Luke Bryan Gets Choked up During Toby Keith Tribute, Honors His Late Sister

Toby Keith’s absence is still reverberating throughout the country music world. The “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” singer died in February at age 62 after battling stomach cancer for more than two years. On Tuesday (July 29), the majority of Nashville’s A-list gathered at Bridgestone Arena to give the country icon a proper send-off. Everyone from Lainey Wilson to Tyler Hubbard paid tribute during Toby Keith: American Icon. The night was equal parts rollicking celebration and somber reflection. Country star Luke Bryan provided plenty of the latter.

Luke Bryan: “This Is For You, Toby”

After news broke of Keith’s death, Luke Bryan took to Facebook to remember an “iconic artist and a great man. “Your songs turn every room into a good time,” wrote the “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” singer.

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At Bridgestone Arena, Bryan paused as he took the stage to perform Keith’s breakout 1993 hit “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” “Hold on, let me grab something,” the American Idol judge said.

Bryan then produced a black cowboy hat, explaining that it had been a gift from his sister when the “Play It Again” singer was getting started in his career. “I was playing bars and doing about 10 Toby Keith songs a night,” Bryan said.

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Luke Bryan gets emotional at the Toby Keith tribute in Nashville at Toby Keith American Icon. #lukebryan #tobykeith #tobykeithtribute #countrymusic #countrymusictiktoks #tobykeithtributeconcert #nashville #nashvilletn #country #tobykeithamericanicon @Luke Bryan

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When Kelly Bryan died in 2007, the five-time Entertainer of the Year hung the hat up in his closet. It stayed there until Bryan was leaving his home for the tribute concert,

“I was walking out of the house and I said, ‘You know what? I’m just an old country boy from Georgia, but Toby Keith certainly made me want to be a cowboy,” Bryan said.

[RELATED: The Best Performances From ‘Toby Keith: American Icon’ Tribute Concert; How To Watch the Full Show]

“So I’m gonna be a cowboy tonight,” said Bryan, 48, placing the hat on his head. “This is for you, Toby.”

Fans React to Bryan’s Tribute: “Toby Would Be Proud”

Luke Bryan has never shied away from genuine displays of emotion onstage. After his latest, it didn’t take long for praise to pour in on social media.

“that’s so special double honor your sister and Toby,” one TikTok user wrote.

“You know he sang right along with you from Heaven,” another user added.

Featured image by Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock