Toby Keith’s Legacy of Patriotism Continues to be Celebrated
Published
Toby Keith’s Legacy of Patriotism
Continues to be Celebrated
National Medal of Honor Museum and Catch A Lift Fund
Honor Award-winning, Singer-songwriter’s Service to U.S. Military
Shown here at one of the many FOB’s (Forward Operating Base) where Toby and Scotty Emerick are able to put on a simple acoustics show that provides a much more intimate show for the gathered soldiers.
A strong supporter of our troops, the native Oklahoman previously traveled to Africa, Cuba, Belgium, Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Italy, Germany and numerous times to Iraq and Afghanistan for the USO. KeithÕs devotion becomes even clearer when listening to some of his most popular tracks including ÒAmerican Soldier.Ó
USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY
(Norman, Okla.) Singer-songwriter, and entertainer Toby Keith closed out his live concert events by saying “never apologize for being patriotic.” And his legacy continues that sentiment as his music served in the grand opening of the National Medal of Honor Museum last month, and he will be celebrated as the Catch A Lift Fund establishes the Toby Keith Patriot Award.
On March 22, with permission from the Keith family, the playing of a live-recorded version of Toby’s No. 1 hit song “American Soldier” was a highlight of the National Medal of Honor Museum’s opening ceremony drone and fireworks show in Arlington, Texas. The profound lyrics of the song exemplifies what the Medal of Honor recognizes as the nation’s highest military award, which is “conferred only upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” (U.S. Department of Defense).
On April 29, Catch A Lift Fund will present its inaugural Toby Keith Patriot Award at their 6th Annual Northern Virginia Benefit held at the prestigious Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia. Working with the Keith family, Cath A Lift Fund (whose mission is to help combat-injured Veterans heal through fitness, wellness, and community support) will present the award annually to an outstanding supporter of the organization —someone whose commitment to Veterans reflects the very essence of service, patriotism, and unity that Keith lived by.
Throughout his life and career, Keith’s 11 USO Tours enhanced the lives of nearly 256,000 troops and military families across 18 countries with more than 285 events, and was recognized with the Spirit of the USO Award (2014). He had also written songs about the military’s service men and women, and with Memorial Day and July 4 approaching, some of his biggest patriotic hits are sure to feature prominently on radio and personal playlists. To that end, the six-song America EP centers around themes Keith holds dear, and is available digitally here: https://tobykeith.lnk.to/America
America track list:
1. Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)
2. Should’ve Been A Cowboy
3. American Soldier
4. As Good As I Once Was
5. I Love This Bar
6. Beer For My Horses
About Toby Keith
Bursting on to the country music scene with his solo-penned first single “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” Toby Keith began stacking hits through a succession of label permutations, all of which built to the Sept. 1, 2005 launch of his own label, Show Dog Nashville. Keith released 14 albums during that final phase of his career, cementing his place as one of the most prolific self-directed creative forces in country’s modern era. All in, Keith amassed 42 top 10 hits, 33 No. 1s, more than 44 million albums sold, 100 million BMI performances, and more than 10 billion streams largely on the strength of his own songwriting and producing. He was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame shortly before his passing in February. Among his many accomplishments, 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) were his most treasured.
-30-
