Toby Keith, one of country music’s most prolific and popular artists, is kicking off another year with another tour. On the tour, called Live in Overdrive, Keith will be joined by up and comer Brantley Gilbert.
Toby Keith burst onto the scene in 1993 with his self-titled debut album, which reached platinum certification. Over the next four year he released three more albums all of which received at least gold certification. His single “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” received the most plays of the 1990’s according to Broadcast Music Incorporated.
In 1998, Keith signed to DreamWorks Nashville releasing “How Do You Like Me Now” and three others all of which achieved platinum status. In 2005 DreamWorks Nashville closed leading Keith to open his own record label Show Dog Nashville, which eventually merged with Universal Music. He has released six albums under this label, the most recent being the October 2011 release, “Clancy’s Tavern.” The single “Red Solo Cup” has become a viral sensation with over 15 million views, which makes it the “biggest viral sensation in country music history,” according to Keith’s official website. Just this week on Monday, July 23, Keith released his newest single “I Like Girls That Drink Beer” off of his upcoming fall album.
Aside from his music, Toby Keith is also known to be a huge supporter of the United States Armed Forces. For the last ten years he has made trips to the Middle East, visiting our troops. As of 2012 he has performed over 192 shows in the Middle East. In an April 2012 statement to the USO Keith said “One thing is for sure, I enjoy working with the USO, I love our nation’s troops and I won’t ever stop doing my part to extend my thanks.” His patriotism is also shown through many of his songs over the years such as “American Soldier,” “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” and “Made in America.”
To date the Live in Overdrive has received very positive reviews for the beginning leg of the tour. Keith’s show in Cleveland, OH packed the house having over 20,000 attendees. According to Cleveland.com Toby Keith was “the ultimate showman” during two hour performance where he sang 22 songs.
His opening act, Brantley Gilbert, whose 2010 album achieved gold certification, is better known for his song writing than performing. He has penned the songs that made fellow country singer Jason Aldean the star that he is today. Gilbert wrote “Dirt Road Anthem” and “My Kinda Party,” which are on Aldean’s double platinum album “My Kinda Party.” Gilbert’s own album “Halfway to Heaven” produced the widely popular singles “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.”
The Live in Overdrive tour is making twenty nine more stops along the way with notable stops in San Diego, CA on August 9; Philadelphia, PA on August 18; St. Louis, MO on September 1; before wrapping things up in Boston, MA on September 22 . Tickets for all dates are still available. To find out more about Toby Keith’s Live in Overdrive tour visit his official website.