Keith presented with a proclamation
WHEREAS, Illinois is a leader in supporting the arts, and has always been an important component of the artistic fabric of our state; and,
WHEREAS, there are few forms of music more purely American than the country music genre; and,
WHEREAS, country music, with its themes of rural life, family, hard work, and love for country speaks to Midwestern ideals and Illinois residents can relate to its message; and,
WHEREAS, a country musician who has experienced great success in this genre is Toby Keith; and,
WHEREAS, Toby Keith was born in Clinton, Oklahoma to parents Joan and Hubert; and,
WHEREAS, Toby Keith began playing music at a young age after being inspired by musicians who worked at his grandmother's supper club; and,
WHEREAS, prior to starting a career in music, Toby Keith worked in the oil industry and played in the USFL football league. His debut album, "Toby Keith," produced the most played country song of the 1990s, "Should've Been A Cowboy"; and,
WHEREAS, his follow up records, Boomtown and Blue Moon, were equally successful due to hits "Who's That Man" and "Me Too"; and,
WHEREAS, Toby Keith's 2002 album, Unleashed, sold 3 million copies and included a duet with Willie Nelson, "Beer For My Horses"; and,
WHEREAS, Toby Keith's albums have sold more than 36 million copies, ranking him among the top-selling genre artists on Billboard's Top 200 artists of the Decade; and,
WHEREAS, Toby Keith, aside from enormous commercial success, has received critical acclaim and industry awards including the Songwriter/Artist of the Decade distinction from the Nashville Songwriters Association International as well as the American Country Awards' Artist of the Decade distinction; and,
WHEREAS, Toby Keith is strongly committed to our nation's veterans and in 2008 played 18 shows for U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf as a part of a U.S.O. Tour; and,
WHEREAS, Toby Keith will perform at the Grandstand of the Illinois State Fair on Wednesday, August 14th at 8:00 pm; and,
THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim August 14, 2013 as TOBY KEITH DAY in Illinois in recognition of his tremendous musical success and contributions to the country music genre and industry.
