Tim McGraw Honors Toby Keith with ‘Live Like You Were Dying’ Tribute Performance in Florida: ‘A Great Artist’

Tim McGraw pays tribute to Toby Keith on stage.

The country star, 56, gave an emotional performance in tribute to the late singer, who died Monday, during his concert at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Orlando, Fla., this week.

McGraw shared a video posted on Instagram of the special moment Friday, showing him standing on stage and telling fans in the crowd Thursday night about the close relationship he’s had with Keith over the years.

“Toby and I got to know each other pretty well early in our careers,” McGraw began. “We spent a lot of time hanging out on the bus, played some shows together… we had to babysit him at basketball. It wasn’t fun because he beat you up,” he joked.

Tim McGraw performs in April 2023.

Mike Lawrie/WireImage

Tim McGraw pays tribute to late ‘Maverick’ Toby Keith: ‘He did things his way, on his terms’

“But he was a really, really good guy, a great artist and I always respected how he did things his way and I didn’t care what anybody thought,” McGraw continued. “So bear with me if I don’t go through with it, you guys help me, but I want to dedicate this song to Toby and his family.”

The country singer then performed his 2015 hit song “Live Like You Were Dying” in honor of Keith, joined by many members of the audience at the venue.

“Thank you Hollywood FL for helping me honor @tobykeith last night,” McGraw added in the caption. “I meant a lot to @hardrockholly.”

Toby Keith performs in September 2023 in Nashville.

Katherine Bomboy/NBC via Getty Images

Brett Favre says Toby Keith told him he stopped chemotherapy and was ‘tired’ days before his death at 62

Keith died on Monday at the age of 62 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021. The country legend “passed away peacefully,” his family said in a statement posted on social media.

After a video of his performance at the tribute, McGraw received comments of praise from fans and friends, including Brett Favre, who was also a good friend of Keith’s. “Tim, that was great!!!” he wrote.

Favre’s comment comes after he revealed his last meeting with Keith earlier this week after speaking to him three months before his death.

In an interview with TMZ Sports, the retired NFL running back, 54, said, “I think he was just tired at the end. He told me that when we talked, he said, ‘Brett… whatever happens, I’m okay with it.’ ”

Favre added, “[Keith] said: ‘I stopped chemotherapy and it probably did more harm than the cancer. And he said: ‘I just hope I didn’t stop too late, but… I’m grateful that I got the chance to play some concerts. I finished them.’ ”

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McGraw’s performance in honor of Keith comes days after he posted an Instagram tribute to the late singer, whom he called his “brother.”

In his post, McGraw highlighted his association with Keith throughout their lives and careers while describing the late singer as a “maverick” who “did things his way, on his terms.”

“I always have and always will have tremendous respect for his artistry, dedication and fearlessness to do what he does,” McGraw continued. He signed off the tribute by saying, “We’ll all miss you, brother.”

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