‘Wonderfully Touching’: Jason Aldean’s Tribute To Toby Keith At ACM Awards Lights Up Social Media

Jason Aldean paid tribute to country legend Toby Keith at the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, with the late star’s family praising it as “wonderfully touching.”

During the ACM Awards, held at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, the 47-year-old country singer took the stage to sing his version of one of Keith’s biggest hits, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.”

Sitting on a stool with his guitar, Aldean sang a slowed-down acoustic version of Keith’s 1993 hit, which got an emotional reaction from Keith’s family and many viewers, Taste of Country noted.

After the performance, the host of this year’s ACM Awards, country star Reba McEntire, reacted to Aldean’s tribute.

“Toby, we’ll never forget you and I kind of feel like you’re here with us tonight anyway,” McEntire told the audience.

“The Covel family would like to thank Jason Aldean for the wonderfully touching performance at the ACM Awards tonight,” a message from Keith’s family posted on X read. “It was the perfect tribute to Toby Keith.”

“Jason Aldean just sang ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’ in an incredible and touching tribute to Toby Keith at the ACM Awards. So epic,” one person wrote, along with a TikTok clip someone made that read, “Who else is crying at home! Miss You Toby Keith.”

Another added, “Jason Aldean doing a tribute to Toby Keith. It got a little dusty in here.”

While a third wrote, “What an amazing tribute to Toby!! Jason Aldean.”

Later, Aldean shared the video of his tribute on X, writing, “Such an honor to get to pay tribute to my friend, [tobykeith], tonite [sic] on the #ACMawards. Toby was a big influence for a lot of us, including me, so it’s a full circle moment getting to play for him and honor his legacy. We miss you Toby!”

Before the “Try That In A Small Town” star took the stage, fellow country star Blake Shelton introduced the tribute segment talking about his late pal, saying he was both “heartbroken and honored” to pay tribute to Keith as he highlighted the singer’s incredible career and praised his role as a father.

Keith died earlier this year following a lengthy battle with stomach cancer. He was 62. Following his death, the “Red Solo Cup” hitmaker was announced as one of the new inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Related: Jason Aldean Reveals Advice Late Country Star Taught Him About Unapologetically Speaking His Mind

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