02/07/2024
Like the rest of the "Toby Nation" I was shocked to hear of the passing of one of the greatest guys I've ever met/known in the industry. After reading the many stories from fans and his fellow country music stars, I wanted to share one of the
many memories I have of Toby Keith. It all started over drinks (back when I drank) at Rodeos on Murfreesboro road one Friday night in the mid 90s when I did nights on the Big 98 WSIX. This night we decided that he was gonna come on my show
the following week for an interview and to be a guest DJ. All is good, on a handshake, but, the night of the show rolls around and he's a "no-show". So, since I had already promoted it for a few previous nights, we had to do
SOMETHING. So, Toby finally called me and (can't remember whose idea it was) but we, I guess, collectively, came up with the idea of calling him "No-Showby" (Thanks G.Jones - RIP) and act like I was pi**ed off and decide to have a
(staged of course) "duke-out" live on the air later in the week. Anyway, Toby DID show up for the on-air fight a few nights later and brought along country star Lari White (RIP) to referee. So, we turned all the studio mics on and
proceeded to fight it out. We were throwing trash cans around for sound effects, banging the counters, yelling and screaming, and I was very impressed with his acting skills even back then. I wish I still had the tape of that broadcast,
but, that, along with many of those old air-check tapes were lost in the 2010 flood. Doah! So, once we caught our breath and rested for a few minutes, the show went on with the big Show Dog himself making the whole situation
right in the end. As I knew he would. I learned a valuable lesson from this whole episode. Always go through the proper channels with the label, publisher, etc and never book an act for your show while partying with them over loads of drinks
at a bar. lol. The last time we hung out together was a few years ago at The Tin Roof, where he had no problem jumping up on the stage there and singing a few for the locals, including his first huge hit from back in the day
"Should've Been a Cowboy". And he was as good then as he ever was. Rest in Peace my friend. You'll always be greatly missed.
