Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Remember When Toby Keith and Daughter Performed Duet of “Mockingbird”?

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

When Toby Keith and daughter Krystal Keith stepped onto the stage for a beautiful duet of “Mockingbird,” we knew right then and there that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. 

It looks like talent runs deep in the Keith family! Growing up in a house where your father is a country music star, it seemed inevitable that one of Keith’s children would show a passion for singing. At an early age, Krystal already showed signs that she has what it takes to follow in her father’s footsteps.

And when Krystal took the CMA Awards stage for the first time to join forces with his country superstar father for a powerful duet of her dad’s single, “Mockingbird,” she proved that she had inherited some of his musical talents. 

Ten years later, Krystal revealed to The Boot that she “remember being incredibly secure in it.” 

“I should have been completely terrified, but I was 18 or 19, and I really just didn’t have any reservations about it,” Krystal recalled. “My dad was like, ‘Well, here’s your X, and here’s my X, and if you need anything …’ The curtains were about to open, and I was like, ‘What I need is for you to get on your X.'”

It may be Krystal’s first time to perform in front of big stars, but “Mockingbird” soared into the Top 30 on the charts after their performance. Krystal also revealed that she never heard how well her performance was received, thanks to her famous father.

“My dad’s rule was not to read any of that stuff, so I just got to hear what people told me,” she said. “He was like, ‘I don’t want it to affect you. You do your thing, and don’t worry what people think about us.’ So I don’t know what was said in the media, but what I heard was great, and it was a fun song.” The duet was recorded and released as part of Toby Keith’s Greatest Hits Volume 2 album in 2004. 

Believe It or Not, The Song Was Based on a Lullaby

“Mockingbird” was a song written and recorded by siblings Inez and Charlie Foxx in 1963, based on the lullaby “Hush Little Baby.” 

“Everybody, have you heard? He’s gonna buy me a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird won’t sing. He’s gonna buy me a diamond ring. And if that diamond ring won’t shine. He’s gonna surely break this heart of mine,” the song goes.

Considered something of a novelty song, it experienced great success upon its release. It reached No. 2 on the U.S. Top Black Singles/Rhythm & Blues chart and No. 7 on the U.S. popular music singles chart in late summer 1963. The song was later on covered by Aretha Franklin for her album Runnin’ Out of Fools and was remade by singer-songwriters, Carly Simon and James Taylor. Indeed, it was a great choice of song for Toby and Krystal Keith.

In 2013, after fulfilling her parents’ request to go to college and earn a degree, Krystal released her own full-length album, Whiskey and Lace, and said she has continued to listen to her father’s wisdom as she develops her own career.

“My favorite advice that he gave me is just to stay grounded and not forget where you came from,” Keith shared with The Boot. “It wasn’t ever a conversation, it was more of actions speaking louder than words. He always stayed grounded and never forgot where he came from. I picked up on how important that was.”

Check out the unforgettable performance of the father and daughter tandem below.

Latest Stories

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton perform together in a bar setting for their duet “A Song to Sing.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton’s “A Song to Sing” Duet Feels Like an Instant Classic

Sometimes country music gives you a line so pure it feels like it’s been here forever, and that’s exactly what Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton just pulled off with “A ...

Blake Shelton and Noah Cyrus standing side by side with microphones, performing their new country duet together.

Noah Cyrus Teams Up With Blake Shelton for New Country Duet and Fans Are Loving It

Sometimes country music needs a little shot of something wild, and Noah Cyrus just poured it straight into Blake Shelton’s glass. It’s not every day you see the Voice coach ...

George Strait performing on stage with his guitar and cowboy hat, pictured at a previous event not related to the upcoming Strait From the Heart benefit concert.

George Strait Will Play “Strait to the Heart” Benefit Concert to Raise Money for Flood Victims

Some kings wear crowns, some kings wear boots, and show up when the water’s rising. George Strait, the King of Country himself, is stepping up once again for the people ...

Blake Shelton smiles on stage with guitar and mic during Vegas show, putting his own spin on George Strait’s classic.

Blake Shelton Nails George Strait Classic With His Own Spin on “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

Sometimes you don’t mess with a George Strait classic, unless you’re Blake Shelton standing under the Vegas lights with a grin that says you’re about to pay tribute and stir ...

Dolly Parton smiles during Khloé podcast interview, sitting by mic and lamp as she shares why she won't stop sharing faith.

Dolly Parton Says People Tell Her To Stop Talking About Her Faith But She Won’t Listen

If there’s one thing you can count on Dolly Parton for, it’s that she’ll say exactly what’s on her heart and not give a single rhinestone what anyone thinks. In ...

Little Mississippi boy in plaid shirt smiles at mic during preschool graduation where he recited New Testament books and sang a George Strait classic.

4-Year-Old Boy Recites New Testament Books Then Belts Out ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’

If there’s ever been a preschool graduation that screams “God bless the South,” this is it. Somewhere in Mississippi, a four-year-old kid just made the entire congregation beam with pride ...

Young George Strait smiling on stage playing guitar in 1987 when “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” hit No. 1 and proved he ran country.

On This Day in 1987, George Strait Hit No. 1 with ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’ and Proved He Ran Country

Sometimes a song just cements your throne forever, and for George Strait, it was a little tongue-in-cheek love letter that made every Texan proud to claim him as their king. ...

Scotty McCreery with his wife and both grandmothers, who he revealed passed away hours apart in a heartbreaking double loss.

Scotty McCreery Reveals Both His Grandmothers Died Hours Apart in Heartbreaking Double Loss

You just don’t see some country heartbreaks coming, and this one hit Scotty McCreery straight in the soul. This week, the North Carolina native and Opry favorite shared the gut-wrenching ...

Brooks & Dunn performing on stage together, fitting their story about admitting they struggled to get along for years.

Brooks and Dunn Admit They Struggled to Get Along for Years and Tried to Blow It Real Hard

Country music’s greatest duo was basically a bar fight waiting to happen. When Brooks & Dunn stormed out of the gate with “Brand New Man” in 1991, it looked like ...

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian smiling outdoors, not taken when she spoke about feeling hated after their affair scandal.

LeAnn Rimes Says So Many Women Hated Her After Affair With Eddie Cibrian and She Felt Like a Target

Ain’t every country ballad pretty, and LeAnn Rimes knows her verse is messy as hell. View this post on Instagram A post shared by leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) Back in ...