Conversations with Coach: The country music star talks cancer, country music, his love of the Sooners and what’s next with his longtime friend in his first extensive interview since his diagnosis.

Theirs is a friendship born on the sidelines of Oklahoma football games but lived out for 20-plus years in sharing old stories, celebrating big wins and getting through tough times.

So when former OU coach Bob Stoops sat down with country music legend Toby Keith, just about everything was on the table.

Keith and Stoops spoke in the latest edition of Conversations with Coach, a special presentation of Sellout Crowd. Both are investors in Sellout. 

It was the longest interview Keith has given since Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021. 

Keith’s health is on the upswing. He recently announced three shows in Las Vegas, which sold out in minutes. But the journey has been a life-changing one.  

“Cancer is an island and you’re on a boat,” Keith said. “Nobody goes over to that Island when you don’t have it and as soon as you do, you crash land on it.”

Keith was recently honored by the People’s Choice Country Awards as a Country Icon. During his speech, he spoke about how his highest achievement is when people talk about his work writing songs.

While talking to Stoops, he discussed how songwriting has helped him learn about the importance of creativity and collaboration. And sometimes, the spontaneous nature of inspiration. Keith wrote the song in just 20 minutes while sitting in a hotel bathroom with a guitar.

Keith’s musical career eventually led him to Orange Bowl in 2001, where he sang the National Anthem and watched as Stoops, in just his second year with the Sooners, led OU to the national championship.

That sparked a friendship that has lasted since, with Keith and Stoops traveling together and often on the sidelines together at OU games, now watching Stoops’ son Drake play for the Sooners.

“I know you and Carol (Bob Stoops’ wife) are way too humble,” Keith said. “But it’s time to start bragging on Drake. The Sooner Nation is proud to have him, and I don’t know what we’re going to do without him.”

What’s next for Keith after those Vegas shows? Maybe some new songs and other activities that combine his love of music, sports and spending time with old friends.

And maybe his own show on Sellout Crowd? 

Stay tuned.