pursuits. Although his family and friends harbored doubts about his prospects, Keith and his band, Easy Money, began performing in the honky-tonk scene across Oklahoma and Texas in 1984, with various members including Mike Barnes, T.A. Brauer, and David Saylors.

Toby Keith Death

Country music legend Toby Keith has passed away, as confirmed by his official website and social media channels early Tuesday. The news comes 18 months after he publicly disclosed his battle with stomach cancer.

He was 62 years old.

Surrounded by his loved ones, Keith, renowned for hits like “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” peacefully departed on Monday night, as stated in a brief announcement. The statement expressed admiration for his dignified and brave fight against the illness. Keith disclosed his cancer diagnosis in June 2022, and in September of the same year, he shared the challenging journey of undergoing treatment.

Reflecting on his health status, Keith remarked on the fluctuating nature of his condition, with highs and lows, during an interview with E! News before receiving the Country Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards.

Despite his health struggles, Keith remained active in recording and performing. In December, he delivered live performances over three consecutive nights in Las Vegas, showcasing many of his chart-topping hits despite appearing visibly frail. He expressed gratitude on Instagram, noting that wrapping up the year with three sold-out shows in Vegas was a fitting conclusion.

Toby Keith Music Career

Keith traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, where he performed on Music Row as a street musician without success until producer Harold Shedd discovered him through a demo tape given by a flight attendant who admired Keith. This led to Keith’s debut single, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” topping the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1993 and reaching number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The single was featured on his self-titled debut album, which went platinum with one million copies shipped and spawned three more Top 5 hits on the country charts: “He Ain’t Worth Missing” (#5), “A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action” (originally the B-side of “Should’ve Been a Cowboy”), and “Wish I Didn’t Know Now” (both at #2). Despite criticism about the album’s production, critics recognized the strength of Keith’s songwriting and predicted his evolving style. The album’s success led to Keith touring with Shania Twain and John Brannen, as well as appearing in Tracy Lawrence’s music video for “My Second Home” in 1993.

After signing with Polydor Records Nashville, Keith released his second album, “Boomtown,” in September 1994. This platinum-certified album featured the number-one single “Who’s That Man” and other hits like “Upstairs Downtown” and “You Ain’t Much Fun.”

In late 1995, Keith released his first Christmas album, “Christmas to Christmas,” via Mercury, featuring the charting single “Santa I’m Right Here.” Subsequently, he signed with A&M Records’ Nashville division to release his third album, “Blue Moon,” in April 1996, which also achieved platinum status and produced hits such as “Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine on You” and “Me Too.”

Returning to Mercury in 1997 after a corporate merger, Keith released his fourth studio album, “Dream Walkin’,” which was produced by James Stroud. This album included hits like “We Were in Love” and a cover of Sting’s “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying,” featuring Sting himself.

Keith’s last Mercury release was “Greatest Hits Volume One” in October 1998, which featured twelve prior singles and two new songs. However, after disagreements with Mercury executives over his studio album, Keith terminated his contract and went on to co-write songs for other artists like Shane Minor’s debut single “Slave to the Habit.”

In 1999, Keith joined DreamWorks Records’ Nashville division, where Stroud served as president. His initial release, “When Love Fades,” failed to make the Top 40. Disappointed by its performance, Keith requested its withdrawal and substitution with “How Do You Like Me Now?!”, a song he co-wrote with Chuck Cannon, previously rejected by Mercury. This track became the title song of his first DreamWorks album, “How Do You Like Me Now?!” It topped the country charts for five weeks, marking his first top 40 pop hit, peaking at number 31 on the Hot 100. Additionally, it was the top country song of 2000 according to the Billboard Year-End chart.

The album, certified platinum, included hits like “Country Comes to Town” and “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This,” his first collaboration with Scotty Emerick, who would become a frequent collaborator. Critics noted the album’s rough, brash attitude, contributing to Keith’s stronger performer identity. In 2001, Keith won the Academy of Country Music’s Top Male Vocalist and Album of the Year awards.

His subsequent album, “Pull My Chain,” released in August 2001, featured three number 1 singles on the country charts: “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight,” “I Wanna Talk About Me,” and “My List.” “I Wanna Talk About Me,” penned by Bobby Braddock, showcased country rap elements. The Country Music Association named “My List” Single of the Year in 2002. Critics praised “Pull My Chain” for its musicality and humor.

In 2002, Keith released “Unleashed,” featuring four singles. “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American),” written in response to the September 11 attacks, and “Who’s Your Daddy?” both reached number 1. “Beer for My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson, spent six weeks atop the country charts and reached number 22 on the Hot 100.

Continuing his success, Keith released “Shock’n Y’all” in November 2003, with all singles reaching number 1: “I Love This Bar,” “American Soldier,” and “Whiskey Girl.” The album included live recordings with Emerick. “Greatest Hits 2” followed in late 2004, featuring three new songs. Keith’s final DreamWorks album, “Honkytonk University,” was released in early 2005, with hits like “As Good as I Once Was” and “Big Blue Note.”

In August 2005, Keith founded Show Dog Nashville and released “White Trash with Money” in 2006. Subsequent albums included “Big Dog Daddy” (2007) and “That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy” (2008), featuring hits like “Love Me If You Can.” Keith’s success continued with albums like “American Ride” (2009) and “Bullets in the Gun” (2010), although the latter did not produce top 10 hits.

