Toby Keith made fans' night at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards on September 28 after being out of the spotlight amid his years-long battle with stomach cancer. Before hitting the stage for his performance, the 62-year-old singer gave an update on his health.
“I feel pretty good,” he shared with E! News before hitting the stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. “It’s a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you’re up and down, up and down. It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today.”
“I’ve been going through my cancer fight for the last couple of years and it’s really inspiring for a lot of people,” Toby shared with NBC during the pre-show event. “Coming back on TV for the first time and performing live in front of a live audience, I thought it was fitting.”
While on stage, he performed his song “Don’t Let the Old Man In," which he says was fitting for the fans that he had helped to inspire during his cancer battle. During the awards ceremony, he also received the first-ever Country Icon Award.
More from LittleThings: Country Star Toby Keith Reveals He Has Been Fighting Stomach Cancer For 6 Months
“Looking at the videos and seeing 30 years, all the stuff we’ve amassed over those years [it’s] pretty crazy because it really went by fast because I’m working all the time,” he said. “I want to thank the Almighty for allowing me to be here tonight,” he added while accepting his award. "Everybody that’s all behind this thing. All the great musicians that have played on all these albums, in the studios, they’ve poured their heart and soul into what I do.”
