When Toby Keith passed away at the age of 62 on Feb. 5, 2024, the country music industry lost one of its living legends.
As a recording artist and performer, Toby Keith built a career without parallel. The 10 billion streams, 100 million radio plays and 44 million albums sold are indications of just how far his music reached, as was writing a No. 1 single and achieving a top-drawing tour every year for more than two decades.
Among his most treasured accomplishments were the New York-based all-genre Songwriters Hall of Fame (2015), the National Medal of Arts (2021), the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (2021), and BMI Icon (2022). Most recently, Keith was named to the Class of 2024, Country Music Hall of Fame—country music’s highest honor. He will be inducted posthumously during a Medallion Ceremony on Oct. 20.
In addition, his many business interests, from his owned and operated record label, golf course and Luck E Strike tackle company to restaurants, movies, horses and a long-running association with Ford Trucks, explain how in 2013 Keith was named “Country's $500 Million Man” by Forbes.
But locally, Keith—who was born in Clinton, raised in Moore and anchored in Norman—left his indelible mark in more ways than his music and songwriting talent or business acumen.
Keith’s annual golf classics fund the Toby Keith Foundation (TobyKeithFoundation.org) and OK Kids Korral, a cost-free home for families of children dealing with a cancer diagnosis. The 19th installment of the charity event raised a record $1.8 million, bringing its all-total to nearly $18 million.
“I remember when I first started with the foundation 17 years ago. Someone said to me that nonprofits with a celebrity figurehead don't last long because the person loses interest or other priorities take precedence,” said Juliet Nees-Bright, executive director of the Toby Keith Foundation.
“Nothing could be further from the truth with Toby. He and (wife) Tricia brought me on board and when we needed them, they were always there. Toby was full of ideas and resources, and yet, he was the perfect boss because he trusted us all to do our jobs.”
Nees-Bright added, “Toby decided to create a cost-free home for children battling cancer because one of his original band members had a daughter who benefited from similar services while she was receiving treatment at St. Jude's.
“He had the dream of the Korral, created the board, named the facility and hosted his annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic for 19 years. Those proceeds have successfully funded the operations of our 25,000-square-foot facility. Everything inside the Korral is free of charge, from lodging to laundry. That was Toby's vision, and his efforts made it possible.”
Nees-Bright recalled Toby recently remarking, “It’s my best gift I've ever given to the world" when talking about OK Kids Korral.
“What an amazing statement!” she exclaimed. “His music has touched millions, but the Korral has changed lives. The home-away-from-home he created brings joy and comfort and hope. There is nothing more beautiful.”
Keith’s local philanthropic efforts also included Ally’s House, a nonprofit group that helps Oklahoma children with cancer and their families, which was founded in 2004 and is named for Allison Webb, the 2-year-old daughter of Scott Webb, one of the country star's original bandmates. Allison died Aug. 6, 2003, a month before her third birthday.
Shortly after Keith’s passing, Ally’s House Executive Director Linda Webb issued the following statement:
"Today we mourn the loss of Toby Keith, without whom Ally's House would not have begun 20 years ago. His incredible talent, compassion and patriotism will be his legacy. Ally loved Toby, as did the entire Webb family, and we salute the man and friend he was. We pray for his family and will be forever grateful for his huge heart. Godspeed, Toby."
And in 2013, when a tornado ravaged his hometown, Keith was the face of the community and helped shoulder the cleanup with the OK Twister Relief Concert.
The impact made by this extraordinary singer, songwriter, musician, producer, entertainer, entrepreneur, humanitarian, Oklahoman and patriot will be profoundly felt for decades to come.
To learn more and/or to make a gift to the Toby Keith Foundation, visit TobyKeithFoundation.org or call 405.271.6552. Volunteers are also needed for cooking groups or groups that would like to sponsor a meal. In addition, because their clientele has weakened immune systems, the nonprofit is always in need of cleaning. Visit their website for details.