Toby Keith Dies at Age 62

Country music legend Toby Keith died on Monday night at age 62, according to his website. A message shared on his website and on his social media accounts, read: "Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family.  He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time." Keith had been battling stomach cancer since 2022.

Randy Houser commented, "God Bless you and [your] Family. Hard to imagine an America without Toby Keith in it." William Michael Morgan added, "Heartbreaking news. Praying for his family. Thanks Toby for being a bada-- and someone a singer like me could look up to. RIP big dawg!"

Zach Bryan tweeted, "too many rides in my old man’s car listening to Toby Keith. really hard thing to hear
rest in peace friend we love you."

According to Fox News, he is survived by his wife, Tricia, three children and four grandchildren.

Keith first revealed that he had cancer in June of 2022, posting to his social media accounts, "Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I’ve spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax."

The country legend received the at the first People's Choice Country Awards in July of 2023. At the time, he said, "You get good days and, you know, you’re up and down, up and down. It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today," Keith told E! News at the time (via NBC News).

In a recent interview with KWTV News 9, an Oklahoma-based TV station, Keith said, "Cancer is a roller coaster. You just sit here and wait on it to go away — it may not ever go away. He added that his Christian faith was helping him get through the ordeal.

As he recently told Backstage Country after playing three sold-out shows in Las Vegas, “You have to be the captain of your own ship. You have to have a lot of faith in your creator, the Almighty. And then you just have to pray for direction. You just have to go with your gut and pray for direction until you finally get everything in the right place. And I feel like we’re there.”

Country music goes hand in hand with America and has been known for years as "America's Music." We will celebrate the Fourth of July holiday this week with our loved ones at a barbecue, traveling the country, and with fireworks displays. In honor of the holiday,  we take a look at country stars wearing stars and stripes for our great nation through the years.

For a bit of history: The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence. It was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.

The Fourth of July has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. However, the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence. Two days later (7/4), delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.

To this day, July 4 has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades, family reunions, and concerts.