Introduction
Toby Keith: 10 Weird Facts You Didn’t Know!
Toby Keith Covel was a larger-than-life figure in country music, known for his bold voice, patriotic anthems, and entrepreneurial spirit. While millions of fans know his major hits, his journey to stardom was filled with surprising detours and quirky facts that reveal a much more complex personality than his ‘Big Dog Daddy’ stage persona might suggest. Here are 10 lesser-known facts about the iconic Oklahoman.
1. He Was a Semi-Pro Football Player
Before he ever picked up a guitar professionally, Keith played defensive end for the Oklahoma City Drillers, an unofficial semi-pro farm club in the American Football Association. After the oil industry collapse in the early 1980s, he pursued his football dreams before fully committing to music.
2. The Easy Money Band Name Came from a Wedding Gig
Keith’s long-time backing group, the Easy Money Band, got its name after the band secured a lucrative wedding gig early in their career. Upon receiving a check for $1,000, Keith reportedly exclaimed, “That was easy money!” and the name stuck.
3. He Dreamed of Catching a 10-Pound Bass More Than a No. 1 Hit
Despite having 31 chart-topping songs, Keith once admitted in an interview that if he had to choose between another number one hit and catching a 10-pound bass, he’d choose the fish. Keith was a passionate outdoorsman whose hobbies included hunting, fishing, and golf.
4. A Flight Attendant Helped Launch His Career
After years of sending out demo tapes without success, Keith secured his breakthrough thanks to a flight attendant. She was a fan of his music and gave a copy of his tape to famed producer Harold Shedd (known for working with Alabama), whom she recognized on a flight. Shedd loved what he heard and signed him to Mercury Records.
5. He Wrote “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” in 20 Minutes
One of his most defining and controversial songs, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” was written incredibly quickly—in just about 20 minutes—following the September 11 attacks and the tragic death of his father.
6. He Was a Registered Democrat When He Wrote His Biggest Political Anthem
Although Toby Keith was widely seen as a staunch Republican voice in later life, at the time he wrote and released “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” in the post-9/11 era, he was a registered Democrat. His political views remained complex throughout his life, having supported figures across the political spectrum.
7. He Was a Savvy Entrepreneur with a Half-Billion Dollar Fortune
Keith was a highly successful businessman who built an empire that went far beyond music. Forbes estimated his net worth to be around $500 million in 2013, thanks largely to his extensive business interests, including his own record label (Show Dog-Universal) and his popular chain of I Love This Bar and Grill restaurants.
8. He Adopted His Wife’s Daughter in 1984
When Toby Keith married Tricia Lucus in 1984, he immediately adopted her daughter, Shelley. This demonstrated a deep commitment to family long before he achieved fame, prioritizing fatherhood.
9. Clint Eastwood Gave Him a Song Idea
The title of his 2018 single, “Don’t Let the Old Man In,” came directly from an exchange he had with Clint Eastwood. While golfing with the then-88-year-old actor, Keith asked him how he was able to keep working. Eastwood replied, “I just get up every morning and go out. And I don’t let the old man in.” Keith immediately knew he had a song idea.
10. His Debut Single Was the Most-Played Country Song of the 1990s
His 1993 debut single, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” was not just a massive hit; it went on to become the most-played country song of the entire 1990s decade, cementing his immediate and lasting impact on the genre.