Photo: Getty Images
Lainey Wilson made a memorable entrance to the stage when she delivered a tribute to late singer-songwriter Toby Keith at Bridgestone Arena in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
The Whirlwind hitmaker entered the venue on a horse. Wilson joined forces with Jamey Johnson to cover “Beer For My Horses,” an early 2000s anthem that Keith released with fellow music legend Willie Nelson. Wilson’s performance with Johnson was one of many covers of Keith’s unforgettable hits during the Toby Keith: American Icon show.
“I hope me, [Jamey Johnson], and Cowboy did you proud, [Toby Keith],” Wilson wrote in her caption on Instagram when she shared a few photos from the pre-taped performance on Instagram on Wednesday (August 28). The second slide in Wilson’s post captures the moment the reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year was introduced to the stage on a horse. “There ain’t no better way to pay tribute to the life of the legend Toby Keith than by riding in on a horse before Beer For My Horses.”
Other performers included Trace Adkins, Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Scotty Emerick, Brantley Gilbert, Riley Green, HARDY, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Krystal Keith, Ella Langley, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood and Clay Walker. The event supported The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt with a portion of the proceeds, per a previously-issued press release.
Earlier this year. Keith “passed peacefully…surrounded by his family.” He was 62. He is survived by his wife, Tricia Lucus, and children Krystal, Shelley Covel Rowland and Stelen Keith Covel.
Toby Keith: American Icon will air as a two-hour television special on NBC on Wednesday, August 28 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET.