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

How Well Do You Know Outlaw Swag and Country Singer, Toby Keith?

Toby Keith's Facts
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.

Toby Keith turned into a household name in 2002 when he sang “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American).” Nearly a decade after, he became a regular in the country charts. His career keeps moving forward with an outlaw swagger that suggests he’s one of the best cowboys in contemporary country music.

Let’s get to know more about Oklahoma’s very own Toby Keith!

He’s Already a Fan of Country Music At A Young Age

Toby Keith, who was born Toby Keith Covel in Clinton, Oklahoma, on July 8, 1961, started taking up guitar lessons when he was only eight years old. Growing up on a farm in Moore, near the outskirts of Oklahoma City, he would listen to his father’s Bob Wills records and fell in love with Merle Haggard’s music. He was also inspired by the country musicians who played at the supper club his grandmother ran.

His First Gig Was At A Wedding

While in high school, Toby Keith worked as a rodeo hand. After graduation, he found work in the oil industry. At the same time, he worked on the side as a musician. One of his first gigs was at a wedding where he made $1,000 that evening. That was something he referred to as “easy money.” He then formed his first band, the Easy Money Band, and played Alabama-style country-rock in honky-tonks. 

After about three years, the oil industry hit a major downturn. The future country star turned to playing semi-pro football for a USFL farm team. He even tried out for the short-lived league’s Oklahoma City franchise but did not get in. Toby Keith actually graduated from Moore High School, where he played defensive end on the football team.

Following two years as a football player, Toby Keith decided to focus more on music and adopted a much demanding touring schedule. Though he cut a few records for local indie labels, success did not come easy for him. 

He Almost Did Not Make It Into Country Music

During Toby Keith’s talk at the 2017 Country Radio Seminar, the Songwriters Hall of Fame member recounted his early days of trying to succeed in Music City, and how he considered giving up before he even got a record deal. This happened after one industry executive told him that his songs were not good enough.

“I had a meeting with Jimmy Bowen at Capitol. When I went in there and played, it was on a cassette, and he was just hitting fast forward. He’d play a verse and a chorus, and he’d hit fast forward,” Keith recalled. “We got done, and he goes, ‘Well, that’s all good and fine. You sing good, but you need to go back to the woodshed and work on your songwriting. These songs aren’t going to cut it.'”

Luckily, a friend believed in Keith, and that was enough to give his music to producer and record label head Harold Shedd, who asked to meet the singer and hear his songs live. Shedd signed Keith to Mercury Records. “He came to Oklahoma, heard me perform, and signed me on the spot,” Keith said.

From there, Keith’s debut single “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” from his self-titled debut went on to become his first of many signature songs

In Fact, He Credits His Entire Career to ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’

Toby Keith earned a No. 1 hit with “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” when it was released in 1993. The country star went on to score a lot more chart-topping singles, release over a dozen hit records, and tour all over the world. But according to Toby Keith, none of that would have likely ever happened if he hadn’t written and released “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.”

“I know one thing, this song – everything I’ve done in my catalog, and I’ve recorded hundreds of songs I wrote and probably charted somewhere along a hundred or more – none of them probably would’ve ever been heard if it hadn’t been for ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy,'” he said.

Toby Keith has already released twenty studio albums and seven compilation albums. He has released over 60 singles, with 65 of them charting on the Billboard country charts.

He Married His Wife Before He Became A Big Star

Toby Keith caught the attention of his wife, Tricia Lucus when they first met at an Oklahoma nightclub in 1981. They danced together and started dating shortly after.

“I was 19, and he was 20,” Tricia told People. “He was just one of those larger-than-life guys, full of confidence.”

After dating for three years, the couple got hitched on March 24, 1984. Keith has adopted Shelley, Tricia’s daughter from a previous marriage too. A year after their wedding, they welcomed their daughter, Krystal. Their son Stelen arrived years later, in 1997.

The early years of their marriage were a bit tough. They were juggling raising a family while the creditors were chasing them. “He’d say, ‘Trish, one of these days, my time is coming. Hang in there,'” Tricia revealed.

But Toby Keith’s wife remained by his side until his career reached new heights. “Dozens of people told Tricia, ‘You need to go tell your old man to get a real job,'” the singer told Country Weekly. “It took a strong-hearted and loving woman to say, ‘He’s good enough at music that I’ve got to let him try. And it’ll be a great shot for both of us if he can make it work.'”

Toby Keith and Tricia continue to live in Oklahoma with their children and grandchildren nearby.

He Admits To Shaving His Armpits

You might not believe it, but the tough country star has admitted that he shaves his armpits.

