Despite her pleas, Toby Keith refused to take his daughter, Krystal, on USO tours to war zones, prioritizing her safety over his desire to share his patriotism.
Country music legend Toby Keith, renowned for his unwavering patriotism, embarked on 18 USO tours throughout his career, performing for over 250,000 service members worldwide. However, one person Keith refused to take along on these dangerous missions was his daughter, Krystal.
Despite Krystal's ardent pleas, Keith remained adamant that the war zone was no place for her. "He was like, 'No, no, this is really important work I'm going to do, and no, my daughter is not … It's not something where I'm going to put you in danger so you can go experience this,'" she recalled.
Toby Keith's Daughter Denied USO Tours Due to Safety Concerns
Keith's refusal stemmed from personal experiences during his USO tours. In Afghanistan, he and 2,500 soldiers faced mortar fire, forcing them to seek shelter in a concrete bunker for an hour. On another occasion, Keith was attacked while performing in Iraq.
Krystal understood her father's concerns and appreciated his protective instincts. She witnessed firsthand the risks involved in Keith's USO tours. "I found a picture … There was an underground bunker, and he had like signed on concrete, something about like, 'I'm in the middle of a show, and some idiot set off some fireworks during my show,'" she said.
Toby Keith's Daughter Denied USO Tours Due to Safety Concerns
Keith's primary concern was Krystal's safety, not a lack of faith in her talents. "He really let me carve my own path," she said. "When I got stuck, or I had, kind of needed some advice or needed a push, I would go in and be like, 'Hey, what do you think about this song?' and he would give me his advice then."
Despite missing out on the opportunity to accompany her father on USO tours, Krystal forged her own path in the music industry, opening for Keith from the age of 14. She sang the national anthem before his performances and performed background vocals, adding her own flair to his shows.
Toby Keith's Daughter Denied USO Tours Due to Safety Concerns
Krystal believes her father would be proud of her accomplishments. "I think he would be proud. I hope that everyone enjoys it. I think it was such an honor to be on that stage with all of those people," she said of her recent performance at a tribute concert honoring Keith.
Toby Keith's legacy as a patriotic entertainer who dedicated himself to supporting American troops will forever be remembered. His daughter, Krystal, carries his spirit with her, continuing to perform and inspire audiences with her own unique talents.
Toby Keith's Daughter Denied USO Tours Due to Safety Concerns
