The late Toby Keith‘s children knew they had been in for an emotional night time on the 2024 CMT Music Awards the place their father was honored on Sunday, April 7.
“It means quite a bit. It’s our first actually public look, public outing, and so it’s very bittersweet,” Shelley Covel Rowland, Toby’s eldest little one, completely informed Us Weekly on the CMT Awards purple carpet in Austin. “It’s going to be emotional. We’re doing our greatest to maintain the tears in now, make it via this line of cameras.”
Shelley, 44, walked the purple carpet with sister Krystal Keith and brother Stelen Keith Covel earlier than Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Sammy Hagar and extra gathered on stage on the Moody Middle to pay tribute to Toby, who died in February at age 62 after battling abdomen most cancers.
“That is an award present that we got here to fairly a bit and we’ve all the time include him, so that is our first time being right here with out him, however he’s being honored, so we really feel like he’s right here,” Krystal, 38, shared. “We’re excited to listen to his music, despite the fact that he’s not the one singing it. However we’re actually honored that Brooks & Dunn and Sammy and Lainey have come to honor him on this means. So we’re actually excited.”
Krystal Keith, Shelley Covel Rowland and Stelen Keith Covel Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Photos for CMT
Stelen bought to speak to the performers briefly earlier than the efficiency, however he didn’t focus a lot on their present. As a substitute, they simply targeted on sharing their reminiscences of Toby. “[I got to] discuss to them nearly what he meant to them and vice versa,” Stelen informed Us. “I bought to relay the identical again, and so we’re actually excited to be right here for them to see them carry out.”
Krystal famous that listening to how their father impacted individuals has left them blown away within the months since his demise.
The 2024 CMT Music Awards took over Texas, which suggests fan-favorite nation stars flocked to the purple carpet. The most important names of the style introduced their style A-game to Austin’s Moody Middle on Sunday, April 7. We’re speaking flirty frocks, glamorous robes, trendy fits — paired with daring hair, fierce make-up and equipment to recollect. […]
“We knew that he was an unimaginable artist. We knew he was an unimaginable songwriter. We knew he had an enormous fan base, however what we didn’t — I believe what took us abruptly was the outpouring from the group and the trade,” she defined. “Folks that we’ve recognized for thus a few years and people who we’ve by no means met, however telling us tales in regards to the impression that he had on them, and I believe that speaks volumes to who he was to not simply the trade however this, I imply the whole nation music household and all of the individuals on this trade.”
Toby Keith Tribute Rick Kern/Getty Photos for CMT
Retired athlete Roger Clemens mentioned he needed to honor the household when he took the stage. “I’m going to attempt to acknowledge them too … [I’m] simply attempting to remain upbeat,” Clemens, 76, informed Us on the purple carpet. “We miss him.”
Toby Keith cemented himself as considered one of nation music’s most legendary stars earlier than his 2024 demise. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Keith bought his begin taking part in in native bars as a member of the Straightforward Cash Band. Later taking his skills to Nashville, Keith signed his first file deal and launched his debut single, “Ought to’ve […]
Clemens gave the youngsters and mother Tricia Lucus, who was married to Toby for practically 40 years, a shout-out because the tribute concluded. “Thanks for sharing your dad with all of us,” Clemens mentioned as he held again tears. “Thanks. Tricia, we love you. Thanks for sharing your husband with the world Tricia, thanks.”
