Toby Keith

Toby Keith aka “Big Dod Daddy” was not only a legend in the American country song genre but established himself as a pioneer in country music. Following his untimely death on February 5, 2024, at the age of 62, every country music fan and people, in general, has been looking back on his exceptional career filled with record-setting albums, singles, music tours, and the net worth he gained over the years.  

The “Country’s $500 Million Man” has sold around a total of 40 million units of his songs and albums which is a lot for country music in particular. However, it was his keen vision in different parts of the business industry that mostly contributed to his immense wealth. Without further due, let’s take a brief look at his earnings, business ventures, investments, brand endorsements, real estate portfolio, and his career in general.

What Is Toby Keith’s Net Worth?

At the time of his death in February 2024, Toby Keith had a net worth of $400 million. Even Forbes titled him as “Country’s $500 Million Man” back in 2013.

Toby Keith was an American country singer, songwriter, and record producer whose immense net worth came to fruition as he established himself as the soul of American country music throughout his musical career. Also, different business ventures from chains of restaurants, clothing lines, and Liquor companies, to Record labels, all contributed to his 9-figure net worth.

During his music career, Toby earned an estimated $398 million from all of his music tours. Back in 2012, he pulled around $65 million in a single year which was more than musicians like Madonna, Lady Gaga, Bon Jovi, etc. Keith also sold his “How Do You Like Me Now” album rights to DreamWorks for $200,000 back in the day which was later sold for 3.1 million copies.

As for his non-music ventures, the “Country Capitalist” owned 10% stakes in his “Big Machine” which was later acquired by Ithaca Holdings back in 2018 for over $300 million. He even pocketed a small cut from Taylor Swift’s music copyright as she was one of the first signed artists on the Big Machine label. His annual earnings from restaurant franchises were around 3% of his current net worth in 2024. Similarly, Toby’s fees from his liquor business “Wild Shot” vodka pulled around 27% of his net worth back in 2018.  

What Was Toby Keith’s Claim To Fame?

Toby Keith first gained fame back in 1993 as he made his debut with his hit single “Should've Been a Cowboy” which quickly climbed the chart and became an instant ever-green country classic. As making records, the song was played over 3 million on the radio making it the most-played country song of the ‘90s.

The next big media attention that Toby got was back in 1999 for his breakthrough single “How Do You Like Me Now?” The song went on to become the #1 country song of 2000 and was in the top position for five weeks straight. The song was even sold for 3.1 million copies.

Following his father’s death in 2001, the country boy released his “Unleashed” album in 2002 which blew up in a big way thanks to the “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American)” song that Keith wrote as a response to the horrifying 9/11 attack. The song even triggered a feud between Toby and Dixie Chicks while comments on the song ended up mentioning ex-president George W. Bush in March 2003.

From 2015 to 2022 was a roller coaster in Toby Keith’s legendary career that started on a high note as he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015. Six years later, the “Country Capitalist” received the National Medal of Arts in 2021 and was named a BMI Icon in 2022. The same year in June Toby shocked the industry media and disclosed the news of his cancer battle since fall 2021. Sadly, after 2 years of hard-fought battle, our beloved “Big Dog Daddy” passed away on February 5, 2024, at the age of 62.

What Businesses Did Toby Keith Own Or Was A Part Of?

If you think that the legendary “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue” singer only kept himself under the shadows of music, think again because his unimaginable $400 million net worth mostly came from various business ventures over the years that are listed below.

• Big Machine Label Group: Founded by former DreamWorks Records executive Scott Borchetta in 2005, BMLG partnered up with country singer Toby Keith and he bought a 10% stake in the company for $400,000. Big Machine was eventually acquired by Ithaca Holdings back in June 2019 for $300 million and if we calculate Toby’s 10% stake amount it’s $30 million.
• Restaurant Business (I Love This Bar and Grill): Following Keith’s record label founding he was offered by a Las Vegas casino owner named Don Marrandino to put out a Toby Keith-themed restaurant and by 2004 it fetched the country singer a $12 million franchise fee per annum.
• Liquor Business (Wild Shot): In the first quarter of 2011, Toby expanded his business empire to the liquor business and launched his own line of vodka - “Wild Shot”. The business grew rapidly over the years and brought around $60 - $100 million per annum as Toby’s part of the share.
• Dream Walkin' Farms: Besides music “Big Dog Daddy” always had a passion for horse racing which laid the foundation for his Dream Walkin’ Farms. The farm clutched around a total of 850 wins in total and earned him more than $18 million on the race track.
• Luck E Strike: Luck E Strike has been a staple in the fishing brand industry for over five decades and to a surprise, the brand’s value reached new heights in May 2023 when the “Country Capitalist” Toby Keith bought the company. Unfortunately, the details of the acquisition haven’t been disclosed publicly.
• Big Dog Cannabis: “Country’s $500 Million Man” also started a cannabis company called “Big Dogs Cannabis Co.” back in 2020 that is dedicated to innovating and providing top-class cannabis products. Sadly, just like Luck E Strike, the details of this company are also unavailable.    
• TK Steelman: TK Steeman is a clothing line that Toby launched back in February 2009. This company’s details are also not in public records.  

