Jason Aldean Honors Toby Keith with Show-Stopping Tribute at 2024 ACM Awards

This year's country music awards season would feel incomplete without the recognition of one of the genre's greats: Toby Keith.

Since his passing on Feb. 5 following a lengthy battle with cancer, tributes to the late hitmaker have poured in from the country community and beyond, many of the star's peers turning to song to say farewell. The latest to do so is Jason Aldean.

During the 59th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Thursday night (May 16), the 'My Kinda Party' artist delivered a moving rendition of Keith's classic 'Should've Been a Cowboy'.

Welcomed by fellow country star Blake Shelton, who shared some kind words about his departed friend and peer, Aldean appeared on the stage seated with his guitar and flanked by two other players. Together, they launched into a toned-down version of the hit, accompanied by a string quartet, as images of the late artist flashed on a screen in the background.

Given the all-star tribute to Keith that rocked the CMT Awards not long ago, it would have been obvious for Aldean to pull out all the stops for his memorial showcase. He instead put on a graceful display of the artist's beloved tune, closing with a simple and heartfelt, "We love you, Tony."

Elsewhere during the star-studded evening, helmed by 17-time host Reba McEntire, the 2024 ACM Awards witnessed big wins and even bigger performances from the likes of Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson and more.

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