“On those summer tours, you get so hot and sweaty,” he said. “You just want to shave your head and get down like a swimmer, you know what I mean?”

He Has Only Won Two Out of 27 CMA Nominations

Keith has been nominated in Country Music Association Awards 27 times but has won only two. He won one for video of the year in 2005 and another one for the male vocalist of the year in 2001. After he went home empty-handed in 2003 and 2004, despite receiving a total of 13 nominations, Keith told reporters he was done with the show. He also accused the CMA of playing politics.

“I haven’t been to a CMA Awards show in four years. They screwed me’ till I finally saw the light,” Toby Keith said.

From Easy Money To Being One of the Highest Paid Country Music Stars

Toby Keith is a regular on the list of the highest-paid country music stars, and country music stars with the highest net worth. That is because Toby Keith’s net worth is estimated to be about $345 million, while his total earnings surpass a whopping $500 million. 

In 2015, Toby Keith had an estimated annual income of $53 million.

Latest Stories

Josh Weathers raises over $337000 in a livestream concert fundraiser to help Texas families devastated by catastrophic floods.

Josh Weathers Raises Over $337000 in Livestream to Help Texas Families Hit by Floods

A guitar in hand and a heart the size of Texas. That’s Josh Weathers right now. While storms swallowed up gigs and highways across Central Texas, this Fort Worth native ...

Lauren Alaina fires back at trolls who mom-shame her for bottle-feeding her newborn, pictured holding baby Beni Doll Arnold.

Lauren Alaina Fires Back at Trolls Who Mom-Shame Her for Bottle-Feeding

A bottle in one hand and zero time for strangers’ opinions in the other. That’s how Lauren Alaina’s rolling and some loudmouths just found out the hard way. If you’ve ...

Kelly Clarkson seen emotional in a past photo, echoing fans’ heartbreak after she canceled her Vegas opening night due to illness.

Fans Are Heartbroken After Kelly Clarkson Cancels Vegas Opening Night Due to Illness

Nothing guts a diehard fan like standing in line for hours only to get hit with the words “Show’s off.” Kelly Clarkson found herself in that brutal spot last weekend ...

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton perform together on stage, teaming up for a new duet that might break country radio charts.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton Team Up for a Duet That Might Break Country Radio

Sometimes, country music gives you a pairing that is so perfect that you wonder what the hell took so long. Well, here we are. Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton are ...

Dolly Parton smiles in a sparkling gown, proving she’ll always look glamorous on the outside to match how she feels inside.

Dolly Parton Shares Glamorous Photo Says She’ll Always Look How She Feels Inside

Some folks roll out of bed looking like they just survived a bar fight but not Dolly damn Parton. On July 1, the queen of country herself dropped a glamorous ...

Lee Greenwood performs live in a patriotic shirt, years after nearly shelving “God Bless The USA,” now America’s beloved anthem.

Lee Greenwood Almost Didn’t Release “God Bless The USA” as a Single, Now It’s America’s Anthem

Sometimes, the songs that shape a nation nearly get buried on the B side. Back in 1984, Lee Greenwood was on a solid run of hits and living out every ...

Keith Urban smiles on stage in Akron, Ohio, where he made a heartfelt gesture for a blind fan that moved the audience to tears.

Keith Urban’s Sweet Gesture for Blind Fan Leaves Sister Thanking Him for Truly Seeing Her

Some moments at a concert feel bigger than the music. This was one of them. Keith Urban‘s always been one of the good guys in country, but fans at his ...

Gracie McGraw, seen here at a past event, recently left fans laughing on Instagram comparing herself to Jurassic dinosaurs.

Tim McGraw’s Daughter Gracie Leaves Fans in Stitches Comparing Herself to Dinosaurs

Sometimes, you just need a reminder that not every celebrity kid takes themselves too seriously. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s oldest daughter, Gracie McGraw, just gave the internet a masterclass ...

Willie Nelson smiles while performing onstage with his iconic guitar, as rumors swirl about Baylor University banning him.

Did a Texas University Ban Willie Nelson or Was He Just Too Much of an Outlaw to Show Up

Only Willie Nelson could have a “campus ban” rumor stick for 40 years and make him look even more like the cowboy rebel everyone loves. If you’ve ever cracked open ...

Roy Rogers, smiling in his signature cowboy hat and embroidered suit, remembered by fans as the King of the Cowboys in 1998.

On This Day, Fans Remember Roy Rogers, the King of the Cowboys, Who Rode Off in 1998

Sometimes the cowboy who taught America how to ride tall in the saddle and tip a hat with a smile is the one who leaves the biggest boots to fill. ...