Toby Keith essentially lived at the top of the country music charts throughout his 30-year career. He released 20 No. 1 singles, including the Willie Nelson duet “Beer For My Horses” and “As Good As I Once Was.” Keith died in February at age 62 after battling stomach cancer for more than two years, and Nashville is still mourning his loss. Hosts Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson and Peyton Manning raised a “Red Solo Cup” to the Big Dog Daddy during Wednesday’s (Nov. 20) broadcast of the 2024 CMA Awards. Yet, while the tribute was received well by some, it fell flat for other diehard Toby Keith fans.
Toby Keith Fans React to CMA Awards Tribute
Before two-time nominee Shaboozey took the stage at the 2024 CMA Awards, hosts Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson and Peyton Manning took a moment to honor the late Toby Keith
Videos by American Songwriter
cheers to you Toby Keith
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) November 21, 2024
#CMAawards pic.twitter.com/jLymF6EZmP
“A great artist, a great American and a great country music icon,” Bryan said. “Toby, you will be missed, buddy.”
The audience then joined the three hosts in raising their “Red Solo Cups” to the three-time CMA Award winner. However, the gesture seemed to ring hollow for many fans of the “Big Dog Daddy.”
Even the #CMAawards are paying tribute to the late @tobykeith, even though he wasnโt really well received by the CMA stage. No seriously, itโs true. Iโll tell yโall why another time.
— PatrickRThomes (@PatrickThomes) November 21, 2024
And of course, red solo cups had to be the answer for an appropriate salute lol.
“Was really hoping for more of a Toby Keith tribute than a 15 second solo cup toast…” one fan wrote on X/Twitter.
Was really hoping for more of a Toby Keith tribute than a 15 second solo cup toast… #CMAawards
— Andrew Mies (@andrew_mies) November 21, 2024
Another fan agreed, adding, “If that is the extent of the tribute to Toby Keith, then @CountryMusic really missed the mark.”
I hope thereโs a better #CMA tribute to TK later in the show, because the Big Dog Daddy deserved better than @laineywilson โs slide intro for Shaboozey.
— Spencer Krier (@kriers) November 21, 2024
The world misses you @tobykeith ๐๐ถ๐๐ป #CMAs #CMAawards pic.twitter.com/kkHXVwdTw0
However, not everyone disapproved. “Paying tribute to Toby Keith by raising a red solo cup in his honor was beautiful!!!” one fan wrote on X/Twitter. “I love and miss you, so much Toby!!”
#CMAawards Paying tribute to Toby Keith by raising a red solo cup in his honor was beautiful!!! I love and miss you, so much Toby!!
— ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ โฅ ๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ฆฐ โ ๐ฅ ๐ โ ๐ง โ (@JustJeanne444) November 21, 2024
Featured image by AFF-USA/Shutterstock
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