What Brands Has Toby Keith Endorsed?

The late country singer was rarely involved in brand endorsements besides two brands that are listed below.

• Telecom USA: Back in 1996, Toby made frequent appearances on YV commercials for Telecom USA for their 10-10-220 telephone service discount.
• Ford: One of the most aspiring and life-long partnerships in Toby Keith’s career was with the all-American automotive company - Ford. Toby started working with Ford in 2002 and even played a crucial role during the company’s 2008 financial crisis for a fraction of his normal payout.  

How Did Toby Keith Spent His Millions?

The country music legend mostly invested his money in different businesses but also racked up some fancy properties over the years that are worth millions. He also had a particular taste in automobiles and liked to spend his millions there.

How Many Houses Did Toby Keith Own?

• Nashville House: Toby once owned a 3,428 sq ft property in Nashville during his early days. It is still unclear when the country star sold the property but it has been on the market for sale with a $1 million price tag.
• Oklahoma Mansion: Sitting on a 160-acre ranch, Toby Keith’s Oklahoma property is arguably the eye candy in his real estate portfolio. The mansion alone is stretched for 10,000 sqft and it took him 3 years and 2 bulldozers to fix the whole ranch. As per reports, the mansion alone is worth $3.5 million.

How Many Cars And Other High-End Vehicles Did Toby Keith Own?

Toby Keith was an avid fan of automobiles, especially for classic models. Although the full extent of his car collection is still unknown, we will be back with the information asap.

Cars

• 1969 Ford 428 Cobra Jet Mach 1: The 428 Cobra Jet Mach 1 in candy apple red was his favorite car among other vehicles. The car was first spotted under bright lights back in 2022 when Sammy Hager visited Keith’s 160-acre ranch in Oklahoma.  
• 1963 Chevrolet Impala: Toby Keith’s ‘63 Impala was one one the all-classic in his collection. The car was a gift from Hager a few years ago which Toby sent out to a custom store for an engine change.
• 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ragtop: In an episode of “Rock & Roll Road Trip” Hager visited Toby at his ranch in Oklahoma and took a stroke through his garage. They were looking for a suitable classic car that would fit right for their dinner drive and that’s when Hager spotted the cameo white Cutlass.  
• Ford GT: Before making it to the Oldsmobile, Hager stumbled upon the fastest car in Toby’s collection - the Ford GT. The two even joked about how they wouldn’t be able to get out of the car after driving to a restaurant.

Private Jet

• Learjet 60(N405TK): If you have a guess what $400 million of net worth can get you, look at Toby Keith’s Learjet 60. This midsize business jet in Keith’s collection can be worth up to about $9.2 million.

What Are Toby Keith’s Charitable Contributions And Philanthropy Endeavors?

Other than making record-setting country hits, the “Country Capitalist” also took part in various charity work and gave back to the community for the ones in need. Let’s take a closer look at his charity endeavors.

• Toby Keith Foundation: Founded in 2006 by country legend Toby Keith, the “Toby Keith Foundation” is a non-profit foundation that has been helping children with cancer. He also worked with “OK Kids Korral” to help offer housing for children and families battling cancer. Up until his demise, Toby has spent a total of $20 million out of his own pocket, and recently, the “Toby Keith Foundation” raised a record-setting $3.1 million In June 2024.  
• Independence Fund Partnership: Toby also worked with “The Independence Fund” and donated $16,000 in all-terrain wheelchairs to all wounded veterans during the “That’s Country Bro!” tour in 2019. 

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