Toby Keith Was “Comfortable With Whatever Happened” In Final Interview: “People Without Faith Don’t Have That”

Gives you chills.

It’s been a year since we lost the patriot and country music legend Toby Keith. On February 6th, 2024, the Keith family shared with social media that on the previous day, Keith had lost his battle with stomach cancer at the age of 62.

“Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”

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— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) February 6, 2024

In the hours and days following the announcement of his passing, social media was flooded with memories of Keith and kind words shared by friends, family, and fans. Toby Keith was truly so loved by the country music community and beyond, and it’s hard to believe that he’s been gone for a year. As we look back on some of Keith’s incredible accomplishments over his outstanding career, one interview still gives me chills when I listen.

Toby Keith truly gave it all until the end, triumphantly returning to the stage in Las Vegas for a three-night residency, which would ultimately become his final shows.

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Looking back on it, many fans wonder if Keith knew that these would be his final moments in the spotlight as he delivered stellar shows, but as you can see from the videos of the show, you can tell that cancer and chemo were taking a toll on his body. When looking back on interviews before his final shows, Keith opened up during his final interview, saying that he was at peace with everything.

Toby sat down with News on 6 in his home state of Oklahoma to discuss his battle with cancer and how his faith has helped him through the tough days.

“Cancer’s a rollercoaster. You just sit here and wait on it to go away. It may not ever go away. And if it goes into remission it’s still going to be in the back of your mind. You’re still going to have to do scans and stuff.”

When asked how he was making it through the fight, Toby had a simple answer:

“Faith. You have to have your faith. Thank God that I got it too. You take it for granted on days that things are good and you lean on it when days are bad. It’s taught me to lean on it a little more every day.”

Toby Keith then said that whatever road lay ahead for him, he was at peace with that path.

“I finally got to a point in the spring – I was diagnosed in October of ’21 and I was going through all the chemo, the first time I’d been through chemo and radiation and surgery – and I just got to the point where I was comfortable with whatever happened. I had my brain wrapped around it and I was in a good spot either way.

People without faith don’t have that.”

Rewatching those words gives you chills because it feels like Keith knew that his battle with cancer was coming to an end. And boy, did he put up one hell of a fight.

Toby Keith was one of America’s biggest patriots, a man who cared about his community, and a creator of stellar country music. Toby Keith’s legacy lives on through his musical catalog, the work that continues to be done at his OK Kids Korral, and more.

Rest easy, Big Dog Daddy.

While you’re here, fire up the emotional song “Don’t Let The Old Man In.”