Hearts are breaking all over the world today. After hearing of the passing of country superstar Toby Keith, following a long, brave battle with stomach cancer, I can’t help but feel honored to have known him, in some small way. He braved a 2 year battle with stomach cancer oin me here in remembering Toby Keith through interviews, shows and his love for Boston.
I have always felt some connection to this hard working, talented artist. We both started in country music at the same time. His first single was released in 1993, and I started my job here in 1993. We played his first song, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” from day one, and thousands of more times. I’ll never forget the first time I met him and how intimated I felt with his large presence and big personality. He used his size and wit to put you a little on edge, and then reel you in with his humor. You couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious at times.
Favorite Interview
People have often asked me, over the years, “who is your favorite interview?” I am quick to jump to the answer: Toby Keith. The reason I can easily throw his name out is because of his honesty. Talking to Toby you knew you’d get a straight- from- the- gut answer, whether you liked it or not. He didn’t sugar coat anything and he enjoyed keeping me on my toes. I was always up for the challenge.
I’ve interviewed Toby in person, more than any other artist. Which is a true testament to his accessibility and my fandom. I never wanted to miss a show or a chance to speak with the Big Dog Daddy so he could “keep me on my toes.” I will certainly miss our chats, the shows and the obvious love he showed for Boston. Rest in peace, Mr. Keith.
Below, I will share some of my favorite photos, memories and pieces of interviews.
Talking Toby
Honestly, I’ve lost count at the number of times I talked to Toby Keith. But, I can tell you that when it was in person, he always preferred to be interviewed in his environment, which was his tricked-out tour bus. It was impressive. He’d be seated on the couch along the window and invite me to sit, usually in a demanding voice. “Have a seat, will ya?” I believe it was his way of easing my nerves by joking around, but you couldn’t tell. Was he kidding or did he just wanted to get the interview over with? I came to learn, that was his sense of humor. Toby was always available for an interview before a show, that doesn’t always happen.
(Btw, his daughter Krystal Keith took this photo of us on his bus)Boston- "It's My Kind of People"
When chatting with Toby Keith in 2006 he declared his love and surprise at the way Boston had embraced him. Listen here as Toby says, “I had no idea when I first got in this business that a place like Boston, I mean, hanging out with the Patriots at Super Bowls and Mr. Kraft…and all the fans up there. I ended up playing there at Gillette Stadium, and playing all those Boston shows…it’s just grown to be one of my favorite shows in the world. It’s in my top 5, I guarantee it. I LOVE to come to Boston. It’s my kind of people.”
We also chat about him headling our festival at the “Tweeter Center” (now Xfinity Center). That’s how long ago this was.
"Toby Paid For This House"
I love sharing the story of me trying to convince my young children to be country fans. I would play our station and my son, Jake, would ask me to change it. He wanted hip hop or pop. I told him, “You have to listen to country. ” I mean Toby Keith paid for this car you are in and this house you call home.” We get a chuckle out of it now. He became a big country fan and and even bigger Toby Keith fan. His first concert was getting a bus load of kids to go see Toby when he was probably 15 years old.
Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill
Keith had such a connection with the Boston area, he even opened one of his restaurants here. Remember Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill at Patriot Place in Foxboro? It’s now 6 String Grill & St age. But back in 2011, we were there for the grand opening. And so was Jonathon Kraft. Toby didn’t play the show, but his friend Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn did. They used to have a cardboard stand up of the big man at the front entrance for photo ops.
Perhaps You Didn't Know
Toby Keith did a lot of nice things for a lot of people without fanfare. In our conversation from 2011, regarding the grand opening of his Bar & Grill in Foxboro, he told me the reason he couldn’t be there was because of a charity event for kids with cancer. His foundation was building a children’s lodge in Oklahoma City (his home city) for kids with cancer. They had a auction coming up that he couldn’t miss. Listen to him talk about it here:
Did you know he worked in oil fields before music. His grandmother owned a “supper club” that featured live music and that’s how he came to want to be a musician. He coached his son Stelan’s high school football team? Toby started his own record label, Show Dog Nashville with Scott Borchetta (who went on to start Big Machine Label Group). He had a line of clothing, bars and a very long line of fans who will seriously miss him. Let’s not forget the countless USO tours for our troops and always, always supporting the men and women of our military. He was a big man with an even bigger heart.
And Toby was always up for a photo, no matter how silly the request.
