While Roger Clemens leads the crowd to raise a red solo cup in honor of the late musician, the likes of Brooks and Dunn, Lainey Wilson and Sammy Hagar dedicate their performances of his hit singles.
- Apr 8, 2024
AceShowbiz - Toby Keith was honored with an apt tribute at the 2024 CMT Music Awards. Just as the show almost came to an end, it put on a little remembrance of the country music star with a toast led by Roger Clemens.
The former MLB player, who was on hand as presenter at the Sunday, April 7 ceremony, was onstage joined by other celebrities with red solo cups in their hands. Toby's photo was displayed in a large screen behind them before the athlete gave the instructions to the audience.
The former baseball pitcher told everyone in the venue to raise their red solo cups. "Let Toby hear you. Repeat after me. Whiskey for my men. And beer for my horses," he said. After the crowd repeated his words, he then gave a cue to drink, "Let's go," before people took a sip from their own cups.
Besides the toast, Toby was honored with performances of his hit singles that night. Brooks & Dunn delivered a cover of Toby's "Should've Been a Cowboy". Lainey Wilson honored the 62-year-old singer/songwriter with "How Do You Like Me Now?!" performance, and Sammy Hagar dedicated his cover of "I Love This Bar" to the late musician.
Toby announced his stomach cancer diagnosis at the end of 2021 after undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and surgery for the past six months. He said that his battle with cancer had been "pretty debilitating" in a December 2022 press release.
The "Love Me If You Can" hitmaker died in his sleep in Oklahoma on February 5 following a two-year battle with cancer. In March, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, having been elected just hours after his death. He is survived by his wife Tricia Lucus and their three children.
