Fans will witness Krystal Keith, the late country legend’s daughter, deliver a moving rendition of his song “Don’t Let the Old Man In” when the memorial concert special Toby Keith: American Icon airs on NBC tonight.
Alongside famous performers like Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood, Krystal tells PEOPLE that she gave her decision to partake in the fun a lot of thought. And the song selection? That was also a difficult sell.
“I reasoned that I could get through a party song. I was like, “Well crap, I already cry with that song, just listening to it,” when [producers] contacted me with [‘Don’t Let the Old Man In. “I’m not sure how I’m going to perform it,” she admits, referring to the moving song her father performed in public before passing away. It is a reflection on death. But I’m pleased they did because it was a very unique outcome. I believe he would have been pleased with it.
Toby, who passed away in February at the age of 62 from stomach cancer, had a large family to be proud of, including Krystal, 38, daughter Shelley, 44, son Stelen, 27, and Tricia, his spouse of 40 years.
Krystal acknowledges that her dad would have been pleased with the concert special, even though it “may have come a little sooner” than she and her family had hoped for because they’re still nervous about being in the spotlight. Everything came together as “authentically Toby Keith” as possible.
The group made the decision to establish a bar up front. A large American flag is present. She claims that the military is involved. “It truly captures the essence of who he was and touches on everything he held dear throughout his life, including his music, family, foundation, and the military.”
Krystal describes him as a “Aw shucks, this is not necessary” kind of man. “Though he wouldn’t have wanted us to have this major event for him, he would also feel grateful that those musicians made the time in their schedules to honor him in this manner and to say such kind things about him.”
