Parker McCollum Leads All-Star Sing-Along Tribute To Toby Keith With ‘Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue’

Country music icon Toby Keith was a proud American and never shied away from being patriotic. In fact, he closed out every show by telling the audience, “Never apologize for being patriotic” and lived up to his own words by embarking on 11 USO Tours, performing for nearly 256,000 troops and military families across 18 countries with more than 285 events throughout his career. Recognized with the Spirit of the USO Award in 2014, Keith was a true patriot and wasn’t afraid to show it. 

So, there was no better way to close out the two-hour NBC special, Toby Keith: American Icon than with a performance of “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American).” 

Parker McCollum had the honor of leading this tribute performance, taking the stage solo to deliver the first part of the song. Later, all of the artists who took part in this special night joined him for a massive sing-along performance. 

Ella Langley, HARDY, Jordan Davis, Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Priscilla Block, Ashley McBryde, Trace Adkins, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Lainey Wilson, Brantley Gilbert and more surrounded McCollum and sang the words proudly as the massive audience joined in. 

It was truly a remarkable moment to witness and the perfect way to close out the show. 

“Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American)” was written solely by Toby Keith. It was released in the Spring of 2002, just months after the September 11 terrorist attacks shook American citizens and the world. 

“It wasn’t written for everybody. And when you write something from your heart – I had a dad that was a veteran, taught me how precious our freedom is – I was so angry when we were attacked here on American soil that it leaked out of me,” Keith once told CBS of the song. “You know, some people wept when they heard it. Some people got goose bumps. Some people were emotionally moved. Some cheered, turned their fists in the air.”

The song reached the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and is certified four times platinum by the RIAA. It remains one of his most-streamed songs to this day.  

A slew of country superstars dropped everything to honor the late Toby Keith. The two-hour special also included performances and special appearances from Trace Adkins, Priscilla Block, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Scotty Emerick, Brett Favre, Brantley Gilbert, Riley Green, HARDY, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Krystal Keith, Ella Langley, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Leanne Morgan, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker, and Lainey Wilson. 

In addition to an array of musical performances spotlighting Keith’s incredible music and songwriter, Keith’s compassion and philanthropy were also highlighted throughout the special as the event supported Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral. Families from both organizations appeared to share their stories of receiving vital care and support during their most challenging times.

Toby Keith: American Icon aired on Wednesday, August 28 at 9 pm ET/PT on NBC. The show will be available to stream the following day on Peacock.

Country music legend Toby Keith passed away on February 5, 2024, following a battle with stomach cancer. Throughout his career, he earned an impressive 32 No.1 singles and sold a whopping 40 million albums. 

It’s no surprise that he is regarded as one of country music’s biggest hitmakers after earning 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 is a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, he’s 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 received the BMI Icon Award as well as the BMI Country Songwriter of the Year award three times, and his hit single “As Good As I Once Was” was awarded BMI’s Country Song of the Year in 2006.

Toby Keith’s music has garnered more than 10 billion streams and 100 million terrestrial radio spins to date.