Toby Keith Aims to Return to Performing in Cancer Update

Toby Keith Cancer Update: Will Toby Return In 2023?

Shocked by Toby Keith’s frighteningly thin frame during his first public appearance after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer a year ago, Many fans were left wondering if we will ever see Toby back touring and performing ever again?

Stomach cancer can be hard to get rid of and we can’t even imagine the struggle our country music legend has had to go through to get back to his feet.

Has the toby Keith comeback started?

On November 4th, 2022, while Keith was in Lexington for the Breeder's Cup, he made a stop at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse for a performance that lasted for an entire hour.

The self proclaimed redneck form Oklahoma, gave a performance during which he revisited his popular song "I Love This Bar."

He also covered Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Otis Redding's "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay."

According to one of Keith's close friends, "He wanted to prove to himself that he could still do it."

We never doubted you for a moment Toby!

Following that momentum, he traveled to Nashville to take part in the 2022 BMI Awards, where he was presented with the prestigious BMI Icon Award.

Fellow country stars, Carrie Underwood and Eric Church, as well as long time song writing partners Scotty Emerick and Dean Dillon, each gave a performance of one of their songs in honor of Keith.

"During the time that we were in the midst of things, performing all of that stuff, and compiling that catalog, we had no concept what it was that we were actually accomplishing. Just going about our business with our heads down" In a recent interview with CMT, Keith talks about his illustrious career and the honors he's received, such as the BMI Icon Award.

Keith is now a member of a distinguished group of songwriters who have been honored with the BMI Icon Award. These composers come from a variety of musical genres and include names such as Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams Jr., and others.

He elaborates by adding, "The songwriting stuff was always the most important to me" recounting how he initially traveled to Nashville with the assumption that other artists would record his songs.

Soon after that, he decided to pursue a career as an artist. "In the end, everything turned out as well as it possibly could have." Says Keith.

And, just in case you were thinking The iconic country artist was done teasing us with a potential comeback for the month of November, he still found time to surprise married country music couple Tim and Taylor during their show at ONE bar in Oklahoma on November 18.

"Having the opportunity to play with Toby was a lot of fun. He has a wonderful voice even now. We simply hoped that we would be able to learn how to play all of the songs that he wanted to sing!

Taylor said that the unexpected appearance took both herself and her husband by surprise.

"When Toby started heading towards us, I thought he was just going to tell us 'nice job' or something along those lines and then go back and seat down, but he then stood up and started singing [George Strait's] 'Amarillo By Morning.'"

In addition, Keith duetted with the husband and wife on a number of other songs, such as "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels Band, "Mama Tried" by Merle Haggard, "Whole Lot Of Shakin' Going On" by Jerry Lee Lewis, and "Johnny Be Good" by Chuck Berry. Other hits of Keith's, including "I Love This Bar" and "Courtesy of The Red White & Blue," were among the songs that were performed by the trio.

Although Toby appears to be noticeably thinner than we are used to seeing him, his obvious vigor to get back in the saddle, his high energy speech at the BMI Awards, and his desire to create these surprise popup performances all give us reason to hope that the big dog will be back in action at healthy in 2023.

Toby is an absolute legend and we are looking forward to his return.

In the mean time, comment your favorite Toby Keith moment down below.

Thanks for watching.