How An Oklahoma Lawmaker Aims To Honor Late Legend Toby Keith

An Oklahoma lawmaker filed a bill to honor late legend Toby Keith by renaming bridges and roads after him.

Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, introduced Senate Bill 1475 earlier this month “to recognize the life and extraordinary achievements of country music superstar Toby Keith by naming a local bridge and future roadway developments in his honor,” per an Oklahoma Senate press release.

The release states that a bridge over Interstate 35 at Indian Hills Road in Norman, Oklahoma, where Keith was a longtime resident, would be named Toby Keith Memorial Bridge. If a new bridge or interchange is ever constructed in the same location, it would be named the Toby Keith Memorial Interchange. The bill also aims to “seek that the spur that will likely someday stretch west from the Indian Hills Road bridge over I-35 to connect with Interstate 44 be named the Toby Keith Parkway. The resulting bridge over the Canadian River on this spur near I-44 would be named the Should’ve Been a Cowboy Bridge, after Keith’s first hit single.” SB 1475 will allow a method for private citizens to contribute to the artwork on any new bridge or interchange, including Keith’s family. The family will also be able to commission artwork in the late country star’s honor.

“Toby Keith remains the greatest country and western star Oklahoma has ever produced, without question,” Standridge said in a statement. “Beyond being a mega-superstar entertainer, Toby was a proud patriot who consistently supported our nation and its military, both in person and through his music. Toby is dearly missed, but his music and his impact on Oklahoma, the nation and the world will live on for generations.

“I would defer completely to the family that has lived in my district for many years, but personally, I can picture a profile rendering of Toby in his hat, with a guitar in his hands, framed by an American flag,” she added.

Keith “passed peacefully…surrounded by family,” on February 5, 2024 after a years-long battle with stomach cancer. He was 62. The Oklahoma-born country star launched his decades-long career in the early 1990s. Keith’s first single was “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” from his self-titled debut record. He went on to become known for “I Love This Bar,” “A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “As Good As I Once Was,” “My List,” “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue,” and many other hits. Keith is survived by his wife, Tricia Covel, daughters Shelley Covel Rowland and Krystal Keith, son Stelen Keith Covel, and his grandchildren. Tricia said when her late husband was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2024 that “there’ll never be another Toby Keith.”

The bill will be eligible for consideration when the legislature convenes on Monday, February 2, per the Oklahoma Senate.