Toby Keith is preserving his spirits excessive amid his combat in opposition to most cancers.
The 62-year-old nation star stepped out on Sept. 28 to attend the inaugural Folks’s Alternative Nation Awards on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Keith, wearing a black swimsuit with a white button-up and cowboy hat, posed for pictures with spouse Tricia Lucus whereas on the crimson carpet earlier than sharing a well being replace.
“I really feel fairly good,” Keith, who was recognized with abdomen most cancers within the fall of 2021, instructed E! Information. “It’s just a little little bit of a curler coaster. You get good days and, , you’re up and down, up and down. It’s at all times zero to 60 and 60 to zero however I really feel good at present.”
It’s a giant evening for the “Ought to’ve Been a Cowboy” crooner. He acquired the primary Nation Icon Award in the course of the ceremony.
Keith additionally took the stage to carry out “Don’t Let the Previous Man In” from Clint Eastwood’s film “The Mule.” When requested on the crimson carpet why he selected that particular tune to sing, he replied that it needed to do along with his most cancers battle.
“Effectively, primarily as a result of I’ve been going via my most cancers combat for the final couple of years and it’s actually inspiring for lots of people,” he mentioned throughout NBC’s pre-show occasion. “And coming again on TV for the primary time and performing reside in entrance of a reside viewers, I believed it was becoming.”
As for being acknowledged in the course of the telecast, he added that it’s “very nice” to obtain the glory.
“Wanting on the movies and seeing 30 years, all of the stuff we’ve amassed over these years (it is) fairly loopy as a result of it actually glided by quick as a result of I’m working on a regular basis,” he mentioned.
The tribute to the nation singer began with Blake Shelton performing Keith’s tune, “Who’s Your Daddy?”
“Have a look all people, the primary ever Nation Icon. Mr. Toby Keith,” Shelton mentioned after his efficiency, as he pointed to Keith, who was standing up and clapping. A video montage was then proven, celebrating his profession and legacy.
After just a few sort and humorous phrases by Shelton about how a lot he admires Keith, the celebrated singer took the stage to just accept the award.
“I need to thank the almighty for permitting me to be right here tonight,” Keith started. “We’ve been driving shotgun for a short while.”
He went on to thank his “stunning” household. “Lots of people go in and make it a giant profession like this for 30 years,” he mentioned, thanking his workforce “and all people that’s all behind this factor. All the good musicians which have performed on all these albums, within the studios, they’ve poured their coronary heart and soul into what I do. And most of all, I need to thank the followers for nonetheless permitting us to do what we do.”
Keith’s spouse turned emotional throughout his efficiency as he sang lyrics about rising older.
“And I knew all of my life/ That sometime it will finish
Stand up and go outdoors/Don’t let the outdated man in
Many moons I’ve lived/My physique’s weathered and worn
Ask your self how would you be/In the event you didn’t know the day you had been born,”he sang.
In June, Keith shared an replace on his well being, telling “The Oklahoman” that the tumor in his abdomen had shrunk by a 3rd and his blood exams seemed good.
