On February 5, country singer-songwriter Toby Keith died, leaving behind scores of grieving family members, fans, and friends. Just as his music and performance became important to thousands, Keith also grew emotional when interacting with fans, with one of the most touching moments coming from him bringing a 93-year-old concertgoer to the stage.
Throughout his highly decorated career, which includes a first-of-its-kind People’s Choice Award, Keith expressed passionate patriotism. So, when Lt. Col. Harry Frizzell Sr. attended one of his events, Keith was particularly eager to act on his behalf and allowed his emotional reaction to unfold for all guests to see.
Toby Keith invited a 93-year-old hero onto the stage during a concert
The man in question, Frizzell, had served in three wars across 34 years of service. Back home, he raised four children. A video is now recirculating showing the event in which Keith brought Frizzell down to the stage, which is something he often does for veterans, each of whom Keith considered a hero.
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Keith turned the microphone over to Frizzell. The veteran said, “My name is Lt. Col. Harry Frizzell. I’m from Oklahoma just like this gentleman…I would like to say just a few sentences here. God bless America.”
The event took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 21, 2015, and attendees that day got to see firsthand Ketih grow visibly emotional in Frizzell’s presence.
Toby Keith and the military
That particular day, Keith sang “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” and “American Soldier” for Frizzell. Keith has an extensive history of voicing his support for the U.S. military. Following its release in November 2005, “American Soldier” stayed on the top of the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Songs chart for four weeks straight.
According to Keith, that track was written “for all the times that I get to meet the troops on these USO tours, and since Courtesy of Red, White, and Blue, the P.O.W.s and the families that have come and brought me back my old CD covers and stuff that they had and shown how much support they had (for me), this is my support for the American fighting men and women.”
He was speaking in reference to his Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart-topper from the year before, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” This song was written in response to the attacks on September 11 and reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Keith’s biggest solo hit on the chart.
Revisit the profound moment for Keith and an American hero in the video below.
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