Country music legend Toby Keith delighted followers on the People’s Choice Country Awards with a tear-jerking efficiency amid his years-long battle with abdomen cancer that saved him away from the highlight.
Before Keith hit the stage on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville Thursday night time, the nation legend gave an update on his well being and the battle he in contrast to a “curler coaster.”
“I really feel fairly good,” Keith, 62, told E! News. “It’s somewhat little bit of a curler coaster. You get good days and, you realize, you’re up and down, up and down. It’s all the time zero to 60 and 60 to zero however I really feel good as we speak.”
Keith performed his track “Don’t Let the Old Man In” from Clint Eastwood’s 2018 film “The Mule” — donning a easy black jacket with white cowboy and button-up.
The “Beer for My Horse” singer selected the track as a result of it was “becoming” for the followers he helped to encourage throughout his cancer battle.
“I’ve been going by way of my cancer battle for the final couple of years and it’s actually inspiring for lots of people,” Keith instructed NBC in the course of the award ceremonies pre-show occasion.
“Coming again on TV for the primary time and performing live in entrance of a live viewers, I assumed it was becoming.”
Keith shared in June 2022 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer within the fall of 2021.
Keith reached new heights in his immensely profitable profession on Thursday when he obtained the first-ever Country Icon Award.
“Looking on the movies and seeing 30 years, all of the stuff we’ve amassed over these years (it’s) fairly loopy as a result of it actually glided by quick as a result of I’m working on a regular basis,” Keith instructed the outlet.
Being honored for his contributions to nation music, fellow nation star Blake Shelton kicked off the tribute to his senior musician and carried out Keith’s track, “Who’s Your Daddy?”
Shelton then pointed to Keith — inflicting the viewers to erupt in a thunderstorm of cheers and applause — earlier than directing the group to view a video montage celebrating his legacy.
Following the montage with some variety phrases and the way a lot he admires Keith, the “Red Solo Cup” musician took the stage to settle for the inaugural award.
“I would like to thank the almighty for permitting me to be right here tonight,” the musician stated, including that his Lord and Savior has been “using shotgun for a short while” with him over his profession.
Sending thanks to his “stunning” household and staff, Keith shared how he couldn’t have gotten to the place he is on his personal.
“Everybody that’s all behind this factor. All the nice musicians which have performed on all these albums, within the studios, they’ve poured their coronary heart and soul into what I do.”
But, the musician had a particular thanks to those that made him the icon he is as we speak, saying, “Most of all, I would like to thank the followers for nonetheless permitting us to do what we do.”
In June, Keith shared he was “feeling pretty good,” revealing that the tumor in his abdomen had shrunk by a 3rd, and his blood exams appeared promising.
“Basically, every thing is in an actual optimistic pattern… [but] you by no means know with cancer, so you may have to put together,” he instructed The Oklahoman on the time.
“I’ve obtained extra wind. And I’m fascinated with bringing the band in and establishing, taking part in two or three days someplace, simply to see if I can get by way of two hours.”
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