CMT celebrating the late Toby Keith in new hourlong special: What you need to know

Brandy McDonnell, The Oklahoman
Updated ·2 min read
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Over 20 years, Toby Keith forged strong bonds with the CMT Music Awards.

Now, the network is paying tribute to the late Oklahoma country music superstar with a new hourlong special.

The special "CMT Music Awards Celebrates Toby Keith," including the Norman-based hitmaker's greatest performances, biggest wins and best moments from the CMT awards show, will premiere at 9 p.m. Thursday, April 11, on CMT.

The special also features the stars from the 2024 CMT Music Awards who honored Keith with emotional tributes showcasing some of his chart-topping hits. The CMT Music Awards aired live from Austin, Texas, on April 7 on CBS.

Keith died Feb. 5 at the age of 62 after a multi-year battle with stomach cancer. He will be posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October.

Toby Keith had a long history with the CMT Music Awards

Keith had a long and storied history with the CMT Music Awards, earning 30 nominations with seven wins.

The Oklahoma native performed on the awards show 13 times, including performances for 10 consecutive years.

Keith also co-hosted the awards show twice: He and Pamela Anderson shared co-hosting duties for what was then called the CMT Flameworthy Video Awards in 2003, when he took home three belt buckle trophies, including the top prize for Video of the Year for his polarizing smash “Courtesy of The Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).”

The Norman resident returned to co-host the 2012 CMT Music Awards alongside actress and singer Kristen Bell ("Frozen," "Veronica Mars").

Co-host Toby Keith speaks after accepting one of three awards, including Video of the Year, for his “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)," during the CMT Flameworthy 2003 Video Music Awards show at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville on April 7, 2003.
Co-host Toby Keith speaks after accepting one of three awards, including Video of the Year, for his “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)," during the CMT Flameworthy 2003 Video Music Awards show at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville on April 7, 2003.

2024 CMT Music Awards tribute to Toby Keith featured Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn and Sammy Hagar

Sunday's CMT Music Awards included a 13-minute all-star tribute to Toby Keith that featured his longtime band. Introduced by baseball legend Roger Clemens, the homage kicked off with Country Music Hall of Famers Brooks & Dunn crooning Keith's 1993 debut single "Should've Been a Cowboy," followed by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar performing "I Love This Bar."

Singer-songwriters Lukas Nelson and Riley Green then introduced Lainey Wilson, who brought her feisty attitude to her cover of Keith's chart-topper "How Do You Like Me Now?!"

Clemens was visibly emotional by the time he led the crowd on and off the stage — as well as the audience watching the live CBS broadcast — in raising their red Solo cups and toasting Keith with "whiskey for my men and beer for my horses," a nod to another of the Oklahoman's hits.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Toby Keith's top CMT Music Awards moments to be showcased in new special