Toby Keith died from stomach cancer at 62
Fans of country music and musicians are mourning the loss of the beloved country star Toby Keith, with heartfelt tributes pouring in for the singer known for hits like “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.”
As a longstanding figure in country music, Keith’s influence spans decades. Following his passing, an old video from a Nashville news station in 2005 has regained attention, featuring a teenage Taylor Swift praising Keith just months before her debut album was released.
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Keith, who held a significant stake in Big Machine Records, Swift’s former label, reportedly supported the Pennsylvania native early in her career.
“I remember being in the room with him, and you could feel it. There was this power, and you just thought, ‘Oh my God,'” Swift shared with Nashville’s WSMV. “I don’t think I’ll ever reach a point where I see him and don’t think, ‘Oh my God, that’s Toby Keith!'”
Keith parted ways with Big Machine in 2006 but retained equity in the company. Swift had a contentious departure from the label in 2018, following an agreement to part company. Scott Borchetta, Big Machine’s CEO, subsequently sold the company to Scooter Braun in 2019, granting Braun the rights to Swift’s first six albums.
In 2015, when Keith was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Swift referenced her humble beginnings and Keith’s influence in a congratulatory video featuring numerous celebrities.
“Hey Toby! It’s Taylor! Remember me? Last time you saw me I was like 15, with crazy curly long hair. I wore cowboy boots and prom dresses everywhere. A lot has changed in the last 10 years, but you introduced me at Country Radio Seminar back in 2005, and I wanted to say thank you for doing that,” she said.
“And congratulations on your induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. So, in the words of a great Toby Keith song,” she said, raising a small shot solo cup, “How do you like me now?”
The music industry was shocked on Tuesday by the announcement of Keith’s death. Battling stomach cancer since 2022, the musician succumbed to his illness on Feb. 5. “He fought his battle with grace and courage,” read a statement on his social media pages, noting that the 62-year-old was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing.