Country music singer Toby Keith Covel, who died of stomach cancer in 2024, was known for his love of beer and whiskey. He wrote songs about alcohol, including Beer for My Horses, a duet with Willie Nelson, and Red Solo Cup. Keith was also known for drinking onstage during his performances and for his chain of I Love This Bar & Grill restaurants, which served beer and cocktails. Despite his public persona and his love of alcohol, Keith was not an alcoholic and had been sober since 1994.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name | Toby Keith Covel |
Birth Date | July 8, 1961 |
Death Date | February 5, 2024 |
Cause of Death | Stomach cancer |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Country music singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, businessman |
Awards | National Medal of Arts |
Albums | 19 studio albums, 2 Christmas albums, 5 compilation albums |
Total Sales | Over 40 million albums |
Chart Performance | Charted 61 singles on Billboard Hot Country Songs, including 20 number-one hits and 22 additional top 10 hits |
Notable Songs | "Should've Been a Cowboy", "Beer for My Horses", "Red Solo Cup", "I Love This Bar", "How Do You Like Me Now?!", "As Good As I Once Was" |
Alcoholism | No |
Drinking Habits | Enjoys beer and whiskey, advocates for responsible drinking and has spoken out against underage drinking |
Sobriety | Sober since 1994 |
What You'll Learn
Toby Keith's song 'Beer for My Horses'
Country music singer Toby Keith Covel publicly denied allegations of alcoholism and maintained a successful career, selling over 40 million albums worldwide. Keith, who lost his battle with stomach cancer in 2024, was open about his struggles with substance abuse and had been sober since 1994.
The artist's love of beer and whiskey was well-known, with songs like "I Love This Bar" and "Red Solo Cup" reflecting his experiences with addiction and sobriety. Despite his public persona, Keith never lost control of his drinking, advocating for responsible and moderate consumption.
One of his most popular songs, "Beer for My Horses," was released in 2003 as a duet with Willie Nelson. The song, co-written by Scotty Emerick, was the fourth single from Keith's seventh studio album, "Unleashed." It became Keith's highest-charting song at the time, peaking at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending six weeks at #1 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs. The song's music video, directed by Michael Salomon, featured Keith, Nelson, and Corin Nemec as detectives hunting a serial killer.
The song's popularity led to a full-length film of the same name in 2008, starring Keith and Nelson. "Beer for My Horses" also made Nelson the oldest artist to top the country charts at 70 years old.
With its catchy tune and memorable lyrics, "Beer for My Horses" cemented its place in country music history, showcasing Keith's ability to create songs that resonated with fans and endured beyond his lifetime.
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Toby Keith's public drinking
Toby Keith Covel was an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. He was known for his love of beer and whiskey, often drinking in public and making jokes about drinking. Despite this, he was not an alcoholic and had been sober since 1994.
Keith's songs often referenced alcohol, with titles like "I Love This Bar" and "Red Solo Cup". He also co-wrote and performed the song "Beer for My Horses" with Willie Nelson, which included alcohol-inspired lyrics. The song was inspired by Keith's time working at rodeos when he was younger, where he observed cowboys walking around with "flasks of whiskey".
In addition to his music, Keith also founded the restaurant chain "Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill", which offered a range of alcoholic drinks, including beer, whiskey, and signature cocktails. The restaurants featured oversized artwork, redneck loveseats made from pickup tailgates, and live music.
While Keith was open about his love of alcohol, he advocated for responsible drinking and spoke out against underage drinking. He stated that he did not drink excessively and believed that music and alcohol could be enjoyed responsibly. In interviews, he shared that he only drank socially and when performing, always exercising self-control and never getting drunk.
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Toby Keith's alcohol-related songs
Country music singer Toby Keith has been open about his struggles with substance abuse but has been sober since 1994. Despite this, he has never shied away from his love of beer and whiskey, and many of his songs include references to alcohol.
His 2013 album, "Hope on the Rocks", includes several songs that praise alcoholic beverages, such as "I Like Girls That Drink Beer", "Cold Beer Country", and "Haven't Had a Drink All Day". In fact, only two songs on the record don't mention booze.
Some of his other popular alcohol-related songs include “Beer for My Horses”, a duet with Willie Nelson that inspired the 2008 film of the same name, and "Red Solo Cup", which became his best-peaking crossover hit, reaching number 15 on the Hot 100.
Other songs that mention drinking include "Drinks After Work", "I Wanna Talk About Me", "I Love This Bar", and "Get Drunk and Be Somebody".
While Keith has been very open about his love of alcohol, he has stated that he does not drink excessively and that he believes music and alcohol can be enjoyed responsibly. He has also been an advocate for responsible drinking and has spoken out against underage drinking.
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Toby Keith's sobriety since 1994
Toby Keith Covel, the American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and businessman, has been sober since 1994. Despite his successful career and his love of alcohol, with songs like "I Love This Bar" and "Red Solo Cup" reflecting his affinity for drinking, Keith has maintained his sobriety for nearly three decades.
While Keith has been open about his struggles with substance abuse, he has stated that he does not drink excessively and believes that music and alcohol can be enjoyed responsibly. He advocates for responsible drinking and has spoken out against underage drinking. In an interview, he shared that he enjoys having a beer or two, or a glass of whiskey, but he is not out there drinking cases of beer.
Keith's responsible drinking habits and his ability to control his alcohol intake have allowed him to achieve success in the music industry without his drinking habits adversely affecting his career. He has released numerous hit songs, sold over 40 million albums worldwide, and received various awards and recognitions for his contributions to country music.
However, there was an incident in 2014 where fans alleged that Keith showed up drunk to a concert, slurring his words and stumbling through his performance. Despite this isolated incident, Keith has maintained his sobriety and has not let alcohol control his life or career.
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Toby Keith's alcohol-themed bar and grill
Country music star Toby Keith Covel was known for his love of beer and whiskey, and his songs often included references to alcohol. Despite this, he was not an alcoholic and had been sober since 1994. He was, however, diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021, which he sadly passed away from in 2024.
In 2005, Keith opened the first of many "I Love This Bar & Grill" restaurants in Oklahoma City, with other locations including Tulsa, Thackerville, Auburn Hills, Kansas City, Las Vegas, and Denver. The bar and grill is bigger and badder, just like the Big Dog Daddy himself, with oversized artwork and redneck loveseats (which are actually pickup tailgates). The drinks menu includes $2.50 cans of Busch Light, Miller High Life, and PBR, as well as signature cocktails like the Frozen Jack & Coke, the Crimson & Cream, and the Whiskey Girl. The food is down-home cooking, including the Cowboy Ribeye, St. Louis Ribs, and Keith's personal favourite, the Fried Bologna Sandwich.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Toby Keith drank beer and whiskey. He also wrote songs about drinking, such as "I Love This Bar" and "Red Solo Cup".
No, Toby Keith was not an alcoholic. He stated that he did not drink excessively and did not believe alcohol was a problem for him.
Yes, Toby Keith was known to drink on stage during his performances.
Yes, Toby Keith owned a bar and grill called "I Love This Bar & Grill", which served various alcoholic drinks, including beer and cocktails.
No, Toby Keith stated that he did not drink excessively and that he had a lot of self-control when it came to drinking.