Toby Keith Was Awarded The National Medal of Arts By President Donald Trump On This Day Four Years Ago

This one STILL hurts.

While the House was voting to impeach Donald Trump for a second time following the January 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol, the Commander in Chief was busy honoring Toby Keith and Ricky Skaggs with the National Medal of Arts.

Taken place on this day (January 13), four years ago, the legendary musicians received what is referred as the highest honor an artist can receive from the U.S. government. According to a government website, the medal is presented to those who “are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.”

While there were/are many rumors that Toby was a Republican, having performed at Trump’s first inauguration back in 2017, as well as publicly feuding with The Dixie Chicks over their comments against former President George W. Bush over two decades ago, the patriotic singer also performed at Barack Obama’s inauguration, proving at least one thing – he loved his country no matter which party held office.

“Rising from humble beginnings in the oil fields of Oklahoma, Toby Keith has become one of the preeminent songwriters of his generation.”

The big dog daddy will be remembered as an American patriot, a charitable philanthropist, and an inspiration to many. His legacy will undoubtedly carry on through what is left behind of his storied career, marked by 21 albums and 20 number-one singles, as well as his dedicated support for children diagnosed with cancer, active-duty military personnel, and veterans.

Watch his full performance at Trump’s inauguration here:

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THE DAY THE KING WAS GONE — Imagine waking up on August 16 and discovering that the voice that had defined an entire generation was suddenly silent. On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, leaving millions of fans struggling to believe that the man they had watched, admired, and followed for more than two decades was gone. Elvis had transformed American music in a way few artists ever could. From the explosive energy of the 1950s to the dazzling Las Vegas performances of the 1970s, he became more than a singer. He became a cultural symbol. His voice, his stage presence, his clothing, and even the way he moved changed popular entertainment forever. Yet behind the legendary image was a deeply human man whose final years were far more complicated than the spotlight suggested. On that Tuesday afternoon, the news spread across the world with astonishing speed. Radio stations interrupted regular programming. Newspapers rushed to prepare special editions. Fans gathered outside Graceland, many of them in tears, unable to accept that Elvis was truly gone. People who had grown up listening to his records suddenly found themselves mourning someone who had felt almost larger than life. The sadness became even more powerful because Elvis died at only 42 years old. There was no long farewell tour and no final performance designed to close the story. There was simply an ordinary summer day that suddenly became one of the most unforgettable dates in music history. Thousands of mourners eventually traveled to Memphis. Flowers covered the gates of Graceland. Strangers who had never met Elvis stood beside one another, united by the same memories. Some remembered the young man who had shocked television audiences in the 1950s. Others remembered romantic ballads, movie songs, gospel performances, or the commanding presence of the man known as The King of Rock and Roll. Even decades later, August 16 remains a day of remembrance for Elvis Presley fans around the world. His death ended his life, but it did not end his music. His recordings continued to reach new generations, his performances remained endlessly watched, and Graceland became a place where fans could come to remember the man behind the legend. Perhaps that is the strangest part of Elvis’ story. On August 16, 1977, the world lost Elvis Presley. But somehow, the music never learned how to say goodbye.