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.

Trace Adkins performs onstage at Bridgestone Arena on July 29, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by: Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
On July 29, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, Trace Adkins takes the stage at Bridgestone Arena. Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Universal Music Group took this picture.

“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.

Trace Adkins performs onstage at Bridgestone Arena on July 29, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
On July 29, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, Trace Adkins takes the stage at Bridgestone Arena. Image courtesy of Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Universal Music Group

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.

Trace Adkins performs onstage at Bridgestone Arena on July 29, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
On July 29, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, Trace Adkins takes the stage at Bridgestone Arena. Image courtesy of Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Universal Music Group

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.

All artists perform onstage at Bridgestone Arena on July 29, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by: Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
On July 29, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, all musicians take the stage at Bridgestone Arena; image courtesy of Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Universal Music Group

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.

Toby Keith: American Icon

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.

My Neighbor Threw Rotten Tomatoes at My Front Door Because I Didn’t Put up Halloween Decorations ‘Soon Enough’

While my seven-year-old daughter fought for her life in the hospital with severe pneumonia, my neighbor decided to “decorate” my front door with rotten tomatoes. All because I hadn’t put up Halloween decorations early enough for her liking.

You know those days when life hits you so hard you can barely catch your breath? That’s been my reality lately. Between double shifts at the diner and spending every spare moment at the hospital with Lacey, I’ve been running on caffeine and sheer determination.

A woman standing in a hospital | Source: Midjourney

A woman standing in a hospital | Source: Midjourney

It started with what I thought was just a cold. Lacey came home from school one Tuesday with a slight cough. It didn’t look like anything serious. But by Friday night, she was burning up with a fever.

“Mommy, I don’t feel good,” she said while trying to catch her breath.

That was the point where I realized something was extremely wrong with her.

I didn’t even wait for an ambulance. I wrapped her in a blanket and drove to the ER like my life depended on it because it did. My life is Lacey.

An emergency sign outside a hospital | Source: Pexels

An emergency sign outside a hospital | Source: Pexels

The doctors moved fast, thank God.

Words like “severe pneumonia,” “aggressive infection,” and “extended stay” flew around while they ran tests on her. After what seemed like an eternity, the ER doctor finally sat down with me.

“The infection’s in both lungs,” he explained gently. “She’s going to need intensive treatment. We’re looking at a minimum of three weeks in the hospital.”

“Three weeks?” I looked at him with wide eyes. “But… but I have to work. The insurance… it doesn’t cover everything.”

A woman talking to the doctor | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking to the doctor | Source: Midjourney

He squeezed my shoulder. “Let’s focus on getting her better first. You can speak with our financial department about payment plans.”

I’ve been doing this solo parent thing for five years now, ever since Mark decided his twenty-something secretary was more appealing than his family responsibilities. The divorce knocked us down hard, but my daughter Lacey and I aren’t the type of people who’d give up. We’re fighters. We didn’t let Mark’s poor decisions affect us.

I worked as a waitress and picked up extra shifts after the divorce. Living on a single income taught me how to stretch every dollar and avoid unnecessary expenses.

A person holding their empty wallet | Source: Pexels

A person holding their empty wallet | Source: Pexels

Last year, we even managed to move into this supposedly “better” neighborhood. You know, the kind where people treat their HOA guidelines like they’re the Constitution.

“Alice, hon, you’ve got tables 4 and 6 waiting,” Maria called out during another hectic dinner shift.

She’s been my rock through all this, covering for me when hospital visits run long.

“On it!” I called back, tucking my phone deeper into my apron pocket after checking another message from Lacey’s doctors. These hospital bills were piling up faster than I could count, but what choice did I have?

My baby needed me, and I had to work harder for her.

A woman working as a waitress | Source: Pexels

A woman working as a waitress | Source: Pexels

“You look dead on your feet,” Maria said while refilling coffee cups. “When’s the last time you got some real sleep?”

I just shook my head. “Sleep’s a luxury I can’t afford right now. Between the hospital visits and these double shifts…”

“At least you’ve got good neighbors to help out, right?” Maria asked.

I let out a bitter laugh thinking about Carla from two doors down. That woman could give surveillance cameras a run for their money.

Ever since we moved in, she’s appointed herself as the neighborhood’s personal CNN. Carla’s Nosy Network.

An older woman standing outside her house | Source: Midjourney

An older woman standing outside her house | Source: Midjourney

Just last month, she caused a whole drama with the Hendersons across the street. They’d painted their front door navy blue. It’s a perfectly normal color, right?

Well, Carla didn’t just notice it. She measured the paint swatch against the HOA handbook, took photos at different times of day, and then sent a 500-word email to everyone about how it was “Midnight Navy” instead of the approved “Classic Navy.”

The poor Hendersons had to repaint their door to avoid a fine.

A house with a blue door | Source: Midjourney

A house with a blue door | Source: Midjourney

“Remember that time she counted how many people came to Janet’s book club?” I told Maria. “She actually reported Janet to the HOA for ‘running a business from home’ because there were more than six cars parked on the street. It was a book club, for heaven’s sake!”

Carla’s the type who doesn’t just check her mailbox. She watches everyone else check theirs too. She keeps a literal notebook of when people bring their trash cans in and out.

I swear I’ve seen her peeking through her blinds so often.

A person's hand on window blinds | Source: Pexels

A person’s hand on window blinds | Source: Pexels

That’s why I wasn’t surprised when she started blowing up our HOA group chat about Halloween preparations in mid-September.

Every day brought a new message about “maintaining neighborhood standards” and “preserving property values through seasonal charm.”

But with Lacey in the hospital, festive decorations were the last thing on my mind.

That’s when my phone buzzed again. Another message from Carla, but this time sent directly to me. My heart raced when the notification popped up on my screen.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read her text.

A woman reading a message on her phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman reading a message on her phone | Source: Midjourney

Are you special or something? Why isn’t your house decorated for Halloween? It’s almost the end of October, and your house is the only one ruining the vibe. Do you want to spoil Halloween for the whole neighborhood? It’s embarrassing.

I had to read it twice to believe someone could be this insensitive.

I took a deep breath before typing out a response, trying my best to keep it professional despite my rising anger.

A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels

A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels

Carla, I’m sorry I haven’t decorated. I’ve been in the hospital with my daughter for two weeks now. She’s really sick, and all my money’s gone to medicine and bills. I’m not sure I’ll be able to put anything up this year.

Well, I didn’t get a response from Carla, so I thought she must’ve found something else to worry about. I had no idea how wrong I was.

After three long weeks, Lacey was finally well enough to come home.

A woman driving | Source: Pexels

A woman driving | Source: Pexels

We pulled into our driveway at sunset as we discussed how good it’d feel to finally sleep in our beds.

That’s when the smell hit us. A putrid, sickening odor that made my stomach turn.

Our front door was completely covered in smashed, rotten tomatoes. The red pulp dripped down the wood and seeds stuck in every crevice. But the pièce de résistance? A note was taped right in the middle. It read:

Now at least it looks a bit like Halloween. No need to thank me.

A door with a note smeared in tomato pulp | Source: Midjourney

A door with a note smeared in tomato pulp | Source: Midjourney

“Mommy, why does our house smell bad?” Lacey asked.

I didn’t have an answer to my daughter’s innocent question. I was so angry that my feet were almost shaking.

I got Lacey settled inside despite the garage, made sure she was comfortable in bed, and then stormed over to Carla’s house. I could see her peeking through her blinds as I approached.

When she opened the door, that smug smile on her face made me want to scream.

“Oh, hey there. Enjoying the Halloween decorations?” she asked.

An older woman smiling | Source: Midjourney

An older woman smiling | Source: Midjourney

“Are you kidding me, Carla?” I snapped. “I told you what I was dealing with. You know my daughter’s been in the hospital, and you still did this?”

She rolled her eyes like I was being dramatic. “Look, I just thought you were making excuses. Everyone decorates, and it’s unfair for you to spoil it for the rest of us. I thought a little tomato juice might remind you to get into the spirit. You didn’t put up the decorations soon enough. Not my fault.”

An older woman talking to her neighbor | Source: Midjourney

An older woman talking to her neighbor | Source: Midjourney

Before I could respond, her husband Dan appeared behind her. He was horrified after hearing his wife’s confession.

“Carla, what the hell is wrong with you?” he demanded. “You did what?”

The next few minutes were pure chaos.

Dan pulled Carla inside, and I could hear him confront her. The muffled argument was punctuated by phrases like “completely unacceptable” and “lost your mind.”

When Dan returned to the door, his face was red with embarrassment.

A close-up shot of an older man's face | Source: Midjourney

A close-up shot of an older man’s face | Source: Midjourney

“I’m so sorry,” he said. “I had no idea she’d do something like this. I’ll clean up your door and pay for any damages. Carla, you better apologize right now.”

Carla emerged and muttered what had to be the most insincere apology I’d ever heard.

But this isn’t where the story ends. Karma intervened a few hours later and taught her an unforgettable lesson.

That night, the strongest storm of the season hit our neighborhood.

A stormy sky | Source: Pexels

A stormy sky | Source: Pexels

The wind howled like a banshee, and the rain came down in sheets. When I looked out my window the next morning, I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony.

Carla’s elaborate Halloween display – the one she’d been bragging about for weeks – was absolutely decimated. Her precious inflatable decorations were scattered across three yards, her meticulously carved pumpkins had turned to mush in the rain, and her collection of “premium” skeletons lay broken and tangled in the bushes.

Mother Nature had delivered the perfect revenge.

Broken Halloween decor | Source: Midjourney

Broken Halloween decor | Source: Midjourney

Dan followed through on his promise, showing up early the next day with cleaning supplies and groceries.

“I can’t apologize enough,” he said while scrubbing the last bits of tomato off my door. “How’s your daughter doing?”

“She’s getting stronger every day,” I replied. “Thanks for asking. And thanks for, uh, everything else.”

Carla hasn’t spoken a word to me since then and I’ve been loving the silence. When I pass by her house these days and see her bare lawn, I can’t help but smile a little.

A woman smiling | Source: Midjourney

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