Jason Aldean sang “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” at the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday night to commemorate Toby Keith.
Before the performance, Blake Shelton paid tribute to Keith, who died on Feb. 5 at 62 after a long battle with stomach cancer.
"Toby was a total star. Toby sold 44 million albums, had 33 number-one songs, and won 14 ACM awards, including entertainer of the year, but his legacy was much more, he added.
"Toby was a caring husband. He was a proud dad, Shelton said. “He was huge.
He always shot you straight till the finish of his gallant journey, which ended too soon."
Later, Aldean sang an acoustic version of the late star's song while the crowd sung along. Keith's family witnessed the performance, shedding tears.
After the concert, Reba McEntire said, “Toby, we’ll never forget you. I feel like you're here tonight.”
Keith's 1993 self-titled album opens with "Should've Been a Cowboy," his breakthrough single. The song topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs list in June 1993.