Luke Combs sure knows his way into the hearts of Okie fans! The country music superstar and two-time Entertainer of the Year winner recently performed in front of a Norman, Okla., crowd, where he entertained folks at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, May 9.
But what he did before the show brought plenty of smiles as he paid a touching tribute to the late Toby Keith, who was born and raised in the Sooner State. Making a grand entrance before his set, Combs walked out wearing a white ball cap with “Toby” spread across the front. He also made his way onto the stage while backed by a recording of Keith’s beloved country classic “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.”
Not only that, but Combs wore the hat on his head for the entirety of his concert. Needless to say, the North Carolina native, 36, didn’t disappoint.
Fans, who saw the moment either in concert or online, took to social media to share their appreciation for the thoughtful gesture and salute to the Big Dog Daddy.
“This gave me chills! How cool,” one fan wrote in the comments section of a video shared to Keith’s Instagram page, while another person added, “Honoring Toby Keith is a Rock Star move!!! ❤️.”
A third follower added, “Epic start to the concert.”
This isn’t Combs’ first time paying homage to his musical hero. In 2024, the “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” hitmaker delivered a memorable take on “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” in Nashville, Tenn., at the Ryman Auditorium as a tribute to Keith. That moment can be viewed in the YouTube clip below.
Solely written by Keith and released in 1993, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” served as the first single from the Country Music Hall of Famer’s debut self-titled album. Widely recognized as his signature song and used as a staple following Oklahoma State University’s sporting events, the tune became a massive hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Keith passed away on Feb. 5, 2024, following a brave battle with stomach cancer. He was 62.
Combs is currently on his My Kinda Saturday Night tour, which heads to Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc., with a two-night stint on May 15-16.
Visit Luke Combs’ official website for a complete listing of tour dates.
Related: 1992 No. 1 Hit Ranked Among ‘Greatest Country Songs of All Time’ Became a Timeless Heartbreak Classic, but Never Won an Award
