The country music community is still mourning the late, great Toby Keith after he passed away on February 5 due to a tumultuous battle with stomach cancer. With a great deal of tributes that tugged on our heartstrings — from country superstars like Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Koe Wetzel and more — as well as a posthumous induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, it is safe to say that Keith is gone but never forgotten, with a forthcoming tribute concert confirming just how special of a country music star he actually was.
At Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday (July 29th), some of the biggest names in the genre — Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, The War and Treaty, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson and more — will gather to celebrate the “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” singer with a special show called Toby Keith: American Icon, just in time for Independence Day.
The news was announced via Toby Keith’s official Instagram account today (June 26): “Celebrate “Toby Keith: American Icon” at Bridgestone Arena on July 29th featuring Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, The War and Treaty, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson and more! Tickets on sale Friday at 10am CT at tobykeith.com.”
Naturally, country music lovers were touched by this forthcoming tribute — as well as the fact that Keith’s love for the United States was taken into account — taking to the comment section of the post to express their excitement:
“Gonna be an awesome night!!!! A proper party for The Big Dog Daddy!!!”
“Proud that y’all are keeping Toby alive through his music and what he was passionate about. Keep the music of this great entertainer alive where other generations can enjoy his love and talent forever.”
“He deserves this well, and beyond!”
While fans wish that Toby Keith: American Icon would be televised, those who wish to attend in person can purchase their tickets on Friday at 10am CT HERE.
To top things off, the ticket sales will benefit The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral. For those who are unfamiliar, the Toby Keith Foundation was started in 2006, and the OK Kids Korral is “a cost-free home for families of children dealing with critical illnesses,” similar to the Ronald McDonald house. This time around, the funds will go towards Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University, one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals and the top rated in the Southeast.
While it is unclear what exactly the evening will entail, with a star-studded lineup singing for a great cause, we are certain that it will be a night to remember.