Toby Keith’s Net Worth is $370 Million
Pump up your speakers, find your trusty cowboy hat, and let’s delve into the world of country superstar Toby Keith. This Oklahoman charmer has managed to elevate the country music scene to a whole new level with his killer voice, heart-touching lyrics, and an undeniable charm. He is clearly not your ordinary singer-songwriter. Apart from whipping up chart-topping hits, he’s a man of many talents, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and even an actor at times. And all these ventures combined? Well, they’ve piled up a fortune for the man. As of February 2023, Toby Keith is rocking a $370-million net worth.
Now, what does a country star do with such a hefty pile of bucks? If you’re imagining a guitar vault, designer hats, or rooms full of golden records, you might want to switch gears! While Toby’s trip to fame includes the glitz of a career spent in the limelight, Toby seems to have maintained his “ordinary guy” appeal.
Whether you’ve been jamming to Toby’s tunes for ages or you’re just curious about the man behind this mega-million-dollar empire, you’ve landed on the right page. So, kick back, get comfy, and let’s dive into the captivating story of a man, his guitar, his dream, and his unstoppable will to blaze a fresh trail in the world of country music.
Strumming Through The Journey: Toby Keith’s Rise to Stardom
Remember back when Toby Keith was just Toby Covel, born on July 8, 1961? No, neither do we, really, but that’s the name our country music superstar was first introduced to the world with. He is the second born to parents Hubert and Joan Covel. They were an Oklahoma-based clan, and this heartland backdrop became the nurturing ground for Toby’s developing interest in music, thanks to his grandma’s supper club. That was where he got to witness real musicians and experience all the magic of their gigs. An eight-year-old Toby was gifted his first guitar, and that just fueled his passion for music even more. The country music scene started coming into focus.
Post–high school, in 1979, Toby took a detour, working in the oil fields as a derrick hand. But that creative passion kept whispering in the background. Amid the dirt and the oil, the band Easy Money were born, giving Toby a chance to juggle his unglamorous day job with gigs in the local bar scene. Then, 1982 brought with it the Oklahoma oil industry crash and Toby thought, Why not lean into the music scene a little more? Ignoring the sighs and side glances from skeptical friends and family, Toby got all in with his music in 1984. Easy Money began their honky-tonk journey, hitting up joints in Oklahoma and Texas. They even recorded a single called “Blue Moon” that got some local radio love.
That limited success paled in comparison to what was about to come Toby’s way. In 1998 he signed with DreamWorks Records Nashville. As the ’90s drew to a close, “How Do You Like Me Now?!”, his mega-hit from his 1999 album, was on everyone’s radio and making waves. It scored the top spot for country song of 2000. What a propitious way to welcome in the new millennium.
Striking Gold On Stage: Profits from Toby Keith’s Music Career
With his unique blend of rockin’ country vibes, Toby’s had fans lining up for a slice of his rich, musical pie. But getting to the top wasn’t the result of a magic trick. It took years of perseverance, performing in dive bars and making music despite not seeing a dime for all his hard work.
Still riding the wave of success from “How Do You Like Me Now?!”, Toby dropped three back-to-back albums: Pull My Chain, Unleashed, and Shock’n Y’all. They all shot straight to #1 and went 4x platinum. That’s how Toby transitioned from a hopeful artist to legitimate country music royalty. With his unshakable determination and those killer performances, Toby firmly planted his boots in the country music landscape.
He then had the wherewithal to launch his personal label, Show Dog Nashville, in 2005. The label eventually merged with Universal South Records in 2009 to form Show Dog-Universal Music. He’s released 10 epic albums as part of their fold, beginning with White Trash with Money in 2006, through to Peso in My Pocket in 2021.
The cherry on top must have been the recognition granted him by Forbes as a top money maker in 2017, ranking him 83rd on the Celebrity 100 earnings list. Even crazier, the publication reported in 2013 that he’d made over half a billion dollars in his career.
Diversity: The Rhythm to Toby Keith’s Success
While Toby has rocked the music scene, it’s his ability to swing from melody maker to money-spinner across various markets that has really brought in the dough.
Take a peek at Keith’s killer partnership with Big Machine Records in 2005. Even though it lasted only a year, he kept a 10% slice of the pie. A move made all the wiser when Big Machine Records blew up, signing world-beaters like Taylor Swift and the Band Perry.
In 2005, Toby broached the hospitality business, too. Inspired by his hit, “I Love This Bar”, he opened up a chain named—you guessed it!—I Love This Bar & Grills. Diners flock there to enjoy homey Southern-style comfort food to make your mouth water, and a vibe that’s as inviting as your gran’s kitchen.
In 2011, he even threw his hat into the spirits game, launching Toby Keith’s Wild Shot Mezcal. It’s a 100% green agave spirit that got his fans’ hearts—and probably their heads—buzzing.
Notable Possessions and Generosity
Speaking of heart, Toby’s got lots of it. In 2006, he set up the Toby Keith Foundation, a nonprofit all about helping children with cancer. Fast forward to 2014, the foundation welcomed the OK Kids Korral – a cost-free, comfy base camp for its young patients. The support Toby has shown, no doubt, brings a touch of relief to countless families going through tough times each year.
Behind the Curtain: Toby Keith’s Personal Life
The game changed for Toby when he met his missus, Tricia Lucus, at an Oklahoma club. After dating for three years, these lovebirds made it official in ’84. Toby even adopted Tricia’s daughter, Shelley, who was born a year before Tricia and Toby crossed paths. Fast forward a bit and their family grew with the addition of their daughter Krystal in 1985. When money was tight after Krystal’s birth, Toby hit the road with his band, the Easy Money Band, so that he could support his growing brood.
Music must be in the Keith DNA because Krystal is now all in on the country music scene. The youngest Keith, Stelen, didn’t follow the musical script though. He’s cooking up burgers instead at his eatery, 405 Burger Bar, one of Oklahoma’s top spots.
A Hard Strum: Major Events Shaping Toby Keith’s Journey
Toby Keith faced quite the storm in the fall of 2021. He dropped a bombshell that he was battling stomach cancer. But true to his never-say-die attitude, Toby announced in June 2022 he was taking a break from the music to focus on chemo, radiation, and surgery. How this health scare will affect Toby’s life and career in the long run, we’re yet to see.
He did however update the world and let his fans breathe a sigh of relief in September 2023 when he shared that the tumor had shrunk to one-third of its original size. “It’s a little bit of a roller-coaster,” he said. “You get good days and, you know, you’re up and down, up and gown. It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today.”
Country Icon recipient Toby Keith detailed the ups and downs of his cancer journey. 🤍 #PCCAs pic.twitter.com/4thn6Zb0gj
— E! News (@enews) September 29, 2023
