The late country music icon Toby Keith was honored with a star-studded television tribute at the 2024 CMT Music Awards. There was not a dry eye in sight at the Moody Center last night (April 8) as musicians and super fans honored the singer-songwriter's legacy. The all-star tribute honored the "Should've Been A Cowboy" vocalist, featuring performances by Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar. Each heartwarming performance was backed by Keith's longtime Easy Money Band.

The tribute, which turned out to be the most memorable moment of the evening, ended with Keith's community raising a red solo cup in his honor. The plastic toast was a nod to his chart-topping track "Red Solo Cup," released in 2011 and lived on his wordrenowd album Clancy's Tavern. 

Brooks and Dunn Opened The Tribute With –  "Should've Been A Cowboy":

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Sammy Hagar's Delivered –  "I Love This Bar" 

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Lainey Wilson Covered –  "How Do You Like Me Now?" 

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Keith, who passed away on Feb. 5 at the age of 62 after battling stomach cancer, will be posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October. Southern rocker Lukas Nelson and baseball legend Roger Clemens also made special appearances in tribute to Keith. Nelson’s father, country icon Willie Nelson, recorded the hit duet "Beer for My Horses" with Keith and co-starred with him in the telefilm of the same name.

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Keith's association with the CMT Music Awards runs deep, with 30 nominations and seven wins. He performed on the awards show 13 times, co-hosted twice, and maintained a continuous presence for 10 consecutive years. In 2003, he co-hosted with Pamela Anderson and took home three belt buckle trophies, including Video of the Year for "Courtesy of The Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)." He returned to co-host in 2012 alongside actress and singer Kristen Bell.

Fan Of View: We think this was a stunning tribute to Keith, celebrated by many of his friends and peers in the way he knew how to party – through music.

Photo Credit: @cmt on Instagram.