On Feb. 5, after a year and a half of battling stomach cancer, singer-songwriter Toby Keith passed away beside his family. The patriotic trailblazer was 62. 

Toby Keith signed his first record deal in 1993 at 32 years old, releasing his hit song “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” It became the most-played country song of the 1990s, with over three million radio station plays. 

In 2001, Keith won male vocalist of the year as well as album of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards for his album “How Do You Like Me Now?!” 

Keith was extremely influential after the 9/11 attacks, releasing songs such as “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” “American Soldier” and “American Made,” which encouraged patriotism and respect for U.S. armed forces across the country and resonated with the American population through the terrorist attacks of the early 2000s.  

Keith is well known for his drinking songs such as “Beer For My Horses,” with country legend Willie Nelson, and “Red Solo Cup,” but he also sang love songs, typically with a sense of humor.  

His songs have become Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day playlist staples. Whether out on the lake, at a firework show or at a barbecue, there is likely to be a Toby Keith song in the lineup.  

Over his three-decade-long career, Keith had 20 No. 1 singles on the Billboard charts. 

Millennials and Generation Z alike grew up listening to Toby Keith and will mourn the great loss in the world of country music. Keith’s contributions to not only the music industry but also to American patriotism will not be forgotten.