Jason Aldean will cover Toby Keith’s biggest country anthems as a tribute to the late legend at the 59th ACM Awards on Thursday night (May 16).
The Academy of Country Music confirmed this on Tuesday morning. Jason, the reigning ACM Artist of the Decade, will perform “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” in Toby’s honor. Jason of course shared the news on his Instagram story on Tuesday saying that he’s “honored to pay tribute to my friend, the one and only [Toby Keith] with a special performance of ‘Should’ve Been A Cowboy’ at the [ACM Awards]. Join me as we celebrate his legacy and the mark he left on country music.”
Big Dog Toby Keith passed on Feb. 5 following a years-long battle with stomach cancer that he fought “with grace and courage”. He was 62. The Songwriters Hall of Famer and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee was honored in tributes across the country music community. As he should’ve been. His children — son, Stelen Keith Covel, 27, and daughters Krystal Keith, 38, and Shelly Covel Rowland, 44 — remembered him as their “hero.” God rest his soul.
The ACMs will happen at the Ford Center again this year at The Star in Frisco, Texas hosted by the one and only Reba McEntire, who is returning to host the show for the 17th time. The ACM Red Carpet will kick off at 7 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. CDT/4 p.m. PDT. The show is set for Thursday, May 16 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT.