Toby Keith: My Proudest Moments
Toby takes a look back at some of his career milestones.
published May 18, 2009 by Chris Neal
In our exclusive interview in the May 25 issue of Country Weekly, Toby Keith takes a candid look back at the milestones that have defined his superstar career. Toby declares that he has exceeded his wildest aspirations. “I never dreamed I’d dine at the White House or be there several times. I never dreamed that I’d be doing movies,” he tells Country Weekly. Toby also recalls his first No. 1 hit, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” along with his biggest and boldest career move. And for his final goal, Toby simply sums up, “Keep it going just like it is.” Below are a few online-only outtakes from that interview.
On the Value of Awards
“Any of the awards from the major awards shows that I’ve won, I don’t even display them at my house. The ones that I won way back when, they mean very little to me because there’s no criteria to get them. Your label just has to have the most votes. The exception of the rules is the CMT Music Awards. I’ve got more wins at the CMT awards than anybody, but a lot of that is fan-voted.”
On Critics
“I heard [rock singer and TV personality] Henry Rollins do this big quote about coming across the table on a critic and satisfying his wife and drinking soup from his cranium and I thought, ‘Here’s a guy who feels about critics the same way I do.’ Well I happened to be [watching TV] one night and I come upon this show called The Henry Rollins Show on one of the small cable networks [IFC]. I just happened to click on it to see what he was doing, and just five minutes after I’m watching he said, ‘When we get back, an open letter to Toby Keith.’ He comes back and critiques my song ‘Get Drunk and Be Somebody’ and in the middle of it this guy, who’s supposed to be a no-nonsense, stand-up kind of guy, goes, ‘Hey, I’m not asking for an ass-whipping here . . . ’ Talk about a hypocrite! I see those kinds of things on a daily basis. You just sit back and scratch your head. I will not come out of the box on somebody, especially that I don’t know, and critique their music. That’s not right and I won’t do it. We don’t bring a bunch of hate to the table.”
On Songwriting
“My dream was to go play music and write my songs. If my career went away tomorrow, all these songs that I’m writing would go to my daughter or to some other person that was thinking about singing and I would funnel them through that way. I’ll never quit writing. I know how to write a song, and there’s no one who could take that away from me. If someone else doesn’t like what you do or they don’t think that you’re a great writer, none of that [matters]. It’s not up to us, it’s up to the public, so it doesn’t matter who writes what. It ends up being in the fan’s hands anyway.”
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15 Comments show all
R. Wheeler says:
Toby Keith is an awesome singer. Ne just needs to control his language at his concerts. They're are children there, that also like his music.
Nov 10, 2009 at 9:08 am ESTD. Nauman says:
Toby Keith is great singer/writer, i love that he can write and sing about things no other artist does. His voice is wonderful and i hope that his career lasts for many more years.
Nov 30, 2009 at 5:06 pm ESTAnonymous says:
toby is my all time favorite...there are no words I can say
Dec 03, 2009 at 4:49 pm ESTAnonymous says:
I LOVE TOBY KEITH... i love his songs and he is amazing!!!!
Dec 11, 2009 at 1:28 pm ESTtaylor says:
HE IS AWESOME
Dec 31, 2009 at ESTTaylor says:
GOT ALL HIS ALBUMS! LOVE HIM!
Dec 31, 2009 at ESTIf i had one
Sandy says:
The man is awesome. Great song writer, and that voice....He's truly amazing. He is the best!
Jan 14, 2010 at ESTHelga-Muis says:
Toby Keith is the best! Not only talent in music writing, singing, but I just love him in Movies. I sure hope he does more movies real soon, can't wait for his next Movie. Keep up the great work and have fun doing it Toby. Hope you come to Canada soon too.
Feb 02, 2010 at 6:52 pm ESTHugs Helga
Kathy says:
Toby's music makes me smile & I hope he never stops singing or writing. I have never had the pleasure of going to one of his concerts but have heard he is amazing & I that I would fall in love with him if I ever met him.
Feb 26, 2010 at 2:26 pm ESTKeep it up Toby. You put a big smile on my face every day. Love your lastest CD.
Kathy says:
Toby's music makes me smile & I hope he never stops singing or writing. I have never had the pleasure of going to one of his concerts but have heard he is amazing & that I would fall in love with him if I ever met him.
Feb 26, 2010 at 2:29 pm ESTKeep it up Toby. You put a big smile on my face every day. Love your lastest CD.
Annette Hecker says:
Toby, your music (writing & singing) has made me a fan of yours for many, many years!!!! I have seen you in concerts as well as the Houston Rodeo Concert (where we definitely ignore the "Critic") because Houston Loves You!!!! I have all your CD's - love them - ready for more, that is, my I-Pod is & moi!!! Keep up the great work!!!! Side Note: I will be travelling to Vegas in May, is your Restaurant Celiac (Gluten-Free) Friendly? I hope so!!! Keep Smiling!!!
Mar 19, 2010 at 1:45 pm ESTANGELA BETH HARTMAN says:
MY NANE IS ANGELA BETH HARTMAN AND I LOVE TOBY KIETH'S SONGS BECAUSE THEY MEAN SO MUSH TO ME AND ALL OF THE OTHER AMERICAN PEOPLE OUT THERE LIKE OUR TROOPS OVER SEAS THAT ARE FIGHTING FOR US RIGHT NOW AND PLUS ON TP OF THAT WHEN TOBY KIETH WAS ONCE WAS ON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING SINGING THAT AMERIAN MAD SONG ON THERE JEFF JERRETT JUST PUSHED TOBY OUT OF JEFF'S WAY AND WHEN TOBY WAS ON WCW AND NOW IT IS CALLED TNA TOBY GAVE JEFF JERRETT THE PILE DRIVER WHICH WAS GREAT I WATCHED THAT ON T.V. ON TIME AND TOBY REALLY KICKED JEFF JERRETT'S BUTT AND THAT WAS FUNNY AS HELL!
Mar 19, 2010 at 2:48 pm ESTGoogy says:
Toby is the top dog! I would always back him and stand with him. I have been to several concerts and he never disappoints. Not that he ever would. Not a better entertainer, he just doesn't get the recognition he deserves! Love ya Toby, your warrior forever.
Apr 12, 2010 at 8:24 am ESTDale says:
Toby is one of the most talented and true to life kind of guy!!!! His songs are amazing and so is he!! He tells it like it is!!!! I have seen him in concert many times he puts on an awesome show!!!
Apr 24, 2010 at 1:48 pm ESTDale says:
Toby is one of the most talented and true to life kind of guy!!!! His songs are amazing and so is he!! He tells it like it is!!!! I have seen him in concert many times he puts on an awesome show!!!
Apr 24, 2010 at 1:49 pm ESTLeave a Comment