Toby Keith has always been known for his bold, unapologetic music and larger-than-life presence in country music. Beyond the hits like “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and “I Love This Bar,” Toby is also celebrated for his deep loyalty and generosity, especially when it comes to his friends. One of those friends is country music comedian and parody artist Cledus T. Judd, with whom Toby shared a long history.
Cledus, known for his humorous take on country music, has not only shared the stage with Toby but also has a close, brotherly bond with him. However, their relationship took a heartfelt turn during a tough moment when Cledus faced a family emergency while on tour with Toby.
Toby Keith helped Cledus T. Judd see his sick mom while touring
While on tour in the 2000s, Cledus T. Judd found himself far away from his home in Georgia when his mother suffered a heart attack. He was in Bakersfield, California, miles away from his family and feeling helpless.
Amidst the panic, Cledus was in his bus bunk, overwhelmed and emotional, when Toby Keith immediately arranged for flights from every city on the tour. He had mapped out flights that would allow Cledus to catch a plane at a moment’s notice, ensuring that his friend would be able to get to Georgia quickly if needed.
Toby Keith called Cledus T. Judd to cheer him up
The last night of the tour, Cledus found himself in Georgia, unable to join his friends for the finale of the tour. Just as he was feeling down about missing out on the last night, Cledus received an unexpected call from Joey Floyd, Toby’s acoustic guitarist.
On the other end of the line, Joey told Cledus to hang on, and suddenly, Toby’s voice rang through, addressing the crowd in Virginia Beach. Toby told the 15,000 fans how much Cledus meant to the tour and asked the audience to send their love to his friend. The crowd erupted in chants of Cledus’ name, and he was moved to tears.