Of all the performances at “Toby Keith: American Icon,” a tribute show held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Monday night, the most surprising was an unexpected appearance by Keith himself — on overhead video screens, filmed during what was billed as his final recording session.
The emotional high point came near the end of the star-studded concert, as Keith was seen in a recording studio singing a cover of “Ships That Don’t Come In,” recorded in 1992 by Joe Diffie, who died of Covid complications in 2020. The musical accompaniment was provided live by the tribute’s house band as Keith, into studio headphones, sang a bittersweet chorus: “So, here’s to all the soldiers / Who died in vain / The madmen locked in themselves / And the homeless in Maine / To those standing on empty beaches / And spitting against the wind / And those who wait forever / For the ships that don’t come.”
The footage will be part of a special episode scheduled to air on NBC on August 28. (Watch fan-captured video of the moment below.)
A version of the song with mixed lead vocals had previously been released on Hardy's tribute to Diffie, “Hixtape: Vol 3: Difftape,” which was released in March, weeks after Keith's death. That version of the song had Keith's lead vocals mixed with Diffie's original vocals and a new part recorded by Luke Combs. Monday night's unveiling of the footage marked the first time fans had heard or seen Keith's unadorned vocals from his final session.
Many of the artists who attended the concert were in attendance, gathering on stage for the final segment of the concert. The footage of Keith in his final months led to another emotional segment, with Keith's daughter, Crystal Keith, performing “Don't Let the Old Man In,” before the recording ended with two of the late singer's patriotic songs, “American Soldier,” sung by Trace Adkins, and “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” with Parker McCollum leading the entire cast.
Given Keith's penchant for humor throughout most of his catalog, there were lighter moments during the recording, such as when famed equestrian Lainey Wilson got the crowd going when she appeared on her horse to sing “Beer for My Horses,” with Jimmie Johnson joining her in the famous duet made famous by Keith and Willie Nelson.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JULY 29: Lenny Wilson is seen backstage during the Toby Keith: American Icon Tribute at Bridgestone Arena on July 29, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Universal Music Group)
Getty Images for Universal Music
The list of stars participating in the ceremony included Jelly Roll, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Lucky Bryan, Ashley McBride, Jordan Davis, Darius Rucker, and Hardy. (See the full list below.)
Keith gave his final performance at the conclusion of three nights at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on December 14, 2023. He died on February 5 of this year after a battle with stomach cancer. In March, it was revealed that he had been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, in a vote that took place before his death.
The full setlist for Monday's concert at Bridgestone Arena:
“Less talk, more action.” – Carrie Underwood
“As Good As I Once Was” – Eric Church
“How do you like it now?!” – Brantley Gilbert, Hardy
“God Loves Her” – Darius Rucker
“Who's Your Father?” – Riley Greene, Ella Langley
“I wish I didn’t know now.” – Ashley McBride
“Beer for My Horses” – Lenny Wilson & Jimmie Johnson
“I should have been a cowboy” – Luke Bryan
“My List” – Jelly Roll
“I love this bar.” – Jordan Davis. Clay Walker
“Red Solo Cup” – Tyler Hubbard, Jordan Davis, Hardy & Jelly Roll
“Ships That Don't Arrive” – Toby Keith (Video)
“Don't Let the Old Man In” – Crystal Keith
“American Soldier” – Trace Adkins
“Courtesy of The Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)” – Parker McCollum & Crew
