“My last single that came out is a song that I wrote that reminds me of living out here. I grew up getting gas at this place,” Toby Keith said before he opened his first set with his 2011 hit “Made in America” in his surprise concert.
Spent my night at a special invite-only @TobyKeithMusic show for @StateFarm #NeighborhoodSessions. #storysoon pic.twitter.com/wIESicKVsA
— Brandy McDonnell (@BAMOK) September 2, 2015
The country music singer-songwriter showed how proud he is not just of his country but of his Oklahoma roots in the concert he had in his old neighborhood in Norman for the Neighborhood Sessions.
Neighborhood Sessions is a program that offers big-name recording artists in music a chance to give back to their communities with a local party.
Toby Keith chose to have the invitation only concert at Hollywood Corners, a 1920s gas station he and business partnered Bob Thompson recently bought, and remodeled into a delicatessen.
Keith wanted to keep everything local for the surprise concert, just like the special guests he invited.
The special guests Keith serenaded include people who had suffered loss and contributed to the community. He spent the day giving back to his community and recognizing local volunteers.
“Toby does so many things for this community,” former OU basketball standout Kevin Bookout said. “The OK Kids Korral and just bringing everyone here for this event, this is right up Toby’s alley. He always gives back to the community. ” Most of the 11 songs on Toby Keith’s set list were actually written in and inspired by his hometown. “If you hear one of the songs tonight that you sing along with, they were written either at my mother’s house three miles up the road or sitting here at my house,” Keith told the crowd.
The hour-long television special Neighborhood Sessions Featuring Toby Keith is due to air on TBS in October, the same month the Oklahoma native will release his new album 35 MPH Town.
Ride through this #35MPHTown with Toby & make sure to pre-order the new album here:http://t.co/Tgsv7j01NO –#TeamToby https://t.co/9IQDlKzcv5
— Toby Keith (@TobyKeithMusic) September 1, 2015