Jason Aldean - “Should've Been A Cowboy" Toby Keith Tribute (Live from the 59th ACM Awards) 

Some may complain that this sounded nothing like Toby, but it's not supposed to. Toby was a one of kind country artist and certainly a tough act to follow for anyone trying to do their own version of his songs. Jason used his own styling here and it seems he purposely toned it down from an upbeat song to somewhat of a sad song. But very appropriate since it was after all a tribute to a legend in country music who's life was tragically cut short. Toby will be missed. Hard to believe he's not with us anymore.

“Never apologize for being patriotic….f*ck ‘em” -Toby Keith

Jason did an awesome job, Toby would have been proud

Jason Aldeans tribute to Toby was beautiful. Had me in tears. RIP Toby ❤

My first thought, was how respectful it was. No flashy performance, just about Toby. So respect , love, and miss him.

Jason sang this tribute from his heart

Loved the tribute to Toby Keith! I was in tears. Rest in Peace Toby. ❤

You know it's great when the crowd starts to sing along and realize it's such a beautiful tribute let's let him do it

Thank you Jason Aldean for honoring Toby Keith & his Family. Toby's wife even made a statement of how honored she was.❤ For the haters: Jason wasn't trying to sound like Toby, that's not what tributes are about.

What an amazing tribute to Toby. He did great! ❤️

Jason did a fantastic job with the song, Toby was smiling down on listening to Jason’s version of the song!! Rest in Peace and Fly High, Toby!! ❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻

Jason Aldean perfect tribute to Toby Keith. Love it.

Beautiful tribute. We all lost a country music legend. It’s still hard to admit several months later for me personally. Toby was such a big part of my upbringing and my love of country music. ❤️ RIP and know damn sure that my children will know what an influence you were to me and country music as a whole. 😢

I loved to hear Toby Keith singing, he kept it real. He did a great job at Trump's inauguration, he was a true patriot. I'm glad that they chose Jason Aldean to do this tribute. Aldean is my favorite singer. It would have been great if they did something together before he passed. That would have been awesome also. R.I.P.

It’s not just about Jason’s voice but we can appreciate that beautiful acoustic performance

No he didn't jason did it beautifully, plus I'm friends with a few of tobys band members and I know for a fact they approved and Big dog daddy approved , plus the family asked jason to do this bc him and toby were good friends , they all approved so that's what matters and I'm pretty sure toby was there in spirit and smiling with that beautiful grin of his and going thank u jason .. it was so good to see Tricia and my heart felt for her and the family...

What a touching tribute to Toby Keith Jason Aldean did a great job with that performance i’m sure Looking down from heaven Toby Keith loved that performance toby Keith was not only patriotic but also a country music legend gone too soon. So sorry for his family’s loss. May Toby Keith rest in peace.

An excellent tribute to the late great Toby Keith. Aldeans performance was carefully thought out from wearing all Black to slowing the song down truly capturing the moment from what was the best Toby Keith Song. It was perfect.

THIS was a tribute. Moved me to tears and I wasn’t expecting that from Jason Aldean but I was pleasantly surprised. The violins moved me and even the Ford symbol behind them was reminiscent of Toby. I appreciate this. ❤️

Yes we do...We love you Toby!!!

Nice tribute to Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, I spent my entire childhood listening to his music and it really inspired me to do music.

I cried when I heard this it was an amazing tribute to Toby it was well done

Thanks Jason for this tribute. Toby left us way too early.

Toby Keith one the last Country artist to favor more of real legendary country music,, good job Jason.

Best rendition yet. Tears for his family

I’m glad I actually got to see Toby Keith live one time before he died it was actually before his cancer diagnosis way before

"Even though life may not bring us together, from the bottom of my heart, I hope you will receive all the best and luckiest things in this life."

Well done Jason RIP Big Dog Daddy!! You will be missed but never forgotten

Rest in peace Toby. Much love and strength to y'all's family. Mr. Keith was part of my childhood. He helped reach out to and raise a bunch of us wild ass kids through some speakers.

You did Toby proud 😢that was great I know he was looking down watching you 😢he was a true cowboy

Country music is in good hands but toby will never be replaced

You were so right Edmond! This performance was love of heart with overflowing respect. A genius presentation in front of millions of people all over the world who are still grieving a world of hurt. A presentation I know pleased his family and Toby too❤️‍🩹

My fav toby song, and damn son, you did him proud. thank you.

This performance was just absolutely beautiful🙏🙏🙏💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗Slowing this song down & honoring Toby is just absolutely beautiful Jason🙏🙏🙏💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

Man I love this version. Jason did a great job.

I don't see how Jason kept from tearing up while performing this song. Truly a beautiful and touching tribute to a legend of country music. RIP Toby, you may be gone but you'll always live on in our hearts through your music.

Toby Keith is smiling down on you, Jason! He's watching you from heaven.

Beautifully done Jason. Very classy. Thank you so much.❤

You Did Good On The Tribute Jason ALdean Too Toby Keith !!!!!!.

This was absolutely perfect.

Nice tribute to Toby Keith ❤❤❤ One of the best country artists!!!!

I Love Big Dog Daddy Toby Keith Sure is Sad Country Music Lost a Awesome One Toby Keith is One of my favorite and Toby Keith Music Lives On Forever and Toby Keith Sure Will Be Missed 🇺🇲🎶😢

Beautiful Tribute.

