With Toby Keith’s hit 2002 song, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” once again re-entering the Billboard Hot 100 a few weeks ago, there’s one thing we need to get straight about that song.
And surprisingly, it was recently best explained by none other than Brantley Gilbert. A few days ago, the Georgia native sat down with Matt Burrill from the Raised Rowdy podcast, where he set the record straight that Keith’s patriotic songs were never political; they were American.
Reflecting on the late singer, Gilbert shared, “he was just an inspiration in a million ways. I miss that dude.” He then added that he and Keith’s manager were later down the road discussing “The Angry American” song, noting, “One of the things that made Toby special was, you know, we live in an age where everything’s so politically charged that if you release something patriotic you’re damn near a right-wing extremist.”
He explains, “Toby released those songs; those weren’t songs for the right, you know what I mean. Those were American songs. That’s the way he viewed it, and that’s the way he wrote ’em.” And extra fun fact for everyone who still thinks Keith’s pro-America messaging is some right-winged propaganda: the Oklahoma country singer was a registered independent from 2008 onward (and a conservative Democrat before that) who had performed for presidents from all sides, including George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Gilbert puts it best, admiring Toby for being unwaveringly patriotic throughout his life: “That dude was proud of his country. He’s proud to be American and so proud of the people that served it and kept it free.” Before passing in February 2024 after losing his long battle with stomach cancer, “Big Dog Daddy” had performed for over 250,000 troops in war zones and remote bases globally throughout his 18 USO tours.
During these shows, he proudly played the “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” exclusively for the troops, with the song becoming an anthem in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks— and they loved it. Keith never even planned to release the song until finally a Marine Corps Commandant advised him that recording it was his “public duty.”
With every act of patriotism seemingly needing a political label these days, Keith is a prime example of what it looks like to simply love and respect your country— no division necessary. And while this may not be the best example of that, I can’t help but bring up Gilbert and Keith’s goofiest collaboration track yet alongside HARDY, where the trio pokes fun at every anti-country stereotype with a parody song.
In the song, they say that we should “change the American flag” and “stick a fork in the constitution.” If you need a good laugh watching the three singers dance around with Kim Jong-un, Putin, Barack Obama, Hilary and Bill Clinton and Trump…it’s quite the watch.
And while you’re at it, pull out those leftover fireworks and stream “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” for one final patriotic celebration as July wraps up.