Toby Keith has performed at the Grand Ole Opry on multiple occasions, but was he ever a member of the prestigious venue?
Was Toby Keith An Opry Member?
The answer may actually surprise you.
Toby Keith will forever be considered a Country music icon. With 30 years in the industry under his belt, the singer will forever be remembered as one of the greatest in Country music history. Even though he had a big influence on the genre, Toby was actually never invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
It wasn’t until December 14, 2002, that he finally performed on the Opry stage for the very first time. By the time he made his debut, Toby had already taken the country scene by storm— releasing seven albums, including the popular album Unleashed just a few months prior.
And even though his debut was a long time coming, Toby didn’t make another appearance on the Opry stage until almost a decade later.
It isn’t clear as to why Toby Keith was never asked to become a member of the Opry. Speculations suggest that it may have had to do with the Opry’s rules, which usually require members to do a certain number of shows each year. Residing far from Tennessee and a hectic schedule may have made it hard for Toby to meet those requirements.
Toby Keith’s Last Opry Performance
Despite the mystery surrounding his Opry membership, Toby Keith left an undeniable mark on the iconic stage. One touching moment was his final performance at the Opry, which took place on September 28, 2023 at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards.
We loved the times @tobykeith played this stage, including most recently when he visited the Opry House to accept the first-ever People’s Choice Icon Award.
Toby’s music will live on forever, and we’re remembering alongside his many friends and his family. Thank you, Toby. pic.twitter.com/Bccl2GiX0W
— Grand Ole Opry (@opry) February 6, 2024
Even during an 18-month break from performing to undergo treatments, Toby Keith stayed strong. Sadly, after almost two years, Toby Keith passed away on Monday, February 5, at the age of 62.
Watch Toby Keith’s last performance at the Grand Ole Opry below.