The all-American country singer Toby Keith peacefully died the night of Feb. 5th. Keith announced his stomach cancer diagnosis in 2022 and had been fighting cancer for two years, alongside his family. 

Born and raised in Clinton, Oklahoma, Keith’s music career launched his debut record “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” in 1993. Since then he has had 32 no. 1 hit singles and a total of 40 million albums sold. Keith’s music is known for reflecting on his post-9/11 life as well as songs about his love life. Throughout his cancer treatments, he continued to perform at events such as the People’s Choice Country Awards and in Las Vegas this past December, which was his last performance ever. 

Vienna Lucido, a junior at Huntington Beach High School said, “’Courtesy of the Red White and Blue,’ just gives a sense of what patriotism means and how devoted Toby was as an American.”

Keith was known for his patriotic persona as he recognized the men and women who served and fought in the armed forces before each of his performances. He followed this theme by waving the American flag on set, a popular trend with all country artists during the early 2000s.  

Tatianna Todd, a junior at Huntington Beach High School said, “I have always liked country music and grew up listening to it. My whole family loves [Keith’s] music and a few of them were fortunate enough to meet him multiple times and they always said he was a really kind man.”  

Keith has worked with Ally’s House non-profit cancer organization in Oklahoma. In 2006, he started the Toby Keith Foundation which provided no-cost housing for children fighting cancer. Toby Keith will always be remembered for his songs, kindness toward others, and his devotion to those who fought for America.