AUSTIN, Texas — The emotional center of the 2024 CMT Music Awards on Sunday night was an all-star tribute to the late Toby Keith.
The awards show in Austin, Texas was led by four-time host Kelsea Ballerini.
For the Toby Keith tributes, Brooks & Dunn tackled Keith’s 1993 breakout hit, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” Sammy Hagar sang “I Love This Bar” and Lainey Wilson covered “How Do You Like Me Now.” They all were backed by Keith’s longtime band.
Keith, a hit country crafter of pro-American anthems who riled up critics and was loved by millions of fans, died in February at 62 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.
In the crowd, artists including Ashley McBryde and Jelly Roll raised their red solo cups in a cheerful tribute to the singer, who immortalized the humble plastic cups in his 2011 hit, “Red Solo Cup.”
After the musical tributes on stage, Keith’s longtime friend and baseball star Roger Clemens, his eyes watering, thanked Keith’s wife and children in the audience for sharing their husband and father with the world.
Clemens led a toast to those on stage, in the crowd, and at home: “Repeat after me. ‘Whiskey for my men, and beer for my horses,’” a reference to a comedic song by Keith featuring Willie Nelson.
It was a fitting homage: a little funny, with a whole lot of country heart.
Meanwhile, Jelly Roll won big and took home three awards at the annual event celebrating the best in country music videos.
Other performers included Bailey Zimmerman, Cody Johnson, Keith Urban, Dasha, Jason Aldean and Megan Moroney. Trisha Yearwood received the inaugural June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award.