Toby Keith’s three children made their first public appearance together since their father passed away in February at the 2024 CMT Music Awards, which was more than two years after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
Upon arrival at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, Krystal Keith, Shelley Covel Rowland and Stelen Keith Covel all lined up together for a series of snaps along the red carpet.
The late Red Solo Cup musician shared his kids with his wife Tricia Lucus, whom he was married to for nearly 40 years, all the way up until his death nearly two months ago.
Shelley, 43, looked lovely in a multi-colored sparkling dress with hints of green, purple, blue, red, and pink, along with a some black and white, and silver platform heels
The oldest of the trio was actually born to Tricia and later adopted by Keith after they got married in March 1984.
Toby Keith’s three children: Krystal Keith, Shelley Covel Rowland and Stelen Keith Covel, attended a special tribute to their dad at the 2024 CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas
The late Toby Keith was a mainstay in the country music scene after he released his debut single Should’ve Been A Cowboy in 1993; the crooner is pictured in 2004
Krystal, 38, who was the only sibling to take her father’s stage name, Keith, which was actually his real middle name, wore a long black dress with a holster-like design.
The Made In America singer’s only son, Stelen, 26, opted to go with a light gray suit with a white dress shirt, black shoes and dark sunglasses.
‘I think he’d be really excited,’ Stelen said on the red carpet as reported by Parade. ‘He’d made some amazing music throughout his career and it’s amazing that we get to see that come to fruition and see his due given.’
In the wake of Keith’s death, the CMTs decided to dedicate a special tribute to country star during the award show on Sunday, featuring a performance by Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Sammy Hagar and members of Keith’s longtime band.
Brooks & Dunn kicked things off with a rendition of Should’ve Been A Cowboy, which was Keith’s first number one hit back in 1993, according to Rolling Stone
Hagar followed with I Love This Bar, which turned out to be fitting after the former Van Halen rocker revealed how he and his friend Toby Keith ‘closed down’ his famous Cabo Wabo bar in Mexico several times over the years.
And lastly, Lukas Nelson and Riley Green were on hand to introduce Wilson, who proceeded to deliver a rendition of Keith’s 1999 anthem hit How Do You Like Me Now?!
Former baseball great Roger Clemens also took part in the emotional tribute by appearing on stage at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
The crowd roared when the special tribute kicked off for Toby Keith
Brooks & Dunn kicked things off with a rendition of Should’ve Been A Cowboy, which was Keith’s first number one hit back in 1993
Sammy Hagar followed with I Love This Bar, which turned out to be fitting after the former Van Halen rocker revealed how he and Keith used to close down’ his famous Cabo Wabo bar in Mexico several times over the years
The three siblings were among the many people who got emotional during the performance
And lastly, Lukas Nelson and Riley Green were on hand to introduce Wilson, who proceeded to deliver a rendition of Keith’s 1999 anthem hit How Do You Like Me Now?!
Former baseball great Roger Clemens also took part in the emotional tribute
At the end f the tribute everyone on stage and in the audience gave a ‘cheers’ with their red solo cups, in a nod of respect to Keith and his hit song
Stelen, Shelley and Krystal also took part in the toast to to their father
Toby Keith passed away at the age of 62 in February, more than two years after being diagnosed with stomach cancer; he is pictured at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards this past September in Nashville, which was five months before his death
During the performance Keith’s two daughters could be seen wiping the tears away from their eyes .
And then, in a fitting nod of respect, the entire crowd, including his three kids, gave a cheers to the man of the moment with their red solo cups.
Toby Keith received 30 CMT Music Award nominations during his illustrious career as a country music star, ultimately taking home seven of those trophies.
In addition to the CMTs special tribute, CBS will also air a special presentation, dubbed CMT Music Awards Celebrate Toby Keith.
The program, which will look back on all of his most memorable moments on the CMT Music Awards stage, airs on Thursday, April 11 at 10 p.m. ET.