Toby Keith Delivered A Series Of Top-Notch Country Covers In Mexico In 2020
Toby Keith honored Johnny Rodriguez with an acoustic performance several years ago. That performance is even more meaningful now that both singers have since passed away.
While he was stuck down in Mexico in early 2020, Keith passed the time by listening to old country songs. Every now and then, he heard a song he wanted to sing himself, and he started sharing those performances online with his fans.
Keith forgot to bring his guitar with him to Mexico, so he had to improvise. He stopped by a furniture store and bought an old guitar, which he used for his cover performances.
He was clearly enjoying himself and performed several great country tunes. A few songs we heard Keith sing include “Flowers on the Wall” and “Evangelina.”
The former song served as Keith’s way of paying tribute to The Statler Brothers’ Harold Reid, who passed away on April 24, 2020.
Watch Toby Keith Pay Tribute To Johnny Rodriguez
Days later, Keith took the time to honor not one but two country legends with his performance of “I Couldn’t Be Me Without You.”
The track was written by outlaw country icon Billy Joe Shaver and was recorded by Latin American country singer Johnny Rodriguez. His recording was released in 1976 and was a #3 hit on the country chart in the U.S.
Keith briefly introduced the song before he covered it, saying:
“Billy Joe Shaver wrote a little song and Johnny Rodriguez sang the p— out of it.“
He then moved into his performance, with the old furniture store guitar serving as his only source of instrumental support. We know Keith praised Rodriguez’s vocal performance, but Keith deserves a pat on the back for his own rendition.
Tune in to the clip below to hear Keith tip his hat to Rodriguez and Shaver by performing “I Couldn’t Be Me Without You.”
Billy Joe Shaver passed away, in October 2020. Toby Keith died at the age of 62 on February 5, 2024. Sadly, Johnny Rodriguez passed away a year after him, on May 9, 2025.
Following Rodriguez’s passing, Keith’s team shared how much the singer meant to him. They shared two pictures of the singers having a fun time onstage together, and wrote:
“Toby always said that Johnny Rodriguez was a big influence on his singing. He saw Johnny in concert many times, and even booked him to perform at his 60th birthday celebration. RIP Johnny.”
May Billy Joe Shaver, Toby Keith, and Johnny Rodriguez all rest in peace.