PHOTOS From Toby Keith’s Performances in Tri-Cities with KORD

Today is a sad day for country music fans. Toby Keith, a country music Icon has passed away from stomach cancer. Known for his deep voice and big build, Toby Keith graced the country music industry with a knack for writing songs about love gone wrong, bar fights, drinking, and a long list of patriotic anthems.

Beyond his musical career, Keith was a philanthropist and supported our military overseas, and he founded the Toby Keith Foundation, which provides aid to children battling cancer.

Getty Images for iHeartMedia

Throughout his career, he sometimes faced criticism for his vocal political views. Still, he produced chart-topper after chart-topper and captivated audiences throughout the world, including multiple visits and performances in the Tri-Cities. Below is a photo gallery of KORD’s involvement with Toby Keith – starting with his first visit at the Benton Franklin Fair in 1996 to KORD’s 4^th Annual Listener Appreciation Show in 1998, and another performance at the fair in 2001. We will miss you, Toby Keith.

[PHOTOS] Remembering Toby Keith's Performances in Tri-Cities with KORD.

If you’ve lived in Tri-Cities for more than 15 years, then you likely remember KORD’s Listener Appreciation Shows. We held them annually from the early 1990s into the 2000s. Each year we would treat 5000 KORD listeners to a free show in the Coliseum (now the Toyota Center). One of our biggest events ever was with Toby Keith in 1998. We also presented Toby Keith at the Benton Franklin Fair multiple times – 1996 and 2001. Take a trip back in time with us as we honor one of the most iconic country singers of all time. R.I.P. Toby Keith.

Gallery Credit: Paul Drake