Toby Keith Opens Up About His Battle With Stomach Cancer
Toby Keith, a country music artist, is speaking up about his health for the first time. The fan favorite was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021. Since then, he has been receiving treatment.
Keith shared a health update on his social media platforms. “I’ve been receiving chemo, radiation, and surgery for the previous six months,” he explained. “So far, so good. I need to take some time to breathe, heal, and rest.”
Keith says that despite his health problems, he will never forget his friends and supporters. “I’m excited to spend time with my family,” he stated. “However, I’ll visit the supporters sooner rather than later. I can hardly stand it. -T.”
Because of this announcement, it was uncertain what would happen to Keith’s upcoming performances. His website claimed that his next event would be on June 17 in Wheaton, Illinois.
Keith’s announcement was followed by confirmation from the Ohio State Fair that his July 28 event in Columbus, Ohio, had been canceled. Keith’s spokesperson, Elaine Schock, stated that specific tour dates may also be canceled, “although I’m not sure how many at this point.”
His website also announced the release of his most current album, “Peso in my Pocket,” published last year following a lengthy break from touring due to Covid pandemic constraints.
Keith stated that the album’s song ideas came to him as he did his favorite activity, running.
“Before I started jogging, I’d look at the musical ideas I had on my phone, and then I’d take off,” he explained. “My time would be up before I realized it, and I’d have constantly been working, grinding gears in my thoughts about the tunes. When I got home, I’d put on my phone’s recorder and record whatever I could.”
“It was a fantastic time for me to write,” he added.
Toby Keith is a staple of the music industry. In 2021, he was awarded the “National Medal of Arts,” which the National Endowment for the Arts describes as “the highest honor presented by the United States government to artists and arts patrons.”
“Toby Keith is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and humanitarian who has undertaken 11 USO Tours to date,” according to a statement provided by the National Endowment for the Arts in January 2021.
He has 32 number-one singles to his credit.
Keith, a veteran musician, has performed for American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. He’s also performed for George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.
Keith has long been a supporter of cancer patients and will remain so. He established the Toby Keith Foundation more than a decade ago to help sick children and their families. When the “OK Kids Korral” facility opened in 2014, it offered a free, convenient, and comfortable place to stay for children undergoing chemotherapy.
“Red Solo Cup” and “I Wanna Talk About Me” are Keith’s most popular songs. Following the 9/11 attacks, he released “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American),” which launched him to popularity.
