Toby Keith tribute show brings country legend’s music back to the stage
Toby Keith may have died of stomach cancer in 2024, but his music continues to resonate with fans. On Thursdat, audiences will have a chance to celebrate the country star’s legacy through an evening of the songs that made him a household name.
Mike Sugg, who has performed as a Keith tribute artist for 14 years, will take the stage at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg at 7:30 p.m. with his show, “The American Ride.” The performance promises a mix of familiar hits, patriotic anthems and crowd-pleasing party favorites like “Red Solo Cup” and “I Love This Bar,” giving fans an opportunity to revisit the music of an artist who left a lasting mark on country music.
How it began
Sugg never set out to become a musician. The artist, who grew up in Detroit and is now in his 50s, studied architecture after high school and landed a job at Kmart designing plot plans.
“It was just not me,” he said.
He pivoted to construction, first working for others before opening his own business, Superior Carpentry, in 2001.
But a family vacation to Colorado would change the course of his life. While there, he bought a white cowboy hat that proved pivotal in his career.
“I came out of the store and people started screaming, ‘There’s Toby Keith!'” he recalled.
This led to an invitation to sing at someone’s 40th birthday party. A video of the performance took off online, leading to more opportunities.
Soon, Sugg was performing at bars and singing karaoke. When Harrah’s in Las Vegas came calling, Sugg decided it was time to become serious and began taking voice and guitar lessons.
One of Sugg’s most memorable moments came during another vacation.
“I was at Sammy Hagar’s bar in Mexico and Keith was there. Hagar approached and asked for a photo of the three of us,” said Sugg.
The show
Sugg credits his wife for being a country music fan and exposing him to it.
“That’s how I got to know a lot of it,” he said.
He also finds common ground with some of Keith’s songs.
“I drive a Ford, I’m patriotic–my dad served in the Navy and we flew a flag in our yard,” he said.
Sugg organizes his song lineup chronologically, moving from Keith’s early hits to songs from his later years.
“Red Solo Cup,” a fan favorite, always makes it to the lineup, as does “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” Sugg also performs “Don’t Let the Old Man In,” a song associated with the Clint Eastwood film, “The Mule.”
“Keith was golfing with Eastwood and asked how he continued to perform in movies at his age and Eastwood said, “I don’t let the old man in,” Suggs explains.
An emotional song that often brings tears to the eyes of the audience members is “American Soldier.” It’s about a man going to war and highlights the quiet sacrifice of those who serve.
“I always think of my dad when I perform it,” said Sugg.
“Bullets in the Gun,” another favorite, tells a Bonnie-and-Clyde-style story.
“It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster,” said Sugg.
Not trying to be him
Sugg makes it clear that he isn’t trying to be Keith or replace the country music legend. Instead, he sees his performances as a tribute to an artist whose music continues to connect generations.
“And I’m not like Pitbull with the dancers, or Alan Jackson just standing there, but people do enjoy getting up and dancing at my shows,” he said.
Before Keith’s death, audience members frequently thanked Sugg for bringing the shows to their towns.
“Often it would be older folks who love the music, but were unable to spend hours on their feet listening at concerts,” said Sugg.
Today he sees families bringing their children for the experience.
Fans at the meet-and-greets often share personal stories about the singer and the memories the songs evoke.
One particularly moving story came from a Keith fan who had experienced domestic abuse.
“She was a victim of domestic abuse and the line from ‘Beer for My Horses’ resonated with her,” Sugg said, recalling the lyric, “Justice is the one thing you should always find.'”
For Sugg, it’s been quite the American Ride, one that has sparked joy in both him and those who come out to hear Keith’s music.
And to think, it all started with just a cowboy hat.