Tim McGraw Honors Toby Keith With Touching Live Performance

Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw is paying tribute to fellow country music star Toby Keith in the best way he knows how.

McGraw, 56, honored Keith on stage this week, after the "Red Solo Cup" singer died at age 62 on Monday, Feb. 5. He had been battling stomach cancer since late 2021.

Days after the tragic news, McGraw dedicated a performance to Keith while putting on a concert at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Orlando, Fla., where he sang a special rendition of his hit song "Live Like You Were Dying."

Before starting the song, McGraw shared kind words about his late friend, telling the audience, "Toby and I got to know each other pretty well early in our careers. We spent a lot of time hanging out on the bus, played some shows together."

"Having to guard him in basketball wasn't a lot of fun because he beat the s—t out of you," he added with a laugh.

"But he was a really, really good guy," McGraw continued, calling the late "I Love This Bar" crooner "a great artist" while the audience roared with cheers.

"I always respected how he did things his way and didn't care what anybody thought," McGraw stated. "So bear with me if I don't get through it, you guys help me out, but I want to dedicate this song to Toby and his family."

With help from the audience, the 1883 star performed the song in what turned out to be a tear-jerking moment in honor of Keith's legacy.

"Thanx Hollywood FL for helping me pay tribute to @tobykeith last night…. Meant so much @hardrockholly" McGraw wrote on Instagram Friday, Feb. 9, alongside a clip of the emotional performance.

"One Legend, honoring another legend!❤️" one of his followers celebrated in the comments, while former football star Brett Favre chimed in to say, "Tim that was awesome!!!"

"That was a tough one. Such class, thank you TM," someone else added.

Next: Toby Keith Opened Up About Dying in Heartbreaking Interview Just Weeks Before His Death