Fellow country artists and fans react to the death of singer-songwriter
鈥淚 was saddened to hear of Toby Keith鈥檚 passing. He really was one of the good guys. He helped a lot of people get started in the business. He loved God, he loved his family, and he was a true patriot. He loved America. A friend to so many, including myself! Rest dear brother, you鈥檙e home at last!鈥� 鈥� Ricky Skaggs, in a statement.
鈥淭oby Keith has gone home. This is very sad news. We loved and respected him on every level and whispered many a prayer for him as he fought this illness. God must have needed a big-hearted Oklahoma singing boy for the great choir. Well, he got one. RIP Toby Keith.鈥� 鈥� The Oak Ridge Boys, in a statement.
鈥淭oby Keith did things his way 鈥� amazing artist, songwriter, patriot, and man of faith. I admired him and how he rolled. He and I shared a deep love for our military, and I鈥檓 proud that he took his music to dangerous places in order to give the American spirit to those protecting freedom." 鈥� Lee Greenwood, in a statement.
鈥淚t鈥檚 heartbreaking to lose Toby Keith. I鈥檝e always been a big fan of Toby and his music, and I鈥檒l always treasure singing with him. Toby was a great American.鈥� 鈥� Crystal Gayle, in a statement.
鈥淛ust waking up to the news of Toby Keith鈥檚 passing. Today is a sad day for country music and its fans. Toby was a huge presence in our business and someone we all looked up to and respected. You and your music will be forever remembered big man.鈥� 鈥� Jason Aldean,
鈥淚 loved him as a musician. A great Oklahoman. A great American. What a loss!鈥� 鈥� Kristin Chenoweth, a fellow Oklahoman, on Instagram.
鈥淕od Bless you and Family. Hard to imagine an America without Toby Keith in it.鈥� 鈥� Randy Houser on Instagram.
鈥淭oby Keith was big, brash, and never bowed down or slowed down for anyone, His story is a distinctly American one 鈥� a former roughneck oil worker who carved out his own space in country music with a sinewy voice and an unbending will to succeed.鈥� 鈥� Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, in a statement.
鈥淎bsolutely heartbreaking. Not only a country music legend, but also an American hero. He will be remembered for what he did for our great military more than anything and I know that鈥檚 how he would want it. God bless Toby and his family.鈥� 鈥� Austin Burke on Instagram.
鈥淩IP Toby Keith 鈥� Tell folks you love them while you can. Life is short..the older I get, the more I realize how true it is.鈥� 鈥�
鈥淭oby Keith was a true trailblazer. Authentic and heartfelt but always with a wink 鈥檛il the end. He was larger than life in so many ways and his music will live on forever! Raising our red solos tonight 鈥� you will be missed by so many. Peace.鈥� 鈥�
鈥淲aking up to the terrible news that our friend, and legend @tobykeith has passed away from cancer. He was a true patriot, a first class singer/songwriter, and a bigger than life kind of guy. He will be greatly missed.鈥� 鈥�
鈥淭oby has been a great talent and image in the music business and will be respected and remembered forever.鈥� 鈥� Janie Fricke, in a statement.
鈥淭oby was a true American success story and never forgot what America stands for. He was an icon. God bless his family at this sorrowful time. R.I.P.鈥� 鈥� T. Graham Brown, in a statement.
鈥淚 have always enjoyed Toby Keith鈥檚 music throughout the years. He鈥檚 always been a patriot with his continued support for our military. This one hits hard for sure!鈥� 鈥� Johnny Lee, in a statement.
The Associated Press
