Trace Adkins shared a heartfelt tribute to Toby Keith, reflecting on their many years of touring together and the profound impact Keith had through his patriotism in the two-hour NBC special, Toby Keith: American Icon. 

Adkins was friends with Keith for many years and they often toured together, so he was one artist who truly knew Toby Keith and the man he was behind the scenes. Before his deeply moving and emotional performance of “American Solider” in honor of Keith and his longtime commitment to the military, Adkins took a moment to recall the powerful message that Keith delivered at the end of each one of his live performances.

“I’ve known Toby for a long time and we toured together several times over the years, doing a lot of shows. I just remember that every show he did, the last thing he said before he walked off the stage was, ‘Never apologize for being patriotic.’ He said it every night,” Adkins pointed out.  “And I knew when he was saying it that it was a challenge to the rest of us but also a glimpse into who Toby Keith was because, my God, he believed that.”

As someone who completed 11 USO Tours, performing in front of 256,000 troops and military families across 18 countries with more than 285 events, Keith practiced what he preached and Adkins applauded him for it.

“The love and respect he had for the men and women who have served this country was deeply ingrained. It was profound, genuine, and real. I always respected him so much for that,” he said in his deep, baritone voice. “I could talk all night about Toby, but I’ll just say that I was proud to have known him and called him a friend. Thanks, Toby, we miss you.”

Moments later, Trace Adkins delivered a chilling performance of “American Solider.” Throughout his performance, images of Toby Keith and his many USO Tours appeared on the screen behind him. It was certainly an emotional moment and a standout performance of  Toby Keith: American Icon.

“American Solider” was written by Keith and Chuck Cannon and was released in November 2003. It appears on hi Shock’n Y’all album and is certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Trace Adkins was just one of the country superstars who dropped everything to honor the late Toby Keith. The two-hour special also included performances and special appearances from Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Scotty Emerick, Brett Favre, Brantley Gilbert, Riley Green, HARDY, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Krystal Keith, Ella Langley, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Leanne Morgan, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker, and Lainey Wilson.

In addition to an array of musical performances spotlighting Keith’s incredible music and songwriter, Keith’s compassion and philanthropy were also highlighted throughout the special as the event supported Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral. Families from both organizations appeared to share their stories of receiving vital care and support during their most challenging times.

Toby Keith: American Icon aired on Wednesday, August 28 at 9 pm ET/PT on NBC. The show will be available to stream the following day on Peacock.

Country music legend Toby Keith passed away on February 5, 2024, following a battle with stomach cancer. Throughout his career, he earned an impressive 32 No.1 singles and sold a whopping 40 million albums.

It’s no surprise that he is regarded as one of country music’s biggest hitmakers after earning a chart-topping hit every year for 20 consecutive years, including “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American),” “I Love This Bar,” “Beer For My Horses,” and “As Good As I Once Was.”

He is a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, he’s been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (following his induction into the all-genre Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015), and has been honored with the Academy of Country Music’s esteemed Merle Haggard Spirit Award.

Throughout his career, the Oklahoma native received the BMI Icon Award as well as the BMI Country Songwriter of the Year award three times, and his hit single “As Good As I Once Was” was awarded BMI’s Country Song of the Year in 2006.

Toby Keith’s music has garnered more than 10 billion streams and 100 million terrestrial radio spins to date.