Toby Keith delivers tear-jerking speech amid cancer battle at People's Choice Country Awards

Originally appeared on E! Online

Toby Keith is raising his red solo cup.

The legendary country singer took home the prestigious Country Icon Award at the 2023 People's Choice Country Awards on Sept. 28. (See every winner here.)

When accepting the trophy from fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton at the famous Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, the 62-year-old reflected on his decades-long career and the impact he's made on multiple generations.

But before going into detail about his legacy, he began his acceptance speech with a lighthearted joke amid his cancer battle.

"I bet you never thought y'all'd see me in skinny jeans," Keith, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2022, shared. "I want to thank the Almighty for allowing me to be here tonight, he's been riding shot gun with me for a little while now."

The "As Good as I Once Was" singer also praised those closest to him for standing by his side through thick and thin.

"I want to thank my beautiful family that's here," he continued. "A lot of people go in and make a career like this of 30 years."

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"Most of all," he added, "I want to thank the fans for still allowing us to do what we do. Have a wonderful evening, thank you!"

Following his acceptance speech, Keith took center stage and gave an emotional performance of "Don't Let the Old Man in." The superstar's set was so moving that his wife, Tricia Lucus, wiped tears from her face throughout.

While on the red carpet, Keith opened up about the longevity of his career and what it means to be recognized for his music.

"It's nice to recognize my 30-year career," he told E! News on the red carpet "It's pretty mind-boggling."

He added, "Those years of pounding those songs out and remembering where you were when each one was conceived, it's amazing."

Keith's People's Choice Country Award show appearance comes just two months after he made a triumphant return to the stage.

Back in July, the "Red Solo Cup" artist performed two shows at Hollywood Corners — the bar and music venue he owns in Norman, Okla.

"I've got more wind," he told The Oklahoman at the time. "And I'm thinking about bringing the band in and setting up, playing two or three days somewhere just to see if I can get through two hours. I'm ready."

As he put it, "That's living."