Exclusive: Trace Adkins Emotionally Honors Toby Keith, Recalls the Fitting Words Keith Challenged Him With

Trace Adkins’ stoic demeanor cracked in July in the minutes before he was due to take the stage to sing “American Soldier” to honor his friend and fellow country singer Toby Keith.

Keith’s tribute concert, Toby Keith: American Icon, also included Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Carrie Underwood, Jordan Davis, Brantley Gilbert, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Darius Rucker, Ashley McBryde, and more. The concert was taped at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and will air on Wednesday, August 28, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

Keith lost his battle in February to stomach cancer. Before that, Adkins and Keith spent decades in near lockstep, moving through country music and entertaining troops.

“I hope I’m just going to try to just focus on the song and not think too much about my brother,” Adkins said. “If I can, maybe I can get through it. We’ll see.”

Adkins said he knows “American Soldier” was deeply important to Keith and recalled the men spending hours together on tour buses reminiscing about playing for the troops abroad and at home.

“It just meant a lot to him and his respect for and appreciation for men and women who serve,” Adkins said. “It’s very profound, very deep. It was genuine. I know what this song meant to him.”

Keith wrote “American Soldier” with Chuck Cannon.

Trace Adkins: “Thanks, Dawg. I Miss You.”

Lyrics include: I’m an American soldier, an American| Beside my brothers and my sisters| I will proudly take a stand| When liberty’s in jeopardy| I will always do what’s right| I’m out here on the front lines| Sleep in peace tonight

Adkins said he felt honored and glad organizers called and asked him to participate in the taping.

Dressed in a black cowboy hat, black shirt, and black jeans, Adkins took the stage to perform near the end of the night. He followed a patriotic, tear-jerking performance by the Honor Guard and Army Band.

“We toured together several times over the years and did a lot of shows together,” Adkins said from the stage. “I just remember that every show, the last thing he always said before he walked off the stage was, ‘Never apologize for being patriotic.’”

With that statement, the crowd roared.

“I knew he was saying that because it was a challenge to the rest of us,” Adkins continued. “Also, it was a look inside who Toby Keith was because he believed that. The love and respect he had for the men and women who serve this country, it was marrow deep. It was profound. It was genuine. It was real. I always respected him so much.”

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Trace Adkins Is Proud To Call Toby Keith His Friend

Adkins said he could talk all night about Keith but was “proud to have known him and call him a friend.”

“Thanks, Dawg. I miss you,” Adkins said to Keith before he started singing.

Adkins nearly made it through the song without his rich baritone wavering with emotion.

In a night full of songs from contemporary superstars, Adkins’ tribute to his friend gleamed as a true and heartfelt goodbye.

He left the stage, sharing Keith’s words: “Never apologize for being patriotic.”

(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Universal Music Group)