Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson and More Pay Tribute to Late Toby Keith and Bring His Kids to Tears at 2024 CMT Awards

The "As Good as I Once Was" singer died of stomach cancer in February at age 62

Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson and more are honoring the life of country legend Toby Keith.

At Sunday's CMT Music Awards, held at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, several musicians banded together to perform a touching tribute to the late country star, who died of stomach cancer at age 62 in February. Each of the artists opted for an energized performance to reflect the joy of Keith's legacy and music — and concluded by sipping red Solo cups in his honor.

The duo, featuring Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, kicked off the performance with an uplifting rendition of "Should've Been a Cowboy," which felt like a true celebration of Keith's spirit.

Brooks & Dunn's performance was then followed by Sammy Hagar. The rock legend, 76, wore a red jacket with the late singer's merchandise underneath and ran out onto the stage to tell a story about his friendship with Keith.

Hagar reminisced about his nights partying with the "Red Solo Cup" singer in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and joked about how the two once got kicked out of Keith's own establishment, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill.

Fittingly, they played "I Love This Bar" and rocked out throughout the set.

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Before the final performance, Lukas Nelson, who used to play in Keith's band, and singer Riley Green emerged on stage to say kind words about the singer-songwriter.

"Toby was not a shy guy. He had a big personality," Nelson, 35, said. "I met him when I was younger when he was working on 'Beer for My Horses' with [my dad Willie Nelson]. I got lucky I got the opportunity to watch his artistry in person."

Green, 35, added, "That guy could come up with a hook like no other and sing the hell out of every song that he wrote, somehow only making it look easy. Right now, we have one of our favorite artists to perform one of our favorite Toby songs."

Wilson, 31, then took to the stage and brought the tribute home with an uplifting performance of "How Do You Like Me Now?!"

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Former MLB player Roger Clemens, a longtime friend of Keith's, introduced the tribute performance with a moving speech.

The star baseball player called the "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" singer "a friend, patriot and great American," and told a story about how he kept his "sense of humor and his wit" after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021.

"A perfect example of it, my two boys, who played baseball right here at the University of Texas, they were in Oklahoma playing the Sooners at [University of Oklahoma], Toby's university," he shared. "Toby told my boys, 'If you get a home run off our Oklahoma pitcher today, I'll sit on your dugout and I'll sing the 'The Eyes of Texas' with you. Well, guess what? It happened and, true to form, Toby sat on the dugout and with his funny and wit, sang, 'I've been working on the railroad.' No chance was he going to sing 'The Eyes of Texas.'"

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Following the performance, Clemens reemerged to lead one final memorial in honor of Keith, expressing his condolences and gratitude to his family — including his wife Tricia Lucus and children Shelley, Krystal and Stelen — who were in attendance.

"Thank you for sharing your dad with all of us. Thank you," he said, bringing the late musician's family to tears. "Trish, we love you. Thank you for sharing your husband with the world, Trish. Thank you."

Check out all of PEOPLE's full CMT Awards coverage here.

The special moment concluded with one final cheers, as Clemens invited the crowd and viewers at home to toast a red Solo cup in the ACM award winner's honor, while making a reference to his hit "Beer for My Horses." Clemens said, "Alright, real quick. Raise 'em up. Everybody at home, raise your fist if you don't have a Solo cup. Let Toby hear you. Repeat after me, 'Whiskey for my men,' and, 'Beer for my horses.' Let's go."

Throughout his career, Keith received 30 total CMT Award nominations and went on to win seven belt buckles. He also performed at the award ceremony 13 times.

The "American Soldier" singer also co-hosted the award show twice: in 2012 alongside Kristen Bell and in 2003 with Pamela Anderson. In 2012, he was the most-awarded artist of the night and took home the coveted prize of video of the year for "Courtesy of The Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)."

Following the 23rd annual CMT Awards, the network will also air a special dedicated to the "Should've Been a Cowboy" performer. Titled CMT Music Awards Celebrate Toby Keith, the program will reflect on his most memorable moments from the awards show over the years. It premieres on Thursday, April 11 at 10 p.m. ET.

Keith's family announced the news of his death on social media in February.

"Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on Feb. 5 surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage," the statement read. "Please respect the privacy of his family at this time."

In March, he was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the highest honor within the country music genre.

Keith's tribute performance at Sunday's award ceremony, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, was among the star-studded slate of entertainment. More performers included:  Bailey Zimmerman, Brittney Spencer, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Jordan Davis, Keith Urban, Megan Moroney, NEEDTOBREATHE, Old Dominion, Parker McCollum, Sam Hunt and Trisha Yearwood.

The 2024 CMT Music Awards aired live from Austin, Texas' Moody Center on Sunday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+. 

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