Born Toby Keith Covel on July 8, 1961, Keith's self-titled first album went platinum in 1993. In reaction to the events of 9/11, Keith wrote the song "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," which struck a chord with military personnel.
In the early '90s, Keith signed with Mercury Records, and by 1993 his self-titled debut album was certified platinum. His follow-up records, Boomtown and Blue Moon, were equally successful thanks to such popular hits as "Who's That Man" and "Me Too." In 1997 he teamed with Sting to record "I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying," which earned the duo a Grammy nomination. More success followed with the 1999 album How Do You Like Me Now?!, which won two Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards in 2000. His 2002 album, Unleashed, sold 3 million copies and included a hit duet with Willie Nelson, "Beer for My Horses."
Keith was named Entertainer of The Year by the Academy of Country Music in 2002 and 2003. He then released Shock'n Y'All, which reached the top of the country and pop album charts. He continued to cultivate his good ol' boy image with such tracks as "I Love This Bar" and to show a sense of humor with "Weed with Willie," which told the story about getting high with Willie Nelson.
His next effort, Honkytonk Universit, featured a duet with country music icon Merle Haggard on "She Ain't Hooked on Me No More." The biggest single from the album was the ballad "As Good As I Once Was," which helped the album top the country and pop charts. The video for the song also won the Country Music Association (CMA) Award for Music Video of the Year in 2005. That same year, Keith was honored by his home state by being inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
White Trash with Money was released the next year and featured such hits as the upbeat ode to a good time "Get Drunk and Be Somebody" and the wistful tune "A Little Too Late." In addition to being a strong seller, the album also received many positive reviews.
In 2007, he released Big Dog Daddy and A Classic Christmas, which were both big hits with the record-buying public. In April 2008, he played 18 shows for U.S. troops in Persian Gulf as part of a U.S.O. Tour. Keith even had to pause during one of his performances because of mortar fire, but he returned to the stage after the attack stopped.
He starred in the big screen comedy "Beer for My Horses"in 2008. Keith co-wrote the screenplay and co-produced the film, which featured appearances by Ted Nugent and Willie Nelson. After, he released That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy, which topped the country album charts and spawned two hits "God Love Her" and "Lost You Anyway."
Bullets in the Gun was released in 2010 and Clancy's Tavern in 2011. The latter album included the single "Made in America," which went to No. 1. Following it was "Red Solo Cup," which had previously been made into a music video which became viral. Upon release as a single, "Red Solo Cup" became Keith's best-peaking crossover. In December 2011, Keith was named "Artist of the Decade" by the American Country Awards.
Keith's sixteenth album, Hope on the Rocks, was released in late 2012. It produced two singles, both of which are top 20 hits: "I Like Girls That Drink Beer" and "Drinks After Work."
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Toby Keith Biography
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