Toby Keith’s Final Recording Session Unveiled During Tribute Show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena

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Toby Keith was honored at an all-star concert on July 29 held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and he didn’t miss it. Nearing the final act of performances, the late singer made an appearance on the overhead video screens, surprising everyone in attendance. In the clip, which was billed as his final recording session, he was in a studio, singing a cover of Joe Diffie’s 1992 track “Ships That Don’t Come In.” The tribute special’s house band provided the live musical accompaniment, and it was undeniably an emotionally solemn moment. 

Keith passed away on February 5, 2024, due to gastric cancer, a few months after finishing his successful three-night stand at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas and shortly after his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

During the taping of the tribute show, it was revealed that in Hardy’s archive was footage of Keith’s raw recording for a new version of the track — released in Hardy’s Hixtape: Vol 3: Difftape weeks after Keith’s death — which was meant as a tribute to Diffie. In the reimagined take, Keith’s lead vocals were blended with Diffie’s original singing. Luke Combs also participated with a fresh part recording. 

Keith, in the midst of his battle with cancer, sang with so much intensity and grace. And all the family, friends, and fellow artists who joined in honoring him all watched in reverence. 

After that was another stretch of emotional segments — Keith’s last months and Krystal Keith’s performance of her father’s ballad “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” The show concluded with covers of two of Toby Keith’s signature songs titled “American Soldier” rendered by Trace Adkins, and “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)” led by Parker McCollum. 

Other emotional highlights of the show included Carrie Underwood’s opening performance of “A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action,” Eric Church’s “As Good As I Once Was,” Ashley McBryde’s “Wish I Didn’t Know,” and Luke Bryan’s “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” But given Keith’s penchant for humor, there were also entertaining parts, with the biggest “wow” delivered by Lainey Wilson emerging in horseback to duet “Beer for My Horses” with Jamey Johnson. 

All proceeds from the live concert were donated to support the OK Kids Korral and Monroe Carell Jr.’s Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University.

Catch the fan-captured video of the moment Toby Keith’s final recording session was unveiled in the video below. The official footage will be available as part of the special set to be aired on NBC on August 28. 

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