Toby Keith touched the lives of countless people during his illustrious career.
His contribution to country music was only half the story.
And Keith’s daughter held back tears when she announced one life-changing development.
Toby Keith Golf Classic raises $3.1 million for charity
Country music legend Toby Keith passed away in February after finally succumbing to a battle with stomach cancer at the age of 62.
He was almost as well-known for his charitable deeds as he was for his music.
And Keith’s family is keeping that legacy alive.
The 20th-anniversary edition of the Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic was held at the Belmar Golf Club in Norman, Oklahoma, home of Keith’s beloved Oklahoma Sooners.
Over $3.1 million was raised over the course of the two-day event for The Toby Keith Foundation and OK Kids Korral.
Similar to the Ronald McDonald House, the OK Kids Korral houses the families of children who are receiving cancer treatment in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at no cost to them.
Keith had stressed the importance of the work that his charity does for kids.
“My best gift I’ve ever given the world,” Keith declared.
Keith’s family marked the 20th anniversary of the event at a gala.
Shelley Covel Rowland, Keith’s daughter, gave the crowd advance warning that she might burst into tears.
“I might cry, so bear with me. Tonight marks 20 years of this event,” Rowland announced while holding a red solo cup in a nod to her dad’s hit song.
His daughter Krystal Keith told The Oklahoman that her family wanted to carry on the legacy of their father’s charity work despite his passing.
Krystal said, “I would say — and he had said — this is one of the greatest gifts he could give the world was the Korral. . .So, this is one of the things that he looked the most forward to, and I think this is the thing that my siblings and I have discussed being kind of our purpose from this point forward.”
“Obviously, it’s hard, because this is the first one without him. . .But we’re excited to kick off what the future is going to hold for this foundation,” she added.
Toby Keith posthumous accomplishment
Keith’s 2008 album 35 Greatest Hits has spent 150 weeks on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, a career-best for the entertainer.
Rowland said, “And it’s still hanging on: It’ll reach 151 on Sunday. Cheers to that.”
Krystal Keith said that her dad’s music still speaks to millions of fans.
Krystal explained, “That gives him three albums that are over 100 weeks on the Billboard charts — and one of them was two full years. . .He had a ton of hits, and it’s pretty incredible. . .I think people, looking back, realize that he was a huge part of their childhood soundtrack or their teenage years soundtrack or whatever.”
She added that she’s eagerly anticipating her father’s induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame later in the year.
“We’ve always had a great relationship with the Hall of Fame. He’s had exhibits and things there in the past, and I wish that he had been around to get that,” Krystal said. “But it’s exciting that he’s going to be there and will be in legendary status forever.”
Toby Keith’s legacy of good works and music will live on for many years.
Informed American will keep you up-to-date on any developments to this ongoing story.
