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'59th ACM Awards 2024': Jason Aldean's emotional tribute to Toby Keith leaves fans in tears

Jason Aldean performed a stirring performance to Toby Keith's song leaving viewers in awe at the '59th ACM Awards 2024'

FRISCO, TEXAS: Jason Aldean has recently paid an emotional tribute to late country singer Toby Keith at the 59th ACM Awards 2024. The moving tribute notably left the viewers in tears. Aldean delivered a stirring performance on a ballad version of Keith's 1993 breakout hit 'Should've Been a Cowboy'.

The country singer was accompanied by a couple of acoustic guitarists and the audience could be heard singing along to the song's famous chorus. In the background, a montage showed black-and-white photos of Keith onstage and with his family.

The camera then panned around to show audience members and they were seen wiping tears away during the acoustic performance. Aldean received a round of applause as he concluded the performance noting, "We love you, Toby."

The viewers were left in awe over Aldean's beautiful tribute to Keith. A social media user tweeted, "Now this is how you do a dang tribute! @Jason_Aldean you did a beautiful job covering @tobykeith." Another person added, "Awesome tribute to @tobykeith by @Jason_Aldean on the #ACMAwards."

Another viewer noted, "Beautiful performance by @Jason_Aldean tonight in honor of @tobykeith I’m crying." Another X user wrote, "That was a great tribute to @tobykeith! Thank you!"

Another fan said, "I just cried the whole song. Thanks @Jason_Aldean #ACMAwards #RIPTobyKeith@ACMawards If you never listened to Toby's music. Get in tuned!" Another follower stated, "A very touching tribute to #TobyKeith from @Jason_Aldean performing 'Should’ve Been A Cowboy!'"

Jason Aldean reveals advice Toby Keith gave him

Jason Aldean has recently reflected on a piece of inspiring advice that he received from the late singer Toby Keith. Ahead of the ACM Awards 2024, Aldean gushed about Keith in an interview with Fox News. The country singer noted that Keith was a 'guy that a lot of us looked up to.'

He elaborated, "For me personally, he was a guy that I feel like... just always spoke his mind." Aldean added, "He said what he thought, whether it was the popular opinion or not. And it wasn't, you know, it didn't always go well for him, and he didn't care."

Aldean further revealed he learned from the late singer to "never apologize for being patriotic. Just being not afraid to speak your mind, stand up for what you believe in. Whether other people agree with it or not, be who you are and be unapologetic about it. And I think that's pretty good advice."

Blake Shelton pays tribute to his late friend Toby Keith at the ACM Awards 2024

Just before Jason Aldean's touching homage to Toby Keith, Blake Shelton paid tribute to his late friend at the ACM Awards 2024. During the star-studded event, Shelton said, "As a friend, a fan, and a fellow Okie, I feel heartbroken and yet honored to be standing here tonight to remember a man who became one of the biggest country music stars of all time: the late, great Toby Keith."

Shelton also listed some of the 14-time ACM Award winner's career accomplishments. He then told the audience that Keith had also been a "loving husband" and "proud father." The country singer said, "Toby was a great friend to me, and he was a real straight-shooter who was larger than life, and he always would shoot you straight right to the very end of his brave ride that ended way too soon."

How did country singer Toby Keith die?

Country legend Toby Keith died on February 5, 2024, following a lengthy battle with stomach cancer. He was 62. He announced in June 2022 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. Keith claimed that the illness was "debilitating".

Throughout his cancer treatments, Keith continued to perform. His most recent gig was in Las Vegas in December. He also performed on the People's Choice Country Awards in 2023 as he sang his song 'Don't Let the Old Man In'. Before his massive singing career, Keith worked as a derrick hand in the oil fields of Oklahoma as a young man, then played semi-pro football.

Catch the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards on Prime Video