Blake Shelton delivered a heartfelt tribute to his late friend, Toby Keith, at the Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday, October 20. Keith, who was posthumously inducted as this year’s “Modern Era” honoree, now holds a permanent place in the prestigious hall.

Shelton and Keith shared a longtime friendship, both hailing from Oklahoma. The pair performed together on numerous occasions, including a memorable moment at the 2018 ACM Awards, where they teamed up for a spirited rendition of Keith’s classic hit, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.”

At the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards, Blake Shelton had the honor of presenting the Country Icon Award to his longtime friend, Toby Keith. During his speech, Shelton reflected on Keith’s tremendous influence on country music, saying:

“Watching him, I felt the impact of Toby’s music—from the anthems that spoke to the bigger things, to the songs filled with humor and energy that became the soundtrack to good times.”

Just a few months later, Keith’s passing left Shelton heartbroken. He paid tribute to his friend with an emotional message on X, writing:

“You were the toughest man I ever met. Thank you, brother, for being a friend, a hero, and an inspiration. There will never be another Toby Keith.”

Considering their close friendship, it made perfect sense that Shelton was present to honor Keith at the CMHOF Medallion Ceremony. Shelton took to the stage to perform one of Keith’s iconic hits, “I Love This Bar,” paying homage to his friend’s legacy and influence on country music. The song was just recently certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA.

The performance was a touching reminder of Keith’s impact on both the genre and his friends, with Shelton honoring the friendship they shared and the unforgettable music Keith left behind.

Shelton added an extra special touch to his performance by playing what appeared to be Keith’s famous American Flag guitar. The patriotic guitar is currently displayed in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

If Shelton didn’t play Keith’s actual guitar, he had one that looked exactly like it. That made his performance all the more meaningful for the small crowd at the CMHOF’s Medallion Ceremony.

You can watch Shelton pay tribute to Keith with “I Love This Bar” in a short clip below.

As the crowd celebrated Keith’s induction, it was clear that his spirit continues to resonate deeply within the country music community.