Toby Keith's Legacy: Inspiring Artists to Embrace Their Authenticity

Lainey Wilson, star of "Yellowstone," credits Toby Keith for teaching her the importance of being "unapologetically yourself" and celebrating individuality in the music industry.

Toby Keith's legacy continues to resonate months after his passing, leaving an enduring mark on family, friends, fans, and fellow musicians alike. Recently, during the University of Oklahoma's commencement ceremony, Keith's daughter, Krystal Keith, accepted an honorary degree on his behalf, honoring his contributions to the university and his unwavering support for the Sooner Nation.

In her speech, Krystal highlighted her father's deep love for the university, recalling his childhood days as a young teen selling Cokes at the stadium to afford tickets to OU games. His passion for Sooner sports extended throughout his life, with Keith attending countless games and events, regardless of the sport or gender.

Krystal also praised her father's unwavering work ethic, emphasizing that he always believed in striving for excellence and never settling for mediocrity. "Throughout his life and career, he made sure to work hard to have the best, to be the best," she recalled. "He often said, ‘They may write better than me, they may sing better than me, and they may look better than me, but they will NEVER outwork me.’ And that made all the difference."

Beyond his musical accomplishments, Krystal emphasized her father's deep patriotism, which he proudly instilled in his children. "He always said, ‘Never apologize for being patriotic,’ and practiced what he preached through his work with the USO," she said. "He was going into the most dangerous zones, where guys that never got those entertainers to come to them, were housed and were sitting, and he would go and boost their morale."

Krystal's speech resonated with the audience, inspiring graduates to embrace Keith's unwavering determination and belief in oneself. "He fought hard to live his dream," she concluded. "He had faith and believed in himself. He never gave up the fight, even when the odds were against him. He would want me to tell you to never give up on yourself."

Keith's honorary degree is just one of several accolades bestowed upon him posthumously. In March, it was announced that he had been selected for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, a testament to his enduring impact on the genre.

Following his death, an outpouring of love and admiration poured in from the country music community and beyond. In April, stars like Sammy Hagar, Lainey Wilson, Roger Clemens, and Brooks & Dunn collaborated at the CMT Awards to perform a tribute to Keith, honoring his legacy through his music.

On the red carpet before the show, Wilson expressed her admiration for Keith, stating, "I don't know anybody in this business that doesn't love Toby. He was truly the soundtrack to my childhood. … Seeing all of his stuff and all the visions that he had come to life, it made me feel like there’s nothing wrong with being fearless, there’s nothing wrong with going against the grain and standing up for what you believe in and being unapologetically yourself."

Keith's influence extended beyond his fellow musicians, inspiring artists like Jelly Roll, who recorded a cover of his iconic song "Should’ve Been a Cowboy." Jelly Roll praised Keith for his individuality and unapologetic authenticity, saying, "He was an outlier. He was unapologetically Oklahoma. There are a lot of things he did that encouraged me and empowered me. He was very individualistic and carved his own path, and he did it his own way, from pillar to post."

Keith's legacy lives on through his countless hits, including "How Do You Like Me Now?!", "As Good As I Once Was", "My List", and "Beer for My Horses". His final recording, a cover of the Joe Diffie song "Ships That Don’t Come In" with Luke Combs, captures the spirit of resilience and celebration that defined his life and career.

As the music industry and the world remember Toby Keith, his unwavering commitment to authenticity, patriotism, and hard work will continue to inspire and motivate generations to come.