Jason Aldean honours Toby Keith at 2024 ACM Awards

Jason Aldean paid tribute to his late friend Toby Keith in a tear-jerking performance at the 2024 ACM Awards.

As People Magazine reported, the 47-year-old country star serenaded one of Keith’s massive hits on the stage on Thursday, May 16, live at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

In a heartfelt gesture for his friend Keith, who passed away at the age of 62 following a stomach cancer diagnosis, Aldean performed an acoustic version of the late singer’s Should’ve Been a Cowboy.

The soulful rendition by Aldean moved Keith’s family, who were present in the audience, to tears at the 59th Annual Academy of Country Music Award, which was streamed live on Prime Video.

The performance took place two days after the Try That in a Small Town singer revealed his plan to honour the widely acclaimed musical legend.

On Tuesday, May 14, Aldean took to his Instagram stories to officially announce the news, accompanying a picture of the Red Solo Cup crooner.

"Honored to pay tribute to my friend, the one and only @tobykeith with a special performance of 'Should've Been a Cowboy' at the @acmawards," he penned.

"Join me as we celebrate his legacy and the mark he left on country music," Aldean concluded.

Additionally, the song is Keith's first single and is from his debut self-titled album, released in 1993.