Toby Keith's Tough Love: Miranda Lambert's Journey As A Performer

Toby Keith wasn't always the easiest tour boss, Miranda Lambert admits — but his brand of "tough love" made her a better performer during an early phase of her career. In a recent appearance on Theo Von's This Past Weekend podcast, Lambert shared her experience of opening for Keith, highlighting how much she learned from him. She recalls that this was her fourth big major country tour and emphasizes the impact it had on her growth.

Keith's approach was to throw her into the deep end of his live show, compelling her to adapt to his unique performance style and dedicated fan base. "But I guess I needed that," Lambert reflects. "I was a baby and didn’t know what was going on yet. I was learning all the ropes of everything." This experience not only shaped her as an artist but also helped her discover her own identity in the world of country music.

Lambert continues to express admiration for Keith's authenticity, noting that he was unapologetically himself. "He was, like, authentically himself," she states. This genuine nature made him an icon to his fans. His fans were very much about Toby only, and Lambert learned that to earn their respect, she had to work hard. "It made me work for it, in a good way," she says, emphasizing the lessons she took away from that time.

As the years passed, Lambert had the opportunity to reconnect with Keith at an industry awards show in late 2023, where he was being honored for his songwriting. It was a poignant moment, as he was also battling stomach cancer. This would sadly be the last time she saw her former tour boss in person, as he passed away just a few months later.

Even during his illness, Lambert noted that Keith remained a phenomenal performer, dedicated to his music. "He was, even at the end, really about the music," she observes. His legacy continues to inspire many in the country music scene, reminding everyone of the impact a mentor can have on a young artist's career.