Brantley Gilbert Reflects On Toby Keith’s Legacy: ‘A Set Of Boots That Won’t Ever Be Filled’ [Exclusive]

Brantley Gilbert is just one of several country music superstars stepping up to honor the late Toby Keith during the upcoming NBC special, Toby Keith: American Icon. 

The Georgia native, who was lucky enough to tour with Keith in the early days of his career, reflected on his time on the road with the legendary singer/songwriter while chatting with Country Now. He shared how Keith’s touring crew was a true reflection of the kind of man he was, and pointed out that it’s something you don’t see too often. 

“We played several events together… Man, it was a good match. Our crews got along, our bands got along, and Toby, that crew and that camp as a whole, what you saw them, I mean, there’s guys that have been there for 20, 30 years and not just one or two. You got a crew full of those guys that have been there. You don’t see that,” he shared. “And you could also tell that it was led from the top. And the more you got to know him, the more all of it made sense. The more everything around him made sense.” 

Gilbert later declared, “Those are just a set of boots that won’t ever be filled. He was a giant amongst men in so many ways and it was an honor mine to know him, let alone call him a friend.” 

According to the “Bottoms Up” singer, one thing he particularly admired about Keith was his unwavering commitment to his beliefs.

“I hope a lot of these younger artists are paying attention. I think tonight, I hope this isn’t the last time that we pay tribute to this man, because Toby to me showed everybody that it was all right to do you and to do it unapologetically. But to do that you had to be a person of substance. You had to be somebody worth following. And man, I mean, there was nobody better at that,” he pointed out. “I can’t say that there was anything that Toby stood behind that I couldn’t get behind. And for somebody to be able to be unapologetic about who they are, especially in this day and age, man, it is worth its way gold. He was a legend and is a legend and will always be a legend for a reason.”

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During Wednesday evening’s broadcast, fans will have the chance to witness Gilbert teaming up with HARDY to perform Toby Keith’s iconic hit, “How Do You Like Me Now.” Gilbert said he was excited “to get up there and rock a little bit.” 

Filmed in front of a live, sold-out audience at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on July 29, Toby Keith: American Icon will also feature performances by Trace Adkins, Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Scotty Emerick, Riley Green, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Krystal Keith, Ella Langley, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Leanne Morgan, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker, and Lainey Wilson.

Keith’s compassion and philanthropy will be showcased throughout the special, which supported Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral. Families from both organizations will share their experiences of receiving essential care and support during their toughest moments.

The two-hour special, showcasing musical tributes, personal stories, and highlights from Toby Keith‘s remarkable career, will air on Wednesday, August 28 at 9 pm ET/PT on NBC, with streaming available the following day on Peacock.

With 32 No.1 singles and 40 million albums sold, Toby Keith is regarded as one of country music’s biggest hitmakers. He wrote a chart-topping hit every year for 20 consecutive years, including “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American),” “I Love This Bar,” “Beer For My Horses,” and “As Good As I Once Was.”

He has received the National Medal of Arts, been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (following his induction into the all-genre Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015), and has been honored with the Academy of Country Music’s esteemed Merle Haggard Spirit Award.

Throughout his career, the Oklahoma native has been honored with the BMI Icon Award, won the BMI Country Songwriter of the Year award three times, and saw his hit single “As Good As I Once Was” named BMI’s Country Song of the Year in 2006.

His music has garnered more than 10 billion streams and 100 million terrestrial radio spins to date.