Toby Keith Celebrates 25th Anniversary With BMI Party, Opry Performances, Symphony Award

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s David Preston, TKO Artist Management’s TK Kimbrell, Toby Keith, BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Steve Lowry

Toby Keith is closing out the year in an epic way, as he recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his classic single “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” and the re-release of his debut album at a special party at BMI on December 5. The same week he also performed twice on the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman on December 7, and then received the prestigious Harmony Award from the Nashville Symphony the following night.

Last week, Keith released a new song, “Don’t Let The Old Man In,” which is featured during the final scene and closing credits of Clint Eastwood’s upcoming film The Mule. The story tells the tale of an older man who becomes an unwitting drug courier, and the song was inspired by a conversation Keith had with Eastwood during his golf tournament in Carmel, CA, where the two shared a cart. The busy month follows the release of Toby Keith – Should’ve Been A Cowboy [25th Anniversary Edition], which celebrates Keith’s debut album that spawned four hit singles including his No. 1 debut “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.”

Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry