Introduction
Toby Keith Covel (July 8, 1961 – February 5, 2024) rose from humble Oklahoma roots to become one of the most iconic voices in country music. Born in Clinton, Oklahoma, he discovered his passion for music at his grandmother’s supper club in Fort Smith, Arkansas, sneaking away to hear bands as early as age eleven . After moving to Moore, Oklahoma, he balanced high school football and creative writing—skills that would later define his storytelling songwriting .
Before he hit the charts, Keith worked in oil fields and played semi-pro football for the Oklahoma City Drillers. At age 20, he formed the Easy Money Band, performing locally while sustaining himself through day jobs in the oil industry . Determined to pursue music full-time, he moved to Nashville and busked until he secured a record deal.
Breakthrough came in 1993 with his debut single, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” which soared to number one on the Billboard Hot Country charts and became the decade’s most-played country song . Over the years, he released 19 studio albums, sold over 40 million records, and scored 20 number-one hits—earning him a spot in the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame (2005) and eventually the Country Music Hall of Fame posthumously .
Well known for anthems blending patriotism (“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”) with rowdy barroom energy (“Red Solo Cup”), Keith also built a business empire, launching Show Dog Nashville and later Show Dog–Universal and co-founding Big Machine Records—a label instrumental in Taylor Swift’s rise . He opened the “I Love This Bar & Grill” restaurant chain and founded music-industry and charitable initiatives, particularly through the OK Kids Korral for pediatric cancer patients .
In June 2022, he revealed a stomach cancer diagnosis and continued performing until his passing on February 5, 2024, at 62. His funeral was held privately in mid-February for close family and crew, with a public memorial later announced . While there was initial confusion about his burial location—including a cenotaph at Sunset Memorial Park—the Keith family clarified he was privately interred in a cemetery near his Norman, Oklahoma, home . Fans across the world continue to visit both the cenotaph and the private site, seeking connection with the beloved country legend.