Toby Keith Siblings: Get to Know Tonnie and Tracy

Toby Keith Covel, born on July 8, 1961, in Clinton, Oklahoma, was a towering figure in American country music.

A singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and businessman, Keith’s journey from small-town Oklahoma to international stardom was marked by his relentless work ethic and authentic connection to his roots.

Raised in Moore, Oklahoma, after spending early years in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Keith developed a love for music at a young age, inspired by the musicians performing at his grandmother’s Billie Garner’s Supper Club.

He picked up his first guitar at eight and later honed his craft playing in local bars with his band, the Easy Money Band.

Keith’s life was tragically cut short on February 5, 2024, when he passed away at 62 after a battle with stomach cancer.

He left behind a legacy as a devoted family man, a prolific artist, and a philanthropist dedicated to supporting children with cancer through his Toby Keith Foundation and OK Kids Korral.

Siblings

Toby grew up with two siblings, a sister named Tonnie and a brother named Tracy.

Born to Carolyn Joan Ross Covel and Hubert Keith (H.K.) Covel Jr., the Covel family lived a modest life, initially in Fort Smith, Arkansas, before settling in Moore, Oklahoma.

While Keith’s rise to fame brought public attention to his life, his siblings maintained relatively private lives, and little is documented about their personal endeavors.

The family faced a significant loss in 2001 when their father, H.K. Covel, died in a collision on Interstate 35.

Toby, his mother Carolyn, and his siblings Tonnie and Tracy pursued a wrongful death lawsuit against the operators of a charter bus involved in the accident, alleging faulty brakes contributed to the tragedy.

The jury awarded them $2.8 million in damages.

Career

Keith’s career spanned over three decades, during which he became one of country music’s most influential figures.

After graduating from Moore High School in 1979, Keith worked in the Oklahoma oil fields alongside his father, but the industry’s decline in the early 1980s pushed him toward music full-time.

His big break came in 1993 with the release of his self-titled debut album, featuring the chart-topping single “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” which became a three-times Platinum hit and a defining anthem of his career.

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Throughout the 1990s, Keith released four studio albums, each earning gold or higher certification, establishing him as a reliable hitmaker.

His 1999 album, How Do You Like Me Now?!, marked a turning point, with the title track becoming the number one country song of 2000.

Keith’s music often blended patriotism, as seen in post-9/11 hits like “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” with party anthems like “Red Solo Cup” and heartfelt tracks like “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”

In 2005, Keith founded Show Dog Nashville, later Show Dog-Universal Music, giving him creative control over his work.

His entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond music, with ventures like the Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill restaurant chain and a clothing line, TK Steelman.

Despite controversies, such as his public feud with Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines over his patriotic songs, Keith remained a steadfast voice in country music, performing for U.S. military personnel on USO tours and releasing 19 studio albums, five of which topped the Billboard 200.

His acting roles in films like Broken Bridges (2006) and Beer for My Horses (2008) further showcased his versatility.

Keith’s final public performance came in September 2023, when he performed after receiving the Country Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards, despite his ongoing cancer treatment.

Accolades

Keith received seven Grammy Award nominations, reflecting his songwriting prowess, including a nod for his duet with Sting, “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying.”

Keith won 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, including two Entertainer of the Year titles, and was honored with the Merle Haggard Spirit Award for his authentic storytelling.

In 2021, he received the National Medal of Arts from President Donald Trump, recognizing his cultural impact.

Keith was also inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010, an accolade he described as his most cherished, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024, with the announcement coming just hours after his passing.

His BMI Icon Award celebrated his “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.”

Beyond music, Keith’s philanthropy shone through his annual golf classics, which raised millions for the Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral, a cost-free home for pediatric cancer patients and their families.