Stars Take The Stage for Toby Keith’s Twister Relief Concert

Photo via Toby Keith Facebook

Nearly 65,000 fans gathered at the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday (July 6) for Toby Keith‘s Oklahoma Twister Relief concert, to support those affected by the twisters that ripped through Moore, Okla. and surrounding towns in late May. The sold-out crowd was treated to performances from Garth Brooks (his first performance in Oklahoma since 1997), Trisha Yearwood, Sammy Hagar, Mel Tillis, John Anderson, Willie Nelson, Ronnie Dunn, Wade Hayes, Keith and his daughter Krystal Keith, and a satellite performance from Carrie Underwood (who was performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville that evening).

“The healing starts today. It’s time to smile,” Brooks said prior to the performance.

The concert launched with a performance from Krystal Keith, in a performance of the national santhem. Mel Tillis’ followed with a set that included “Heart Over Mind,” “I Ain’t Never,” “Who’s Julie” and “Send Me Down to Tuscon,” among others.

Brooks performed “Rodeo,” “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House” and “Papa Loved Mama.” Afterward, his wife Yearwood joined him for a duet of “In Another’s Eyes.”

“God bless you Oklahoma!” Yearwood yelled to the crowd as Brooks exited the stage. “You’re not gonna leave me out here are you?” she quipped. He did. Yearwood performed “She’s In Love With the Boy” and “How Do I Live,” before passing the microphone back to Brooks, who thrilled the homestate crowd with “The Thunder Rolls,” and his signature “Friends In Low Places.”

“I gotta say God bless Toby Keith for putting all this together,” he yelled. “Okies unite! … Today is a great day to start the healing process. I want to dedicate this song to everyone.” Brooks wrapped his set with “The Dance.”

Nelson, with his worn-out signature guitar, sailed through a number of his hits including “Still Is Still Moving to Me,” “Always On My Mind,” “On The Road Again,” and “Good Hearted Woman,” along with “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.” Keith joined Nelson for their 2003 single, “Beer For My Horses,” and “Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys.” There was also an all-star jam with several performers and Keith that included “I’ll Fly Away” and “I Saw The Light.”

Ronnie Dunn performs during the Oklahoma Twister Relief concert.

Hagar’s set included “Bad Motor Scooter,” “I Can’t Drive 55,” “Eagles Fly,” “Right Now,” “Why Can’t This Be Love?” and others. “Toby Keith is my nomination for Man of the Year!” he said prior to leaving the stage. Dunn followed with his rendition of “Play Something Country,” “Ain’t Nothin’ About You,” “How Far to Waco,” “Kiss You There,” “My Maria,” “Peace, Love & Country Music,” “Cowgirls Don’t Cry,” along with his first hit with Brooks & Dunn, 1992’s “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.”

Anderson’s brief set included “Money in the Bank” and “Straight Tequila Nights.” Wade Hayes made a short appearance for one song, “Old Enough To Know Better.” Underwood launched her remote set with “Good Girl” from the Ryman Auditorium stage in Nashville. “I’d like to say a special hello,” she said. “I love you and miss you to my home state of Oklahoma,” before singing her first hit “Jesus Take the Wheel,” followed by her current single “See You Again” and “Before He Cheats.”

Keith’s set was classic all-American, complete with plenty of red Solo cups. Keith’s vigorous show included “Made in America,” “Who’s Your Daddy?” “I Love This Bar,” “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “Ain’t as Good as I Once Was,” “Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action,” “How Do You Like Me Now?” and “American Soldier.”

He also called out his daughter Krystal to perform her new song, “Get Your Redneck On.”

“I wanna thank everyone for coming out and participating here today,” Keith said. “I got to watch some of the greatest football growing up here in my life … That was, like, fourteen hundred and fifty-two beers ago,” he said, launching into “Beers Ago.” Keith’s runaway hit “Red Solo Cup” became “Red Sooner Cup,” a further encouragement to the crowd as fans indeed did proceed to party. He egged them on, saying, “let the good people of Moore, Oklahoma” hear them sing the song. They happily (and loudly) agreed.

Keith ended the evening by giving a red Solo cup tribute to members of the military, first responders, storm survivors, and all Oklahomans. “Cheers!” he yelled.