In 2011, “Clancy’s Tavern” was released, featuring hits like “Made in America” and “Red Solo Cup.” Keith’s sixteenth album, “Hope on the Rocks,” was released in 2012, followed by “Drinks After Work” in 2013. In 2014, “35 MPH Town” was released, and in 2017, Keith released “The Bus Songs.” In 2021, he featured on Brantley Gilbert’s single “The Worst Country Song of All Time” with Hardy. In September 2023, after receiving the first Country Icon Award at the Peoples Choice Country Awards, Keith performed publicly for the first time since his 2022 cancer diagnosis, receiving a standing ovation for his rendition of “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”

Toby Keith Acting Career

Keith appeared in a series of television commercials for Telecom USA, promoting their discount long-distance telephone service 10-10-220. He also featured in Ford commercials, singing original tracks like “Ford Truck Man” and “Look Again” while driving Ford trucks. In a notable wrestling-related appearance, Keith participated in the first Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (then NWA-TNA) weekly pay-per-view on June 19, 2002. During his rendition of “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” Jeff Jarrett interrupted, leading to Keith entering the Gauntlet for the Gold main event, suplexing Jarrett, and eliminating him from the match. His involvement was highlighted in subsequent broadcasts.

In 2009, Keith took part in the Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable Guy and earned the “Colbert Bump” after appearing on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report. He notably received a five-star rating from Stephen Colbert on iTunes, a unique distinction among musical artists. Keith continued his collaboration with Colbert, featuring in his 2008 Christmas special as a hunter and performing as a musical guest on an October 2011 episode of The Colbert Report.

Keith also made appearances on Fox Channel’s Huckabee with former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, playing “Bullets in the Gun” and joining Huckabee’s house band for a performance. In December 2018, Keith guest-starred on Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas.

In 2005, Keith filmed Broken Bridges, a feature film from Paramount/CMT Films, released in 2006. He portrayed Bo Price, a washed-up country musician, in this contemporary tale set in small-town Tennessee, alongside Kelly Preston, Burt Reynolds, Tess Harper, and Lindsey Haun. Additionally, Keith wrote and starred in the 2008 movie Beer for My Horses, based on his hit song of the same name recorded with Willie Nelson in 2003.

Toby Keith Music Albums

Studio albums

• Toby Keith (1993)
• Boomtown (1994)
• Blue Moon (1996)
• Dream Walkin’ (1997)
• How Do You Like Me Now?! (1999)
• Pull My Chain (2001)
• Unleashed (2002)
• Shock’n Y’all (2003)
• Honkytonk University (2005)
• White Trash with Money (2006)
• Big Dog Daddy (2007)
• That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy (2008)
• American Ride (2009)
• Bullets in the Gun (2010)
• Clancy’s Tavern (2011)
• Hope on the Rocks (2012)
• Drinks After Work (2013)
• 35 MPH Town (2015)
• Peso in My Pocket (2021)

Compilation albums

• Greatest Hits Volume One (1998)
• 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection (2003)
• Greatest Hits 2 (2004)
• 35 Biggest Hits (2008)
• The Bus Songs (2017)
• Greatest Hits: The Show Dog Years (2019)

Christmas albums

• Christmas to Christmas (1995)
• A Classic Christmas (2007)

Number one singles

• “Should’ve Been a Cowboy”
• “Who’s That Man”
• “Me Too”
• “How Do You Like Me Now?!”
• “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This”
• “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight”
• “I Wanna Talk About Me”
• “My List”
• “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American)”
• “Who’s Your Daddy?”
• “Beer for My Horses” (duet with Willie Nelson)
• “I Love This Bar”
• “American Soldier”
• “Whiskey Girl”
• “As Good as I Once Was”
• “Love Me If You Can”
• “She Never Cried in Front of Me”
• “God Love Her”
• “American Ride”
• “Made in America”

Filmography

• Broken Bridges (2006) also starring Kelly Preston and Lindsey Haun
• CMT Music Awards (2003–2012) Co-Host With Pamela Anderson and Kristen Bell
• Beer for My Horses (2008)

Toby Keith Age

Covel was born on July 8, 1961, in Clinton, Oklahoma, and died on February 5, 2024 (aged 62) in Oklahoma, U.S.

Toby Keith Wife | Toby Keith Personal Life

Keith tied the knot with Tricia Lucus on March 24, 1984, and they were blessed with three children. Tragedy struck on March 24, 2001, when Keith’s father, H. K. Covel, lost his life in a car accident involving a charter bus collision on Interstate 35.

The Covel family was granted $2.8 million for his wrongful death on December 25, 2007, with Elias and Pedro Rodriguez, operators of Rodriguez Transportes of Tulsa, and the Republic Western Insurance Co. found accountable for the incident due to the bus lacking properly functioning air brakes.

Keith held an honorary degree from Villanova University, where he attended from 1979 to 1980 with aspirations of becoming a petroleum engineer. Known for his fervent support, he was an enthusiastic University of Oklahoma sports fan and could often be spotted at Oklahoma Sooners games and practices.

His passion extended to professional wrestling, evident from his front-row attendance at numerous WWE events in Oklahoma and his live performance of “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue” at the inaugural TNA Wrestling show on June 19, 2002. Additionally, Keith was a devoted fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team and adhered to the Free Will Baptist denomination.

Toby Keith Net Worth

At the time of his passing, Keith’s wealth amounted to $400 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. He amassed his fortune primarily through his career as a singer, songwriter, and performer. Additionally, he found success in the restaurant industry, the liquor business, and a particularly profitable investment in Big Machine Records.

Toby Keith Body Measurements