I think it’s great that other artist are singing Toby Keith songs to honor him from the heart. I wish we all would do things from the heart instead of beating each other up..Toby Keith was an honorable man with dignity, honesty integrity . that’s what Toby Keith would want to become strong together.

Toby Keith was a big part of my life! His music was amazing, bbq's, partys, camping trips, first love slow dances❤️ he covered everything, love, comedy, country values, bar room brawls, military,.he gave every single person smiles, laughter, tears. Never missed anyone! I am totally heartbroken he passed.on, But I have all of his music to keep his memory alive😊 Thank you for so many years of greatness to the great state of Maine and beyond! May god bless your soul and your family, I love you all as my own family, because I always had him playing on my radios, truck, boat, Ice shanty, earbuds cutting firewood, I could keep going on, but the tears are.slowing me.down😢 I love you always and forever ❤️ thank you for everthing! God bless... James Munster, keep playing! I look forward to meeting you someday and hear you play🤗🤗

You know Toby had to be smiling...❤.

Big huge shout out to Jason Aldean for doing such a great job as slowing this song down. What is lovely tribute to Toby Keith songs

Can't tell you how many times I have rewatched this ❤❤❤

Toby saw it from heaven, he held a beer 🍺 up and said " Kick Ass Jason!" RIP Toby. Love you brother!! Country music will never be the same.

Nice tribute.. wish he would have sang more of his songs... R.I.P. Toby. miss you 😢😢

Idk how anyone could watch this and not tear up

He was legend of Country music and Country Family very proud of you this with tears in your eyes as you perform one of the greatest country artist of all time of his music carreer that shows true feelings of the legend of Country Music of your young girl heart of your Cow Girl and you should of been Cowboy takes memories of the heart of Toby Keith was one of my first country songs he will be deeply missed. Krystalina xoxo

this version was perfect.. Jason and his boys did a awesome job.. on repeat on my youtube feed and I almost listen to it every day..

Tons of ❤ from the country music industry,others toward a legend

Good job Jason! Now take heart to Toby's example. LOVED this country, warts and all. Respected our military. Is a legend among Sooner faithful. Was still the same small town Oklahoma boy wherever he went and had the biggest heart for people. RIP Toby. Boomer!

God bless Toby Keith 😢🙏🙏🫶🫶

Jason sang it word by word and note by note. What a great tribute to Toby Keith ❤

You did amazing Jason proud of you young man

Way to go Jason Aldean...Good sound to it...

Aldean needs to add this into his tour 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

❤Jason Alden’s Tribute to Toby was an amazing job❤

Good cover. My favorite Toby Keith song to this day.

This was so beautiful, acoustically and with strings. Toby would be proud. RIP, Toby Keith. You fought the good fight.❤

I agree, not flashy, just respectful. Miss you Toby. Thank you Jason for wonderful tribute.

My first CD from my grandpa when he bought me my first CD player back in the 90's was Toby Keith's first album. RIP Toby. This 49 year old literally grew up with your music as the soundtrack of my life. Great tribute. One of a kind.

Jason u made toby proud love u😂❤❤❤❤❤❤debbie

I kept thinking about him showing up in October at your concert in OK. It was the last time I saw him sing this song. You more than did it justice. It is exactly what he would have wanted. Great tribute to your friend. ❤

A beautiful tribute to a wonderful patriotic artist.

Jason Aldean this was awesome!!!!

I remember seeing Jason Aldean open for Toby

Outstanding tribute. Thanks Jason . Thank you Toby may God bless you and welcome you home.

Absolutely beautiful! What a wonderful tribute, the violins really brought the weight of the performance to it's full purpose. 😢 Bless your heart for this.

Great Job Jason Aldean❤

Jason did a great job singing Tobbys song he did a good job singing it

My god i love this song 🎵 😭 😍 and the perfect man to do the tribute ❤️ for the amazing Toby one in a million singer god broke the mold with Toby...Rip Toby...

Loved him so much…fly high buddy❤❤❤❤

Wow...slowing the tempo a bit totally changes the vibe of the song from whimsy to melancholy. I think Toby would have LOVED this interpretation!!!

Best song he’s done, and I like a number of his songs, like asphalt cowboy, the truth. This is really nice actually.

Awesome rendition

That is the best performance & tribute to Toby Keith I've seen yet 👏

Yes honey he did a awesome job and Toby would have been proud of jason aldean honey ❤❤❤❤

Miss you Toby!

I never listened to country/western until Toby broke the barriers and started being played on all radio platforms. It was around 2009 2010 I think. Now I'm 50, ride a horse 300 days a year and listen to all these great artists.country has heart , patriotism and values thanks for a great tribute Jason

Absolutely beautiful ❤❤❤❤

Jason Aldean did a GREAT JOB AND TRIBUTE TO TOBY!!! ❤❤❤

Nice version. Well done. 👍🏼

R.I.P. Toby Keith. You are truly missed.

I loved it thank you Jason.

Well done Jason 🙌

I should have been a cowboy too 🤠 RIP Toby

Loved it very awesome I admire you for doing this it shows you care about other people

Great job Jason❤❤❤❤

Just amazing 🥲 Jason Andean ❤ 💙💙💕💕🤗🤗

toby keith in the skies of God and his 3 children is their dad is like a life

Well done Cowboy!🐎🤠🎶🎼🎶🧬🤠🐎

You are amazing.

Hell of a job jason 👏

Rest easy toby keith

High tribute to Toby

Fantastic tribute RIP Toby Keith Great version