Entertainment Music Country Music Jason Aldean Brings Toby Keith's Family to Tears with Tribute Performance at 2024 ACM Awards Keith died on Feb. 5 at the age of 62 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer By Esme Mazzeo and Daniela Avila Daniela Avila Daniela Avila is an editorial assistant at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2021. Her work previously appeared on The Poly Post. People Editorial Guidelines Published on May 16, 2024 10:25PM EDT Jason Aldean performs at the ACM Awards on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Jason Aldean is paying tribute to his late friend Toby Keith. The country star, 47, sang one of Keith's biggest hits at the 59th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards which streamed live on Prime Video Thursday night, May 16. Keith died in February of stomach cancer at age 62. For the performance, Aldean graced the stage and performed an acoustic version of Keith's "Should've Been a Cowboy," causing Keith's family — including wife Tricia Lucus, daughters Shelley and Krystal, as well as son Stelen and his wife Haley — to shed tears as they watched from the audience. The "Try That in a Small Town" singer announced the plan to honor the "Red Solo Cup" singer in his Instagram Stories on Tuesday. "Honored to pay tribute to my friend, the one and only @tobykeith with a special performance of "Should've Been a Cowboy" at the @acmawards. Join me as we celebrate his legacy and the mark he left on country music," he wrote over a photo of Keith in the announcement. The Covel family at the ACM Awards in Frisco, Texas on May 16, 2024. Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Jason Aldean to Pay Tribute to Toby Keith at the 2024 ACM Awards: 'My Friend' The 1993 song is the first single Keith ever released and is from his debut self-titled album released the same year. The live show also featured live performances by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Kelsea Ballerini with “Stick Season” singer Noah Kahan and Post Malone, who made his ACMs performance debut. Check out PEOPLE's full ACM Awards coverage here. Toby Keith. Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic New male artist of the year nominee Nate Smith also performed on Thursday night with Avril Lavigne and Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and host Reba McEntire also performed live. The 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards are streaming live on Prime Video from Ford Center at The Star in Texas. Close