Country star Toby Keith has revealed that he has been battling stomach cancer for much of the past year.
“Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” the 60-year-old singer wrote in a social media post on Sunday.
“I’ve spent the last 6 months undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. So far so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax. I’m really looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I’ll see the fans sooner rather than later. I can not wait”.
Though not explicitly stated in the post, Keith’s publicist, Elaine Schock, says he won’t be playing any upcoming shows “for now.”
He was set to kick off his Country Comes to Town tour this Friday in Wheaton, Illinois.
Some of Keith’s famous friends took to social media to express their best wishes for the country star’s health.
“Hold on @tobykeith,” tweeted John Rich of country music duo Big & Rich.
“I wish you much strength and healing, my friend!” ESPN host Hannah Storm responded.
“Soon the nation is with you and praying for you brother!!!” tweeted University of Oklahoma men’s basketball head coach Porter Moser. “No one embodies a Spirit harder than YOU! 💪
“Praying for you and thinking of you brother,” wrote country rock singer Scott Stevens.
“I wish my great friend a speedy recovery and lots of love from most redheads around the world,” the singer tweeted. sammy agaralong with a photo of the two of them.
“I pray for you, T,” commented golf media personality Taylor Cusack.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Keith turned to a music career after stints in the oil industry and the USFL football league. After signing with Mercury Records, Keith released his self-titled debut album in 1993, which went platinum.
The “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” singer hasn’t been afraid to get political, releasing the scathing single “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” in 2002, which was inspired in part by the 11 of September. terrorist attacks.
The song led to a public feud between Keith and fellow country singer Natalie Maines of The Chicks, who criticized the tone of the song.
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Keith is a seven-time Grammy nominee and was recognized as Artist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music two years in a row in 2002 and 2003. His most recent album, “Peso in My Pocket,” generated top 25 country singles. “Old School.”
Since his diagnosis, Keith has remained in the public eye. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last November and recently played at the Heroes Honor Festival at Daytona International Speedway.
Collaboration: Edward Segarra and Kim Willis, USA TODAY
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