Toby Keith Spreads Holiday Cheer in TV Special
Since Toby Keith wrapped up his summer tour in September, he’s been busy putting together a Christmas album as well as holiday television special. With all of that, he has still managed to begin booking 2008 dates.
Last month Keith, who in June topped Billboard’s 200 album chart with his album “Big Dog Daddy,” released a second holiday album titled “A Classic Christmas.” During its first week the two disc set sold over 18,000 copies. That made it this year’s highest seasonal country album debut.
“A Classic Christmas” was produced by Grammy award winner Randy Scruggs along with Keith. It includes a disc of holiday favorites such as “Silver Bells” and “White Christmas” and another disc focusing on spiritual standards such as “Away in a Manger” and “The First Noel.” The previous holiday album for Keith, “Christmas to Christmas” from 1995 focused on original compositions.
Keith will be showcasing songs from his new album on “A Toby Keith Classic Christmas” on Country Music Television. It is set to premiere on November 24. Jewell will be the guest star during the special of one hour and join Keith to sing a few songs.
Keith, in the meantime, is gearing up to join fellow Oklahomans Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire for the Centennial Spectacular for Oklahoma that will take place in Oklahoma City on November 16. Last week Keith was the latest member to be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
In addition Keith has announced his first few 2008 dates. So far Manchester, NH and Portland, ME are booked for February.
Keith is continuing to back “Big Dog Daddy,” the album which spawned the hit singles “Love Me if You Can” and “High Maintenance Woman.” The album is the second release of his on Keith’s label Show Dog Nashville. The album follows “White Trash with Money,” his album from last year. It is Keith’s 12 platinum album of his career.
Keith has sold over 30 million albums over his career, along with garnering a long string of accolades including several awards from the Academy of Country of Music and three Songwriter of the Year awards from BMI. He has also become involved in acting and is the owner of the restaurant chain Toby Keith I Love this Bar & Grill.