Toby Keith’s Daughter, Krystal Keith, Honors The Late Country Music Icon With Heartfelt Rendition Of ‘Don’t Let the Old Man In’

Krystal Keith, daughter of Toby Keith, has spent her life watching her father make a lasting impact on the country music community with his undeniable talent as a performer and a songwriter. She followed in his musical footsteps and honored her father in a way that proves she and her siblings, Shelley and Stelen, will continue to carry on his legacy with a powerful performance during Toby Keith: American Icon.

In addition to the many country superstars who took the stage to perform, Krystal also got the chance to shine on stage with a stunning rendition of the ballad “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” 

How She Prepared For This Performance

With this being such an emotional night for Krystal and her family, she admitted that in order to get through the performance without crying she had to listen to the song on repeat and “try to numb myself to the emotions a little bit.”

“I just have to compartmentalize and know that he would laugh at me if I screw it up. So I’m just going to try to get through it and honor him the best I can,” she told Country Now. 

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The Story Behind The Sentimental Song

This tune was inspired by a conversation he had with Clint Eastwood and in 2018 became a featured track in Eastwood’s movie, The Mule. The following year it was released as part of Keith’s compilation project, Greatest Hits: The Show Dog Years.

The lyrics became more reminiscent of Keith’s own life in recent years as the “old man” in the title and chorus acts as a metaphor for growing older and slowing down knowing that death was around the corner. In past the conversation between Keith and Eastwood, the country icon, “How do you do it, man?” while discussing the fact that the actor was about to start working on a new movie at 88 years old. Eastwood’s response is what sparked an idea in Keith. He said, “I just get up every morning and go out. And I don’t let the old man in.”

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After being introduced to the stage by her sister, Shelley, Krystal beautifully carried the message of this song, which highlights one’s desire to continue the fight to live life to the fullest until the very last day. This is exactly what Toby Keith did even through his tough battle with cancer. 

“Many moons I have lived/ My body’s weathered and worn/ Ask yourself how would you be/ If you didn’t know the day you were born/ Try to love on your wife/ And stay close to your friends/ Toast each sundown with wine/ Don’t let the old man in,” Krystal sang with strength and pure passion as images of her and her father flashed across the screen in the background. 

At the very end of her performance, Krystal pointed a finger up to the sky and unleashed the tears she had been holding in. 

“Don’t Let the Old Man In” became even more notable for Keith in the past year as it was the song he chooses to sing for his final televised performance which took place in September of 2023 at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards. That was the same evening where Keith received the first Country Icon Award. 

Toby Keith: American Icon Tribute Concert

Krystal joins a long list of country stars who also will also be taking the stage at Bridgestone Arena as part of the tribute concert. The two-hour special also included performances and special appearances from Trace Adkins, Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, 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. 

Along with spotlighting Keith’s incredible music and songwriter through the various musical performances, his compassion and philanthropy were also recognized 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 were on hand 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. 

For years, he has been considered to be one of country music’s biggest hitmakers and after seeing his resume, it’s clear why. For starters, he earned 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 also 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.