Five months later, the country music world is still reeling from the loss of Toby Keith.
The Oklahoma native broke through the country charts with his 1993 hit “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” From there, he became one of Nashville’s most celebrated, racking up 20 No. 1 hits and an additional 22 Top 10 singles. Keith’s career was still going strong when he died in February after a two-year battle with stomach cancer. The singer would have turned 63 Monday (July 8.) And his daughter took to Instagram to raise a virtual “Red Solo Cup” for her father.
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“We Miss Him Like Crazy”: Toby Keith’s Daughter Honors Her Dad
On Monday (July 8), Krystal Keith posted a picture of her dad in what some might call his natural state. The grinning country star faithfully reps his beloved Oklahoma Sooners as he holds up a card that reads, “Keep smiling.”
“Happy Birthday to our Popster,” wrote the singer-songwriter. “We miss him like crazy. Playin’ it sweet in heaven today.”
Fans shared in Krystal’s grief on this sad “first” birthday without the legendary Toby Keith. Many left their own tributes to the “How Do You Like Me Now” singer in the comments. “He is missed so much by your family, fans & friends. We know he was one of the best all time Country Artist & the best performers,” one Instagram user wrote. “I’m sure he’s playing sweet music in heaven and will be raising the ‘Red Solo Cup.’”
Another wrote, “What a great picture Krystal! Your Dad is enormously missed by all his fans but much more by you and your family. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. I know my son and I will be cranking up some Toby tunes today.”
Toby Reaches Another Posthumous Milestone
Even in the wake of his death, Toby Keith’s music career continues to thrive. In February, his 2019 song “Don’t Let The Old Man In” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales Chart. The next month, Toby Keith was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The country star’s 2008 greatest hits compilation, 35 Biggest Hits, shot to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for the first time in the days following his death. As of Monday (July 8), the album had spent 156 weeks on the chart.
