Carrie Underwood leads tributes to Toby Keith

Carrie Underwood has led tributes to Toby Keith after his death.

Several stars took to social media on Tuesday to pay tribute to the country singer, who died on Monday at the age of 62 after a battle with stomach cancer.

Keith’s family released a statement on his official Instagram page on Tuesday, announcing that he “passed peacefully” after he “fought his fight with grace and courage”.

Country music star Underwood paid tribute to the Should’ve Been a Cowboy hitmaker in an Instagram post hours after the announcement.

“Saddle up the horses, Jesus, ’cause a true blue COWBOY just made his ride up to heaven!!!” she wrote. “Introduce him to all the Okies and sign that boy up for the choir! We’re gonna miss you, Toby, but my heart has no doubt that you are standing in the presence of our King right now!!! See you again someday, friend.”

Billy Ray Cyrus also paid tribute to Keith, sharing that he and his fellow country star went on tour together “several times” during their music careers.

“Stood me still with emotion and memories to see and hear of the loss of my friend…the legend…Toby Keith. Heart breaking with thoughts and prayers for his fans and family this morning,” Cyrus wrote in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “We toured together several times around the globe. He was always the kindest…sweetest gentle giant of an outlaw one could ever hope to entertain and make music with. Raising a Red Cup this morning and saying a prayer. Heavens a honkytonk tonight.”

In addition, actor Stephen Baldwin took to Instagram to pay his respects to the musician.

“Wow this announcement has totally taken my breath away,” The Usual Suspects actor wrote. “I’ve been praying for Toby and it is truly wonderful to know he is finally home praise Jesus.”

Toby announced in late 2021 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. At the time, he revealed that he had already undergone surgery and six months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to treat the disease.