Toby Keith

by Frank M. Roberts

October 2015

Normally, I don't write about today's country superstars but this character is miles away from 'run-of-the-mill'. The voice is strong - commanding and the songs? He writes about 95 per cent of the lyrics and they are doggone clever. Forbes lets us know that he is worth - gasp! - 500 million, and there will be no backing up.

Every new release is better than the last one, each with a good country sound and words that are wild 'n crazy. "35 mph Town" continues in that vein with lyrics about booze, Jesus, booze, the joys of small town living. Oh, and booze.

Whether singing or, as the object of an interview, there is no hemming or hawing. He is a reporter's delight, pulling no punches, replying with honesty that would make most of today's politicians envious.

His punchy lyrics are always fascinating. This is from his song about "Drunk Americans" - we ain't east, we ain't west, we ain't left, we ain't right, ain't black, we ain't white. We just came here to drink." Offended? Hang on and play the title cut about, among other things, "kids growin' up without Jesus."

Want history? Listen to "Rum Is the Reason." We learn about Davy Crocket, Pancho Villa, Blackbeard, Stalin, and Hitler who "drank beer from a stein, eatin' sauerkraut and weenies." Oh, Adolph!

Sure, lots of drinking but, it's all in fun and you won't find anything jazzier or crazier. Yeah, the CD is overloaded with songs about getting loaded. I know - 'groan-groan'. Better to sing about it than to do it.

Think of the many performers who sing about 'decency' then wind up getting in trouble. And that covers all genres. I won't name names, but there's a boatload of them.

If you want to see the other side of the coin, be it known that Keith has made many many trips, entertaining the troops in the Middle East. (His dad was a vet, killed later in an auto accident caused by a speeding vehicle). "My father," he said, "taught his kids to respect veterans. It's that respect that's in place and ready to defend our nation, our freedom."

In a way, that bring us to politics. You might be surprised to learn that he is a Democrat who voted for most of that party's presidential candidates including Clinton and Obama. In '04 he went for George W. Bush, while voting for a mostly Demo ticket. Even while voting for Bush Jr. he campaigned for Demo candidates. He refers to himself as a Democratic-Independent.

To make things interesting in the Keith household, his lovely wife is a Republican. He said, "I don't apologize for being patriotic. If there is something socially incorrect about being patriotic and supporting your troops - If you feel that way, he intoned, you can kiss my -- er --. Interview him, as I have, and you will know he says what he means and means what he says.

Outspoken? Oh, yeah. In 2002 he was invited to sing, "Courtesy Of the Red, White, and Blue," also known as "The Angry American." Keith was scheduled to sing it for a July 4 concert, but the invitation was rescinded. Peter Jennings vetoed it, deciding, "it wouldn't set the right tone." Keith's reply: "I find it interesting that he's not from the U. S. I bet Dan Rather would let me do it on his show." (Jennings is Canadian).

That certainly wasn't Keith's only 'feudin' and fussin' and a fightin'. There was the much publicized brouhaha with The Dixie Chicks. Natalie Maines, the angry lead singer, said, "it makes country music sound ignorant." Keith pointed out that she doesn't write her music, and he does write his songs. Add to that, during some of his concerts he displayed a backdrop showing Maines with Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein. It should be pointed out that the gals have not had any big hits since.

He gave me something to chew on during an interview when he was promoting his movie, "Broken Bridges," complaining that the studio - Paramount - was doing nothing to promote it. Oh well. He has won every prestigious award in the books, has sold more than 400 albums, and has had 20 number one hits.

One of his biggest hits was "Cryin' For Me" (Wayman's Song)," a tribute to one of his dearest friends, Wayman Tisdale, an African-American who was a basketball great, and an accomplished jazz bassist. The duo got together for Barry White's song, "Never Gonna Give You Up."

Like many country singers, he started his career singing in a honky-tonk - owned by his grandmother. Keeping it in the family, his daughter, Krystal, an absolutely beautiful young lady has embarked on a so far well received music career. She wanted to start her career after high school but he wanted her to finish college first. Done. All three of his children sing and son, Stelan is also a drummer.

He iS a high school footballer and, of course, dad is an Oklahoma Sooners fan - make that 'enthusiast'.

As if he had nothing else to do, he opened a chain of restaurants, bearing his name, but there have been problems that caused several of them to close down. Otherwise, all is well - very, very, very well.

One more note: The name 'Toby' means, 'God is good.' Amen.