Trace Adkins Reflects on Toby Keith’s Patriotic Legacy, Delivering an Emotional Rendition of ‘American Soldier’

Adkins said, quoting Keith, “Never apologize for being patriotic,” from the platform.

On July 29, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, Trace Adkins takes the stage at Bridgestone Arena. Image courtesy of Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Universal Music Group

In the two-hour NBC program Toby Keith: American Icon, Trace Adkins paid a moving homage to Toby Keith, recalling their many years of traveling together and the significant influence Keith had via his patriotism.

Adkins was one of the few artists that really know Toby Keith and the man behind the scenes, having been friends with Keith for many years and going on tours with. Adkins paused to remember the poignant message that Keith conveyed at the conclusion of each of his live performances before giving an incredibly emotional and beautiful rendition of “American Solider” in honor of Keith and his dedication to the military.

“I’ve known Toby for a very long time, and we did a lot of gigs together while on multiple tours together. I seem to recall that at the end of each performance he gave, he would always say, “Never apologize for being patriotic.” Every night, he said that, Adkins noted. And since, my God, he really did believe that, I realized while he was saying it that it was both a challenge to the rest of us and a window into Toby Keith’s personality.

Keith lived what he preached, and Adkins praised him for it. Keith had undertaken 11 USO Tours, performing in front of 256,000 soldiers and military families in 18 nations at over 285 engagements.

“He had a deep-rooted love and respect for the men and women who have served this country.” It was real, authentic, and meaningful. With a rich, baritone voice, he remarked, “I always respected him so much for that.” “Toby is someone I could talk about all night, but for now I’ll just say that I’m glad I got to know him and call him a friend. We miss you, Toby. Thank you.

Trace Adkins performed “American Solider” in a terrifying manner a short while later. On the screen behind him, pictures of Toby Keith and his numerous USO Tours displayed during his performance. Toby Keith: American Icon gave a truly remarkable performance, and it was undoubtedly an emotional time.

Written by Keith and Chuck Cannon, “American Solider” was published in November 2003. It can be found on the album Hi Shock’n Y’all and has an RIAA Platinum certification.

Among the many famous country musicians that gave their all to pay tribute to the late Toby Keith was Trace Adkins. Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Scotty Emerick, Brett Favre, Brantley Gilbert, Riley Green, HARDY, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Krystal Keith, Ella Langley, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Leanne Morgan, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker, and Lainey Wilson were among the performers and special guests on the two-hour special.

The special featured a variety of musical performances that showcased Keith’s amazing songwriting and music, but it also emphasized his kindness and generosity by supporting The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Families from both groups seemed to tell the stories of how they were helped and supported when things were really hard.

NBC broadcast Toby Keith: American Icon on Wednesday, August 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The next day, Peacock will offer the episode for streaming.

On February 5, 2024, the legendary country music performer Toby Keith departed from this life due to stomach cancer. He had an astounding 32 No. 1 hits over his career and sold an astounding 40 million albums.

Given that he has achieved a chart-topping hit for 20 years running, including “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American),” “I Love This Bar,” “Beer For My Horses,” and “As Good As I Once Was,” it should come as no surprise that he is considered one of country music’s biggest hitmakers.

In addition to being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (after being admitted into the all-genre Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015), he has been awarded the National Medal of Arts and the prestigious Merle Haggard Spirit Award by the Academy of Country Music.

The Oklahoma native won three BMI Country Songwriter of the Year awards over his career in addition to the BMI Icon Award. In 2006, his popular song “As Good As I Once Was” won BMI’s Country Song of the Year.

To date, Toby Keith’s music has received 100 million terrestrial radio spins and over 10 billion streaming.

NBA player R.J. Hampton has confessed in a new video that he hurt the mother of his child, leaving bruises. This admission has come as a big shock to many.

NBA G League player R.J. Hampton admitted on video that he left “bruises” on his ex, Tiffany Jeffcoat, who is the mother of his child.

On Monday, Jeffcoat, who has over 1.5 million followers on TikTok, posted a video of herself confronting Hampton. She said he was trying to take their 1-year-old son, Halo, from her while they were traveling.

In the video, Hampton can be heard yelling at Jeffcoat, saying, “Shut the f–k up talking to me, b–ch! Please!” as their son climbed near his feet. Hampton also said, “I don’t care if you got me on recording. I could care less.”

On Monday, the influencer shared a video of herself confronting the NBA first-round draft pick, claiming he was trying to “take” away their 1-year-old son, Halo.
tiff.jeffcoat/TikTok

Hampton, 23, said he was “afraid” Jeffcoat would accuse him of abusing her when he took their son.

Jeffcoat responded by reminding him that he had hurt her before. Hampton, who is 6-foot-4, got angry and told her, “Get the f–k outta here with that stupid stuff.”

She then reminded him that she has pictures of the bruises he allegedly left on her arms. Hampton seemed unbothered, saying no one would “care.”

Jeffcoat told him, “But they came from your hands.” Hampton responded, “Of course they did. Did I punch you? Did I slap you? So shut the f–k up!”

Jeffcoat replied, “Just because you didn’t punch me doesn’t mean it’s okay. Wow.”

Hampton also insulted her mom, saying he didn’t care if his son’s grandmother was “dead or alive.”

In another TikTok video, Jeffcoat said she was “stranded” in Oklahoma with “no hotel, no car” and claimed Hampton took their son from her.

She said, “R.J. literally grabbed Halo off the ground, walked out, got in the car, and left. He didn’t tell me where they were going… didn’t take any of his stuff. He’s not allowed to do that.”

Jeffcoat said she called the police, but they couldn’t help because it was “a civil matter.”

Page Six tried to contact Hampton’s representative for a comment but didn’t get a response right away.

Not much is known about Hampton’s relationship with Jeffcoat.

After Jeffcoat’s video went viral, Hampton turned off the comments on his Instagram.

Hampton was picked by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 24th pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

In September, he was traded to the Delaware Blue Coats, a team in the NBA’s G League.

In August, Hampton celebrated his son’s first birthday with a sweet post on Instagram.

He wrote, “Mr. Freaking Halo Man!! Bubs I can’t believe you are 1 year old  Daddy wants you to stay little forever and ever!!” and shared a bunch of pictures of him with his son.

Hampton wrote, “Honestly, buddy, you are the greatest blessing God ever gave me. You’ve taught me so much about who I am and who I want to be for you! ”

He said he would always be there for Halo and would “continue to set a great example for you and work hard every day to give you everything you deserve, and that’s the world!!”

He finished with, “You are my heartbeat, I can’t imagine life without you, and life before you doesn’t matter anymore. Me and you, little man!! The legacy continues, and I can’t wait for you to have the best day. Happy 1st birthday, Halo. I love you forever